Vi: Matagal din kaming may tampuhan ni Aga

Over lunch yesterday with the first batch of movie writers she’s treating to a thanksgiving salu-salo (the second, bigger, batch’s turn is at noon today at a Tomas Morato restaurant), Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos admitted that, like Sharon Cuneta, she also had a long-drawn “cold war” with Aga Muhlach (whom she fondly calls Agaton) for reasons that she didn’t reveal anymore.

“Matagal kaming may tampuhan ni Agaton, umabot ng years,” said Vi who, unlike Sharon, kept the “tampuhan” between her and Aga. In fact, until yesterday perhaps only very few movie writers knew about it and those who did didn’t write about it. When we bumped into each other, we would exchange ‘Hi’s!’, we were civil to each other din naman. Nang magkabati kami, we became even closer. Nagkaayos kami na hindi nalaman ng press.”

Vi was at the Big Dome Friday night last week during Ai-Ai delas Alas’ Akin Ang Tronong ‘To concert when Sharon “snubbed” Aga who was with wife Charlene Gonzales among those in the audience.

“I think it’s just one of those things na tampuhan ng magkaibigan,” explained Vilma. “Maganda naman ang naging samahan nilang dalawa. Let’s give them space. Sooner or later, pasasaan ba at magkakaayos din sila. These things happen between friends. Tao rin naman ang mga artista, hindi naman kami kumakain ng ginto, so kailangan malawak na pang-unawa sa amin.”

Gov. Vi (front row, third from left) with (back row, from left) her sister Emelyn, Butch Francisco, Vi’s friend Maricar Magalona-Martinez, Vi’s Girl Friday/accountant Aida Fandialan, Enchante chef Jessie Sincioco, Mario Bautista, Shirley Pizarro, Leah Salterio, Mario Hernando, Eugene Asis and Lhar Santiago; and (front row, also from left) Ronald Constantino, Nestor Cuartero, Ethel Ramos, Aster Amoyo, Ricky Lo and Mario Dumaual.

The “Special Lunch for Special Friends” (which is also what today’s get-together is called) was held at the Enchante Chef Jessie at the Ortigas Center, owned and managed by Vi’s long-time friend Jessie Sincioco who prepared a menu to remember consisting of Chef Jessie’s Ciabatta Bread, Rolls, Butter & Special Dip; Salad a la Governor Vi; Creamy Lobster Bisque; Raspberry Sorbet; Grilled U.S. Black Angus Tenderloin and Pan Fried Chilean Sea Bass; and a Trio of French Chocolate Kiss, “Princess Carmen,” and Fresh Mango Crepe Pouch.

Vi’s Girl Friday and accountant Aida Fandialan texted a reminder to those expected: “Skip breakfast.” We did and we were still burping deep into the night.

Vi has a lot to be thankful for this year. She won a second term as Governor of Batangas, and her husband Ralph Recto was reelected senator, her career in both showbiz and politics is going great, and her family life is more than satisfactory.

She celebrated her 57th birthday last Nov. 3 in Seoul with Ralph and son Ryan Christian, family members and close non-showbiz friends. Vi and Ralph will be spending Christmas as usual with their respective families with everybody around including Vi’s 86-year-old Mama Milagros who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

“I feel sad,” said Vi, her eyes turning misty. “Mama doesn’t recognize us anymore. Sometimes, she calls me Ate, sometimes naman Mama. But when she sees me on TV she smiles and says ‘Si Vi, si Vi!’ Our only consolation is that she’s healthy.”

But Vi said that she has nothing more to ask for.

“I’m not asking for more. I am comfortable with my life now. Sa awa ng Diyos, okey naman ang family ko, I’m happy with my job as a public servant, my children are okay. At okey pa rin naman ako sa showbiz; I still get offers. Kaya, thank you, Lord, thank you!”

What’s up?

• The much-awaited “CD & DVD Holiday Clearance Sale” starts today at the 10th floor of the Universal Tower (Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City). The give-away sale continues on Dec. 27 (Saturday) and Nov. 28 (Sunday), and will go on every weekend (Friday and Saturday) until Dec. 19.

The first-come-first-served retail opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. on the following four weekends. Discover all the added feature of the grand sale, plus thousands of never-before-seen CDs and DVDs of all genres. Bargain hunters will also be surprised to find one-of-a-kind items which will be treasured by music and film collectors. There are also gift items for the budget-conscious.

•  Christmas sale goes on at Festival Supermall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, from today to Nov. 30, with 50 percent discounts on big brands. All items you may be looking for are available. Festival Supermall is the only mall with five anchor stores: Shopwise Supercenter, SaveMore, Robinsons Department Store, Ace Hardware and Handyman.

•  Formally closing the November calendar of Paco Park Presents tonight are the talented voice students of noted tenor Ronan Ferrer at the St. Paul University Manila College of Music & the Performing Arts, namely soprano Grace Garrol, baritone Graenald Enero, mezzo soprano Jean Caleriano, tenor Russel Indab and Regine Garabiles. Program host is Thea Perez-Prosia.

•  Q-11 will air the 23rd Annual Aliw Awards Special from 10:30 p.m. to 12 midnight on Sunday, Nov. 28. The show, directed by Joey G. Nombres, features performances by Entertainer of the Year Sarah Geronimo, and Aliw awardees Nonoy Libanan, Dondi Ong and Richard Poon, with Tim Yap and Issa Litton as emcees. The TV special is supported by Turkish Air, Meteor Travel, Pagoda Phils., Heaven’s Best Production and Jesi Mendez, with media partners Manila Bulletin, 105.1 Crossover and Q-11.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])