Tito & Helen hawak-kamay on the long and winding road

Because her mother was strict, hands-on in watching over her actress-daughter like an eagle on and off the movie set, Helen Gamboa kept it a secret when she fell in love with Tito Sotto (then member of a band called Tiltdown Men). Helen’s close reporter-friends privy to the romance hinted that Helen’s suitor hid behind the letter “ES” which they said stood for Engineering Student when actually they were for Ernesto Sotto III.

But love, true love, prevails against all odds.

So on Sept. 22, 1969, the sweethearts eloped and got married in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

“Tito convinced me that we got married so that he could visit me na at home,” recalled Helen with a blush, “kasi nga ayaw sa kanya ng Mommy ko. Maski pinaparinggan na sya ng Mommy ko, bale-wala sa kanya. Actually, my mom frowned on anybody courting me. Our plan was to get married and then, he would go to his home and I would go to mine.”

It was only two weeks later when Tito was  allowed by Helen’s mom to set foot in the Gamboa residence.

“We were married already and my mom couldn’t do anything about it,” continued Helen, “Maski halos himatayin siya when she learned about our secret marriage.”

Two years later, on Jan. 2, 1971, the couple got married en grande at the Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills, San Juan (now) City.

Sunday last week (Sept. 21), Tito and Helen invited friends to a dinner at the Midas Hotel to celebrate their 45th wedding (the first) anniversary.

So, how does Helen love Tito? Let her count the (45) ways…

Very intense ang kanyang love sa akin.

He’s matiyaga (persevering).

He’s very religious.

He’s compassionate.

Bagay sa kanya ang bigote niya, hahahaha! Not many men can carry a bigote that well.

He accepts me as his stylist and fashion consultant.

He loves my cooking, especially Kimchi, Kare-Kare at kung anu-ano pa.

As a father, he’s close to perfect.

As a husband, the same.

When I’m in a bad mood, he cheers me up. He has a way of making me laugh and winning me back.

When we fight (small fights lang naman), I would retreat to the other room to cool off. Soon, nandyan na siya, sinusuyo ako.

He’s patient.

When I get sick, he acts as my nurse, and he never leaves my side.

He seldom loses his cool. He has learned how to control his temper. Ganyan naman kapag nagkaka-edad ka na, di ba?

He’s a good singer. His speaking voice is full, modulated, and that adds to his appeal.

He sings with me our theme songs, Two For The Road and The Long and Winding Road.

He worries when calamities hit the country not only about his family but about everybody.

During crisis, hindi siya natataranta. Kalmado lang siya.

He’s very generous, very giving, tulong dito, tulong doon. Masyadong mapagbigay, matulungin.

Our term of endearment is the same through the years — Sweetheart. When he says it, it sounds like music to my ears.

He’s a careful driver; sumusunod sa traffic rules.

He’s a law-abiding citizen.

He doesn’t hold grudges. Pasensyoso. He leaves it all to God.

He prays with me before we go to sleep…

…and prays with me as soon as we wake up.

He says “I love you!” to me every day, without fail. At home and, when he’s out, calls me just to say “I love you!”

I love his favorite scent. What brand? Secret! I’m the one who buys it for him.

He loves Dan Brown novels (The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, etc.).

He surprises me with gifts. One time, he gave me a pair of nighties and he made me wear it before we went to sleep. I kidded him, “Are you making me a Hustler model?” Hahahaha!

He’s techie, mahusay sa gadgets (computers, etc.).

He’s no longer a smoker. He was a long time ago during their Iskul Bukol days.

He doesn’t drink. Oh, he does but only a little…red wine, ganoon.

He’s clean-living. We’re both homebodies.

He’s health-conscious.

He loves historical movies, especially those starring Tom Hanks and Ben Affleck.

Masarap siyang katabi in bed. He sleeps on the left side and I, right side.

I sleep with three pillows (one under my head and two under my feet) and he, two pieces that he hugs…when he’s not hugging me, hahahaha

He snores…a bit, thank God!

No, he doesn’t sleepwalk.

He’s a good comedian, suwabe!

Mabait sa mga kapatid niya.

As a Senator, devoted to his work.

He comes home on time.

In the last 45 years, he hasn’t given me any problem.

45. Is Tito faithful? Of course, he is. Oo naman!

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)