MANILA, Philippines — Although actress and Cavite Second District Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla celebrated her birthday last April 13 with a musical treat for her constituents, she still has to fulfill her wish for her 56th birthday.
She expressed her desire that she can travel more with her husband, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, with whom she has been married for 38 years this May.
Lani dreams of visiting Switzerland and relieving the romantic sites featured in the popular Korean TV series, “Crash Landing on You” (2019), starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin.
The star of “Crash Landing on You” has been Lani’s crush ever since she watched the romantic drama series in the pandemic. In fact, she even got a Hyun Bin standee from her sister-in-law and Smart-PLDT executive Chaye Cabal Revilla. The standee was placed in her office room in their house.
Lani insisted the trip is not likely to happen soon because she, husband Bong and her two children — Bryan and Jolo — will be busy with next year’s elections.
However, Lani got to travel last February to Los Angeles, California, where she witnessed the birth of her fifth grandchild, Lauren Angela, daughter of Jolo and wife, Angel Alita, Binibining Pilipinas 2016 first runner-up.
Meanwhile, on her birthday, she mounted annual free concert, “G na G with Ate Lani,” for her Bacooreños. The concert was headlined by Pinoy pop sensations The Itchyworms who delivered an electrifying set with hits like Kabataang Pinoy, Ayokong Tumanda and Beer.
The crowd was also serenaded with a soulful rendition of Di Na Muli. In a heartwarming moment, the group asked for a volunteer to play the guitar with the band onstage. Lani also joined The Itchyworms in a rendition of Akin Ka Na Lang.
Rapper and singer-songwriter Flow G brought the house down as he performed his famous hit, Rapstar, along with other crowd favorites like Batugan and Gwolf. He capped off his performance with the upbeat Business Talk.
Lani was later joined by her husband, Bong, who surprised her with a bouquet of flowers, much to the delight of the crowd.
Speaking of Sen. Bong, early this April, he was officially proclaimed an “adopted son” in a formal resolution passed by the Municipal Council of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
This took place in a program where the senator was presented with a copy of the resolution by Mayor Walter “Bong” Marquez, Vice Mayor Edwin Mintu and other officials and employees of the said local government. Also present in the program was Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo Gadiano.
Resolution No. 2024-SDM335 recognized and appreciated Senator Revilla’s support for Sablayan and his participation as guest of honor in this year’s opening of the provincial sports meet in Occidental Mindoro. Also cited in the Resolution was the “Revilla Law” that he authored, enabling senior citizens to enjoy their cash gift at an earlier age.
The actor-politician already started the filming of the action flick, “Alyas Pogi 4,” not for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this December, but for a regular playdate.
He did a first-day shoot with co-stars Epy Quizon and Ara Mina. However, Bong had to undergo surgery after suffering an Achilles tendon injury while filming. He is now confined in a hospital where he underwent further tests and bloodwork.
In a Facebook livestream video on Tuesday night (April 16), he revealed that he suffered a partial tear of his Achilles heel while filming a running scene in “Alyas Pogi 4.”
Doctors recommended surgery after he finished his MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to address the injury.
The senator was obviously disappointed at the recent turn of events in his schedule. “Medyo matagal-tagal pa after the operation,” he lamented. “Around three to five months ang healing. Nakaka-inis. Medyo malungkot na balita. But I’m okay.”