Valentine stories
Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, for Filipinos was slightly different this year.
Uniquely enough, the headline maker this year was not the traditional Valentine’s preparation or the increasing cost of Valentine’s, the hard to get dinner reservations, or the accompanying traffic as families and couples celebrated the special day of love. Rather, it was the fact that Juan Ponce Enrile marked his 100th birth year on Feb. 14, 2024 as a still powerful political figure!
Philippine STAR Lifestyle editor Millet-Mananquil scored a scoop at the start of the week with her exclusive interview with the now legendary government centenarian, setting the tone for this year’s unique Valentine’s color stories. STAR editor-in-chief Amy Pamintuan’s column on Valentine’s Day was also a different take as it was about the Netherland’s legal policy on euthanasia and assisted death that has allowed some couples to resort to “duo euthanasia,” particularly in their twilight years, who are sickly and who choose to end their lives together, giving more meaning, according to Amy to the marriage vow that promises “Till death do us part.” Romantic BSP Governors
This year’s Valentine’s Day celebration was also different and extended as it coincided with this year’s Chinese New Year which fell on a Friday, Jan. 9 for CNY’s eve and Jan. 10 for CNY. This resulted in a long weekend for most families and couples.
BSP Governor Eli Remolona was able to take advantage of the long weekend to spend it partly in Baguio and at the beach with his family and beloved wife Marie, posting photos of her walking on the beach and their family lunch. The Governor even posted on his social media an adorable photo with one of his cute grandnieces, and another photo of the already celebrity Baby “Peanut” of another niece, Jessy Mendiola aka Mrs. Lucky Manzano. (Sorry guys, I would have liked to post photos, but they were private posts).
As I had previously written during the early days of Gov. Eli as the new BSP chief, his pursuit of his beloved wife Marie is one for the movies.
According to Governor Remolona, he had seen Marie in the UP campus, but being a very shy fellow, he could not muster the courage to introduce himself and get to know her. Instead, he opted to follow her around and even ride the same bus she took home everyday, adoring her with his eyes without her knowledge even though Marie’s bus route was not in the same direction going to his residence.
Fortunately, for the timid governor, he became friends with one of her cousins who eventually became instrumental in finally introducing him to Marie.
As fate would have it, Governor Eli was also the wingman to the courtship of his predecessor, former BSP governor Felipe “Philip” Medalla, who like Gov. Eli also first laid eyes on his vivacious wife, Cynthia, in UP. However, unlike timid and shy Gov. Eli, former BSP Gov. Philip was quite bold and loquacious and clearly knew just how to win his lady’s heart.
Tita Cynthia, early on Valentine’s Day posted the bouquet of flowers Gov. Medalla had bought for her first thing in the morning – sweet!
Another former BSP governor, Amando “Say” Tetangco, on the other hand, was smitten on the job at the then Central Bank of the Philippines, upon setting his eyes on his beautiful Elma. Gov. Say has been protective of his private life, but after his long relationship with our 501 Gang, the senior group of banking reporters that covered Say during his early years in the Central Bank until he became Governor of the new Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, he has asked Tita Elma to join the group during our “de-stressing” dinner sessions over the years.
Gov. Say, ever so private, opted to quietly spend Valentine’s dinner at home.
The 501 Group’s regular dinners over the years with Gov. Say, however, have allowed us to witness his strong love for Tita Elma. It is on those occasions that he openly holds her hands while walking!
Naks! Holding hands while walking, may pa swing, swing pa!... as the saying goes. Rejuvenation
I guess the loving attitude of Gov. Remolona has also rubbed off on BSP officials and to members of the Monetary Board.
BSP Deputy Governor Berna Romulo-Puyat pours all of her love to her daughter Maia and son Vito, who are both studying abroad. However, Berna extends that love further to the adopted fur babies of son Vito, an askal, Mocha, during his OJT in Palawan.
Vito’s first fur baby was Biggie, who he left with his mom, and who now sleeps with her in her room and is spoiled crazy.
However, in a recent vacation from his studies, Vito again convinced his mom to adopt another askal, this time named Pizza, and who now forms the triumvirate menagerie of Berna.
But like I said, rejuvenation is part of the unexpected effect of Gov. Eli’s term, with MB member Romeo Bernardo suddenly doing the unexpected, after years of sporting his silver locks, by dyeing his hair and moustache a very youthful full black? Or is it dark brown? (Again no photos as the evidence was shared by third parties).
I guess Romy just wanted to complement his beautiful wife, Amina Rasul-Bernardo, who recently changed her hairstyle to a very fetching short bob, enhancing the beauty she inherited from beautiful mom, former senator Santanina Rasul.