LANI MERCADO laughs off allegations that she is jealous of Beauty Gonzales who plays her husband Bong Revilla’s new leading lady in the upcoming GMA-7 action comedy, “Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis”.
“Naku, wala na sa’kin ang ganyang mga selos-selos,” she says when we had lunch with her at Lolit Solis’ birthday.
“Remember, ako mismo ang kapareha ni Bong sa original movie version ng ‘Walang Matinik na Pulis’ at nang gagawin na nila itong sitcom, they also offered it to me, pero hindi ko na kaya sa dami ng work ko sa family namin and as Cavite representative. I'm praying nga na tangkilikin sana ng viewers ang tambalan nina Bong at Beauty.”
She says she was the one who personally selected and recommended Beauty to take her place.
“Napanood ko si Beauty sa ibang shows niya and she’s good.
"I know Bisaya siya and I have some friends na Bisaya rin at naaaliw ako kapag tumatalak sila sa mga mister nila so naisip kong si Beauty nga ang kunin at gawing Bisaya yung character ng wife sa show.”
“And she made the right choice,” says Sen. Bong Revilla.
“First time pa lang namin mag-shoot at tinawag niya ako ng Tulume, alam ko na, she’s perfect for the role.”
“Sa movie kasi, Tulume, ang name ni Bong,” adds Lani.
“At tuwing tatawagin ko siya ng Tulumeeeee! Natatawa na ang mga tao kasi under the saya si Tulume sa misis niya in the story.
"Part yun ng comedy namin at nagampanan naman ni Beauty nang maayos ang role ng talakerang misis on TV. Hanggang ngayon nga, when some people see me in public, hinahanap nila sa akin si Tulume.”
In real life, is Sen. Bong under her as a henpecked husband?
Bong butts in and says: “This is the story of my life,” he laughs, then touches Lani’s face. “Hindi a. Ang asawa ko pa?”
“Masunurin po ako,” says Lani. “Law abiding citizen.
"Pero sa bahay namin, may comedy rin talaga, siya yung nagpo-provide. He makes us all laugh. May episodes sa buhay namin na naipasok namin noon sa pelikula.”
“Maski dito sa show, maraming scenes na based on real life,” adds Bong.
“Kaya maraming mister na makaka-relate dito, kahit na yung mga pulis, lalo na yung mga under ng misis nilang matatapang.
"Yung mga pinapakita namin dyan, based sa kuwento-kuwento with generals, colonels and even senators. Hahahaha!”
So is Lani really “matinik” in real life?
“Yes, matinik yan,” he replies.
To which, Lani retorts. “Pero mas matinik siya! Hahahaha!”
As a couple, they are just thankful for the stability of their marriage.
“Very thankful kami kay Lord kasi He continues to bless our family for 37 years na,” says Lani.
“Even our kids, maayos lahat ang buhay. We’re so proud our daughter Inah has passed the bar and is now a lawyer, while our daughter Loudette will be a doctor.”
“Yun ang plano ng father ko para sa aming mga anak niya before,” says Bong.
“Hindi nangyari, pero sa mga anak ko, natupad, so we have so much to be thankful for.”
