Article posted August 21, 2008
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In line with Carmina Villaroel’s birthday last August 17, her co-hosts Janice and Gelli de Belen gave her an advanced and fun-filled celebration on their daily morning show, SIS. Fun and surprises awaited the viewers as Carmina’s loved ones spilled her secrets and performed her favorite songs. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco, with interview excerpts from SIS. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio.
Greetings from loved ones
To kick off the celebration, Carmina’s older sister Rhea Villarroel-Quisumbing called her up for a birthday message.
“I’m just so thankful for having a sister like Mina who’s very fortunate to have a good career, and who’s very generous in helping people who are in need. Mins, don’t forget to thank the good Lord for all your blessings, stay happy and I love you.”
Afterwards, Janice and Gelli called the birthday girl’s closest celebrity pals, such as Anna Roces, Ian Veneracion and Candy Pangilinan, who all took some time off their busy schedules to be with Carmina.
When asked about what makes Carmina a unique friend, Candy answered, “Maliban sa Asia’s whitest ka, pagkatapos ng bond paper, ikaw na, e unique na unique yun, no!” On a more serious note she continued, “Maliban doon, hindi ko nakalimutan yung [saying na] ‘This too, shall pass.’ Kasi there was a time na siguro five hours yata akong umiiyak sa kanya noong bagong hiwalay ako. Si Carmina was there, siya yung tumakbo. Sabi niya sa akin, ‘Cands, mayroon akong favorite na motto. Nakuha ko ito sa Bible. Naniniwala ako dito. This too, shall pass.’ Dinala ko yun hanggang ngayon dahil sa kanya.”
Another well-wisher was Ms. Susan Roces, who said, “Mina, nasubaybayan ko ang iyong paglaki mula sa pagkabata, hanggang sa pagdadalaga, ngayon, hanggang sa iyong pagiging ina. Nais kong ipaalam sa’yo na I’m very, very proud of you. Karangalan ko na maging kaibigan kita at makasama sa industriya ng pelikula. I wish you the very best, I love you.”
Havin’ fun!
Among the singers who performed were Aiza Seguerra and Jolina Magdangal, who sang “Power of Two” and “No One” respectively. There was also a surprise number from Carmina’s Day Off co-host, Mike “Pekto” Nacua, who delivered his wacky rendition of “Go On Girl!”
Before the show started, Carmina filled up a giant autograph book, and her answers were revealed during the episode. After much prodding from her co-hosts and guests, Carmina finally revealed who her “first love” and “first kiss” was: Keempee de Leon!
Later on when her partner was called onstage, Zoren Legaspi commented jokingly, “Hindi na dapat ako lalabas, puro Keempee narinig ko sa likod, e!”
“Pasensiya na honey, napag-usapan namin si Keempee!”
“Hanggang ngayon, hindi mo pa nalilimutan, 16 years old ka [pa] noon, e!”
“E ba’t si Ruffa (Gutierrez) nga, hindi mo makalimutan, no! O, excuse me, ha, bago si Ruffa, si Aiko (Melendez) pa! O sige!”
This funny banter between Carmina and Zoren proved that the two are not only life partners, they’re the best of friends, too!
Q & A
The show proceeded with Zoren as a guest host.
One of the questions he asked Carmina was, “Sa buhay mo ngayon, ano yung pinaka-pinasasalamatan mo na nangyari?”
“Syempre yung twins,” she replied. “Yun yung pinasasalamatan ko talaga na dumating kayo sa aking life.”
“Mayroon ka pa bang pinapangarap sa buhay mo ngayon whether it’s for you or anyone?”
“Kasi may bago akong tinutulungan na foundation. Ito yung mga batang may mga rare disease so since kaka-join ko lang sa foundation na ito, isang beses ko pa lang nakipag-meet sa kanila pero ang dami ko nang gusto sanang mangyari sa foundation na yun,” Carmina answered.
The tables were then turned, and Carmina had to ask Zoren a question.
She joked, “Where’s my gift? Haha!”
“Gusto ko magka-kambal ulit sana! Gusto niyo, di ba po?” Zoren teased Carmina.
Carmina rode along, saying that if she was guaranteed to have twins again, she would “go for the gold!”
What is Zoren’s wish for Carmina?
“Tinatanong ko siya kagabi, e. Sabi niya, ayaw niya ng bag, ayaw niya ng relo. Kaya yung relong binili ko, Pekto, ibinalik ko na! Sabi ko, ano ireregalo ko sa kanya? So doon mo makikita yung isang tao na [at] peace na siya, dahil wala na siyang hinihiling na iba. Actually, yung kay Carmina, kung ano man yung project [niya] na ginagawa, hindi naman niya bino-broadcast e. So a lot of people don’t know kung ano yung mga ginagawa niyang projects [that] make her happy. Yun, hun, any time tutulong ako doon!”
Catch the terrific trio of Janice, Gelli, and Carmina every weekday morning on SIS!
