December 16, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — One of the things Sen. Lito Lapid is most grateful for this 2024 is an enduring acting career, bolstered by his “love team” with Lorna Tolentino in the primetime series “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.” However, he was quick to dismiss the romantic speculations about their pairing.
In the Coco Martin-led show, the veteran action star, 69, plays Primo/Supremo, with Tolentino playing Amanda, with fans dubbing their teamup as PriManda.
Responding to a question from The STAR during a recent gathering with the entertainment press, Lapid said, “Siguro ako na ang pinakamatanda na may ka-loveteam. Buti tinatanggap pa ako na lolo na ako, senior citizen na, tinatanggap pa rin na may ka-love team ako. Isang karangalan. Parang ang tingin ko sa PriManda, teenager pa kami. Ang lakas sa online, laging napag-uusapan. Nagpapasalamat rin ako sa pamilya ko na naiintindihan naman nila yung trabaho ko.
(“Maybe I’m the oldest actor with a love team. It’s a good thing I’m still accepted even though I’m already a grandfather, a senior citizen. I’m still being accepted as part of a love team — it’s an honor. I see Primanda as if we’re still teenagers. It’s strong online, always being talked about. I’m also thankful to my family for understanding the nature of my work.)
Asked why the tandem worked, he said, “Sa istorya kasi may drama, may action. Ang galing talaga ni Coco mag-twist ng storya. Ako talagang inisip ko ‘di kami mag-ki-click eh kasi may edad na tapos sabi ko sa sarili, cute pa ba ako, hindi na eh.
“‘Di ko inimagine andito pa rin ako, na meron pa akong ka-loveteam. Ang dami ng naghiwa-hiwalay dyan, pero ang PriManda matibay na loveteam. Loveteam lang ha,” he stressed.
(The story has drama, action, and Coco is really great at adding twists to the story. Honestly, I thought we wouldn’t click because of our age. I even asked myself, ‘Am I still cute?’ I don’t think so anymore. But I never imagined I’d still have a love team. Many have already gone their separate ways, but PriManda has remained a solid love team. Love team only, okay?)
He said that he got teased about it by his colleagues at the Senate, like fellow actors-turned-politicians Jinggoy Estrada and Robin Padilla. But downplaying rumors, fueled in part by Tolentino’s longtime manager Lolit Solis’ comments of disapproval on social media, Lapid admitted that “minsan na tsi-tsismis kami… Puro tukso-tuksuhan lang.” He said he skipped being part of the veteran actress’ Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 entry “Espantaho” to avoid further intrigue.
According to his son, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer Mark Lapid, who also appears in “Batang Quiapo,” said that the love team went through the approval of the family.
Lito with son, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer Mark Lapid.
“It’s part of our job. Nothing personal,” he said. “I was the one explaining to my mom that it’s just a job. It’s part of the job.”
But the elder Lapid bared the initially jealous reaction of his non-showbiz wife, Marissa Tadeo.
“Siempre tao lang yan. Siempre nagseselos din, totoo naman yun. Sinasabi ko sa kanya, ‘Tayo magpapalit, ikaw artista ako ang taong bahay, ganyan din mararamdaman ko, magseselos din ako pag ikaw ay la-loveteam. Naiintindihan kita. Pero wala akong magagawa. Nagtatrabaho ako eh. Wala na akong alam na trabaho kung ‘di ito,’” he recalled explaining to his wife.
(Of course, she’s just human. She also gets jealous, that’s true. I tell her, ‘Let’s switch roles, you’re the actor and I’m the one at the house. I’d also feel the same way, I’d get jealous if you have a love team.’ I understand you. But there’s nothing I can do. I’m working. I don’t know any other job but this,’” he recalled explaining to his wife.
“‘Di lang naman ito, nung araw pa naman may tsismis na ganyan. Minsan medyo totoo, minsan hindi,” he laughingly added.
(But it’s not just now, there were rumors like that before. Sometimes, they were true, sometimes they were not.)
Mark added, “My mom’s exact were words were: ‘Kung kelan tumanda yung tatay niyo, saka lumandi dun sa TV, may ka-loveteam.’ So, I told her, ‘Ikaw naman, TV lang yan. It’s just a loveteam and he’s already a senior citizen’…Yun ang biruan (namin sa bahay).”
The senator added, “Sabi niya sa akin, “Kung kelan ka tumanda, nakipag-kissing scene ka. (My answer?) Eh kailangan sa eksena.”
Lapid, however, noted that he has reassured his wife. “Siempre sinasabi ko sa kanya, mag-golden wedding anniversary na tayo — 50 years together. ‘Wag mo na ako pagdudahan… Ano pa ang gusto mong patunayan ko sayo? After that, OK na.”
(I always tell her, we’re about to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary — 50 years together. So, don’t doubt me anymore. What else do you want me to prove to you? After that, everything’s OK.)
Though he hopes that his onscreen partnership with Lorna will continue for a long time, he hinted that it’s coming to end by February of 2025 due to the upcoming midterm elections where he’s eyeing a fourth term at the Senate.
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