The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Blood is thicker than water.
Time and again, this adage has been proven true and heartfelt among show people who are impressed to be jaded and self-centered.
One shining example is the filial inclination of Robin Padilla, now senator of the land, to the late John Regala, John Paul Guido Boucher Scheerer in real life.
It is a known fact that John is a Padilla scion being the son of the late actor Mel Francisco, Adolfo Padilla Scheerer in real life, whose mom is Robin’s cousin.
No matter how hard Mel had disowned John as his son, many showbiz denizens would testify–aside from Regala’s late mother, actress Ruby Regala, veteran actress Divina Valencia and entertainment news hen Alice Vergara–that he was indeed Francisco’s son.
In this writer’s interview with Mel in the late 1980s, he accused Ruby of infidelity, an accusation the actress known for her solo movie “Zebra, Ang Babaing Gubat” denied.
Although in his lifetime, John was always on his own but when he was asked–or voluntarily avail himself–to break bread with the Padillas he would always devote time with them.
It wasn’t only a social obligation but a personal duty as well as one of his own that Robin, together with elder brother Rommel Padilla, had to pay their last respects to the fallen action star of their league.
Senator Padilla broke all his appointments ahead of his legislative duties just to be with John for the last time which John’s family–specifically Gina Alonzo, the late actor’s wife and their kids–gave thanks to.
Gina at the moment is heartbroken just thinking of not seeing John anymore. “Ilang araw na lang, mahal ko, hindi na kita makikita. Mahal na mahal (Just a few days more and I won’t see you anymore, my love. I love you so much),” lamented Alonzo.
John’s remains lie in state at the St. Peter Chapel along Commonwealth Avenue in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
He was 58.