TAKE FIVE What’s up with Ms D By Marinel Cruz Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 21:12:00 09/06/2008
MANILA, Philippines - Award-winning actress Dina Bonnevie still has dream roles on her list.
“I’d like to play a character like Samantha Jones of ‘Sex in the City,’ but maybe less sex-hungry,” Ms D tells Inquirer Entertainment. “Also a spy, like a female James Bond.”
Right now, she says, the roles she plays best are businesswoman (she is part of the telecom company Fusion—retail name Efonica); girlfriend of three years to Lebanese businessman Habib; mom to Oyo and Danica; and granny to Danica’s newborn son, Jean Michele.
In this tell-all interview, Dina shares her views on companionship, same-sex marriage, and her former husband Vic Sotto’s relationship with Pia Guanio.
Are you more picky with roles now? I’ve turned down three movies this year. Ayaw kong magpakamatay ‘no? I just do movies for fun; It’s not my bread and butter.
Are you strict about the time you allot forshow biz and your business? Actually, that’s my problem. When I finished “Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita,” that’s about the time I completed the start-up requirements for my company. It’s been five months since, and I’m being offered another TV soap. I don’t know if I still have the time for it.
But it’s like “Sex in the City”— there will be three other girls— and I like the character Samantha Jones. Do you know that when I did “American Adobo” in New York, Kim Cattrall wore my clothes? We had the same wardrobe mistress, who saw my clothes on the rack and said, “Who owns those? I don’t see them here in New York.” They were Mango. There was no Mango in NY at the time. She said, “Samantha could wear this. Would you swap?” I said, “Okay.” So I wore her dress and she wore mine.
How do you fight stress? When I’m stressed my eyes get all puffy and I sound like I have colds. Pero pag nakatulog ako, I look fresh talaga. I try not to work on Saturdays. Maghapon akong nasa spa. Sunday is family day. I also do Bikram yoga. After each session, I feel tall and slim. I had trouble breathing during the first few classes. The yoga master just told me, “Be still.”
What’s your view on dieting? I don’t believe in dieting; I’d rather eat healthy. My breakfast is always fibrous. Today, I had a whole wheat pancake with olive oil butter and maple syrup. Yesterday, I had oatmeal with Anlene Milk. I drink Anlene at night, too.
What do you do in your free time? I love watching “Sex in the City.” I have all the seasons on DVD. I also love “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Ellen is so funny. I love the way she dances on her show.
I had a lot of lesbian suitors before (Ellen recently married girlfriend Portia de Rossi) but I prefer men. I like being around them (lesbians), though. They’re so much fun. Last night, watching "Ellen," I wondered what if... I had married someone like her. I bet that would be fun. When you’re older, it’s all really just about companionship, not sex. You want to travel together; take morning walks, have long bedroom talks...
Speaking of companionship, you were seen on a date in Bonifacio Global City a few months ago. That was probably my boyfriend, Habib. We’ve been dating for three years now. He’s Lebanese and 11 years my junior. He’s turning 36 in November.
Tying the knot anytime soon? He actually wants to get married. Sa akin lang, I’ve done it twice and both were palpak! On the other hand, I’m a Christian and the Church frowns on this, so I’m considering it. Habib is a Greek Orthodox. For them, a man can have sex only with his wife.
On Sundays, I go to Victory Christian Fellowship with my kids in the morning. Habib sometimes comes with us. Then I go with him to their church in the afternoon.
Would you pose for FHM again? I don’t know. Modesty aside, the publisher told me they reprinted that issue three times. When it first came out, my son said, “Mama, nakakahiya sa mga classmates ko.” Shortly after, we had lunch with his dad, who said, “Why are you talking that way to your mother? Pasalamat ka may asim pa ang nanay mo.” Three days later, Oyo came to my house, handed me seven of the 10 FHM magazines that I had and said, “Mama pirmahan mo nga ’to. Nabenta ko na ’yung isa sa classmate ko for P650.” Pinagkakitaan pa ako (laughs)!
How are you as a lola? I’d like to be called Mama D. Ayoko ng lola! Vic doesn’t want to be called lolo, either. He prefers tatay. I love babysitting. I watch TV and I put the baby between my boobs (laughs).
What have you discovered about Danica as a mom? We became closer when she got married (to PBA cager Jean Marc Pingris). She called me a lot and drove me to my spa appointments. She treated me like barkada. When she gave birth, she became the OC (obsessive-compulsive) type. Once, she fussed about my hair grazing the baby’s face.
Mark and I once argued about how Jean Michele should be [nicknamed]. He wanted to call the boy Mick. I said why not Mich (pronounced “mesh.”) Mark and Danica are studying French, so strict ako sa pronunciation.
I told them "Mick" reminds me of Mico (Vic’s nephew and Ali Sotto’s son, who died) I took care of that boy when Ali went to the US. When he died, it was hard for me.
You’re not ready to marry again, but would you encourage Vic? I don’t meddle with his life. We talk only of things concerning the kids. But since you’re asking, I want him to be happy, so my children will not be unhappy.
Do you like Pia for him? Pia has a career and is busy on her own, with or without Vic. She’s very respectful. I invited her to Danica’s wedding but she didn’t come because she felt it was Vic’s thing with the kids and their mom. One time, we were having dinner for Oyo’s birthday, ayaw n’ya rin pumunta. She waited for me to tell Vic that I was bringing my boyfriend and that it was okay for her to come. Kwento-to-the-max kami ni Pia. Vic was shocked.
What can you say about Marc? Before they got married, I asked him: “What happens after basketball? I just want to make sure you would be a good provider.”
What about Oyo’s rumored girlfriend Kristine Hermosa? She’s a nice girl. I asked what’s really going on between them and she said, “Tita, friends lang kami.” I told Oyo: “Ayaw ko ng nanggugulo ka ng relasyon.” (Kristine is married to actor Diether Ocampo; she recently filed for annulment.) My son told me, “Mama, she’s really just barkada."
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