Cookie is an original Regal baby launched in 1980 in “Underage”. She made many hits with Regal then they had a falling out. “But now, the prodigal daughter is back home with Regal,” she says.
Her first project is “Hanggang Ngayon”, where she plays mom to Coco Martin. Isn’t Coco too old to be her son? “I don’t really mind, I’m 46,” she says.
And Coco is 30 so she gave birth to him when she was only 16. “Okay lang. I’m a mom in real life anyway. My eldest, Samantha, is now 19, a college junior in La Salle majoring in European Studies. She’s in the dean’s list. My youngest, Satchi, is 16 and a high school senior and is an honor student.”
Her ex-husband, Ricardo Cepeda, is now on with ex-beauty queen Marina Benipayo. “Yes. And I’m happy for them kasi happy sila with each other. My daughters are with me while Marina’s two sons from her first marriage are with them.”
Is she in good terms with Marina? “We haven’t met, but okay lang to meet her kasi it’s inevitable. I really appreciate that she’s a good stepmom to my daughters. Ricardo and I will always be friends because of our kids. As for me, I have no love life. It’s my choice. If it’s God’s will that I’d be single for the rest of my life, I’ll accept it. I’d rather be alone than be with someone yet I’m miserable. Right now, I just feel so fortunate, so blessed that GRowL offered to manage me as it’s a power company that’ll build up stars. I promise to do my best for them. All my bad habits naman, wala na siya. I just feel so at peace and serene now.”
