Mother Lily Monteverde Hosts Lunch For Bong Revilla To Meet The Entertainment Press

MOTHER LILY MONTEVERDE and Manay Ichu Maceda hosted lunch at Gloria Maris for the first encounter of Sen. Bong Revilla with the entertainment press since he gained his freedom last month. With him is his wife, Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado. Bong was so touched as Mother Lily played the song “There’s No Place Like Home” on the piano as he entered the function room.

In her welcome speech for Bong, Mother Lily said: “From the bottom of my heart, I am welcoming home a dear friend who we have missed so much. We are all friends in welcoming him again in our arms, someone who was not with us for reasons beyond our control or explanation. Bong Revilla, you are our dear friend and we are happy that you are back. There is no greater treasure than appreciating the blessing of friendship that has been given to us.”

Bong was teary eyed because of the warm welcome Mother Lily, Manay Ichu and the press gave him. He said he really missed showbiz and he’s so glad to be back. “Masakit at mahirap yung pinagdaanan ko,” he says. “Four years and a half ako sa Crame and before that, more than one year akong tinotorture kasi hindi ko alam kung ano ang kahihinatnan ko. Bale six years ang nawala sa buhay ko, marami akong naging realizations, lalo na kung sino ang mga tunay na kaibigan ko who stayed with me kahit nasa Crame ako. But now, napatunayan kong wala akong kasalanan. Tinanong ko ang father ko (Ramon Revilla Sr.) kung anong gagawin ko sa mga umapi sa’kin, sabi niya, patawarin ko na lang sila. Kung ang Panginoon, nakakapagpatawad, ang tao pa kaya? So let’s just move forward, kalimutan ang bangungot, wala nang benggahan para sa bayan.”

So now, he’s ready to make movies again. He wants to join the next Metro-Manila Filmfest this coming December. Although he showed a teaser for a new movie called “Alayas Pogi 2019”, he says he is still looking for a good material that is perfect for the annual filmfest. “Kapag napapanood ko sa TV ang stories tungkol sa Metro Manila Film Festival, naluluha ako, e. Na-miss ko yun kasi taon-taon kasali ako roon.”

Who are the new stars he wants to be paired with? “Si Maine Mendoza na napapanood ko sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ at magaling magpatawa, si Pia Wurtzbach na okay ring umarte, and the new Miss Universe, Catriona Gray. Meron pa akong isang pelikulang commitment sa Star Cinema pero hinahanapan pa ng magandang project. For the filmfest, I’d also like to try working with Vice Ganda.”

He also plans to return to television where he did memorable shows like “Indio” and “Idol Ko si Kap”. “Siempre, sa GMA-7 pa rin ako babalik,” he says.