Alma’s new life
Alma Moreno's life has taken a 180 degree turn. From facing fans who ogled at her innocent face and sensuous figure, she's facing constituents in Paranaque, where she's a councilor. She's also on top of the Philippine Councilors League, whose 16,000-plus members elected her president.
The pace has never been hectic. But this time, it's not because she has back-to-back shootings and tapings, but because she shuttles from one plane ride to another.
'Lagare Queen'
"Lagare Queen," as friend and "Paparazzi" host Cristy Fermin calls her.
Alma was supposed to fly to Lanao del Norte from Ormoc on the day she guested in "Paparazzi." But her flight was canceled, and Alma, after overcoming frazzled nerves from the sudden change of plans, agreed to a live interview on the "Paparazzi" set.
Oh, she's dying to return to showbiz.
"Kung sitcom na may one-day taping or soap, gustong gusto ko," she told Yahoo! Philippines OMG!.
But her political commitments tie her down.
"Kung hindi lang ako president (of the Philippine Councilors League), magagawa ko pa," she says.
But she has promises to keep.
"Ayaw kong pabayaan ang pagtitiwala na binigay sa `kin ng kapwa ko konsehal ng gawin nila akong presidente. I have to show them na kakayann koi to. Kaya gusto kong pumunta sa maliliit na municipalities na di naararating."
There's fire in her eyes, grit in her voice. Yes, Alma is taking her public servant role seriously.
Learn from Joey?
Did she learn the ropes from former husband Joey Marquez, who was Paranaque mayor when they were still a couple?
No, Alma replies. She learned the ABCs herself, when she headed projects in Paranaque as its First Lady.
Her packed schedule has not made her neglect her family. She's still happily married to Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic.
"Bitbit ko ang mga anak ko noong nagbakasyon kami nito lang sa Davao," she reveals.
Tears start welling up when she talks of Mark Anthony Fernandez, her son by the late Rudy Fernandez.
"Si Mark, ang ugali niya, when you talk to him sinasabi niya , Mom, don't worry, alam ko ang gagawin ko. Pero bilang ina, ramdam ko," she tells Cristy.
Alma also told Cristy that she has advised Vandolph, her second child and son by Dolphy, to be prepared for any eventuality.
When Dolphy was rumored to be sick, Alma told Cristy, she (Alma) Vandolph to "accept whatever happens." Alma added that Vandolph is already in high spirits again, so she assumes Dolphy is okay.
Yeoj, her son by Joey, is about to graduate from college, and has started his own business. His sister, Wyn Wyn, has entered showbiz.
"I told her I will pull her out of showbiz the minute her grades suffer," Alma told Cristy in "Paparazzi."
Happy for Dolphy, Zsa Zsa
She is not as hard when it comes to Dolphy and his beloved, Zsa Zsa Padilla, whose marriage to Dr . Modesto Tatlonghari has been annulled.
"I'm happy for them," Alma declares. "Sana matuloy na ang kasal kasi matagal na nilang gusting gawin yon. Now is the time."
She also has kind words for Joey, who has stepped out of the political limelight even as her political career is going great guns.
"May kanya kanya tayong suwerte," she opines.
She urges him not to give up.
"Makukukha pa rin niya yan, I'm sure."
Still, one can't have everything. Alma admits she's still suffering from multiple sclerosis, which started years back, when she and Joey were still together.
But don't get it wrong, she warns. The sickness did not spring from her marital woes back then. It just came, unbidden.
"Pag sinusumpong yon, sobrang sakit ng ulo ko. Sabi ng doktor, bawal sa kin mapagod ."
Fatigue, however is inevitable in her work. And Alma knows this.
So she turns asks for divine help.
"Nag-Sinulog ako. Naniniwala pa rin ako sa dasal. Nakikita naman Niyang hindi pansarrili pero para sa kapwa ang ginagawa ko."
Alma combines prayers with extra precautions on her health. She takes maintenance pills for pain.
"Pag nakakaramdam na ako ng pangininig sa paa, hindi ako nagpapahalata. Punta na lang ako sa kuwaro para humiga. Sabi kasi ng doktor, wag ko ng hintayin na bumagsak pa ako."
Alma also asks for concessions from those who invite her to official functions.
"Minsan, pag pagod na ko, hinihiling ko na lang sa nag-imbita sa kin kung pwedeng magpahinga ako sa gabi. Kung umaga ang event, pinapakiusap ko kung pwedeng pahinga na sa hapon."
This is because she feels leg cramps. Alma adds that her doctor advised her to avoid crowds.
Blessed
Still, she feels blessed. Her husband understands that she's not the stay-at-home type. So he allows her to do what she wants for public service.
You can't win them all. Alma is doing her best to do what she wants while toeing the line where her work, family and most of all, her health is concerned.
It's tough. But Alma, ever the survivor, is determined to hurdle all the humps once more.
