Ahead of her birthday on April 13, Congresswoman Lani Mercado of Cavite’s 2nd District sat down with select members of the showbiz press. During their meeting, the congresswoman spoke candidly about her life as she approaches her 60s. She’s turning 56 in less than two weeks.
“I’ve been feeling a lot in my body,” she said in jest as she sat at the table and started scanning the restaurant menu. “Imagine, my only exercise now is walking, and then the doctor tells me that the pain in my lower back is because I walk too much.”
For the scribes accustomed to guarded politicians, Lani’s openness was a breath of fresh air.
“I won’t be having a party for my birthday. It’s not that it’s not worth celebrating, but there are many other things I want to do. I’m hosting a free concert for my constituents. And this April, it’s going to be like a month-long affair with medical missions and other activities for the benefit of the people of Bacoor, where I currently serve,” she told Manila Standard Entertainment.
According to the former actress, this April, they will offer a variety of events instead of having a single birthday party. Today, blessings for a covered court in Molino 2 and a multi-purpose building in San Nicolas 2 kick things off. A medical mission follows in Molino 2 on the 6th. On the 12th, a Passport on Wheels event coincides with the inauguration of a multi-purpose building in Aniban 1.
On the day of her birthday, music lovers can celebrate with G na G with Ate Lani, a birthday concert featuring Itchyworms and Flow G at the NOMO parking lot. Job seekers can look forward to the Job Fair at SM Bacoor on the 16th. The 17th features blood donation drives at Strike Gym alongside blessings for covered courts in Molino 4 and Habay 1. To wrap up the month, a medical mission arrives in Niog on the 21st, followed by the blessing of a covered court in Queensrow West on the 25th.
Talking about being candid, Lani proudly admitted to having a ‘crush’ on a handsome foreigner. Lani has a crush on the male lead in Crash Landing On You, Hyun Bin, who shares a birthday with her husband, Senator Bong Revilla.
“And he seems to be the only one my husband gets jealous of,” Lani revealed with a laugh. “He’s the only one! Because I asked Chaye [Cabal-Revilla] for a standee of him. Because he’s a Smart endorser.”
“I got one. So when I’m working, the standee is behind me. Then I ask for pictures. Then Senator Bong says, ‘Who is that?! Who is behind you?!’ There, he’s getting mad and jealous,” Lani revealed.
“I said, ‘Pa, don’t be like that. He’s your birthday mate!’ I don’t think he watched Crash Landing On You,” she went on. “That series made me dream of visiting Switzerland with my husband. I want to see where they shot their iconic scenes.”
Hyun Bin, 42, also starred in TV series such as My Name is Kim Sam-soon (2005), Secret Garden (2010-2011), and Memories of the Alhambra (2018-2019).
“Of course, there’s also a standee of Senator Bong in my office, even when he was still mayor of Bacoor City. But I’m always close to Hyun Bin’s standee which I put in my office at home,” she said.