Successful couples keep their relationship intact by communicating regularly and expressing gratitude and appreciation for one another. This, according to actors and politicians Lani Mercado and Bong Revilla, Jr., is what keeps them together.
The couple also shared that setting shared goals and priorities, having fun together, understanding one another’s values and beliefs, resolving conflicts constructively, being supportive and understanding, and making time for each other, help them make their marriage work even after 37 years.
“We didn’t leave each other. Even in the lowest times of his life, you don’t leave your partner. We were there for each other through thick and thin. I guess, that’s our secret all these years,” Representative Lani said.
She added that as a married couple, they have a common purpose, and they are able to work together to achieve it, which created a strong sense of connection and a better understanding of each other’s needs and wants.
“We’re very supportive of each other. I think that’s really important,” Senator Bong Revilla stated.
The couple exchanged “I Dos” in Glendale, California on May 28, 1986. Twelve years later, on March 25, 1998, Lani and Bong had their church wedding.
“That’s the reason why we have two wedding anniversary celebrations. We celebrated the 25th anniversary of our church nuptials last month,” the actor-senator said.
On April 13, Lani celebrated her 55th birthday, and to mark the occasion, instead of receiving gifts from Bacooreños, Cong. Lani prepared a lineup of activities as part of her birthday offerings for her constituents.
She prepared a lineup of activities for her constituents, including a selfie contest with cash prizes, free makeovers, dentures, wheelchairs, and eyeglass packages. There was also a grand birthday concert featuring December Avenue, Ate Gay, and SunKissed Lola, and blessing ceremonies for new facilities in the City of Bacoor, and financial assistance payouts from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Labor and Employment.
“Ito pong aking kaarawan ay isang pagkakataon para maipakita ko sa ating mga mahal na Bacooreño na ang araw-araw na trabaho po natin ay iniaalay natin sa kanila. Sana po ay patuloy tayong ipagdasal ng ating mga kababayan para sama-sama, tulong tulong nating madala ang Lungsod ng Bacoor sa pag-unlad at tagumpay,” ani Cong. Lani.
Meanwhile, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. expressed his gratitude to the public as his performance rating soared to 85 percent in the recent “Boses ng Bayan” survey conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD), one of the leading public opinion poll bodies in the country.
The actor-politician placed 2nd among the scores of all the twenty-four senators in the Upper Chamber.
“Nakatataba ng puso na nakikita at nadadama ng ating mga kababayan ang ating pagpupursige at pagsisikap para tugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, at itaguyod ang kanilang kapakanan,” he said.
The longtime lawmaker has attributed the high rating to the trust and confidence his constituents gave him.
“Ang mga numerong ito ay repleksyon lang ng pagtingin sa amin ng mga tao base sa pagsusuri. Sisiguruhin kong hindi nasasayang ang mandato na binigay nila sa akin,” the three-term senator carried on.
The “Boses ng Bayan” is a nationwide survey held in all regions of the country from February 25 to March 8, 2023 with a total of 10,000 adult respondents.