Lorna: I always miss Rudy
It’s been three years since Rudy Fernandez succumbed to cancer, but his wife, Lorna Tolentino still misses her husband of 26 years. Their sons, Raphael Gregor (Rap), Renz, and their home always remind her of Rudy.
“Maaalala mo (siya) lalo na pag nasa bahay ka kasi andun lahat ng memories. Minsan nga tumitingin ako sa wardrobe, iniisip ko, ano kaya kung bigla siyang sumulpot dito? Hindi ka naman matatakot pag kilala mo at mahal mo. Gusto mo ngang makita eh,” Lorna said during a pocket interview at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel last week for her new TV5 drama, “Glamorosa.”
Lorna shared that since her sons always miss their father, they would sometimes sleep at The Heritage Park mausoleum where Rudy was laid to rest.
“Kahit naman yung mga bata eh, lagi silang nasa Heritage. Doon sila natutulog,” she added.
Lorna wanted to transfer to a new house after Rudy’s death, but she changed her mind. She instead decided to renovate the place.
“Baka sabihin ni Rudy, ‘Hay naku, walang katapusang renovation,’” Lorna said in jest.
In an earlier interview, Lorna revealed that she wants to put up a library with Rudy’s collections and memorabilia. But the project's not yet finished because she's busy with the poultry business she put up last June.
“Hindi pa ako tapos. Andoon naman lahat pa rin ng gamit ni Rudy sa bahay eh. Andun lahat ng gamit niya, hindi ko naman tinatanggal. Sa aparador nga, naka-share pa rin siya sa ‘kin eh,” she said.
Life without Rudy
Lorna’s suitors or admirers still have to wait because she doesn’t see herself getting married again.
“Hindi, ayaw ko na (to get married). Hindi ko rin masasabi, (pero) sa ngayon, sinasabi ko lang sa ngayon,” Lorna reveals.
She explained that her relationship with Rudy is irreplaceable, even if she decides to remarry someday.
“Panibagong kabanata na naman ito ng aking buhay. Hindi naman na ako bata. Yung pinagsamahan namin din, hindi na rin mapapantayan,” she added.
Even her sons don’t see Lorna marrying again.
“Papayag naman yun (Rap and Renz) syempre kung ano naman yung ikaliligaya ko. Pero sa ngayon, alam nila na hindi mangyayari yun kasi siyempre, malalaki na sila nung nawala si Rudy. Alam nila na mahihihirapan akong makahanap,” Lorna said.
She happily shared that her sons, both Star Magic talents, got their father’s traits.
“Pareho nilang nakuha eh. Pantay lang. Pero kung more as an actor, si Renz yung talagang mas palagay ko na doon mapupunta yung direction,” she said.
Career paths
Lorna thinks Rap will focus more on directing. In fact, he’s now training under director Johnny Manahan.
“Si Rap kasi doon sa behind the scene talaga yung pinag-aralan nya eh. So, more of sa Lolo nya (director Gregorio Fernandez). Yung tatay kasi ni Rudy, umarte rin siya and nag-direct. So, baka yun ang gusto niyang gawin,” Lorna mused.
She also coaches and mentors her sons when it comes to acting and the ins and outs of showbiz. But Lorna also wants them to learn on their own.
“Pero okay na sila na muna yung magdiskarte para matuto rin sila. Nagtatanong rin sila sa ‘kin like kung tama yung sa workshop nila. Basta sabi ko sa kanila, kung meron na hindi niyo gustong gawin, sabihin niyo kaagad. Kung sa tingin niyo na hindi tama, sabihan niyo ako kaagad,” she added.
The brothers have appeared in various ABS-CBN shows and have attended acting workshops. One of Raphael’s acting credits is “Buhawi Jack” while Renz acted alongside Kim Chiu in “Your Song.”
Lorna revealed that she likes how their career is going and knows her sons still have to undergo training that will help their career someday.
“Yung training na ginagawa nila ngayon, okay naman sa ‘kin. Kasi papakinabangan naman nila yun sa lahat na papasukan nila eventually eh,” Lorna points out.
