Lack of time and jealousy cause marital conflicts

"Her presence in our life has made me and JunJun two of the happiest couples alive," said Andeng. "Cassey (their pet name for the baby) is simply an amazing baby. He seldom cries. Palaging naka-smile. Kita na ang kanyang dimples sa kanyang magkabilang pisngi."

What was their Christmas gift to her?

"Aside from our overwhelming love for her, we made sure that we also have material gifts for her. Gusto ko kasing malaman niya na first Christmas pa lamang niya with us, we had already prepared gifts for her."

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Some friends of Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz think that the couple’s lack of time for each other could be one of the reasons for their seemingly unstable relationship.

They commented further: "Their age gap could be another factor. Ilang taon din ang tanda ni Cesar kay Sunshine. More than 10 years. Kaya, maraming bagay na napagdaanan at naranasan na si Cesar, na para kay Sunshine ay mga bago pa. Besides, nagka-anak din kaagad sila. Kaya, ‘di sila nagkakilalanlan ng husto after the honeymoon. Sunshine was immediately saddled with the responsibility of being a wife and mother."

"We are just glad that Cesar, in a recent interview, appeared to have discovered the cause of their frequent conflicts. ‘Di ba, Sunshine seems to always find a reason to be jealous of him. At tina-timing pa din nito sa Christmas. He also admitted in an interview that he also forgets to reassure Sunshine how much he loves her. For a woman, music to her ear ang makarinig ng ‘I love you,’ corny man itong maituturing, from the man she loves," they added.

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"Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara" is Susan Roces’ first horror teleserye. It is a take-off from the horror movie of the same title in which she appeared in 1974 with Rosanna Ortiz (now reportedly based in London with her family). Celso Ad Castillo was the director of the said film produced by Rosa Productions, the film outfit Susan owned before.

Susan supposedly has no role in the TV remake of "Patayin," which will have Kris Aquino playing the role originally assigned to Susan, and Jodi Sta. Maria getting Rosanna’s role. ABS-CBN, which is producing the teleserye, desperately wanted Susan cast in the series. "That’s why, we had a role created for her," said Jerry Lopez Seneneng, who co-directs "Patayin" with Rechie del Carmen. "She plays Jodi’s mom."

"Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara" marks the first TV project of Susan with both Kris and Jodi. Also, she has never worked before with Albert Martinez, Maja Salvador, Jay-R Siaboc, and child star Celine Lim. Comedienne Kitkat joins the cast.

"Kris and I did share a movie, ‘Mano Po 2’ for Regal Entertainment. Pero, wala kaming eksenang magkasama. Ang role kasi na ginampanan niya was the younger me," Susan related.

So we asked Susan, how does she find Kris as a co-worker? Kris plays her stepdaughter who does not look at her "eye to eye" in "Patayin."

"Aba, magaling siya," Susan replied. "Although, of course, magkaiba ang interpretation namin sa role bilang Barbara.

"Kris, Jodi, and the rest of the cast are a delight to work with. I admire their energy and enthusiasm, too. I appreciate my working relationship with them."

And how about the directors? We asked again. "I take off my hat to them. They are both hardworking and very good as directors," Susan stated.

Susan also said she developed a special liking for child star Celine, who plays Jodi’s orphaned daughter and whom the dead Jodi possessed to get even with Kris and Albert, Jodi’s husband. In the original version of "Patayin " which Susan top billed, it was Beth Manlongat, now married to a real estate developer and contractor, who played Celine’s role as Karen.

"Cute si Celine. Mabait at magaling," she said.