CHICAGO – Among people that love gossip as much as gospel, she is the toast of the town. And they’re talking about her in salacious, scandalous terms.
While I was in faraway Sacramento last week for the Boxing World Cup, her name popped up in every huddle I joined. She can act, she can sing, and she’s all that, they said.
All this fuss intrigued me, and so like a good columnist, I researched her in the Internet, determined to leave no website un-surfed.
Born in Manila on May 9, 1979, she is only 28. She stands 5-foot-6 ? and she likes Japanese, Italian and Thai food. Her father is Chuck Mathay, a former Quezon City congressman.
Since 1998, according to Wikipedia.com, she has been a member of the Bubble Gang, a comedy sketch television show. And from that bubble, apparently, she burst into the entertainment scene as a multi-talented performer.
Impressed, I grew desperate to put a face behind her starry name and her sterling credentials. So I researched some more.
In the interest of full disclosure, I looked for pictures that were of the salacious, revealing type.
And upon the advice of Anthony “Duljoman” Andales, a sage when it comes to these matters, I went to Philboxing.com, where I clicked on an active forum. And when I saw her, I immediately had an O.M.G. moment. Oh, my God.
There she was, clad only in a two-piece green bikini, the blue waters of Boracay island lapping gently in the background. And her smile was just like the afternoon ocean breeze, soft and warm.
She wore a white bikini top in the photo, and as she leaned slightly forward, her twin assets threatened to spill.
Her legs were long, deliciously thick and round. And they’re white as the sandy beach.
Her bra had some lettering on them, but I couldn’t figure out the word it said.
Speaking of letters, though, I’d like to tell her someday that “if I had the power to re-arrange the alphabet, I would put ‘U’ and ‘I’ together.”
She is so cute. She is so beautiful. She is Ara Mina.
Ara Mina is an actress, I’ve been enlightened. Great, I’ll rush to the Filipino store tomorrow and rent some of her movies in DVD. She’s a singer, too, and I heard she’s coming to the US for a concert tour. Oh, boy, can’t wait to check her pipes.
Hazel Reyes in real life, Ms. Mina has been all over the news lately. But for the wrong reasons.
Allegedly, she is having an affair with our national hero, boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao. Allegedly, forbidden love blossomed in the movie set of “Anak ni Kumander,” in which they both star.
Are these nasty rumors true?
I don’t know. And I don’t care.
Manny’s private life is nobody else’s business but his.
For the record, though, Manny says the talks aren’t true. Ms. Mina also vehemently denies any romantic link.
I believe them both. And so let’s put these nasty rumors where they belong—in the trash.
Meanwhile, let’s rally behind Manny as he prepares for his Oct. 6 rematch against Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
Go, PacMan, go! Enjoy Cebu!
P.S. After eight years that saw a lot of loving and loathing, my first marriage ended via TKO in 2001.
I’m probably the last guy with the moral authority to dispense marital advice, but here’s one anyway: Never leave the wife.
Look at the menu, if you must. Let your eyes wander if you insist. But never leave the wife. Especially the kids.
I have since found love in somebody else’s arms, but my heart bleeds every time I think about my two kids from my first marriage—Lorenz and Faith. They’re growing up without the benefit of a mom and dad living under the same roof.
It sucks, I know. And I’ll never forgive myself for being an instrument to my children’s injustice.
Life is a bitch.
