I don’t know for sure when Gelli’s birthday is, but today they celebrated her 35th in SIS. I remember Gelli as a very young girl in a show on TV where she was a flower or a nymph. One would have thought then that she’d perpetually be in the shadow of older sister Janice, who was making waves as Flor de Luna. But no, Gelii was destined for bigger things. While Janice suffered a series of heartbreaks (Gabby, Aga, John), Gelli just went through one major one care of Ariel Rivera who later became her husband. And what a marriage theirs has turned out to be. Even my husband is impressed. One time the couple was interviewed and apparently, Ariel is very hands on as a husband and father. Lucky Gelli. But Ariel is also lucky because Gelli while apparently a very strong person (standing up for Janice when she was having problems with John), has a big heart. She loves Janice’s children like they were her own, prompting Janice to say this morning, “Thank you for loving my children” and crying. I cried along, because I could imagine how Janice felt. Carmina, too, was grateful for Gelli’s friendship, saying she felt Janice was her soulmate and she was lucky that Gelli was her best friend.
So even if I have seen Gelli twice, once in Unimart, another time in Edsa Shangrila Hotel and she didn’t smile on either occasion (neither did Janice when I saw her once in Power plant, another time in Shangrila mall), that doesn’t stop me from greeting her on her birthday and wishing her all the best. May all her dreams and wishes come true. May she, Ariel, Julio and Joaqui be blessed with endless years of happiness and good health.
Oh yes one time, I was touched when years back, she was asked what she wished for her sons. Her answer was something to this effect: that they’ll grow up to be good citizens. That raised the bar for her in my books. (plus she dresses well, can dance and act!)
Another thing, she had Mark Herras teach her the Solja boy dance so she could teach it to Joaqui and Julio. How thoughtful of her.
I’ve always liked Gelli better than Janice. Maybe because of her personality – she seems always happy but when needed, I can imagine she’s not one to back out of a fight.
Remember how Janice said “God was with us” when she got pregnant by Aga? But she was so young then and was thus known as the quotation queen.
And I love seeing how Gelli and Ariel are so in love but comfortable with each other, not showbizzy. She was leaning on Ariel, he was patting her hips on the show today. Other stars would be holding hands and the camera would focus on their hands. Ka put-on. Sila ya ka natural. They didn’t gaze into each other’s eyes but you know the love is real.
hi, good morning! i’ve been trying to get a video of gelli’s birthday celebration on sis last may 23′ 08 but nothing i found. can anybody help me. i really admire them as a couple. thank you in advance.
Hello, Marianne. Thanks for dropping by. Searched in youtube if there’s a clip on her birthday, but so far, wala. Here’s what I found that warmed my heart, though. Have you seen it? Check out the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak9VOyMfMvQ
pls send me of pic.janice and gelli,im solid fun of them.
Hi Gina. I hope Gelli and Janice or someone who has a direct link to them reads this so they can send you their pictures. Thanks for dropping by.