Lorna Tolentino: Lovely and Timeless

By Marinel Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:18:00 07/20/2008


MANILA, Philippines - It seems actress Lorna Tolentino is not about to let go of the memory of her husband, action star Rudy Fernandez, just like that.

The actress has decided to postpone working until September to concentrate on raising funds for cancer patients. Fernandez passed away in June after a two-year battle with cancer.

“Just like any individual who goes through grief, loss and pain, I want to give myself enough time to heal and accept things,” Lorna told Inquirer Entertainment during a gathering last week to commemorate the 40th day of Rudy’s death.

Inspirational CD

“Right now, I’m asking friends to commit to recording inspirational songs for the CD I plan to release,” Lorna said of the musical collection, with the working title “Hope: Part 2,” to be produced by Star Records. “Proceeds will go to cancer patients who cannot afford medication and are having a hard time dealing with chemotherapy.”

Lorna is also set to join cancer survivors and relatives and friends of cancer-stricken individuals on a two-week pilgrimage to the Holy City in Jerusalem in August.

Expressing her desire “to help spread cancer awareness,” the actress also raised the possibility of soliciting donations from a known charitable institution.

Lorna, who wore a loose-fitting black dress that only drew attention to her very lean frame, admitted that she has been suffering severe headaches.

“This happens whenever I experience intense emotion,” she said. “I take pain killers once in a while. It’s not so bad, really. I try to cope each day.”

Worried friends

Lorna’s friends, actresses Sandy Andolong and Isabel Rivas, admitted that they worry about her. “I keep telling her, ‘magpataba ka naman ng konti,’” said Isabel. “Lorna told me that it was only recently that she realized all the suffering that Rudy went through. She said she went through all that, too.”

Sandy added: “After everything was over, that’s when she started feeling emotional and physical stress. Her recent trip to Boracay was good for her. It’s also great that she has agreed to join a Holy City pilgrimage.”

“I don’t feel so good, but I don’t feel so bad, either,” Lorna said in an interview with the news program “24 Oras.” “My sons (Renz and Ralph) and I take care of one another. We talk a lot. We make sure we know how each of us is feeling.”

A Mass, celebrated by priests Sonny Ramirez and Eric Santos, was held on July 16 at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City. The priests talked about healing, loving and of moving on.

“The experience has made Lorna stronger and more courageous,” Fr. Ramirez said in his homily. “Lorna just told me, ‘I will not stop here. I will continue to help people in their fight with cancer.’”

Rudy’s sisters Merle and Marie, his best friends Domy de Guzman, Bong Revilla and Phillip Salvador, colleagues Eric Quizon, Johnny Delgado, Gloria Romero, Celia Rodriguez, Lily Monteverde, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Lani Mercado and Lolit Solis were also present at the gathering.