Nadia Montenegro was very busy during the launch of Mikaela Aesthetic Center held last March 16 at the CCP Complex Bay Terminal B on Roxas Blvd., Manila.
Either she was greeting guests with a warm hug and hello or asking them, "Kumain na kayo," or making sure that her youngest girl Ysha was doing fine.
When she finally had the time to chat with PEP (Philippine Entertainment), she mentioned that something is still wrong with her left eye and that she's set to have her third operation on March 19.
She explained the nitty-gritty of her two eye operations: "The January 6 surgery, they had to put a buckle, rubber buckle around my eyeball, [and] just make sure it won't get detached again. Because of that buckle, may mga fluids na pumasok, so now, naging patient ako since January 6.
"Ay, sabi ko, 'I'll try na lang the steroids oral, eye drops.' It's been how many months...Nabawasan, pero I still I can't see clearly. I can see only half, from eye level down.
"And even if I move it up, I still cannot see anything because may nakaharang na tubig."
But that's better than not being able to see at all.
The former Regal baby recalled her experience, "Last December 23, I was medically blind on the left side."
ON GRETCHEN. We asked about the controversies which surrounded her in 2008, and she said with cool detachment, "Wala, I've never seen any of them."
Last October, when we had our exlusive interview, a different Nadia faced us. She seemed fed up, almost flustered, and very frustrated. But this time, her casual retort, "Wala, move on lang."
She continued, "I don't know about Rose Flaminiano. I don't know about Cristy Fermin. With Gretchen [Barretto], we got to talk on the phone, but, it was like 30 seconds."
They already talked and patched things up?
Her answer was no. It was actually a mistake. She related, "I was calling Pops, and she [Gretchen] got the phone..."
What did she say?
"She said 'Hi,' to me," replied Nadia. "And then, she passed the phone."
That was very short, and to some, it may be inconsequential. But given the angry words they hurled at each other at Hotel Rembrandt, on national television, and even here in PEP, that was a truly good sign.
She nodded in agreement, "Oh yeah, it was a good sign. I'm sure it was the wrong place and, you know, we couldn't...We'd rather, siguro, do it personally."
And if last year, she sounded so unyielding and unready to forget what transpired between her and La Greta, this time, Nadia said that the pain is gone.
She told PEP, "There was so much pain and anger before and maybe because she's somebody whom you cared for so much. It hurts, di ba? I mean if you didn't love naman that person, you don't get hurt. I mean kung wala siya sa buhay mo, dedma ka lang, okay lang."
In an article posted last January 15, she mentioned that she's ready to make peace with Gretchen. Two months later, she told PEP: "I think I had already. I had forgiven [her].
"Knowing myself, if I didn't talk to her, but...I mean I wanna look din naman at the effort. Nag-effort siya, eh."
So next time they bump into each other, Nadia would definitely "smile" and say "hello" to an old friend.
But she admitted that the things may be slightly different from what they used to be two years ago. "I can only hope for that. I don't know, I really don't know...The most important thing is sana we can [revive it], you know, whatever happened, di ba?"
ON DAUGHTER YNNA. Her eldest daughter's career is now under the talent management of Annabelle Rama.
Nadia clarified, "Well, hindi naman changed but Tita Annabelle asked Tito Dougs [Quijano] if it's okay that she helps out."
When did the talks start?
Nadia narrated, "Tita Annabelle loves me to death kaya nung nakita niya si Ynna sa burol ni Kuya Daboy [June 2008], hindi niya namukhaan. Pinagsisigawan na niya ako sa phone, ‘Anak mo pala ‘to, ganyan-ganyan...Anong ginagawa mo? Sayang naman, ganyan-ganyan...Ang ganda-ganda."
She was half-comfortable then about her daughter getting more busy in showbiz than school. "'Ta, first year college, hindi talaga puwede. I mean, I want her to experience the college life, so she wouldn't work for eight months. Ang sabi ko nga, mag-graduate muna o matapos niya first year, second year, from there....di ba?"
But Tita Annabelle was a tough negotiator, "Gusto niya mag-artista, tuluy-tuloy na niya..."
The feisty mom of Richard Gutierrez talked to Tito Dougs, who's "semi-retired" according to the former actress, and his reply was: "Hay naku, Annabelle, bahala ka. Sige, tulungan mo."
So now, the 17 year-old budding actress has "two managers."
The mom explained, "Tita Annabelle is more on professional side, may RM [road manager], may mga PA [production assistant], may taping-taping, schedule. Tito Dougs, is like...He's consultant of everybody."
Soon, Ynna is set to make an announcement about her career. But before she faces the limelight again, Nadia stressed: "Studies will always be the priority."
On a separate note, Nadia's event company Black Mountain keeps her busy and happy these days.
Has she thought about her plans for the 2010 Election?
She shook her head, the added, "No na. Wag na."
But if her husband former Caloocan City mayor Boy Asistio would decide to give it a shot again, she already assured him of her 100 percent support. "Hangga't may paniwala siya, I'll be behind him all the way."
Her phone began ringing, which meant it was time to issue last-minute instructions. She stood up and resumed her duties as the event's organizer.