Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Bellen are one of the few celebrity couples that never got involved in any controversy. In fact, the August 2008 issue of YES! magazine describes the Riveras as "A Regular Family."
Seven years after the magazinefeatured the house of Ariel and Gelli, YES! comes back to see the renovations and, of course, to talk about their relationship as a couple and about their boys—Joaqui, 9, and Julio, 7. The family has been together for ten years.
"Boyfriend-girlfriend! 'Yong pa-cute na boyfriend-girlfriend? Sumiryus. 'Tapos, nagkahiwalay. 'Tapos nagkabalikan. 'Yan-sixteen years, all in all. Ten years nang mag-asawa," Gelli recounts their love story with a happy ending. .
What makes them different from some celebrity couples, who often catch public attention because of intrigues, is their decision to live a simple life. For Gelli and Ariel, showbiz is just a workplace.At the end of the day, they come home to spend quality time with their kids.
The couple is so compatible that they both have similar priorities in life—their kids and each other. Gelli says, "Some people, 'yon ang kaligayahan nila. Hindi 'yong family life. E, di, doon. Doon kayo. Maligaya kayo doon. Ako, dito. So, ganoon lang 'yon. Kanya-kanya lang, kanya-kanyang ligaya."
Like his wife, it has always been Ariel's goal to be a good head of a family. "My goal in life—and this has never changed—to be a good father and a good husband . That's my only goal in life," says Ariel.
Gelli and Ariel have planned their kids' future. This early, they have already a blueprint for Joaqui and Julio's education until they reach college.
In 2015, the couple plans to migrate to Canada to give the boys a Canadian education. "When they graduate from college, bahala na sila if they want to stay there. Nasa kanila ' yon kung ano gusto nilang gawin," Ariel reveals.
The YES! August 2008 issue also features an exclusive interview with some of the people who were very close to the late action star Rudy Fernandez. This includes, of course, an interview with his loving wife Lorna Tolentino.
The veteran actress remembers unforgettable moments with her "Papa." She even recalls the struggles of her husband in fighting the Big C, which made their relationship stronger.
Now, more than 40 days after Daboy's passing, Lorna realizes that she needs to move on with her life—something that Rudy would want her to do. According to her talent manager and Startalk co-host Lolit Solis, Lorna will resume hosting the weekend talk show soon.
In continuing her life after Rudy's death, the actress profusely thanks friends for all their help and support. "I really thank God for friends. Amy, Jinggoy, lahat sila. Lahat talaga. Sobra, sobra!"
Read parenting tips from Ariel and Gelli and see more memorable photos of Rudy Fernandez when you grab a copy of YES! August 2008 issue.