"Love is lovelier the second time around" para sa ina ni Gabby Eigenmann na si Irene Celebre.
Akma rin sa kanya ang kasabihang "first love never dies" dahil makalipas ang mahigit limampung taon, muli silang na-reconnect ng unang pag-ibig, ang dating singer-actor na si Artie Perez de Tagle, na kilala rin bilang anak ng Reyna ng Kundiman na si Sylvia La Torre at ama ng Fil-Am Hollywood actress na si Anna Maria Perez de Tagle.
Nagkaroon ulit sila ng relasyon at nakatakda nang ikasal sa 2026.
Read: Irene Celebre, 67, engaged to Sylvia La Torre's son Artie, 69
WHEN IRENE FIRST MET ARTIE
Sa eksklusibong panayam kay Irene ng Cabinet Files, ikinuwento ni Irene na una silang nagtagpo ni Artie 52 years ago.
"We first met mid-1973, when I was a live mannequin model at Lady L shoes at Farmers Market, Araneta Center, Quezon City.
"I was 14 years old then and he was 17."
Naging sila pero nauwi rin sa hiwalayan ang kanilang pag-iibigan.
"There really was no breakup. We were young sweethearts then, but also had our own careers.
"And things became quite busy that the relationship just drifted, and I really had time to recover,” ang pagbabalik-alaala ng dating aktres tungkol sa kasaysayan ng pagmamahalan nila ni Artie.
Pagkatapos nilang maghiwalay, nagkaroon ng relasyon si Irene sa aktor na si Mark Gil, ang ama ng kanyang mga anak na sina Gabby at Ira.
ARTIE GOT IN TOUCH WITH IRENE
Noong 2024 lang ulit nagkaroon ng komunikasyon sina Irene at Artie sa pamamagitan ng Facebook.
Muling nabuhay ang pagmamahal nila para sa isa’t-isa.
"We reconnected late last year via Facebook. Artie reached out to me and we both found out that we were both single and had no commitments.
"He and I are both single and now engaged,” ang sabi ni Irene.
IRENE GETS ENGAGED AT 67
Naging double celebration ang pagdiriwang ni Irene ng kanyang ika-67 na kaarawan noong Hunyo 28, 2025, dahil sa sorpresa ni Artie.
"It was just a special birthday party organized by Artie for me. I was not aware that he had plans to propose.
"Nobody else knew except our coordinator, Adrian Panganiban, who orchestrated the whole scene.
"It happened at The Astoria Plaza, Pasig City, on June 28, 2025."
Ano ang reaksiyon ni Irene?
"Nasorpresa ako at hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko.
"Actually, kilig na kilig ako. Hindi ko inaasahan na matutupad pala ang aking pangarap.
"I never experienced someone will go down on his knees and ask me to marry him!!! Ang sarap ng pakiramdam!"
Ano ang reaksiyon ng kanyang mga anak tungkol sa relasyon nila ni Artie?
"Nung umpisa, there was a little doubt sa kanila because my past relationships did not work out.
"So akala nila, ‘Here we go again.' Pero nung nakilala nila si Artie, they saw how sincere a person he really is and that he had very good intentions and was very serious in our relationship.”
WEDDING PLANS
Kailan nila binabalak magpakasal ni Artie?
"We are planning our marriage at this point. We are looking at early next year 2026.
"After 50 years, it is true that love is lovelier and really more special the second time around.
"It’s a second chance in love and we cherish every moment of it,” ang sabi ni Irene.
Inisa-isa ni Irene ang mga nagustuhan niyang katangian ni Artie.
"Sincere at tapat siya. Very understanding, sweet and loving, romantic, responsible, and a jolly person. Gusto niya parati kaming masaya.
"He is always there when I need him. Matagal ko na siya nakilala. He was my FIRST love. Minahal ko siya nang tunay at ibinalik niya ang pagmamahal sa akin."
Matagal pa bago niya opisyal na sabihin ang kanilang wedding vows, pero ito raw ang masasabi ni Irene.
"Mas mamahalin ko pa siya nang higit pa sa pagmamahal niya sa akin. I will take care of him because he deserves it.
"I will always be by his side and support him in every step of the way. I will make sure that he and I are happy and healthy.
"And as a woman, I want him to be the King of my heart!"
Punung-puno ng pag-ibig at pasalamat ang puso ni Irene.
"Hindi ko inaasahan na totoo pala ang saying na: ‘first love never dies.’ May forever pala!
"At hindi ko rin inaasahan na may lalaki pala na uunahin ang kaligayahan ng partner niya kesa sa sarili niya.
"I really want to THANK GOD for bringing back Artie into my life! What a GREAT birthday gift! THANK YOU LORD!"