The Rights Romance

Disclaimer: The persons, names of persons, events and names of events may or may not be a work of fiction and may even be as a disguise to actual persons or actual events. And if you look hard enough, it may or may not be a concerted effort to make an analogy with actual Philippine TV companies and major players. Any resemblance to persons and events and their obvious comparisons may or may not be coincidental.

The Title: The Rights Romance

The Cast of Characters and a brief description of each:

Ricardo Rufus III. Off a family of the rich and the famous and is rich and famous; competent and aggressive. Knows what he wants and most of the times gets what he wants... Be it local or international prospects, he knows the art of selling himself. And most of the time, he succeeds with it. He is getting into sports nowadays after years of flirting with the idea. You could say, he is starting to develop the balls for it.

Sonny Corpuz. Could be as rich as Rufus but not as famous; bright but at times inept with his inability to express himself. Loves sports among others but he also knows his entertainment with a touch of class but lacks the punch when trying to "score" local beauties. Unlike Rufus, he's just a relatively new "player" in this field but has been making a name for himself as of late stealing away precious pretty "properties" in Pacita Manila and Natalie B. Azucena...

Like Rufus, Sonny is clamoring for the newest available damsel in distress this part of town: Fiona B. Azucena, distant cousin of Natalie. Natalie was always the hot one this side of the family but Fiona just reeks with potential...

(With a special appearance by) Mike Strong. The new kid on the block. Might as well be rich as both Rufus and Sonny. Maybe combined. Maybe just a nuisance suitor. Nobody really knows. Which makes him a very interesting, wild-card character.

The Plot and general overview of the story, some of it already mentioned in passing in recent paragraphs:

Fiona has an impending divorce with a certain Alex Brian Carando after three years of marriage. With their break-up an open secret since the start of the year, the general public, which lives and dies and breathes and lies with romantic rumors and whatnots, has speculated about Fiona's fate and destiny--- in any order.

Speculation has concluded that only two major players have been aggressively pursuing the heart of Fiona. As speculations can not be trusted, and even hasty conclusions can not be believed, there came a third player in the form of Mr. Strong who joined the fray, so to speak.

Thus, the simple plot is the simple plan of Sirs Ricardo, Sonny and Mike to ask Madame Fiona's hand, with considerations to prenuptial agreements which varies from one to the other two suitors.

The Actual Story, which may or may not involve actual dialogues that may or may not have actually happened:

January 2008. Even before the turn of the year, there were already murmurs of Fiona's spat with Alex. A spat that could mean a bitter(sweet) end for both. The rumblings in the Carando residence is that the gentleman Alex Brian is having financial problems in his latest business ventures... Losing money so fast that he could not afford anymore giving support to Fiona. As the first month of the year arrived, already the rumors were confirmed as Fiona is said to have decided to date other men--- admirably, with Alex's content.

By March to April, Fiona was said to have taken dating to another level. If reports and rumors are to be believed, Fiona exclusively dated Ricardo Rufus III for eight weeks straight! Paving for even more reports and rumors that Fiona has indeed fallen and that it was Rufus who broke that fall. Rufus reputation precedes him and it indeed helped that he is from a well-off family which most likely means a bright financial future for the the pair. Fiona was starstruck and Ricardo confidently believed that the stars have aligned in his favor.

But Fiona, a respectable if not classy woman (depends on how you look at it...) still found time to entertain other suitors. One of them was Sonny Corpuz, who showed much dedication in the few days that he spent with Ms. Azucena. It is worth noting that last year, in Fiona's birthday party Sonny appeared as guest and handled the opening program for that event. In retrospect, maybe Sonny was setting up the pawns even before any actual battle.

Late in the game, one Mike Strong put his name in the hat to join the fray for Fiona's nod... Apparently, Mr.Strong is another rich gentleman and offered Fiona almost the moon and the stars (By comparison, Rufus offered a quarter and lots of stars; Sonny offered a half-moon and a part of the sun...)

At this point of the story, you have to understand that indeed Fiona is as confused as anyone else in the same situation. After all, this is her future we are talking about. A future that will be defined by her decision... A decision that could mean a replay of the glories or disappointments of the past...

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Middle of May 2008. A few days before decision day.

The evening was dark and lovely as Fiona's satin dress. Earlier in the day and even the week, already Fiona's parents were pressuring her to make the choice... Mothers know best and Fathers almost always follow her better half's lead... After all, parents are the invisible hands that pushes their daughters to an unknown yet obvious desires. And Mr. and Mrs. Azucena are not so different in that sense.

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(Overheard conversations at a dinner party):

Rufus (after cornering Fiona somewhere in the dinner table): Good evening, Ms. Fiona. It's been awhile now, eh? Two, maybe three months now since i have showed intention... All those weeks we have been together, those are special times, wasn't it? Special people like you deserve special people like me.

Fiona: Yes, Rufus. That was the very reason why i--- and my parents--- invited all of you to tonight's dinner... i have a very errr... special announcement to make. It's---...

Rufus (brimming with confidence): Ah yes. It's such a special evening... And nothing else matters except what you decide tonight...

Fiona: Yes... That's pretty much it... Excuse me, Rufus.

Fiona stands up and tries to get the attention of everyone at the round table. Flanking Fiona were Mrs. Azucena and Rufus. Mr. Azucena, who was talkin to Mike Strong to his left, was beside his wife. A couple of guests, Sonny Corpuz and a trio of other famous personalities, back to Rufus complete the circle.

Fiona: Good evening dear guests... As i mentioned to Rufus just a few seconds ago...

(Smiles at Rufus.He returns a toothy grin)

Fiona: ... i, we, have a very special announcement to make tonight.

(Both Mr. and Mrs. Azucena stands up, the mother holds her daughter's shaking hands)

Fiona: For the past year, all of you know that me and my husband have been in a rather uneven terms... Earlier this year, i had the opportunity of meeting some interesting and real people... And i want to thank them tonight before i make the announcement... Mike, it was a short time but i felt your genuine intention... It's just that i did not get to know you better...

Mike: It was my pleasure, Madam. i do wish as well that we had the time to get to know each other better...

(Mike returns to his dinner of lemon chicken)

Fiona: Sonny. You have shown every bit of desire to be with me. i know, i have been uh, kind of aloof regarding your intention... i admit and i apologize for this, i doubted your capabilities and your past really confuses me...

Sonny: No apologies needed Fiona. i understand very well.

(Fiona turns to Rufus)

Fiona: And you my dear Rufus... It's a bit of an understatement to say that i am impressed... You have been the most... Dedicated. And more than anybody else in the group, you have shown me things which they can only dream and imagine...

(Rufus rises)

Fiona:... i have made my decision. Sonny, i want to marry you.

(Sonny is a bit stunned. Hands shaking a bit but manages to stand up and reach Fiona's hand...)

Sonny: ...

(Rufus IS stunned. His entire body shaking but managed to return to his seat.)

Rufus (whimpers): i don't understand...

(Rufus then assumes his standing position and tries to speak to Fiona or to speak to no one in particular...)

Rufus: i don't understand...

(Rufus half-walks and half-runs off the table... He stumbles a bit but managed to get his bearings back...)

Rufus (half-shout of bitterness): This did not just happen! You will regret this, Fiona!

(Fiona stares at him but looks away as he holds Sonny's trembling hands)

Sonny: Fiona, this is indeed a special evening... Mr. and Mrs. Azucena, i want to thank you for raising your child the right way... Mike, i don't know you and nobody knows you, but you have been a gentleman in all of this.

(Mike stands up and takes a bow of respect...)

Mike: Grateful for all of it, Sonny. Fiona, much respect to you and your family and good luck

(Mike respectfully leaves the table even as the other guests along with the Azucena couple took their cue and went to do and mind their business off the table as well...)

+++

Sonny: i don't know what to say...

Fiona: You don't have to say anything...

Sonny: i won't assure you anything, Fiona...

Fiona: AND you don't have to assure anything. i did make my decision and i hope--- no, it's a we now-- we can only hope that this works for now and the future... Together, Sonny?

Sonny: Yes, Fiona. Together, we will make this work--- one way and the other.

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Nobody knows if this is a live-happily-ever-after story. Sonny and Fiona have set their wedding sometime this year. (Fiona has yet to finish the paper works in his divorce with Mr. Caranda).

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What everyone knew was Rufus's story. Immediately after the momentous evening, Rufus was said to have told his close associates, friends and practically the entire town of how he "fell out of love" with Fiona.

Yes. Falling out love. Despite chasing her for two, maybe three months, maybe even more. After all, it's easier to soften the fall, rather than to soften the blow.

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Stranger things have happened with Love. And In Love.

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And even stranger things happen in Philippine TV.

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...

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Here are the significant links on various news reports over the last few months; where it started and where it will finally end up. And they are not talking about Rufus, Sonny or Fiona.

http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080522-138037/PBA-torn-between-Solar-ABS-CBN
http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080501-133818/Identical-PBA-bids-by-Solar-ABS-CBN
http://pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335342
http://philstar.com/index.php?Sports&p=49&type=2&sec=30&aid=2008052684