DANCER-actress-TV host Sugar Mercado bravely admitted she got into a relationship with “Wowowin” TV host and now senatorial aspirant Willie Revillame and they lasted for seven years.

It was not an on and off relationship, but they were in a long-time love affair, although Sugar did not exactly share when they started.

The two first worked together in “Wil Time, Big Time,” in 2011 to 2012. They later worked anew in “Wowowin” in 2017.

Sugar admitted her relationship with Willie and publicly acknowledged their relationship to talent manager and online show host Ogie Diaz in the latter’s YouTube channel.

Ogie asked Sugar point-blank if she had a romance with Willie.

“Hindi ako sure,” said the former Sexbomb dancer. “Hindi naman siya umamin. Ang kapal naman ng mukha ko na umamin ako. Hindi naman siya umamin.”

“Hindi ako sure. Baka mamaya, nag-bonding lang pala kami.”

When Ogie rephrased the question and asked Sugar to acknowledge if she and Willie were in a relationship. Sugar affirmed it.

“Siyempre, nakakahiya naman kung ako lang ‘yung ano, di ba?,” said Sugar. “Siyempre, kababae kong tao, kahit hindi ako mukhang babae, siyempre, may heart din ako. Wow!”

Willie never went public with his relationship with Sugar throughout the seven years. Sugar said the TV host is such a very private person and she has no regrets going into a relationship with him.

“Aminado naman ako na minahal ko ‘yung tao na sobra-sobra,” Sugar admitted.

Sugar revealed Willie even doted on her children from a previous relationship. “Hanggang ngayon, hindi na maa-alis ‘yun sa buhay namin ng mga anak ko. Nasa puso na namin siya habang buhay.

“Wala naman akong masasabi sa kanya na hindi maganda, kasi minahal niya talaga ang mga anak ko.”

Sugar has not spoken to Willie in a long time. Their relationship has apparently ended.

Yet, Sugar is not looking for a new relationship, adding that she is happy and content with her two children.

After the pandemic, Sugar went into her skincare business and came out with her Sugar White 7 product that flourished after it yielded good reviews.

The products – lotion, soap and scrub – are now on its third year in the market.

Although not totally a whitening a product, Sugar White 7 can be used by dark-skinned or even white-skinned ladies. Even when you’re swimming under the sun, your skin will not be damaged when you use the product, according to Sugar.

“Sa maputi, their skin will even lighten at kikinis, while those who are morena, they can also use (Sugar White 7),” said Sugar.

Late last year, the erstwhile Sexbomb dancer also opened her Nail Lounge Asia, with a business partner, as well as Asia’s lashes. Her make up line will be launched this year.

“Hindi habang buhay ang showbiz,” said Sugar. “Single mom ako with two kids. Ako pa rin ang breadwinner sa family ko. So mas focused ako sa business but I’m still open to doing shows.”

Sugar added, “Thankful din ako kay Lord, because even if it’s just guesting on TV, nagre-register ng million views. Pati mga raket ko, kaya ang daming blessings. Pag pinagsama-sama mo, si Lord hindi talaga nagkukulang.”

Sugar White 7 turned two last December. When the pandemic died down, Sugar started the business and she came out with the products.

She started with direct selling. “I sold the products online,” Sugar disclosed. “Then, I started reselling. May kumukuha ng products as far as Mindoro.

“Of course, papa-ikutin mo ang capital mo. Naglabas ako ng bagong products,” She expects to penetrate the physical stores for more sales.

Sugar cannot be thankful enough with the success of her skin care business. She is proud about the product.

“I believe kahit wala kang alam sa ibang bagay, while you are still alive, kaya mong aralin,” Sugar said. “Kahit anong talent, kaya mong aralin kahit ano pa ang edad mo.”
She didn’t finish school and only reached second year college.

“Hindi lang ako natapos ng pag-aaral ko. Parang hindi sa akin ‘yun. Pero ang sipag at tiyaga, I believe that’s the talent that the Lord gave me. At least nakakapag-pasaya ng maraming tao.”

Even if she doesn’t have a regular TV show, Sugar’s appearances register million of views on YouTube. “That’s why I’m really blessed,” Sugar said.

“As long as you do the right thing, basta nakakalugod sa Panginoon, ibabalik sa ‘yo ni Lord ang blessings sobra-sobra pa.

“Sobrang thankful ako that God is good all the time. Siya na lang talaga ang pinahawak ko sa buhay ko.”

Sugar, who was discovered on “Eat Bulaga” where she started as a dancer, was grateful for her humble beginnings.

“Sobrang proud ang TVJ (Tito, Vic and Joey) where I am now,” Sugar said. “Hindi man ako mayaman pero nandito sa puso ko lagi ang utang na loob kung saan ako nagsimula. TVJ, GMA 7 habang buhay ko na ipagpapasalamat ‘yun.

“Mga anak ko, alam nila ang kwento ng buhay ko. Habang buhay ko kasama sila sa dasal ko,” Sugar said.

Sugar got married at 25. She has two children, one after another – ten and eleven. Yet, she is now annulled. She has forgiven her erstwhile husband.

Their separation even got ugly at one point because it reached the courts. But they managed to iron out the kinks and are now co-parenting their children.

“In the future, everything you ask for, the Lord will really give I to you,” Sugar said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio