LANI Mercado turns 55 on Thursday, April 13. We remember Mother Lily introducing her to us at Regal in 1981 when she was only 13 years old. She was quickly introduced in “Story of Three Loves” paired with Gabby Concepcion then she did one movie after another.

She was paired with Bong Revilla in “Boboy Tibayan”, “Sa Dibdib ng Sierra Madre” and “Celeste Gang” and he never let go of her. They were married in California in 1986 and she became a mother to their eldest son, Bryan, and six more children.

They’re celebrating their 37th anniversary next month. What’s the secret of the durability of their marriage?

“We’re not perfect as a couple,” says Lani when we had lunch with her and Sen. Bong. “We’ve had our own share of misunderstandings. But we never just gave up even during our lowest points. We never left each other. Instead, we try to settle our difference and we try to be there for each other through thick and thin.”

Sen. Bong is then asked what his birthday gift for his wife would be? “Ang katawan ko!” he says, laughing.

Lani laughs and says: “Mas gusto ko, quality time.”

“So, ayaw mo sa katawan ko. Ipamimigay mo na?” says Bong.

“No, hindi kita ipapamigay. Kaya sorry na lang silang umaasa diyan,” Lani laughs.

Though they’re both now in their mid-50s, both Lani and Bong look much younger than their age. You wouldn’t think they now have six grandchildren. And what’s Lani’s birthday wish for herself?

“Wala na, puro pasasalamat na lang kay Lord kasi ang dami na ng blessings na ibinigay Niya sa amin. Kung meron man, I just pray for good health for Bong and I, and our entire family. Lalo na si Bong, katatapos lang ang operation sa gall bladder, so good health na lang for all of us ang hiling at dasal ko.”

As we write this, Lani, Bong and their family are in Boracay for their annual reunion during Holy Week. But on her 55th birthday on April 13, Lani will hold a free concert for her constituents at the Nomo Parking Lot in Bacoor. They will have a lot of surprise guest stars, including December Avenue, Ate Gay, Sunkist Lola, and more.

“We’re also giving away a lot of prizes,” she says. “Dahil 55 na ako, we’ll give away 55 envelopes with P2,000 cash each, plus 55 wheelchairs and other prizes. It’s my way of giving thanks for my birthday.”

She did the movie “Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis” with Bong in 1994, a big hit. But now that they’re turning it into a TV series, Bong is paired with Beauty Gonzales and not her. How come?

“Naku, I am so busy as it is sa family namin at sa work ko sa Kongreso and for my constituents, kaya hindi ko na kaya,” she says.

Does Beauty have her approval to be Bong’s wife in the sitcom? “No, hindi kailangan. Mas sila ng GMA management ang nakakaalam tungkol diyan. I just wish their show would be as successful in the ratings as Bong’s ‘Agimat ng Agila’ kasi iba naman ito, action-comedy.”