MANILA, Philippines -- On the heels of her sudden trip to India to follow Robin Padilla, Mariel Rodriguez has unwittingly left a trail of rumors which she promptly cleared up in an exclusive interview with Funfare yesterday, three days after she and Robin came back late Saturday night.

As Funfare reported Wednesday last week, a day after Mariel left, Robin wanted to bring Mariel to Agra to show her the magnificent Taj Mahal which fascinated Robin no end since his first visit there last year because of its being “a symbol of enduring love,” the way they feel toward each other…well, so far.

“It was my first visit to India,” gushed Mariel. “It was great, sobra! The Taj Mahal was so beautiful. I fell in love with it.”

It became doubly memorable because she was with Robin. Did they make a vow to love each other forever and ever?

“Uhm,” was all Mariel could say. “When Robin was there the first time, he said that he promised to go back.”

Mariel couldn’t remember how long they stayed in India…four days?...five days? Reminded that people in love lose their sense of time, she laughed and laughed.

So did they, according to rumors, get married in India? (As you know, Robin is divorced from Liezel Sicangco who is now married to a New Zealander.)

“You know, there’s a proper time para pag-usapan ‘yan. Siguro ngayon, hindi pa time because, marami pang dapat ayusin. You know naman kung ano ang mga nangyayari, di ba? If ever, then I will not keep it a secret.”

Is she proudly wearing the P1.2-M diamond ring Robin has given her as, well, “a symbol of undying love?”

Mariel laughed again. “I have no idea kung magkano ‘yon.” (A jeweler said the ring couldn’t be worth more than P700,000.) “I did not even ask. Ibang tao ang nag-estimate n’un. But it isn’t really an issue with me.” (Liezel said that Robin had also given her a ring, “although not as expensive as that,” but she has misplaced it.)

Let’s make it clear: Are they into the getting-to-know-you stage or are they already going steady?

“The status of our relationship is not important at this point. We are just enjoying each other’s company.”

Are they living-in?

“No. I stay in my own condo unit in Mandaluyong City and he has his own place. His children (Kylie and Ali) live with him.”

What about the rumor that she’s pregnant?

“Oh, that’s not true.”

In a phone patch with Startalk, Liezel recalled that Robin asked her how she felt about Mariel and Liezel said she told Robin, “Okey lang. Kayo naman ang magsasama.” Besides, said Liezel, “may asawa na rin naman ako.”

Told that Liezel said it without any trace of bitterness or resentment, Mariel said, “Thank you naman!”

In a recent interview with Funfare, Robin’s other daughter Queenie said that her Ate Mariel and Robin “are sweet with each other” and she’s happy wherever her dad is happy, adding, “Basta huwag lang niya (Mariel) sasaktan si Papa.”

Is Mariel okay with Robin’s children?

“Yeah, yeah! I think they (Robin and Liezel) raised them well because the children are very nice and very pleasant, very respectful. Sobrang mababait.”

Did she try hard to win the children’s heart?

“No, I didn’t need to. Siguro nakita nilang masaya ang Papa nila kaya masaya na rin naman sila.” Mariel is said to be maalaga (caring). “Well, I try to be.”

Asked if she has heard that her ex-boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo got kilig (tickled) when he saw Robin give Mariel the ring (on E-Live!), Mariel said, “Sorry but wala na akong ano tungkol sa past. Deadma na ako sa mga ganoon.”

And now, the killer question: How does Mariel think she and Robin will end up…happily ever after?

“You know, the present will determine the future.”

Mariel is on indefinite leave from the new ABS-CBN show Pilipinas Win Na Win from which Robin has also taken a leave (but is said to be not coming back) in observance of Ramadan.

“I didn’t resign,” clarified Mariel. “I’m just on leave. I really planned to go on leave maski noong mayroon pang Wowowee.”

Well, any way you look at it, Mariel seems to be win na win in more ways than one.

Meanwhile, Dr. Randy Dellosa, life coach and relationship counselor for celebrities, gives a list of “what-ifs.”

“It depends on their expectations of each other. If Mariel demands faithfulness and monogamy from Robin, and he complies, the relationship will probably last. On the other hand, Robin may insist on remaining polygamous. If Mariel is able to tolerate his philandering ways, the relationship is also likely to last.”

Dellosa’s words of caution could apply, not just to Mariel, but to others as smitten as she is.

“In the heat of passion, there is a tendency to confuse `infatuation’ with `love.’ Infatuation usually happens in the honeymoon stage of a relationship. The feeling of being on `Cloud Nine’ is not the same as love. Love is a commitment to the welfare of another. It is built, tested and proven over time, and survives through thick and thin. According to psychologists, unresolved emotional readiness makes people choose dysfunctional partners.”

UPSA marks 30

The only Asian choir to have won the grand prize in the most esteemed Guido d’ Arezzo Competitions in Italy, 2002 Aliw Awardee for the Best University Choir and the 2005 Official Philippine Entry to the UNESCO International Music Prize in Paris, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the concert Ika-3 Dekada: UPSAma-sama on Friday, Aug. 27 at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).

The UPSA), led by Founder and Conductor, Edgardo “Ed” Manguiat, has put together a remarkable line-up of classic, standard and contemporary choral pieces in French, Latin, Italian, English and Filipino. One of the much-anticipated numbers is the group’s rendition of Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cat from Cats, choreographed by Van Manalo of the UP Filipiniana Dance Troupe.

UPSA is Manguiat’s brainchild. It had its humble beginnings within the walls of UP Diliman’s Freshman Dormitory (Kalayaan) in 1980 where it was then known as the Kalayaan Choral Crowd. Thirty years later, after 16 international tours, 21 competitions, five grand prizes and 20 first prizes, UPSA still remains a university-based organization, providing eager and enthusiastic university students with the training they need for college and after-college life.

UPSA achievers and prominent personalities who have excelled in their respective fields will be featured in the group’s 30th anniversary celebration, among them: beauty queens Zoraida Ruth Andam (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2001), Patricia Fernandez (Bb. Pilipinas-International 2008) and Camilla Kim-Galvez (Mrs. Philippines-Universe 2009); board topnotchers Trina Monsod (bar exam), Gladys Canlas-Victoriano (dentistry 2000), Oscar Pantaleon (geodetic engineering) and Van Manalo (chemical engineering); conductress Anna Abeleda-Piquiero of the UE Chorale and Sheen Leem Sanchez of the Philippine Madrigal Singers; opera singers Dondi Ong, Lawrence Jatayna, Jonathan Badon, and Maricris Rogelio-Joaquin.

Philippine Idol finalist Onyx Culala and Pinoy Idol Gretchen Espina will be performing in the concerrt.

(Note: For tickets, call 924-9378 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.)

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)