Shalani Soledad

Shalani Soledad-Romulo^[2] (born April 27, 1980, Camarines Sur), better known as Lani Soledad and Ate Sha is a Filipina politician and TV personality. Soledad was a member of Valenzuela City council from second district from 2004 to 2013. From November 12–18, 2010, she is the second most searched personality on the internet in the Philippines next to the former Kate Middleton (Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge),^[3] and was the most influential woman in the Philippines for 2010 according to Google.^[4] She ran for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2013, but narrowly lost the election.

Early life

Shalani was born to former Banco Filipino chairman Adolfo Aguirre^[5] and Philippine Airlines flight attendant Evelyn San Ramon.^[6] The last time her biological father saw her was when she was three months old.^[7] She was raised by her grandmother Lolita San Ramon from childhood and by her uncle and adoptive father Ramon San Ramon–Soledad after Shalani was left by her biological mother to their custody. She was christened as Shalani Carla San Ramon Soledad, with her aunt Helen San Ramon–Soledad stood as mother and uncle Ramon as father on her birth certificate.^[7]

For a few years during her teens, Shalani lived in Kuwait with her mother and brother Carlo, where Evelyn worked as at the Al Boom restaurant at then Radisson SAS hotel. She and her brother had their on the job training at the Housekeeping and Food and Beverage divisions at the Radison SAS Hotel (now called Radisson Blu) before returning to the Philippines to pursue their college education in 1998.^[8]

In September 2010, Shalani and her father were reunited after 30 years of separation.^[5] This was done through the efforts of businessman James Gaisano of Gaisano Malls, who happened to be Aguirre's good friend.^[7]

Shalani was a niece to former senator and former Majority Leader Francisco Tatad.^[9]

She took her elementary education at Mary Mount School^[1] in Parañaque then secondary school at Philippine College of Technical Resources (present-day St. Louis College of Valenzuela). In school, she described herself as an average student and had developed the passion of teaching the Bible to younger students.^[10] She took the degree of Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde,^[11] but she never graduated due to her lack of Physical Education units and early immersion to politics. Soledad worked at the Catanduanes Provincial Capitol in Virac, Catanduanes from 2001-2002.^[10] From 2002 to 2003, she became a member of Senator Panfilo Lacson's staff before quitting to become news reporter at UNTV 37.^[11] In 2004, she won an office for Valenzuela City's second legislative council.

Personal life

Soledad was the former girlfriend of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III from 2008 to 2010. Shalani first met Aquino in July 2005 while she was still a news reporter in UNTV 37 covering the 2005 State of the Nation Address of the then-former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.^[12] During that time, Aquino was a congressman representing the third district of the province of Tarlac. However, the first conversation began in 2008, at Alfredo's Steakhouse, a restaurant in Quezon City when Aquino (now the president of the Philippines) met several politicians from Valenzuela City including Shalani.^[12] Soledad and Aquino had their first date on July 28, 2008, when they watched the film For the First Time at SM Center Valenzuela.^[10]

She and the President broke-up after Aquino's state visit from United States in October 2010.^[13] The breakup happened at Alfredo's, a restaurant in Quezon City where the first couple dated in 2008.^[14] According to Shalani, it was not due to third party relationship, instead, due to the their busy and hectic schedules.^[14]

She is married to Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo,^[7] son of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo. They were married on January 22, 2012 in Silang, Cavite.

Hosting

From November 8, 2010, she is the co-host of Willie Revillame on his evening game show Willing Willie at TV5,^[15][16] where she is expected to "maintain her simple image in the show".^[9] She further insisted that she is not falling for Revillame, despite the fact that "a possible romance may develop."^[17] (with her engagement proving that "possibility" going for the otherwise)

Being new to game show hosting, Shalani was criticized both sides. For example, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said that she admired the personality and freshness of Soledad, however, her hosting abilities could be a little bit more animated.^[18] The Filipino Twitter community gave several reactions to Shalani's hosting performances: for example, "she is too modest to energize a crowd expecting fun". As feedback, Shalani said that although the game mechanics sounds too easy when watched, it is still difficult if "you're there standing as the game master". However, viewers still expect that constant exposure and practice will make her a better host.^[19]

Shalani is currently managed by talent manager Lolit Solis.^[20]

On April 11, 2011, Willing Willie was suspended due to controversial acts done by Willie Revillame in regards with "Jan-jan", a contestant who was "forced" by Revillame to perform a "macho dance". This caused the show to be suspended or "put on hiatus" for two weeks. However, it was uncertain if the show will return or end indefinitely.^[21] In the interim, Shalani returned to her legislative duties as expected.^[22] On May 14, 2011, however, Willing Willie made a comeback to TV5 under its new title Wil Time Bigtime which was patterned after its predecessor, though with a new lineup of games and features.^[23] Shalani also returned as Revillame's co-host.^[24]

On January 13, 2012, she leaves Wil Time Bigtime in preparation of their marriage with Rep. Roman Romulo.

On March 11, 2012, she returned hosting on noontime show Game 'n Go.

Politics

Shalani is a member of Valenzuela City council from the second district since 2004.^[25] She is also a member of the committee for women and family affairs. In her first term, she was able to pass her self-authored "Early Childhood Ordinance" in the city.^[26] In September 2012, Soledad-Romulo confirmed she will run for the congressional seat in Valenzuela City second district under the LP/NPC/NP Coalition, due to term limits as councilor, and if she won, Shalani and Roman would serve in the House separately. However she narrowly lost to incumbent Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo.

Filmography

Television

Discography

External links

• Shalani Soledad on Twitter

References