Finding genuine and long-lasting friendships in the ever-evolving world of show business is said to be difficult or impossible. But there are famous people who are able to prove that it’s indeed still feasible, such as “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” star Cherry Pie Picache and “Pilipinas Got Talent” Season 7 judge Eugene Domingo, who gave us a glimpse of their beautiful friendship through one of the recent vlogs uploaded to the latter’s YouTube channel.

Eugene brought us to her date with her “girlfriend” Cherry Pie, whom she has been friends with ever since their days as theater thespians at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, at a café in Quezon City, where they enthusiastically talked about the latter’s acting career journey and milestones, “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” stint, and motherhood experiences and dilemmas, as well as their fondest memories together and decades-long friendship.

The two veteran actresses’ chikahan commenced by reminiscing on their first-ever encounter, which, according to Eugene, happened during the run of their stage play entitled “Supremo,” wherein Cherry Pie was among the actors while she was the production manager. Eugene recalled how flabbergasted she was to work with Cherry Pie since the latter was already a notable actress at the time. 

At the same time, Eugene was also amazed by how they were able to click with each other right away, as she regarded Cherry Pie as friendly, cheerful, and adaptable. She further explained, “Pwede ka sa sosyal, pwede ka sa kanal. Alam mo ‘yon, you’re very flexible. Rakenrol ka talaga.” Cherry Pie, on the other hand, brought up how Eugene was already “barubal,” or jokingly rough, on her right off the bat, which she thought made them instantly blend with each other.

Their friendship also made it to the screen, as Eugene recounted that she once played the role of Cherry Pie’s onscreen best friend for an acting project, along with the other movies that they got to work on together. She also fondly looked back to the days when Cherry Pie offered to give her rides going home after their tapings, with the latter being the one to drive her car. 

The “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” actress, meanwhile, recalled one of their conversations in which both of them vowed to retire once they reached 45 or 50. But they just laugh about it now since they’re already past their 50s, yet both of them are still in the industry and are relentlessly thriving.

For those who were able to see the Brillante Mendoza 2007 award-winning masterpiece “Foster Child,” which starred both of them, know that it was Cherry Pie who suggested the esteemed director to cast Eugene for the role of a social worker. 

Eugene also mentioned how Cherry Pie’s face has been all over the internet as thousands of content featuring her now-popular “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” character Marites Dimaguiba—all her facets and expressions included—have been shared on social media. 

“Happy kami kasi hindi madali. Pinaghihirapan talaga namin. At ‘yong head namin, si Coco [Martin], napakasipag naman din talaga na tao. Kasi ito, tulong-tulong, pinagtratrabahuhan. So proud na proud ako kapag na-a-appreciate, kaps,” she told her best friend. 

It was not only showbiz that Cherry Pie and Eugene got to tread on together, but also life in general, too! It seemed that they’ve been present in almost every milestone of one another, such as when Cherry Pie got pregnant with her unico hijo, Nio, more than two decades ago. Even though it was one of the most challenging parts of her life, Cherry Pie still found it bearable with the help of Eugene and their other friends who’d stuck by her through it all. Since Eugene had been with her even before Nio was born, it was a no-brainer that Cherry Pie tapped her to become one of his godmothers. 

With everything that has happened to Nio over the past years, not to mention how he grew up into a fine, talented young man, Eugene couldn’t be any prouder of her inaanak, most especially to her beloved kumare.

Apart from their lighthearted and insightful conversation, Eugene also expressed her admiration for her “kaps”—their term of endearment—by writing in the caption of her vlog, “If I have to answer the question, ‘who is the strongest woman you know?,’ her name would be on top of my list. Cherry Pie’s strength is not only in her craft but also in being a woman who has the natural capacity to perceive, nurture, and foster without prejudice. Cherry Pie is what ‘mothering’ is all about.”