Robert Arevalo and Barbara Perez: 50 years in love They say happily-ever-after stories in showbiz only happen on the screen. Aside from the usual marital problems of ordinary husbands and wives, celeb couples also have to deal with intrigues and controversies. There’s also that pressure brought about by being famous, and even the pettiest of lovers’ quarrels are in danger of getting published. Robert Arevalo and Barbara Perez defy that common trend in Tinseltown. Back in the ‘60s, she was the Audrey Hepburn of the Philippines. After doing No Man Is An Island—where she played the role of a 15-year-old Guamese role opposite the American fugitive Jeffrey Hunter—the glittering lights of Hollywood beckoned for Barbara. But she let go of that every actress’s dream to marry her first screen-kiss partner Robert. She was already pregnant at the time the opportunity came her way. Their showbiz careers then were not exactly money-spinning then, but they chose to build a family here. Nonetheless, Robert and Barbara had both shone in their local movies. Both won FAMAS acting trophies, Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, in 1966. To this day, they are still very much in love with each other. In fact, on August 12, 2012, they will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Robert and Barbara have not made any plans, nor have they considered having a lavish renewal of their vows. But one sure thing is, they will say “I love you” to each other. When asked about their secret, “compatibility” was their simple answer. In one of her interviews, she related: “Hanggang ngayon, siya ang naghihilot ng paa ko kapag sumasakit.” She once had this offer to lead a grand, glam life in Hollywood, but the best place for her is beside her husband. No doubts. No regrets.