Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla (Cavite, 2nd District)

It's been years since Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, from Cavite's 2nd district, has been in the spotlight, but now she's ready to resume her acting career.

"I was preoccupied with my work as mayor of Bacoor, Cavite and now as a congresswoman for second district Cavite. 'Yun talaga ang priority ko noon and my family. Pero now mukhang puwede na, especially my kids are all grown up," said Lani, during a lunch with the entertainment press in Quezon City recently.

From 2016 to 2022, Lani was mayor of Bacoor after taking a break from showbiz. In 2022, she won the congressional seat for Cavite's second district.

She last appeared in the GMA series "Magpakailanman" in 2014. Then in 2019, Lani starred in the movies "Mission Unstapabol" and "Kaibigan".

Lani explained that she has not lined up any projects for her comeback, and she will discuss it with her manager Lolit Solis. "Tatanungin natin si Nay Lolit kung ano ba ang pwede natin gawing project this time." (Nay Lolit will tell us what we can do for this project.)

Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. and wife Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla (Instagram)

According to Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., he is supportive of his wife's return to show business.

Recently, Lani helped her husband recover from a successful gallstone surgery.

During his recovery, Bong, 56, thanked all those who prayed for him.

"Sa lahat po ng nagdasal, thank you. May agimat pa rin. Sabi ng doctors, no workout for two to three weeks. Ang dami ng natanggal sa akin pati kidney stones. Sunod-sunod, but at least clear na siya. Kung hahayaan ko raw ito sabi ng doctors pwede raw ako magkaroon ng pacreatitis," said Bong. "Walk, but don't run. Walking is required for exercise. No jogging."

Last March 25, the couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. And on May 28, they will celebrate the 37th year of their civil wedding.

Lani and Bong (Instagram)

Lani admitted that she forgot all about the 25th wedding anniversary, but she was only reminded by her husband, who gave her a bouquet of flowers.

"Si Sen. Bong walang kupas. Maalalahanin, hindi nakakalimot. Ako pa yung nakalimot ng anniversary namin. Happy anniversary, papa!" she said.

Bong said that he will return to television in a new series entitled "Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Magaling na Misis" which will be taped in April and will be shown in June.

The senator refused to reveal his leading lady in the new Kapuso series.

On April 13, the congresswoman, fondly called Ate Lani in the City of Bacoor, will be marking another milestone as she celebrates her 55th birthday. 

Lani Mercado goes fishing (Instagram)

During her birthday celebration, Lani has planned a number of activities that she hopes her constituents will enjoy.

As part of the Alagang Ate Lani Birthday Blowout, chosen Bacooreños are also set to receive 55 hair makeover packages, 55 free denture packages, 55 free wheelchair packages, and 55 free eyeglass packages. As a bonus, there will be 55 winners who will receive P2,000 in cash.

In addition, blessing ceremonies will be held at the R.E.V.I.L.L.A. Center and barangay multipurpose halls and covered courts. Medical missions will bring medical and dental care to areas in need.

On April 14, Lani will celebrate her birthday with a concert headlined by one of today's most popular Pinoy bands, December Avenue, known for its original love songs, including Kung 'Di Rin Lang Ikaw and Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-Ibig. Aside from Ate Gay, SunKissed Lola, the indie band behind the hit song Pasilyo, will also be part of the celebration.

Thousands of Bacooreos are expected to attend the concert, singing along to their favorite tunes to celebrate Ate Lani's birthday.

“Ito pong aking kaarawan ay isang pagkakataon para maipakita ko sa ating mga mahal na Bacooreño na ang araw-araw na trabaho po natin ay iniaalay natin sa kanila. Sana po ay patuloy tayong ipagdasal ng ating mga kababayan para sama-sama, tulong tulong nating madala ang Lungsod ng Bacoor sa pag-unlad at tagumpay,” said Cong. Lani.