Liza Lorena Says She's The 'Coolest' MIL To Son Tonton Gutierrez's Wife Glydel Mercado

Long before Liza Lorena's son Tonton Gutierrez got married, the actress told the older of her two kids to "marry somebody na mahal ang magulang" and cautioned him, "Pag nakita mong hindi mahal, hindi s’ya close, huwag ’yun ang piliin mo."

Liza (real name: Elizabeth Ann Jolene Luciano Winsett) got what she wished for when Tonton, his son with former matinee idol Eddie Gutierrez, married Glydel Mercado (real name: Flordeliza Sanchez) in 2004. Tonton and Glydel's marriage remains strong 18 years later.

For her part, Liza declared, at the recent media conference for her new movie Family Matters, she's the coolest mother-in-law to Glydel.

"She’s like my real daughter," Liza said about Glydel in an interview with Smart Parenting at the event promoting Family Matters, which is an entry to the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The annual filmfest opens on December 25, Christmas Day.

Liza said further about her manugang, "Kaugali ko. We’re both strong, we both love our moms. Ma-ano din si Glydel sa mother n’ya and sa brother n’ya. So we’re very, very close."

The mag-biyenan's bonding activities include going on "pasyal" and food trips, as they both love to eat and "drink together" sometimes.

Liza also said that the couple don't really fight, so she hasn't been in a situation that compels her to take sides.

"Pero noon," she recalled, "sinabihan ko si Ton." She told her son: "Pag ikaw may mali, kakampihan ko talaga si Liza," using Glydel’s real name.

She explained, "Alam ’yan ni Tonton. ‘Huwag kang magloloko, kundi kalaban mo ’ko.’

Liza said she doesn't meddle in the couple's way of raising their kids, both girls: Aneeza, 18, and Aneeka, 11.

Liza pointed out, "Nag-aadvise lang ako, pero di ako nakikialam. Sarili nilang ano ’yan, kayo naman ang maghirap." (Read here on how to end conflict with in-laws.)

The coolest biyenan's tactic seems to be working as she's also "kasundong-kasundo" her daughter Wednesday Palanca's husband, who's an American.

Liza has one tip to her fellow mothers-in-law: "Huwag makikialam. May asawa na ’yan, eh. Pag hiningan ka lang ng advice, doon ka lang sumingit. Pero huwag kang makikialam."

As a lola, Liza said she doesn't spoil her grandchildren, who calls her Mamita: "Ngayong malalaki na, I talk to them. I advise them on having a boyfriend. Hindi ako nangi-spoil. But they’re my friends. I treat them like kaibigan. Hindi ’yung lola, parang same age."

For instance, Liza's on a video chat "almost every night" with Tonton and Glydel's panganay, Aneeza, who studies in Singapore. Liza said she and Aneeza talk like friends, with the girl telling her about life in the Lion City, including what to eat.

Read here for tips on how to build a harmonious relationship with your in-laws.