Still Another Pinoy In Hollywood

Funfare bumped into Jake Roxas recently at Hard Rock Cafe Makati. It was a good opportunity to ask Jake all about the ticklish rumors about him, you know: Is it true that he is one of the apples of the eye of a generous businessman? Is it true that he was, for a while, the "kept man" (or toyboy) of a politician from the South?

Almost choking on his tall glass of iced tea, Jake reacted with an amused smile.

"Yes," he said, "I've been hearing about the businessman being (romantically) linked to me. But honestly, I haven't even met him. Because of the (persistent) rumor, nakyu-curious na tuloy ako."

Asked if he, indeed, wanted to come face-to-face (flesh-to-flesh?) with the businessman, Jake demurred and said, "No strings attached. For curiosity lang."

Curiosity, as they say, may kill the cat but it can also, well, open doors to the curious -- like the door of a brand-new Expedition?

What about the politician?

"I did meet him at a gathering and we talked," recalled Jake, "but I didn't notice anything, well, `unusual' about his mannerisms. In short, it was just a `Hi-goodbye' kind of acquaintance. I've never seen him after that."

Because his glib tongue has brought him untold woes, Jake has become careful with what he's saying.

"Mahirap na," he said, "baka maging controversial na naman."

He did a "supporting" role in Viva Films' Metro Filmfest entry, Bulaklak ng Maynila (as the struggling-actor boyfriend who devirginized the Angelu de Leon character), and Jake looks forward to doing heavier roles this year.

On the side, he and his cousins buy and sell used cars.

"The income is good," said Jake, "kaya inspirado kami."

Lance Raymundo, Rannie's younger brother, has yet to come up with his debut album (now on its finishing stage) and yet his manager Angie Magbanua already has a "title" for him -- Golden Knight, anyone?

"He deserves it," said Angie. "After all, Lance has the looks and the talent; he's a man of substance."

Lance himself has written the 10 tracks in the album, carefully selected from the 40 original songs he submitted to Viva Records which is releasing the album. The 10 songs must be that good because established artists doing "guest" stints in selected numbers are all praises for Lance, including Ernie Severino of Side A, Rommel dela Cruz of Barbie's Cradle, Angelo and Mike Villegas of Rizal Underground, and Lance's Kuya Rannie.

"Another quality that makes Lance shine," according to Angie, "is his charm and pure heart. He is well-mannered, too."

Like her predecessors (Pilar Pilapil, Gloria Diaz, Melanie Marquez, Alma Concepcion, Charlene Gonzales, Ruffa Gutierrez, Susan Jane Ritter, Joanne Quintas and others), reigning Bb. Pilipinas-International Georgina Anne dela Paz Sandico (appointed to the title vacated by Lalaine Edson who was sent to the Miss World contest in London where she had disappeared soon after) is bent on joining showbiz.

Funfare's "beauty experts" Felix Manuel, Joey Ceazare, Gerry Yumping and Francis Calubaquib recently talked to Georgina. Here's their report:

Now that the Miss International Pageant is over and done with, Georgina is setting her sights on show business.

This 20-year-old charmer has already appeared in a film which starred Fernando Poe Jr. and Vilma Santos. She has also appeared in several TV gag shows.

Blessed with a gift of gab, Georgina would like to host a TV show because she finds it very challenging and she feels that she will do well along that line. Her experience in hosting the 1999 Mr. World-Philippines pageant boosted her morale because of the positive reviews she got.

Her experience in the Miss International Pageant was very memorable and fulfilling. After meeting more than 50 girls from all over the world, Georgina has learned a great deal about herself and the power of love and support. During the contest, Georgina was one of the favorites of the predominantly Japanese audience. She never failed to amaze them with her wit and charm. Most of the Latin girls, who usually mingled with each other, befriended her. The Asian candidates voted her as Asia's hope of capturing the Miss International crown.

Finals night came but Georgina failed to make it, not even to the semi-finals.