Young actor a 'love dad' twice over

We'll conduct today's business in briefs.

Here we go:

* The 19-year-old (non-showbiz) girlfriend of a cute/wholesome (ba?) young actor gave birth to a baby girl at a Quezon City hospital last Sunday, making him a "love dad" twice over. If there's such a creature as a love child, there must also be a "love dad" (or a "love mom"), no? The actor has a child by a young starlet with whom he broke up in 1998. Showbiz observers doubt the uncouple's claim that they are legally married.

* So what's the latest development in Ruffa Gutierrez's flourishing career as an international TV host? Well, after covering the Sundance International Film Festival (put up by Robert Redford), Ruffa attended the Superbowl in Atlanta, Georgia, with some officials of her "home studio," Century Productions. On Feb. 23, she'll grace the Grammy Awards to be held at the Staple Center in L.A., as a guest and not as a working host. In March, Ruffa will come home for a 20-day break and, if San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada is still interested, might shoot their first team-up (for Jinggoy's own Millennium Cinema). Meanwhile, Ruffa's mom, Annabelle Rama, will host her own talk show, maybe on IBC 13 which made a better offer than ABC 5.

Annabelle is leaving today for L.A. where the Gutierrezes will celebrate Eddie Gutierrez's birthday on Sunday, Feb. 6

* Rada (of Kulay), Lyn Sherman (of Ugoy-Ugoy band) and Anna Fegi were supposed to do a production number together in Martin Nievera's birthday concert with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) tomorrow night (Feb. 5) at the CCP Main Theater. Their inclusion on the show has been announced in the press releases and plugged in TV shows. Last Sunday, Rada, Lyn and Anna guested on A.S.A.P. and were told (by whom?) that they could sing but not anymore plug the show because they had just been, yes, junked. Now, the mystery: Who did the "junking"? Could it have been done because the three are "small" singers (meaning not as "big" as the other guest performers)?

* Giant dragons bursting in gold, orange and red will dance and gyrate their way in frenzied celebration of the Chinese New Year at the Fort Retail Triangle tonight in Joey's Dragons and Grooves. This spectacular event staged by Joey@Rhythms 92.3 FM, is presented by Lone Star in cooperation with Sky Flakes and Hen Lin, also by Toblerone. The Dragon Dance will usher in the Year of the Dragon, believed to be a time of opulence, blessings and good luck. A dazzling fireworks display follows after the dragon dance. Providing the rhythms and grooves for the night are the back-to-back performances of hot bands First Circle and Toy Symphony. Showtime is 9:30 p.m. Up next from Joey@Rhythms 92.3 FM, the No. 1 high-end FM station, is Joey's Swing Out Night at Mondo every Thursday night this February. And keep your radio tuned in to Joey, the official radio station, for updates on the Manila Polo Club's Polo and Equestrian Season.

* Funfare congratulates June T. Rufino on her appointment as Executive Assistant (to Viva Boss Vic del Rosario, Jr.) for Movies and TV. June started holding office at Viva last Tuesday, Feb. 1. Also, June is informing Funfare readers that Bob Fitts, world-renowned Christian singer and composer of Integrity-Hosanna, will lead a worship concert at The Fort's VIP Tent on Feb. 13 (Sunday), starting at 7 p.m. The concert, entitled Comfort My People, is for the benefit of Breaking the Yoke of Poverty Foundation. Interested? Call 527-40-86, 527-38-93, 814-00-23, 932-85-42 or 637-02-92.

* Here's an interesting letter from reader Barbara Pauleen Perez of Washington Drive, Legazpi City, 4500: The Philippine movie industry has gone through so many seasonal changes already, so to speak. They've been into varied trends including unlikely ones -- from the corniest to the flesh-loaded and gory films, the one's which don't have any values or no sense at all. But, the Philippine movie industry is gradually moving on its feet. And it's proper to commend them on those quality films, some of which even gained worldwide recognition. This shows that we can contend with high-budget international films. If movie producers will continue to make quality films even on short budget, they can be assured of the support of Filipino moviegoers. Though it might seem passe, tangkilikin po natin ang pelikulang Pilipino.