And what’s so mystifying about Mystica ? - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

There’s nothing mystifying about Mystica. On the contrary, she tells everything there is to tell. She also tries to show what others would normally hide. In the process, she charms the unbeliever. Never mind that she does a split in the middle of a song, when other singers would just do a hand gesture. Never mind if you see her 50 miles away because she glitters in the loudest colors there are. Never mind if she wears knee boots like Cher had no right to wear it. But beneath these trappings is a beautiful, unique human being who survived a cruel, hard life.

At 16, Mystica had to marry a 56-year old Canadian to be able to pay off her family’s debt. "I was a battered young wife. I was physically, emotionally abused." The marriage ended in divorce. And then she became an exotic dancer in the US "What is the difference between an exotic dancer and a lap dancer?" I asked Mystica on the Buzz last Sunday. "An exotic dancer doesn’t have contact with a man’s crotch while a lap dancer touches the man. Exotic dancing is a sensuous dance. I would get $50 for a two -minute dance," she explained. No wonder, she is said to have recently bought a house in Diliman, Quezon City for P7 million. She paid in cash. While in the US, it is said she produced two CDs. Today, it is known in the local music scene as the rock diva with a hit album to her name. She is managed by amiable PAMI member Vera Isberto.

A couple of months ago, Mystica was a fledgling, bright-eyed ingenue trying to make her way into the extremely competitive music business. Today, whether you like her or not – you will not deny that in her own way, she has arrived.

Arrived where?

Here in this business where you have to smile generously like Mystica. She is a combat trained warrior inside out; you don’t mess around with someone like Mystica. She knows her way around.

I like Mystica. She is pleasant and affable. I can’t imagine her not smiling. Inside Studio 5 of ABS-CBN, she waves delightfully to everyone, including Kris Aquino’s stalker. She walks into the studio like a star. Each step so marked that you notice the sequined dress and the sinful red net stockings she was wearing. As soon as she spotted me, she gave me a hug that was so assuring. "Thank you Kuya Boy," she moaned like a catwoman. Mystica is truly original and unapologetic about who she is and what she does.

Wags and friends are currently talking about her love affair with a male sexy dancer. She doesn’t try to avoid the issue, instead, she naughtily purred at the Buzz, "Let’s not talk about my love life, let’s talk about my sex life." Then she laughed in wild abandon like there is no presidential impeachment trial about to start on Dec. 7.

You don’t dare Mystica! Remember, she’s a feisty, alluring, exotic warrior. And with the least provocation, she does a split, anytime, anywhere! Whatta girl!

* * *

Bayani Agbayani, one of the best young comedians around was also on the Buzz last Sunday to promote Juan and Ted, a film he stars with Janno Gibbs under Viva Films and which opens this week in theaters nationwide.

I can’t help but feel proud of Bayani. I met him when he was a practicumer and a production assistant at GMA-7. Then I saw him with Randy Santiago when most of Randy’s Hawi Boys have gone their separate ways. Randy, I was told, would give Bayani clothes, but most important of all, kindness. That sustained Bayani in those difficult years. It was during that time that Bayani, in order to save transpo money, would sleep over in the office. One time, while he was a P.A. in the defunct SST, there was a balloon bursting game. The air compressor did not arrive and Bayani had to blow air into 30 balloons. The sad thing is that he didn’t make it to the portion and he got reprimanded.

Lhen-Lhen, Bayani’s pretty wife, used to work for us on Startalk. I would see Bayani fetch her once in a while. I remember Lhen-Lhen as a funny, strong and very honest girl. She was a very good storyteller. Bayani liked Lhen-Lhen from the start while Lhen-Lhen’s crush was Bayani’s best friend, John Flair. "Sabi ko, lolokohin ka lang ni John," Bayani said when I asked him how he won Lhen-Lhen. "Alam mo Tito Boy, baby namin ni Lhen-Lhen, pinangalan ko kay Rosalinda, kahit ayaw niya," he laughed.

I haven’t seen Lhen-Lhen for many years now. But I’m sure Bayani is taking good care of her. The other week, I met Bayani at Randy Santiago’s birthday party at Ratsky’s. Nothing has changed. He’s still the same Bayani I’ve known many years ago – even if he now drives an Expedition. Whatta man!