Geneva-Paco marriage annulled (at last!) - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

"Congratulations, Miss Cruz!"

With that three-word wake-up call yesterday morning, lawyer Peter Sanchez officially conveyed to Geneva Cruz-Arespacochaga the good news that – at last, at last! – her stormy five-year marriage to Paco Arespacochaga has been annulled, to the great relief not only of Geneva but also of Paco. Ground: Psychological incapacity on both parties.

The decision was handed down last Jan. 4 by a Manila Regional Trial Court judge but Geneva formally got the confirmation only yesterday, setting her off on a post-New Year celebration.

The next thing Geneva did was relay the welcome news by text to some of her close friends, including Manila Councilor Kim Atienza who, Geneva insists (crossing her heart and hoping to die), is only a good friend and nothing but, despite persistent rumors to the contrary. Kim texted back and said, "You better be careful next time, Miss Cruz!"

There might not be any next time, not in the near future anyway.

Geneva has no boyfriend, or so she claims, notwithstanding her being constantly seen with KC Montero who is also, again Geneva insists, "just a friend"; while Paco, according to Geneva, has found a new love in the person of – oh, no, not Angel Aquino but a – non-showbiz girl.

As showbiz-watchers very well know, Geneva and Paco were married on Dec. 16, 1995 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, when she was already a few months heavy with their one and only child, Heaven, who’s staying with Geneva in her Greenhills pad (while Paco is staying with relatives near the LVN Studio). Before they finally and irrevocably broke up in July, 1999, the uncouple got into a series of fights duly chronicled by the movie press (this one included). Once separated, however, they started becoming really good friends, confiding in each other even with their most personal secrets (no kidding!).

"We continue to communicate with each other," said Geneva. "Naguusap kami everyday. In fact, when my car is not available, Paco lends me his car."

In the court case, Geneva didn’t ask for anything from Paco, not even any financial support for Heaven ("I can afford to bring him up myself," said Geneva). Out of court, they amicably divided whatever property there was, with the condo going to Paco and the townhouse (where they used to live together) going to Geneva.

"All I wanted was my freedom," added Geneva. "Thank God marami naman akong blessings sa buhay. My only paki-usap to Paco is for him to visit Heaven once a week. Just that."

The Geneva-Paco annulment came only several weeks after a Makati Regional Trial Court granted Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez their own annulment.

It also came on the heels of the release of the La Tondeña 2001 calendar showing Geneva at her sexiest best, clad only in bikinis and with the top pulled up a bit to reveal her boobs, triggering speculations that Geneva went through some "enhancement" for that purpose.

"They are of the same size," said Geneva defensively. "You can ask Paco or Ronnie Salvacion who took the picture. Walang niretoke sa katawan ko. What you see is what you get. The real thing."

Okay, Miss Cruz, you can start singing Free Again to your heart’s content. And congratulations.

Onemig’s cool pal

First, there was litsong manok, followed by hot pan de sal and then by shawarma and then by purified water and then, as if you didn’t know, cool drinks which you see displayed in every other corner of Metro Manila.

Lyn Ching is a franchise holder of Quickly (with her own outlet, in partnership with some friends, along Timog Ave., Quezon City, a stone’s throw from GMA 7 where she works) while Rico Yan is the official endorser of Orbitz. Now comes Onemig Bondoc drumming up for yet another cool drink called Shago Pearl Shakes produced by Kerrisdale Foods Corporation.

"I really love Shago," said Onemig whose talent fee includes a Shago outlet (location to be announced once it’s open). "Otherwise, I won’t be promoting it. My favorite is Buko Pandan and Cookies & Cream. There are 13 other flavors to choose from."

Since it was made available to the public six months ago, Shago has been attracting customers to its more than 78 outlets in key cities and malls all over the country.

Now, if you see Onemig cooling himself while promoting his new movie, FLT Films’ Tabi-Tabi Po, you can be sure that it’s Shago. Right, Lyn Ching and Rico Yan?

Treasured Christmas cards

When Funfare casually mentioned in a recent issue that I received a Christmas card from the John Woo (Mission Impossible 2, etc.), postmarked Santa Monica, California, some friends and readers couldn’t believe it. Why would a John Woo bother to greet an obscure Third-World movie columnist? They asked me for the "proof."

So I’m putting out the Christmas card showing John Woo’s signature white dove circling a lighted candle. Inside, signed with his English and Chinese names, John Woo simply wrote: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (from The Woo Family). On the opposite page are the words "your trials will seem insignificant and your fortune immense."

Just the other day, I also got a Christmas card from the Julio Iglesias who has been sending me and a few other Filipinos Christmas cards these past few years. Signed with a pentel pen – Much love, Julio, Miranda (his wife), Miguel and Rodrigo (their two sons pictured on the front page) – the card was postmarked Bay Harbor Islands, Florida.

Thank you, John Woo and Julio Iglesias!