Why Julio is quitting showbiz

It’s true: Julio Diaz is deadset on bidding showbiz goodbye and going to the States (specifically New York) for what he believes is a greener pasture.

"The over-drawn slump in the movie industry has badly affected us actors," Julio told Funfare during a phone chat. "So I’m taking a ‘leave of absence’ from showbiz and hoping to try new things out there, something not connected with acting."

The fact that he is estranged from his wife (daughter of actress Marita Zobel) must have helped push Julio into focusing his sight beyond local shores. In New York, Julio will surely get a much-needed helping hand from his half-sister, Ana Marie Datuin, who is now well placed there. It was Ana Marie who executive-produced Sakay, one of the dozen or so quality films Julio has starred in.

A Med Tech graduate even before he joined showbiz, Julio has been training (as an x-ray technician) at the same Pasig City hospital where he worked before he became an actor. Yes, Julio will work as an x-ray technician in the States.

Out there, who knows, Julio might bump into a Hollywood producer and/or talent scout and become an "accidental" Hollywood actor. Who knows.

Here and now, Funfare is wishing Julio all the luck in the world.

Cheloy has found a new love

"Lord, please give me a man who will be free to marry me."

That’s the constant prayer of Cheloy ex-Muhlach and it’s about to be answered – soon.

Separated for several years now from Alex Muhlach by whom she has three children (Mica and Gelay who are with her, and Aiza who’s with Alex), Cheloy has found a new love in Elmer Pascua, vocalist of the 7th Soul band, who is more than 10 years Cheloy’s junior. But there’s a little hitch before Cheloy and Elmer can march down the aisle. Elmer will first have to get his divorce papers in the States where he got married when he was only 17.

Cheloy can marry again because her marriage to Alex was declared null and void, Alex’s previous marriage to somebody else not having been annulled yet.

Their paths crossed on June 26 last year at the Montemar Beach Resort in Zambales where the 7th Soul was performing. Cheloy was then with some friends and her daughters Mica and Gelay. There must have been spontaneous combustion – mutual attraction at first sight, you know. After the show, Cheloy heard a knock on her door. When she checked who her late visitors were, she was pleasantly surprised to find Elmer and his manager widely smiling. They talked from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.

"Elmer got in touch with me even when we got back to Manila," recalled Cheloy. "Then, we met again at a reunion party organized by his manager."

And then, they found themselves falling in love.

"I was surprised why I fell for Elmer," said Cheloy, "because ang type ko talaga ay mga CEO at corporate guys. Elmer is the exact opposite. He’s very casual and mayroon siyang artistic temperament (he’s a Fine Arts graduate from UST)."

Cheloy has made Elmer a partner at Fruzen, a new line of chilled and frozen foods from Cheloy’s successful Quickmelt International (maker of delicious, export-quality ensaymada, aside from other goodies).

‘Goodies’ for your mind

Here’s another interesting contribution from Funfare-friendly Paul R. Mortel of MBLA Court, Malanday, Marikina City:

Let’s laugh a little in these troubled times. Aptronyms are names that fit real good to their owners. Here are some examples:

1. J.H. Argue, attorney-at-law, Oliver British Columbia.

2. Sheila Askew, image consultant.

3. Floyd Baskette and Jack Scissors, co-authors of The Art of Editing.

4. I. Bidwell, contractor.

5. Hiram R. Bird, head of the Poultry Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin.

6. Jeffrey Bland, author of the Junk Food Syndrome.

7. Mary Breasted, author of Oh Sex Education.

8. John Buckmaster, bank manager, Maryland.

9. B.U. Bury, mortician.

10. James Cabbage, Indiana grocer.

11. Walter Candy, wholesale confectioner.

12. Edmund Careful, Army driver cited for safety record.

13. Robert C. Cashmore, investment advisor.

14. Louis Chase, Oklahoma highway patrolman.

15. Philander Claxton, who once ran the State Department’s population affairs bureau.

16. Thomas Coffey, author of The Long Thirst.

17. Dick Curd, spokesman for the Carnation Milk Company.

18. Lt. D. C. Current, member of the electrical sciences department of the US Naval Academy.

19. Alan Defend, Air Force Colonel.

20. Marvin Dime, stamp and coin dealer.

21. Dan Druff, barber from Billings, Montana.

22. Charles J. Fish, professor of marine biology.

23. Priscilla Flattery, EPA publicist.

24. Seville Flowers, botanist, University of Utah.

25. P.J. Gillette, author of the book, Vasectomy: The Male Sterilization Process.

26. Robert Goodland, the World Bank’s environmental chief for South America.

27. Bill Headline, Washington Bureau Chief for CNN.

28. Roy Holler, Wisconsin auctioneer.

29. Forrest Land, Kentucky real estate salesman.

30. Rev. Wendell Pew, pastor.

Source: What’s in a Name (Reflections of an Irrepressible Name Collector).