Jacob Fernandez’s magic touch

He has a face that can burst into boyish laughter at the slightest provocation. He is funny. He laughs in wild abandon. He laughs with me sometimes for no reason at all. He has slowly learned how to dance the boogie that is showbiz. And he is willing to learn more steps.

No, I’m not talking about an aspiring actor but a concert producer who has become known for his "magic touch" in the concert business. He is the driving force behind the successful XVII concert series of Martin Nievera, the three sold-out concerts of Ai-Ai de las Alas at the Folk Arts Theater and her most recent on at the Araneta Coliseum which was fileld to the rafters, and many more.

His 27th birthday celebration was nothing less than a grand production. Held at the Virgin Café in Tomas Morato, he formally annoucned the merging of JLF Organization’s artist management office with another talent management.

The glittering event was attended by Jacob’s close friends from the press. In full force was Jacob’s roster of talents, among them Maxine, Lyn Ching, Paolo Bediones, Anthony Suntay, Cutie del Mar, K24/7 with Shar, Mickey Randall, Tanya Marie and Brad Turvey.

Jacob is now busy with his latest project: Hunks First Time Mo? – The Virgin Valentine Concert slated on Feb. 14, 8 p.m. at Folk Arts Theater. This red-hot affair featuring Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, Carlos Agassi, Jericho Rosales and Bernard Palanca will see the strapping males sing and talk about love.

Join the party as the delectable Hunks sweat it out onstage singing and dancing to tunes like La Vida Loca, She Bang, Rock My World, Kiss, Just A Gigolo, We Will Rock You and others. Joining the Hunks are their special guests (in alphabetical order) Ai Ai de las Alas, Pops Fernandez, Kristine Hermosa, John Lapus, Rica Peralejo and Jon Santos with stage direction by Johnny Manahan, musical direction by Homer Flores and script by Rondel Lindayag and Joel Mercado.

Tickets for Hunks: First Time Mo? - the Virgin Valentine Concert are priced at P150, P200, P300, P600, P800, P1000 and are available at the JLF Office (634 7773 or 638 4243) and at all TicketWorld Outlets (891 5610).

Sen. Angara on Korina incident

We live in interesting times. "Troubled times actually! We still have the conflict in the South, the Abu Sayaff scare and in one year alone, we’ve had two incidents people power! And who could ever forget the September 11 attacks!" my friend remarked, almost fainting in the process. "We need peace in our lives!"

Yes, that’s what we need. Giving peace a chance. And one of my favorite Senators, Ed Angara concurs with this. He thinks that all conflicts, from the most gargantuan to the most trivial, can be settled peacefully. Just like Korina Sanchez’s conflict with her former maid, Bernardita Inocencio. "I was trying to be a peacemaker between the two of them," says Angara.

As for the allegation made by lawyer Mel Mauricio, Inocencio’s counsel, that he offered financial settlement to the former maid in behalf of Korina, he flatly denies this and says, "Mauricio’s allegation is absolutely false. In the first place, I was not asked nor was authorized by Korina to do that.

"My only desire when I talked to Atty. Mauricio was to ask them to explore all avenues to settle the matter as peacefully and amicably as possible," continues Angara. "I did not offer any settlement, financial or otherwise."

And now, JOLOGS the book

JOLOGS is a term which has come to mean being in touch with the lingo and icons of the time.

Now, it takes on new meaning with the launch of a new book that contains comprehensive and well-researched quizzes designed to provide hours of endless nostalgia.

JOLOGS Showbiz, Isports, EDSA Dos atbp has arrived to titillate, tease and tickle the nerves of every Pinoy who will find something of interest like tidbits of information about his favorite movie star or sports idol. Questions with their matching answers are in the book such as "Saang movie unang nagsama si Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor?" or "Sino ang Asia’s songbird?" or "Sino ang winning set coach of the PBA?"

Furthermore, there are caricatures of your favorite stars, from Jolina to Martin, Sharon and FPJ by award-winning illustrator Prudencio "Dengcoy" Miel featured in the book.

Written by Bradkaster and Propesorksema, JOLOGS, Showbiz, EDSA Dos atbp is the perfect antidote to the unfunny times we live in. It’s another testimony to the Filipinos’ enduring spirit to live life with laughter. It is now available at all National Bookstore or Goodwill Bookstore outlets nationwide.