Richard for Congressman?

Year 2004 is just around the corner, isn’t it? Already, those who are planning to run in that year’s elections are starting to, well, "position" themselves. It’s never too early to start the ball rolling, is it?

A "highly-politicized" Funfare DPA huffed and puffed the hot news that, brace yourselves, Richard Gomez is being groomed to run for Congressman of Parañaque City, the turf of his good friend, (Mayor) Joey Marquez who, according to still another DPA, is titillated by the idea of running for Senator since he is on his last term as Mayor. (Will Joey’s estranged wife, Alma Moreno, dare run for Parañaque Mayor and, knock on wood, suffer the sad fate of Lani Mercado who unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Imus, Cavite, in last year’s elections?)

"Richard’s decision to co-host a showbiz talk show (GMA’s S-Files, that is) is not without any ‘political’ motive," added the DPA. "It’s all part of Richard’s political strategy. Doing a talk show, whether showbiz or political or public-service, is different from doing, say, a sitcom or a soap. With a talk show, you sort of connect with the people, especially the masa, more directly."

Oh, I see! No wonder we see all those candidates during election season scrambling over one another to guest in (especially such popular showbiz talk shows as) The Buzz, Startalk and, that’s it, S-Files. Running for Congressman (against the incumbent Eduardo Zialcita?) – and winning? – could compensate for the frustration of Richard who ran as a party-list member (of MAD, or Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga) and won but hasn’t been able to assume his post until now due to a pending case against MAD and other party-list groups.

Why Parañaque City and not San Juan where he is a resident?

"Easy does it," explained the DPA. "All Richard has to do to qualify is live in Parañaque for the required six months of residency. Parañaque is Richard’s ‘political turf’ in a way. He has many friends there who are politically well-placed."

Incidentally, somebody from ABS-CBN, reacting to a Funfare item about Richard’s "big leap" to rival station GMA, said that it’s not true that ABS-CBN executives "ignored" Richard’s call for a meeting. "They were interested in the meeting but they asked Richard to have it after the station was done with the Rico Yan incident and coverage," said the ABS-CBN guy. "‘Yon pala, while he was asking for a meeting, Richard was already set on moving to GMA. The truth is that ABS-CBN was offering him a new soap (after Your Honor) but Richard said daw that he wasn’t interested in doing another soap because that’s what he’s doing in movies – drama. But look what he’s doing on GMA, another soap (aside from co-hosting S-Files)."

Oh, well, but isn’t that how the TV cookie crumbles?

Who will replace Rico in Whattamen?

With only Dominic Ochoa and Marvin Agustin as members, the trio Whattamen doesn’t look the same (without Rico Yan), does it? Every time you watch only Dominic and Marvin on MTB,you feel the absence of Rico, don’t you? Parang kulang, di ba? They’re like a triangle with one of the angles missing… gone! You don’t feel Rico’s loss – yet – on the Wednesday night sitcom Whattamen because they’re airing previously-taped episodes (until Wednesday next week) including Rico. But after that, what?

Meanwhile, what ABS-CBN is doing is inviting different actors as Whattamen "guest" and, I’m sure, in the process try to find out who will jibe with Dominic and Marvin and eventually take Rico’s place.

There are a lot of "eligibles" actually, among them (take your pick) Leandro Muñoz, Carlo Muñoz, Ryan Agoncillo, Smokey Manoloto, Baron Geisler, Victor Neri and, why not, Rico’s kuya Bobby Yan. (Willie Revillame is too old to blend with Dominic and Marvin, isn’t he?) All the ABS-CBN "casting guys" have to do is look around. Or they can drum up interest by conducting a "search" for a new Whattaman.

What’s up?

• The Mild Seven team visits the bars of Makati tonight. Wasabi, Venezia, Mati, Che, Café Overdrive and Buddha Bar will again experience the smooth satisfaction of Mild Seven as the tall and beautiful Mild Seven girls hop from one bar to another. Mati is one of the newest and hottest bars in Rockwell. This trendy Mediterranean bar and restaurant is just one of the many offerings of the Power Plant hub. Show off your Mild Seven cigarette pack because the Mild Seven team will be spotting you. In exchange, you may get exclusive items from Mild Seven such as ear gear radios, turbo lighters, caps, umbrellas and T-shirts. The Mild Seven team will create more excitement in other gimmick places in Makati on Saturday, April 20. Habitues of Streetlife, Ultracafe, Congo Grille, Pier One, Cable Car Pasay Road, Hutus Hut and Gerry’s Grill will also get a chance to take home smokin’ hot prizes from Mild Seven.

• An array of guest stars will grace and cut the ribbon for the blessing and re-opening tonight of Chicos Disco after a month of closure for major renovation. There will be a special show after ceremonies for the big night. Chicos Disco is owned by Joey Gosiengfiao and new partner Evelyn Sebastian & Co. Auditions for new male models and dancers continue every 10 p.m.