A quiet birthday for Nora

Curtain-raisers:

• Pilar Pilapil finally got married to her preacher-boyfriend last Saturday (May 18) in their native Cebu. It was a very quiet event, done with the same Christian spirit that Pilar and the guy devote to the Christian movement they belong to. It’s Pilar’s second marriage. Her first, to Spanish journalist Michel Ponti, lasted only a few weeks.

• Could it be true that veejay Sarah Meier was the "third party" in the break-up of KC Montero and Geneva Cruz? Why, has Sarah broken up with boyfriend Martin "Borgy" Manotoc? During the recent Goma Cup in Baguio, Sarah and KC were, according to an eyewitness, "openly lovey-dovey."

• Rosanna Roces and Ai-Ai delas Alas should stop already their ugly public fight which has degenerated into the "Ecstasy" issue. Rosanna said that it was Ai-Ai who introduced her to that substance but Ai-Ai denied it to death. At this stage of their lives when they are mothers of fast-growing children, their feud isn’t funny anymore. Have they ever thought of what their children – and mothers like them – feel about them? Nakakahiya. Tama na po; sobra na po!

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Times have changed indeed – and how!

During her heyday, celebrating her birthdays was a big deal and a big thing with Nora Aunor. D-day was marked almost like a national holiday, complete with TV tributes, parties here and there, the big to-do.

Not anymore. It could be because the Superstar, just like any other mortal, has mellowed. Besides, nobody wants to shout to the whole world that, especially after the 30s, he or she is growing older, ’no?

Today as she turns 49 (note: not 50 as many people are suspecting), La Aunor will mark her special day very quietly, not even with a small party but by visiting orphanages and the Home for the Aged. The activities will be aired at the premiere of her public-service show, Nora-Mismo, on May 24 (Friday), 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on IBC 13.

Nora-Mismo is produced by Ace Entertainment and directed by Nori Sayo and Patrick Manahan, with the latter also as writer.

Now, will the same people who trooped to Nora’s house on her birthday during good times remember to perhaps even greet her (if not personally, by phone or by text)?

John Prats, ‘Commercial Prince’

No doubt that the Commercial King is Aga Muhlach (with Sharon Cuneta as Commercial Queen), what with the number of products they are endorsing. You see Aga and Sharon’s faces all over the metropolis (in billboards), in newspapers/magazines and on television, don’t you? It’s hard to think of any product that either or both haven’t endorsed yet.

If there’s a "king" – and a "queen" – there should also be a "prince," don’t you think?

Meet John Prats, the emerging Commercial Prince. You see his smiling face lighting up the Metro scene in the Bench billboards and, now, those for Hawk Bags of which John (and his little sister, five-year-old Naomi) is the endorser.

Said Hawk Bags producer Victor Ching. "We chose John because he’s a good role model. He has a wholesome image. He’s a good example to people his age."

John values education, that’s why even if he’s up to his neck with showbiz work (the ABS-CBN shows Whattamen and G-mik, and the Star Cinema movie Jologs), he makes time for school. This schoolyear, John will go to the Thames International Business School as a Business Administration freshman.

Sex and the City promo

Here’s the second of 10 sets of questions in the joint HBO-Funfare quiz promo for Sex and the City.

Answer the following questions by watching the episode Defining Moments tonight at 9 on HBO (with a replay, same time, on Saturday, May 25) and send entries to: SATC-Funfare Promo; c/o Virtusio PR, P.O. Box 512, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila; or e-mail to [email protected]. (Note: Don’t forget to indicate title of episode.)

1. Big introduces Carrie to a jazz bar. Where is it?

2. Which room do Charlotte and Trey end up having a romp in when they are at Dr. and Mrs. Yang’s party?

3. What does Carrie call Big when he sends her home after they go clubbing with friends?

4. Name the jazz musician that Carrie meets while she’s out with Big one night.

5. While the jazz musician sends Carrie home, he makes a tune inspired by...a). garbage truck, b). birds, c). sound of traffic, or d). their footsteps.

(Note: The first seven senders of correct answers will each get a SATC notebook and poster. Hurry. Send your entries now.)