Phillip’s wife Sony coming home

Curtain-raisers:

* Showbiz split-ups are happening not only here-abouts but in Hollywood as well. The latest word is about Jennifer Lopez separating from Cris Judd, the dancer-husband she wed in September last year. But Jennifer’s spokesperson denied that she’s going back to her former lover Puff Daddy.

* Joey Gosiengfiao assures that the search for Mr. Chicos 2002 will go on as scheduled tonight as highlight for the place’s 17th anniversary celebration. The annual male pageant, going on for 15 years now, is open "only to guys with good looks and good body," with cash prizes and gift items at stake. The board of judges is composed of celebrities whose identities will be revealed only tonight.

* Meanwhile, Dish has prepared its "Independence Day" line-up, with Freestyle scheduled on Wednesday, June 12, and South Border with League of Cayuca on Thursday, June 13. Dish (located at Rockwell) is also offering special Father’s Day dishes on Sunday, June 16.

* * *

Funfare’s New York DPA relayed the following "flash" report:

Sony Dabao, estranged wife of Phillip Salvador, is going to the Philippines for a visit, her first since she and Phillip, with their three children, migrated to the US in the early ’80s. Phillip has gone home since then to resume his movie career. At the same time, he got involved first with starlet Vivialyn Dungca with whom he has a child and, later, with Kris Aquino with whom he also has a child (Joshua who turned seven early this month).

One of Sony and Phillip’s children, Barbie, is now married.

The annulment case Phillip filed against Sony, citing his own "psychological incapacity" as one of the grounds, is pending in a Philippine court.

I’m not sure if Sony is also going there for the case. What I know is that she’s taking a long-planned vacation in her native Iloilo, maybe with her children, and come right back to New York.

Will she reunite with Phillip (who never forgets to see Sony and the children everytime he’s in New York)? I don’t know. But for sure, if the children are going with Sony, they will definitely see their father.

Ara and Carmina in same boat

Stop it already!

That’s the double appeal of Carmina Villarroel and Ara Mina to everybody regarding the recycled issues raised against them everytime they have an interview with the press.

In Carmina’s case, it’s always the issue with her estranged husband Rustom Padilla, on which she declines to comment because an annulment case between them is pending in court, only saying that, since she’s now happy with her life, she hopes that Rustom will find his own happiness, too.

"We talk," said Carmina who has twins by current boyfriend Zoren Legaspi. "Sabi ko nga sa kanya, he should find a girlfriend."

Carmina’s comeback movie, the quickie comedy Cass & Cary (with Bayani Agbayani and Vhong Navarro in the title roles), is doing well at the tills, encouraging its producers, Romy and Violeta Sevilla, to continue with their other projects.

In Ara’s case, she’s always asked again and again about Aiko Melendez and Aiko’s estranged husband Jomari Yllana who has been romantically linked to Ara. She has become so exasperated with that worn-out issue that all Ara wants to say is, "Tigilan na nila ako!" denying for the nth time that there was ever anything more than friendship between them.

"Ibahin na lang nila ang kanilang diskarte," said Ara in an obvious plug for her starrer with Rudy Fernandez, Maverick Films’ Diskarte which is an entry in the Manila Film Festival which begins tomorrow (until June 25).

In other words, enough already. Stop it already!

Okay, next (new) "issue," please!

HBO Sex and the City promo

And here now is the sixth in a series of 11 sets of questions in the tie-up promo between HBO and Funfare for Sex and the City, for the episode Baby, Talk is Cheap airing tonight starting at 10 o’clock (with a replay on Saturday, June 15, same time):

1. What does Carrie type in her message to Aidan?

2. What is Carrie’s e-mail name?

3. How long does Carrie wait for Aidan’s response to her e-mail before she calls him?

4. What is the name of Aidan’s dog?

5. What type of aerobics classes does Charlotte attend?

(Note: Send entries, indicating name, address and title of episode to: SATC-Funfare Promo, c/o Virtusio PR, P.O. Box 512, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila. Or e-mail to: [email protected]. Senders of the first seven sets of correct answers will each get SATC notebooks and posters.)