Celeste out, Regine in

Curtain-raisers:

• Aiko Melendez was a no-show yesterday at the hearing of the annulment case she has filed against Jomari Yllana, who was present. How come? Could it be true that Aiko is contemplating on withdrawing the case (which can be refiled if she wants to)? What’s Aiko up to? Is she going to pull a surprise on Jomari? Stay tuned.

• It’s again another daughter for Ogie Alcasid and Michelle van Eimeren who gave birth last Monday evening (Sept. 2) at the Bowral District Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. The baby, who weighed 7.59 pounds, will be named Sarah Kate. The couple’s first child, "Ella," is going on 4. Ogie flew to Brisbane to be by his wife’s side during her delivery.

• A Funfare DPA said that Pia Pilapil, estranged from husband Gerry Gonzalo, is staying not with her mom, Pilar Pilapil, but with the pretty girlfriend (name withheld) of PBA player Eric Menk. Separated for two years now, Pia is the current date (soon-to-be-girlfriend?) of Wendell Ramos who himself is separated from his wife. Now, could it be true that Power Boy Greg Martin (the "New Yorker") is visiting Menk’s girlfriend? Pia has filed an annulment case against Gerry by whom she has three pretty daughters.

* * *

Goodbye, Celeste Legaspi! Hello, Regine Velasquez!

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the big switch in the casting of the three-day tribute (Lagi Kitang Naaalala) to three great Filipino artists Atang dela Rama, Lucio San Pedro and Levi Celerio at the CCP tomorrow and on Sept. 7 and 8.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime show, something not to be missed and something that will never happen again in a long, long time, not with the same array of performers who are donating their services for a good cause – the organization of a National Artists Gallery. Among them are (at random now) Anna Fegi, Bituin Escalante, Calvin Millado, Ciara Sotto, Dianne dela Fuente, Elizabeth Ramsey, Franco Laurel, Isay Alvarez, Jaya, Jeffrey Hidalgo, JM Rodriguez, Piolo Pascual, Rachel Alejandro, RJ Rosales, Robert Seña, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Karla Gutierrez, Geneva Cruz, Carlo Orosa, Noel Rayos, Tonipet Gaba, Sheila Francisco, Waya Gallardo, Gabby Eigenmann, Tin Arnaldo, Emmy Cayabyab, Verni Varga and Tiara Sabas Aracama, now minus Celeste Legaspi whose name has been included in the press releases for the concert.

Now, why did Celeste back out only a few days before the concert date?

According to a Funfare DPA at the CCP (which is co-producing the concert with ABS-CBN), Celeste was "disappointed" when she learned that she wouldn’t be doing the opening number, so . . . goobye! "Celeste must have felt that being the most senior in the group," said the DPA, "she should have been given that ‘honor’."

But then, if seniority were the rule, then it should be Elizabeth Ramsey who should be doing the opening number, shouldn’t she?

The "honor" was given to Regine Velasquez who very readily said yes without making any "demand." Regine wasn’t included on the list because she was scheduled to do concerts in Toronto and Winnipeg which were cancelled due to kinks with the producer who failed to meet terms in the contract.

"You see," said the DPA, "even in a concert-tribute like this, which is for a good cause that wil benefit Filipino artists, you can’t avoid last-minute aberya."

Lagi Kitang Naaalala showcases the immortal compositions of Levi Celerio and Lucio San Pedro and songs by Atang dela Rama, to be interpreted by today’s pop singers. Isn’t it a nice idea to record the concert as "live" and release it as a special album? (For tickets, call 832-3877.)

More on Regine’s aborted Canada concert

In yesterday’s Funfare, Boy Abunda explained why Regine Velasquez’s concerts in Toronto and Winnipeg slated Aug. 31 and first week of September respectively, were cancelled, never mind if they were sold out.

I got a letter late Tuesday night, after we put to bed yesterday’s issue, from a reader who simply signed her e-mail "Eloisa," one of the thousands who bought a ticket to Regine’s show. I’m putting out the letter so Funfare readers will know how Regine’s fans feel about the cancelled concerts.

Here it is, in full:

Good day to you, Mr. Ricky Lo. I hope that you are doing very well. I am glad that you mentioned the cancellation of Regine’s concert in Toronto. I was one of those who eagerly waited for this event and was grossly disappointed with what appears to be a big scam after all.

From the very start, I was sort of wary about the authenticity of this concert. Not much was heard of it, no promotion, no regular advertisement from the Filipino community tabloids here and the contact phone that was earlier given by the producer was not being answered nor did it have an automated voicemail. I know the name of the concert producers but I still want to give them the benefit of the doubt to air their side. But once it was proven that they used Regine’s name for their own selfish motives, these people should be exposed and future Filipino talents are warned of their ill doings.

Now, there’s a lot of finger-pointing going around. Like I heard the producers of the show are hiding or denying that they have anything to do with it. I would say that Regine or an authority from her side should come out and address this fiasco. It certainly smeared her image, nay, reputation, in the Filipino community in Toronto. Unfortunately, she’ll suffer the consequences of this scam unless she clears her name.

(Regine did just that through Boy Abunda, her adviser. – RFL)

My heart went out to people who either traveled as far as our neighboring states like Chicago and New York just to watch the concert or those who cancelled their weekend plans and out-of-town trips. You could just imagine the tremendous inconvenience it has caused us all. I am really seeing red!

I hope you’ll help us get to the bottom of this and the proudcers of the show or whoever is responsible prosecuted.

Thank you very much. All the best and God Bless!

P.S. I still considered myself lucky because I bought our tickets from the box office of the concert venue, Massey Hall, and we were promised a full refund. I heard those who bought their tickets from the producers are facing a blank wall!