Gloria and Bong still best friends

What happens (especially) to celebrity couples when their marriage hits the rocks?

Well, they haul each other to court and file an annulment case and then they end up the worst of enemies, burning bridges but refusing to bury the hatchet (even on each other’s back?).

But there are a few exceptions to that "rule," one of them being Gloria Diaz and Bong Daza who have remained best friends (as they always have been even before they got married) now that their marriage is annulled.

I don’t know if Bong has found a new love, but Gloria is happy with her own. He’s none other than banker Mike de Jesus, slightly younger than Gloria (let’s just say that Mike was barely weaned from his short pants when Gloria won the Miss Universe crown in 1969), who is proving to be Mr. Right (if there really is such a man).

The interesting thing is that Mike himself has become a good friend of Bong who is often seen having dinner with Gloria and Mike. Every now and then, Gloria and Bong, along with Mike, treat their children out. It’s a nice "live and let live" attitude, isn’t it?

"Just the other night," related Bong in the postscript of his letter to Funfare (printed in full below for your own information, especially if you’re a food-tripper), "the three of us had dinner together. People can’t believe when they see us together or when I invite them to a salu-salo and they learn it’s for ‘Gloria and Mike.’ Their initial reaction is, ‘You mean, (President) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Mike Arroyo!?!’ They get excited."

The best of friends before they decided to be husband and wife, a relationship that didn’t work, Gloria and Bong are the best proof that exes can live happily ever after – apart but not estranged from each other.

"Gloria was there for me during the elections (in 1998)," said Bong, "and she (and Mike) comforted me when I was hospitalized. Mike is a nice guy and he has been helping me."

And now, the mouth-watering portion of Bong’s letter:

Dear Ricky,

Greetings! Hope this letter finds you in good health.

I am sending you two boxes each of our 3 new "Ready to Eat" Daza Delights products: Boneless bangus filet in 3 sauces, made from prime quality bangus using quality ingredients. These are ALL healthy dishes, which use olive oil and fresh garlic both good for the heart and health. These products are natural, and have no preservative.

They are Boneless Bangus filet: (1) Ala Vizcayna (a Nora Daza and Bong Daza version) (2) A la Vizcayna (Spicy) (3) Salsa Verde (a Bong Daza and Gloria Diaz’ recipe). All you have to do is microwave or steam (after opening the box) and serve in the box or in a plate for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And can be eaten with bread, rice, pasta or potatoes (I love it with French bread and wine).

My kids make it their baon. They are available at all Rustan’s, Shopwise, Waltermart and South Supermarket outlets, also at Unimart, Makati Supermarket Alabang and other Supermarkets and outlets from P100 to P120 a box. Some restaurants, country (sports) clubs buy it from us and serve it in their menu for P180 to P210 per order.

Very, very reasonable for the quality (sea water bangus), size (with rice and vegetables, this can be for two people) and quality ingredients we use because we want even the class C and D people to eat it. Our own employees and their friends buy our products for themselves. Some sell these products to make some money.

Many people who bring them abroad are asking us if they can be our distributor in Hong Kong, Japan, US and Canada. But we are just concentrating first in Metro Manila, then the provinces in Luzon, after we will go to Vizayas and Mindanao.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy them.

Happy eating!

Best personal regards,
Bong Daza

(Dear Bong, I tried the goodies and they are real goodies, indeed! I’m recommending them to Funfare readers and I’m sure they’ll love them, too.)

Cat’s Posh Nails

People in the entertainment industry know that Orly Ilacad is behind the success of OctoArts Recording Company and at the same time head of the Virgin Café. In short, he is one of the most sought-after men in the entertainment industry. His business acumen was inherited by his youngest daughter, Catherine "Cat" Ilacad who recently opened her Posh Nails at the second level of the newly-opened City Center Ortigas.

Despite her family’s strong background in the field of recording, producing movies and restaurants, the 23-year-old Management graduate of The College of St. Benilde has an independent streak that led her to the beauty business.

"I’ve always loved pampering my hands and feet and I wanted a place that’s not run-of-the-mill. Thus, Posh Nails was born. Posh Nails is not about all that. It’s about being you. It’s not about being fashionable; it’s being able to mix and match clothes in your closet. It’s about having friends as your treasures and it’s not being vain. Lastly, it’s about valuing your health, hygiene and rest," says Cat.

Posh Nails offers ultra-luxurious hand and foot treatments given by five competent, well-trained aestheticians using imported scrubs and lotions. All treatments are designed to pamper clients such that even the basic manicure and pedicure comes with a five-minute massage. Customer enjoy the Posh Spoiling package – a manicure and pedicure with scrub and massage – which is a must for women who want to be spoiled, even if it’s just for an hour.

Open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Posh Nails offers 20 percent opening period discount until September 30. Aside from family and friends, showbusiness can’t be too far away from Posh Nails given Cat’s family background, as the place’s regualrs are Rica Peralejo, Joyce Jimeñez, Claudine Barretto and of course, it endorsers, singers Jaya and Kayla.

"My father is very supportive of what’s I’m doing," she smiles. And her vision is to branch out and eventually, franchise but for now, her concentration is making sure that her client’s hands and feet receive the ultimate in pampering.