Vanessa quitting showbiz; Vic is now with ABS-CBN!

Yes, it’s true (according to Funfare’s highly reliable DPA): Vanessa del Bianco is quitting showbiz not because, as per the persistent ugly rumor that she’s pregnant (by...who else!?!) or an Immigration order to arrest her for working without a permit (not true, either!) but because she’s fed up with being blamed for the low rating of ABS-CBN’s MTB due to her rumored romance with co-host John Estrada.

"It’s unfair to Vanessa," said the DPA (very obviously a Vanessa defender). "Despite the rumor about her and John, let’s face it, Vanessa is a plus factor to MTB."

Any day now (that is, if she hasn’t yet), Vanessa will fly back to her native Toronto and lead a quiet life away from the nosey media.

But if you ask me, Vanessa can’t live in anonymity again after she has tasted fame and fortune. She’ll be back soon, just wait and see.

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Another Funfare DPA reported that Vic Sotto will soon have his own sitcom on ABS-CBN, to replace the Saturday evening timeslot of Arriba! Arriba! which had its last taping the other night.

It doesn’t mean, though, that Vic is quitting Eat, Bulaga! which might move to another channel (ABS-CBN? But what will happen to MTB?) if the current negotiation between GMA 7 and the Bulaga blocktimer breaks down.

Vic will terminate his GMA sitcom Daddy Di Du Do as soon as his new ABS-CBN sitcom starts.

Lucky guy, this Vic. Getting the best of both worlds, isn’t he?

Janet back where she came from

Tonight, one of the Calesa Bar’s favorite daughters returns for a one-night only engagement to perform with Rudy Francisco on his 35th Anniversary celebration. Janet Basco is set to once again return to her "training" ground.

Janet began her career at the Calesa Bar while attending St. Paul’s College. She performed two to three sets a night, three nights a week. "I remember that I was even wearing my college uniform when I auditioned with Rudy. It was a hectic time, going to school and all, but I loved it," said Janet.

"I look forward to the Calesa. It is a place of fond memories. I am proud to be a part of a group considered to be the best Calesa has offered," Janet states. Janet’s contemporaries include the likes of Vernie Varga, Joey Albert, Ivy Violan, etc. "The Calesa Bar has a reputation of choosing only quality singers. This is essentially Rudy’s doing. I have always said that all of us (who got their start at Calesa) were blessed to have Rudy as our mentor," Janet continues. "He never took advantage of his singers. He was strict... he preached professionalism and punctuality, yet he had a kindness about him, much like an uncle would be to his nieces."

One of the things Janet recalls is that Rudy would "warn" her about certain dates. "I remember that he even warned me about Johnny (Janet’s husband). Johnny had a reputation then with women and Rudy simply cared for me by cautioning me about going out with Johnny. Of course, we laugh about it now."

When asked if there was an advantage to being a Calesa Bar alumnus, Janet comments, "I have said that we were very fortunate to get our training at the Calesa Bar with Rudy. We honed our craft by singing to the very best and the very worst audience in the industry. One night you cannot do anything wrong, then the very next night, no matter what you do and how hard you try, nothing works. Yet, it’s really the only way to get one’s baptism of fire in this profession. You learn to deal with all types of situations and how to build a rapport with you audience. It’s unfortunate that some of today’s younger singers go immediately to large venues without experiencing (learning) the nuances of a total performance. I mean they sing well but there is something missing in each performance... there seems to be a lack of connection with their audience."

Like most of the singers who got their start at the Calesa, Janet has gone to perform in larger venues and bigger things, both locally and internationally. "It was during my Calesa stint that I was discovered and represented the Philippines in the Tokyo Music Festival," she recalls. In addition, Janet has the distinction of being one of the few female singers who has performed in Carnegie Hall.

However, it is through a venue like Calesa that Janet finds much satisfaction. "There’s something that has to be said about the intimacy of lounge singing. It affords me the luxury of having a more cozy show and a chance to choose songs befitting a smaller setting. I’ll be doing personal favorites: pop, jazz, Broadway, ballads and the like."

One thing is for sure, whether it be at the Calesa or Carnegie, you can be sure of an outstanding performance from one of the country’s best vocalists. Janet always gives and delivers 100 percent every time.