The nude boy in the Net

Oh, yes, there are indeed two nude photos of a guy in the Internet and although the guy has his face, Michael Rivero, star of FLT Films’ Bangkero, admits that it’s him, all right, but the private part is that of somebody else.

"I saw the nude pictures and I’m convinced that only the face and the body are mine," said Michael, youngest of the three children of Dante Rivero and the protege of director Deo Fajardo (who megged Bangkero). "But ‘it’ is too small, so instead of getting angry I felt insulted. Whoever put those ‘doctored’ photos in the Internet owes me an apology. Maybe he doesn’t know that I am the ‘Jumbo King’," he added half-jokingly. "It’s too small."

One photo shows the guy under the shower and the other lying in bed in all his au naturel glory.

The appearance of the "Net" photos coincides with the forthcoming release of Bangkero, Michael’s solo movie in four years, marking his shift from the "action with sex" genre to the "sexy flick with action" variety. Was it mere, uh, coincidence or was it a promo gimmick?

"Sana nga gimmick, but it’s not," said Michael, 26 (coming after brothers Danny Boy, 28, and JV, 27). "Nandiyan na ‘yan at sana makatulong sa promo ng pelikula."

In Bangkero (also starring Julio Diaz, Stella L., Jenine Desiderio, Daniel Fernando and newcomer Lea Zulueta), Michael bares his butt in a love scene with Jenine. That’s all he could show for the time being, he said.

"If I won’t show ‘it’ in a movie for which I am paid good money," he added, "why should I show ‘it’ for free in the Internet?"

Rico Hizon now with BBC

If you’ve been "missing" Rico Hizon on CNBC where he has been one of the anchors these past several years, it’s because the Singapore-based Rico has moved to BBC (also with Asia headquarters in Singapore).

"I spent eight fruitful years with CNBC," Rico wrote Funfare, "but it’s time to move on, for change."

As in CNBC, Rico now also handles business/finance news on BBC, producing and at the same time writing and anchoring its Asia Business Report with morning update telecasts at 6:30, 7:30, 9:45 and 11:45, and at 1:30 p.m.

Rico was the first Filipino anchor on CNBC and is also the first Filipino male news presenter on BBC.

"I’m excited by this new challenge," said Rico, "and I’m having fun in my new home network."

Remember Toni Daya?

The holidays have been springing lots of surprises in the mail. One of them comes from Toni Daya (remember the beauty-queen-turned-singer?) who’s married to Scott Luetgers by whom she has a daughter, Lauren. The Luetgers live in Atlanta, Georgia.

I’ll let Toni herself tell you what’s she has been up to....

Year 2002 was full of marvelous times spent with family and friends, meeting new faces and discovering new places. Many of our activities during the year revolved around Lauren, our community and our church.

Lauren is halfway through her second year at the primary level in Cross of Life’s Montessori School. Scott and I were pleased to support a fund-raising activity for the school called Dinner Around the World which highlighted cultural diversity. We organized ethnic entertainment representing the Philippines, India, Iran and America. We also prepared some of our favorite Asian dishes.

Lauren is showbiz na showbiz. Last summer, she performed 10-Inch Worm and Zippeedee Dooda at her ballet and tap recital at Roswell High School. She performed before a large audience with her graceful ballerina friends from Broadway Dance School. Lauren just loved her Tae Kwon Do uniform.

Our travels have brought us to many familiar places as well as new ones. We drove to Orlando again to visit the Disney Theme Parks; we also went to the Carter Center to view a Dunlap broadside, one of 25 known original copies of the Declaration of Independence. John Dunlap printed it in his print shop on the eve of July 4th, 1776.

We have had a busy year donating our time and resources to various charities. Scott worked hard with other GE employees to complete handicap access ramps at private single family homes as part of Hands on Atlanta (HOA). The GE team completed more than 30 ramps in two weekends.

I do sing every now and then. I am the Philippines’ team captain and special-events coordinator for the "Asian Cultural Experience," an annual summer festival held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. On May 24, I will have my second concert in Atlanta, at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.

In our church, I am a vocalist in a recently-formed band while Luaren is a member of the Cherub Choir.

We are thankful for all the blessings. I wish everybody in the Philippines a Happy New Year.