Raymond, Lara split up!

"Un-coupling": Anytime now, Raymond Bagatsing will (finally) confirm the persistent rumor that he and wife Lara Fabregas are headed for splitsville. In fact, according to a Funfare DPA, "they’re almost there."

The rumor first cropped up middle of last year but neither Raymond nor Lara confirmed or denied it, only shrugging it off.

"There’s really no third party on either side," added the DPA. "There are ‘character differences’ between them which they can’t seem to sort out."

Could it be true that Raymond and Lara couldn’t blend into each other’s family? Is Raymond much "too organized" for comfort? Did they get married in a hurry? Have they fallen out of love so soon?

It’s a pity because Raymond and Lara celebrated their first wedding anniversary in November last year by going on a trip abroad where, presumably, they tried to patch things up – in vain?

When Funfare first came out with the sad news in a "blind item" middle of last year, neither Raymond nor Lara made any comment; they avoided the media like the plague.

"But Raymond is now ready to talk," said the DPA. "In the forthcoming presscon for his movie (title not mentioned), he’ll make a clean breast of it."

Lara, on the other hand, has opted to keep quiet.

"Let’s hope that they’re just into a ‘cooling off’ period," said the DPA.

Angelika, Victor now steadies?

"Coupling": They continue to deny it, but if you judge by their actions (which speak louder than words), it’s easy to conclude that Victor Neri and Angelika dela Cruz are already going steady (a welcome news "scooped" by this corner after Christmas last year).

Angelika turned 21 last Oct. 29 while Victor is turning 26 on Feb. 19. The five-year age gap doesn’t seem to matter for the (would-be?) lovers who insist, though not too convincingly, that they’re, ho-hum, "only friends."

If they are ("only friends," that is), how come they’re wearing identical "friendship bracelets" (said to have been bought by Angelika)? How come they are so sweet with each other (even in front of movie writers, like at yesterday noon’s presscon for the GMA soap Habang Kapiling Ka at Annabel’s Restaurant)? How come Angelika’s eyes are sparkling like they have never sparkled before ("Like the eyes of a woman in love," noted a lady journalist) and Victor looked like he had "reinvented" himself (perhaps to keep up with Angelika)?

Although she admitted that her parents would rather that she fall in love with a non-showbiz guy, Angelika said she and Victor are hitting it off well, especially on the set of Habang Kapiling Ka where they play lovers.

Angelika calls Victor "Papi" but most of the time she just screams "Hoy!" while Victor reacts with a "Psst!" to call each other’s attention.

On the set, the two are being teased no end by their co-stars and co-workers who notice the couple’s closeness and "warn" them, "Oy, baka magkatuluyan kayo!" Because she’s watching her weight (even if she’s already reed thin), Angelika opts to stay in her dressing room while everybody is having lunch (or dinner) but Victor insists that she eat, bringing her platefuls, drinks and other goodies which Angelika refuses to touch anyway.

Quoting a line by Mandy Moore in the movie A Walk to Remember, Angelika, more outspoken than the quiet Victor, would tease her "friend" every now and then, "Promise me not to fall in love with me." It seems that Victor isn’t keeping that promise.

Already, Victor is wearing gel and dressing up differently from before, as per Angelika’s "order" to him. "He sounds like my father," smiled Angelika who keeps in her 7650 cellphone a photo of Victor’s love son Vito (whose mom, a non-showbiz girl, is separated from Victor). "He never runs out of advice for me."

What’s up?

• Set to tickle your funnybone starting at 10 tonight at the Fishman’s Grills (Evangelista St., Bangkal, Makati City) is a new breed of talents in a sex-comedy entitled Mhon Ikaw Sana Simply Selena with Sade, directed by Arexu. Tickets (P300 each) are available at the gate (or call 889-3043 or 733-4173 for reservation).

• The Philippine College of Commerce High School Batch ’63 will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a grand reunion on Jan. 18 at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall, Quezon Memorial Circle cor. Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City. Admission is free. Registration starts at 1 p.m. Call Belma Cristobal-Orca at 5277651/57 local 202 or Ramon San at 9423588 for details.