The new girl in Vic’s love life

Several issues ago, Funfare came out with a "curtain-raiser" blind item about a pretty, young model who was said to be keeping Vic Sotto’s heart aflutter. Since then, there have been reports that Vic and that girl were often seen dining out together, just the two of them. There was nothing wrong if the two are, indeed, dating because Vic is an eligible bachelor again (after his marriage to Dina Bonnevie was annulled a few years ago) and that girl is eligibly desirable.

Then followed more blind items about Vic and that girl having gone on a holiday "out of the country" with Vic’s Eat, Bulaga! co-hosts Ruby Rodriguez and Toni Gonzaga among their companions. And, could it be true that Vic has been giving that girl gifts far more expensive than the ones he reportedly gave other girls he took fancy on, including a Bvlgari to a popular actress/TV-host? Again, there’s nothing wrong if Vic showers anybody with expensive gifts as long as he’s spending his own hard-earned money.

So who’s that girl with whom Vic is reported to be, ehem, badly smitten?

Now, it can be told: That girl happens to be Pia Theresa Sunshine Cabreira who, at 23, is only maybe a year older – or younger? – than Vic and Dina’s daughter Danica who was quoted in a TV interview as saying that as long as the girl really loves her dad and not his money, "okey lang sa akin."

Pia was featured as The STAR’s Dream Girl on May 5, 2002 in the Star Mode section (now called Allure). Showbiz is not alien territory to Pia whose father, Danny Cabreira, is a movie director who must have directed Vic in a comedy or two. (Pia’s mother is Pacita Kalingking.) She was then taking up Interdisciplinary Studies at the La Salle-St. Benilde College (Manila). A 5’6" stunner, Pia could be in showbiz but so far, she must have resisted movie offers. But can she, will she, turn down an offer coming from Vic – I mean, a movie offer, not a marriage offer?

Pia described herself as "the type of person who can be serious or playful" depending on the situation. She dabbles in boxing (careful, Vic, careful!) and does yoga for relaxation. She said she’s "fun-loving and goal-oriented." When she wants something, "I really strive and go out of my way to get or achieve it," she added.

I’m not sure if the Spanish-speaking Pia has pushed through with her plan to take up further studies at the Instituto Cervantes.

That’s what Funfare can tell you about Pia thus far.

When Pia was contacted by Allure Assistant Editor Ann Montemar-Oriondo upon the request of Funfare, Pia texted back, "I’d rather keep quiet about the issue. I know the truth and that’s enough for me."

Said Ann, "Pia is a nice girl. She stayed overnight in our house in Batangas after her (Star Mode) pictorial in Nasugbu. Mabait at magalang siya."

I won’t be surprised if it’s, indeed, true that Pia has won the heart of the equally good-hearted Vic. Two good hearts beating as one? Not bad, is it?

Cogie invests in family business

No other mom could be happier than Mrs. Zen Domingo, mother of Cogie Domingo, as her son expressed utmost interest to become an equal partner in the family-run business – that of giving lifetime opportunities to Filipino nurses through jobs in the US.

Yes, Cogie is taking a giant leap from showbiz to being into a successful entrepreneur. He enthuses, "After working so hard, I would like to invest my hard-earned money on a business which is close to my heart and at the same time would allow me to help a lot of our kababayan."

Cogie is speaking of a venture called Auxiliary Services for Medical Center Inc. (ASMCI), which is providing direct hiring to qualified Filipino nurses who want to work in hospitals in Philadelphia, Florida, Connecticut, Chicago and Missouri, USA.

Zen is behind the success of ASMCI which, through the years, has been a reliable company in direct hiring of applicants in the area of health care protection.

"I do welcome the idea of being a partner of my mom in this venture because I could see its potential. A lot of our people are looking forward to greener pastures and this is my own little way of realizing that big dream for them," explained Cogie. "By direct hiring, we really mean that our recruits would get to their point of destination and would be given the right job, the right compensation and benefits as we promised. During the hiring process, wala silang, babayaran. What you see is what you get."

(For inquiries and details, interested applicants may log in at www.asmci.com.)

What’s up?

• The Court of Appeals has junked the petition of Amy Perez to annul her eight-year marriage to former South Border vocalist Brix Ferraris. In rejecting the petition, the CA Fourth Division affirmed the decision of Pasig Judge Franchito Diamante of Branch 151 that Amy failed to prove that Brix was unable to act as husband and father to her and their son Adrielle Benedict. Amy and Brix were married on Nov. 26, 1996 at St. James the Great Parish Church in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

• Reader Tyra Dominguez reminded Funfare that Mark Gil has two children with Irene Celebre, Gabby Eigenmann and Ira Eigenmann. I stand corrected. I missed out Ira’s name in my story on Mark (and the wayward elephant) a few issues ago. Meanwhile, reader Jessica Sy wrote to clarify that it’s the trunk and not the tusk (as Funfare mentioned) of the elephant that signifies good or bad luck depending on where it is pointed – good luck if upward and bad luck if downward. Thanks for the corrections, folks!

• Sandi Domingo of San Jose, California, wondered why Richard Gomez, during a recent guesting on Morning Girls, failed to mention Nadia Montenegro and Jaclyn Jose among his past girlfriends. "How could Richard have forgotten?" asked Sandi. Oh, well, sa dami, I guess Richard can be forgiven for "forgetting" some of his exes.