Lani pregnant

The good news is that Whitney Houston will finally perform in a concert in Japan, her first ever in Asia, sometime in April and she’ll be co-starring with three of the top singers in the region, namely Anggun of Indonesia, Coco Lee of Taipei and, yes, Lani Misalucha of the Philippines.

Oops! Wait a minute. Lani is begging off from that big musical event even if she, along with Anggun and Coco Lee, was handpicked by Whitney who, upon listening to Lani on tape, agreed that Lani indeed sounded like her.

Lani’s reason for backing out: She’s three-months pregnant with her and husband Noli Misalucha’s third child (they have two daughters) and she’s giving birth in April next year at almost the same time Whitney’s concert is scheduled in Japan.

All Lani could say is, "Sayang!" Yes, sayang talaga! Better luck next time – that is, if there’s going to be a next time.

Being eyed to replace Lani is Jaya who, although not as versatile as Lani, is a good enough alternative.

Meanwhile, Funfare wants to assure Lani’s fans that their idol is still being managed by Ronnie Henares’ Primeline, contrary to persistent rumors. Lani has also remained at GMA after initial negotiations for her transfer to ABS-CBN bugged down. Ronnie’s wife, Ida (head of the GMA Artist Center), said that Lani is happy where she is.

However, Funfare got the "breaking news" that Karylle, daughter of Zsa Zsa Padilla, isn’t renewing her Primeline contract which is expiring next month. The artists who have recently left Primeline included Tootsie Guevarra, Radha and Aliya Parcs.

(Paging Ronnie! Could you enlighten Funfare readers on why these artists are quitting Primeline?)

Will Jhezarie Be RP’s 4th Miss Int’l?

Here we go again, keeping our fingers crossed and hoping against hope that our bet in an international beauty contest will come home with the bacon. In this case, it’s Jhezarie Gamez Javier, 22, who’s competing with more than five dozen equally beautiful contestants at the 2003 Miss International Pageant scheduled tonight at the Raddison Miyako Hotel in Tokyo.

So far, the Philippines has three Misses International – Gemma Cruz in l964, Aurora Pijuan in l970 and Melanie Marquez in 1979. Other countries which have three winners each are Australia (1962, 1981 and 1992), England (1969, 1972 and 1986), Poland (1991, 1993 and 2001), USA (1974, 1978 and 1982) and Venezuela (1985, 1997 and 2000).

Some Miss International title-holders initially joined other international contests (Miss Universe and Miss World) before winning their crowns, including:

• Maria Stella Marquez Zawadsky of Colombia (first Miss International, 1960) who was a semi-finalist in that year’s Miss Universe Pageant

• Karen Brucene Smith of USA (l974) who was a finalist in ther 1971 Miss World contest

• Ladija Vera Manic ofn Yugoslavia (1975) who was an "un-placed" Miss U contestant that same year

• Sophie Sonia Perin of France (1975), also an "un-placed" Miss U contestant that same year

• Ilma Julieta Urruita Chang of Guatemala (l984), a Miss U semi-finalist that same year

• Laurie Tamara Simpson of Puerto Rico (1987), a Miss U fourth runner-up in that same year and placed first runner-up a year later in the 1988 Miss Intercontinental contest

• Lia Victoria Borrero Gonzales of Panama (1998), a Miss U finalist in 1987

Here’s a report on Jhezarie Gamez Javier by Funfare’s "beauty experts" Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping, Francis Calubaquib and Felix Manuel:

Jhezarie, nicknamed Jerrie, is a Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate from UST, a Dean’s Lister from 1999 to 2001 when she was named Miss Thomasian Personality. During the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant, Jerrie won three special awards (Miss Agfa Photogenic, Miss Philippine Airlines and Miss Myra 300-E).

Born on Feb. 28, 1981 to the late Francisco Javier (who died of a liver ailment 18 years ago) and Melba Gamez, a businesswoman, Jerrie has one brother, Lorenzo Melmico, 15. At 5’9" (measuring 35-23-35), Jerrie should look stunning in an elaborate 19th century Filipina dress created by famous Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza.

Before going to Japan, Jerrie was trained in Venezuela and Colombia on grace and poise, and attended Nippongo classes at Berlitz Center.

Jerrie was a member of the ABS-CBN Talent Center’s Star Circle Batch 5 and has appeared in ABS-CBN TV shows. It was Tony Trinidad (of the ABS-CBN Talent Center) who encouraged her to join the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant.

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