Tessie for Governor of Western Samar?

Curtain-raisers:
• My condolences to Richard Gomez whose paternal grandmother, Lydia Kelly Gomez, died yesterday at 87. It was Lola Lydia who took care of Richard after his parents, Eddie Gomez and former actress Stella Suarez, separated. Her remains lie in state at the Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, near Richard’s home.

• Reader Monching wrote that Mandy Moore appeared in more than just four movies. Here’s Mandy’s filmography: Havoc (2004, pre-production stage), Racing Stripes (filming in 2005), Chasing Liberty (2004, now in post-production stage), Saved (2003, completed), How to Deal (2003), Try Seventeen (a.k.a. All I Want, 2002), Kingdom Hearts (2002), A Walk to Remember (2002), The Princess Diaries (2001), Dr. Doolittle 2 (2001, voice) and Magic Al and the Mind Factory (2000).

• Reader Rene Bernardo (of Fremont, California) clarified that the late Amado Cortez was not an Ambassador to 10 Pacific States as Funfare reported and that he was not a Philippine Consul in San Francisco. Amado was a Consul General at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco with concurrent jurisdiction over the 10 Pacific States mentioned. The Ambassador is always the one assigned at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C.

• Movie writer Dave Rojo, now based in L.A., also clarified that Robin Padilla is not among Amado’s grandchildren. Dave noted that Robin is one of the many children of Roy Padilla, Amado’s older brother, so that makes Robin Amado’s nephew. Roy was assassinated while serving as Governor of Camarines Norte.

Et tu, Tessie?

Don’t look now but Tessie Tomas is being prodded by her fellow Waray in Western Samar to run as the province’s Governor in 2004. Tessie hails from Catbalogan, the province’s capital, where two of his brothers live and own farms.

"They’ve been trying to convince me to run everytime there’s an election," Tessie confirmed to Funfare. "As of now, I haven’t decided yet. My husband (Roger Pullin) is against the idea. If I were not married, I would have run a long time ago. In the meantime, I’m trying to weigh the pros and cons."

If and when, Tessie will be the first comedienne to run for such a high office. As it is, local politics is packed full with comedians, including Sen. Tito Sotto, Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Manila Councilor Lou Veloso and Flora Gasser (who’s a barangay captain in North Fairview, Quezon City).

Meanwhile, Tessie is busy hosting her daily morning show (Teysi) on ABS-CBN and her smash-hit stand-up show Si Teysi sa CR which is on extended run at D’Comfort Room at Jupiter Place on Jupiter St., Makati City, with Jon Santos as co-performer.

Among the celebrities Tessie is impersonating are Lipa City Mayor Vilma "Ate Vi" Santos, Nora "Ate Guy" Aunor, Sharon Cuneta and daughter KC Concepcion, Kris Aquino, Imee Marcos and Susan Roces, plus Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Winnie Monsod in a one-on-one.

The show is guaranteed to tickle your funnybone, which is what all of us need in stressful times like this.

Your last chance to watch the show is on Saturday, Dec. 6, so don’t miss it. (For tickets, call 897-9411 or 895-5938.)

Not Home This Christmas

While most everybody will be home (the Philippines, but of course!) this Christmas, Muñoz brothers Leandro and Carlo are doing the reverse. A few days ago, they flew to the States to spend the holidays with their recently-widowed mom, Patricia Garcia-Muñoz, and their younger brother Angelo in Bakersfield, California (about two hours drive from L.A.) where Pat heads a school for special children.

Leandro and Carlo’s father, Louie Muñoz (younger brother of Tita Muñoz), died of heart attack last March 25 which happened to be Leandro’s birthday. Leandro had to cut his US vacation short and rush home with his mom. The brothers were also in California last July to keep their mom and Angelo company during the crucial stage of the grieving process.

"Last year," said Carlo, "Mom came home to spend Christmas with us. We didn’t have any inkling that it would be our last Christmas with Papa. He made sure that we posed for a family picture before Mom went back to the States. It’s our first Christmas without Papa and we have to be with Mom. Malungkot daw kasi ang Christmas sa States. Unfortunately, our sister Carissa couldn’t join us, so she’s the taong-bahay."

Also flying abroad, to Italy, to spend the New Year with her mother and father and other siblings is Alessandra de Rossi.

"I couldn’t leave before Christmas because I have to help in the promo for my movie, (Gil Portes’) Homecoming, which is a Metro Filmfest entry."

The good news is that Alessandra has already smoked the peace pipe with her brother-in-law Congressman Jules Ledesma, husband of her sister Assunta (who can’t join the rest of the de Rossis in Italy where they have built a house).

Which means that Alesasandra will serve as one of the secondary sponsors at Jules and Assunta’s church wedding scheduled in March next year.

Will her mom soon also kiss and make up with Jules?

"I don’t know," said the outspoken Alessandra. "I can’t speak for my Mom."

Beatles Tilt Winners

Here are the correct answers to the 10 questions in the EMI-Funfare promo tilt for the Beatles’ new album, Let It Be...Naked:

l. What was the name of the club that the Beatles regularly gigged on Liverpool before they became famous? Cavern Club.

2. What is Ringo Starr’s real name? Richard Starkey

3. What was the music company or label that turned the Beatles down for a recording contract before they were signed up by EMI Parlophone? Decca.

4. What was the name of the studio where they recorded all their albums? Abbey Road.

5. Who was John Lennon’s best friend who was originally with the Beatles but who died early? Stuart Sutcliffe.

6. What band was Ringo Starr playing for when the Beatles hired him? The Hurricanes.

7. Who played keyboards during the Apple rooftop gig? Billy Preston.

8. Who is the "Mother Mary" Paul McCartney referred to in Let It Be? Mary McCartney, Paul’s mom.

9. Who played bass on The Long and Winding Road? John Lennon.

10. Across the Universe was part of a charity album for what famous international organization? World Wildlife Fund.

The grand prize winner is Romeo S. Aquino of Cainta, Rizal, who will get a Let It Be...Naked CD, a mug cup and poster. The five consolation prize winners are lawyer Sonny Pulgar, Teody Magno, Maria Carmen Mundigma, Anthony Michael Pabello and John Edgar Maghinay.

Winners may claim their prizes at the EMI office, 25th Floor, Atlanta Center, Annapolis St., Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila. (Or call Ethel Cachapero at 723-0861 to 70 local 514 for more info.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])