A warning from Gretchen

"Beware of a jeweler using my name!"

That warning comes from Gretchen Barretto after she learned that a certain jeweler (name withheld) has been going around selling a "studded" Cartier watch which the jeweler claimed is worth P4 million but is being sold by Gretchen for only P2 million.

"I’m warning the public against this jeweler," Gretchen told Funfare in a phone chat yesterday. "I haven’t authorized her, or anybody for that matter, to sell even a single piece of my jewelry. I do have a ‘studded’ Cartier but I’m not selling it. I’m buying but I’m not selling."

Gretchen learned about the Cartier in question when the secretary of her beloved Tonyboy Cojuangco called her to inquire if it was true that she’s selling it.

"I asked around and that’s how I uncovered the identity of the jeweler," said Gretchen.

That "studded" Cartier is part of Gretchen’s jewelry collection which is precious to her because everything single piece in it is a gift from Tonyboy and therefore memorable and meaningful to Gretchen.

"Tony’s secretary told me that sabi daw n’ung jeweler I’m upgrading my collection that’s why I’m selling some pieces. That’s not true. I’m warning the public, or any potential buyer, against this jeweler."

Whenever she buys jewelry, according to Gretchen, she makes sure that she gets them from "branded" sources so she gets genuine ones. "Para hindi ako maloko," she stressed. "If ever I buy from a local jeweler, it’s only from either Kristine’s or Velayo’s."

Besides, added Gretchen, "Why should I sell jewelry when I don’t need the money? My allowance from Tony is more than enough for my needs."

So be careful you jewel-lovers out there.

"Don’t say I didn’t warn you!" said Gretchen.

The ‘Sensual’ Christian V.

That the controversial "sensuality workshop" organized by Seiko Films was effective is evident in the casual/natural acting of Christian Vazquez (yes, with two "z’s") in Bridal Shower, Seiko’s delightful sex-romance-comedy entry at the 2003 Metro Manila Filmfest (some entries are on extended run in several theaters).

According to an "eyewitness," Christian (who participated in the workshop with half a dozen other Seiko talents), was "game na game" during the nude sessions, having no qualms about shedding not only his inhibitions but also his clothes. He was, like his co-workshoppers, au naturel – and not ashamed of it.

"There was no malice at all during the workshop," Christian told Funfare. "That was what the workshop was for – for us to know one another better and to be comfortable especially during our love scenes."

And yet, Christian realized that he was hardly prepared for his love scenes in Bridal Shower, brilliantly and wittily directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, with Dina Bonnevie who wasn’t in the "sensuality workshop" (not that she needed it).

"Na-conscious ako, but I found out that Dina is good in bed," said Christian, referring to their love scenes (all make-believe, I assure you).

In the movie, Christian plays Dina’s love interest whom Dina desperately wants to pin down in marriage, even to the extent of spending for and attending to Christian’s divorce papers.

"I must say that it was Dina who helped me in our scenes; siya ang nagdala. She was so good that I almost got carried away."

Bridal Shower is the second (after Liberated) of a number of movies Christian is doing for Seiko Films which has tied him down to a two-year contract. After he was discovered through the PLDT "Suportahan ta ka" commercial, Christian did bit parts in Star Cinema flicks (Nine Mornings and Jologs) and appeared in soaps both on ABS-CBN and GMA.

Also to be credited for bringing out the best in Christian (and the rest of the cast for that matter, from Dina to Cherry Pie Picache to the male newcomers to Francine Prieto, a revelation in the movie, including Pinky Marquez, as Dina/Cherry Pie/Francine’s fellow advertising executive, who’s absolutely endearing and lovable in her comedic performance) is director Jeffrey (Sana Pag-Ibig Na, Pila-Balde and Tuhog).

"Direk Jeffrey motivated me well," said Christian who, although he needs some more "sharpening" and honing, ably acquits himself beside his seasoned co-stars. "He made acting seemed so easy."

Because he’s a hunk, Christian inevitably attracts sex-hungry people, including matrons and (rich) gays who are willing to pay him any amount for a one-night stand. But so sorry, said Christian, "I’m not into it."

If ever he’d be adventurous (he’s married and has a child but is separated from his wife who’s based in the States), confessed Christian, he might "give in" to a woman who’s sexy and fashionable, with a beautiful neck (his fetish), but never to a gay. "I still prefer women. I can be friends with gays but beyond that, hindi ko kaya."

A Blessing For You

The following piece, entitled A Blessing For You, was passed on to Funfare by Katrina Legarda who got it from somebody else and requested me to pass it on to as many people as I could. "If you are blessed," wrote Kat, "repay the blessings bestowed unto you and do something for others. A blessing cannot be kept. If it stops with you, then the blessing will disappear..."

Here’s A Blessing For You:
If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won't survive the week.
If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world.
If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.
If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still married and alive,
you are very rare,
especially in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the majority can,
but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them
or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God's healing touch.
If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.
You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know.

If you are feeling blessed, repay the blessings bestowed unto you and do something for others.

A blessing cannot be kept. If it stops with you, then the blessing will disappear. The blessing will only keep working if it is continuously passed around. If you are a recipient of a blessing, keep the blessing working by being the source of blessing to other people.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])