Why Lani quit showbiz

Curtain-raisers:

• My DPA at the Paparrazi Restaurant at EDSA Shangri-La reported an interesting meeting among Butch Jimenez (producer of Rizal and Muro-Ami), Tony Gloria (of Unitel Films, producer of American Adobo and Crying Ladies and distributor of the award-winning docu film Imelda) and Cesar Montano (star of Rizal and Muro-Ami). Oops! What’s cooking? Could they be planning another "out of the box" movie? The last time Funfare’s DPA saw Butch J, Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Jimmy Duavit in the same restaurant a few years ago, they "hatched" two projects, Rizal and Muro-Ami. Two years later, they were seen having lunch with Eddie Garcia and Deathrow was produced. Tell us, Butch J and Tony G and Cesar M, are you up to something, ehem, earth-shaking?

• Reader Yvette Englatera, based in London, wrote to say that she saw Lara Fabregas in a small role in Casualty, one of the leading drama series in London. "Lara played a single lady looking for a date in the drama series set in a hospital, quite similar to E.R.," said Yvette. Lara has been based in London since her separation from husband Raymond Bagatsing.

• Melanie Marquez announced that enrollment for her fashion workshop has started. Those interested may call 815-4872 or see Melanie personally at #70 East Maya Drive, Philam Homes, Quezon City. The class, to be held only on Saturdays, starts on June 5. Call now. Limited enrollment only, according to Melanie.

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When news broke that Lani Misalucha quit showbiz in favor of a simple life with her family (husband Noli Bayot and their two children) in Los Angeles, many people went tsk-tsk-tsk and said, "Why now when she’s at the peak of her career!?!"

You, too, I’m sure, felt the same way. Why would Lani turn her back while she was on top and exchange sure chances of earning big(ger) bucks for an "uncertain" future in a foreign land where she had to, well, start from the bottom (if she opts for a new career) and scratch her way up?

"Because of her family," said Ida Henares (is "it" true or not, Ida?), manager of Lani, among many other talents. "Lani has always put her family top priority. It’s family above everything else. She values her family so much that if her career comes in conflict with family, she’ll choose family anytime without any second thought."

It’s understandable, after all. Such was the case (dilemma?) of Joey Albert who also migrated to Canada with her family several years ago at the height of her career (which Joey eventually resumed once her family was settled in Koquitlam). Or Gel Santos-Relos who quit her hosting job at ABS-CBN to start a new life with her doctor-husband and their kids in New Jersey (they have since moved to Missouri).

Last heard singing the Philippine National Anthem during the controversial Pacquiao-Marquez fight in Las Vegas, Lani is said to be enjoying her newly-found privacy. She and Noli initially planned to open a home-care business but put it on-hold for the meantime in favor of a talent agency.

"Lani and Noli have long been planning to put up a business in the US," said Ida. "As of now, they don’t have a place of their own yet. They are only staying with friends."

This story should put to rest rumors that Lani’s US trip is only an "escape" from her GMA 7 contract which reportedly prevented her from moving to another channel (presumably ABS-CBN which has been dangling a juicy offer before Lani) one year after its expiration. The rumor said that Lani would come back after the one-year "grace period" and resurface on...ABS-CBN?

Well, showbiz is as unpredictable as the weather and/or the political situation, so who can tell what will happen next?

Filbar’s Marks 25th Anniversary

Funfare is congratulating Filbar’s which is celebrating its 25th anniversary today with a series of activities from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Glorietta Activity Center.

What’s Filbar’s?

Ask the likes of Kuh Ledesma, Kris Aquino, Mikee and China Cojuangco, Lorna Tolentino, Annabelle Rama, Aga Muhlach, Niño Muhlach (and several politicians) and they’ll tell you that Filbar’s is where they get their supply of magazines (foreign and local) and comic books of all kinds.

Filbar’s is owned and managed by Filemon Barbasa who is a self-made entrepreneur, born to a poor family in Capiz, who worked his way up through sheer guts and determination. His long success story could be a good subject for a comic book, probably entitled Flying Fil (You Can Soar Even If You’re Poor).

Filbar’s now counts 25 stores in Metro Manila with more than a thousand outlets all over the country. Today’s activities at Glorietta Activity Center include lots of freebies and goodies, games, contests, and entertainment for the general public.

Open to the public, Filbar’s silver-anniversary celebration is sponsored by Mirinda Orange in cooperation with PsiCom Publishing, Inkman Ventures Inc. of Erick Armigos, Summit Media Publishing, ABS-CBN Publishing, MMPI (Mega Magazines & Publishing, Inc.), Scholastic Book Fairs, Culture Crash Comic Magazine, Rhythm Children Development Center, Livewire Entertainment, Medi Marketing, Yunique Management International of Danny Lim Jr., PMPI Production House of John Go, Limketkai Development Corp., Hair Wear Creative Hair Systems, Hair Asia Magazine of Evelyn Alvaran-Cruz, Skin Magazine by Vicki Belo, Fookien Times Publishing Co., Inc. (PULP), Stargate Media Corp., Level Up!, Inc.(RAGNAROK), Great Minds Media, Inc. (GADGETS), SMTT Enterprise, Crown Publishing Jonikko Publishing and Dark Horse Comics.

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