•Nora home in time for Manila Filmfest

Curtain-raisers:

* Anytime now, a GMA talent will jump ober da bakod to rival channel ABS-CBN. The guy, "charming and refreshing in his quiet style," noted a Funfare reader, has been a "frozen delight" for several weeks now; no wonder he’s disgruntled.

* Reacting to last Saturday’s item on Dayanara Torres, reader "AA" said that Dayanara’s alimony is "shockingly low" considering how very rich her former husband, Marc Anthony, is. Dayanara is reportedly "so hard up" that after her divorce from Marc she flew economy to Europe. Incidentally, according to "AA," Marc’s marriage to Jennifer Lopez, barely a week after a Dominican Republic court granted his divorce, may be declared invalid because the divorce takes effect after 60 days. J.Lo reportedly drafted a pre-nuptial agreement with Marc to preempt Dayanara from claiming her (J.Lo’s) assets for alimony. The plot thickens.

* Don’t miss tonight’s episode of Correspondents (on ABS-CBN, after Insider). Patrick Paez has an exclusive interview with Israel’s Foreign Minister and Peace Negotiator Shimon Peres about the peace efforts. Patrick was the only Filipino journalist invited to Israel. He also reports on the crackdown on Filipi no illegal workers in that country.

* * *

Oops! I mentioned in last Saturday’s Funfare that Nora Aunor might miss the Manila Filmfest (which starts on Wednesday, June 23) because she and Kuh Ledesma are coming home from their successful Power of Two US concert tour first week of July yet.

Nora’s starrer, Angora Films’ Naglalayag (directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes, with Yul Servo and Aleck Bovick among the other stars), is one of the six official entries.

Leonel J. Escota, president of ICON-North America (International Circle of Online Noranians), wrote Funfare that Nora is coming home tomorrow, June 22, in time for the Manila Filmfest parade on June 23, the official start of the 10-day filmfest, and the awards night on June 28.

"Nora (and Kuh’s) last concert was scheduled June 19 in L.A.," clarified Escota, "and she’s flying home the following morning. She has been in constant communication with Atty. Manalo, Angora Films producer. The producers of her (and Kuh’s) US concert tour were considerate. They cut the schedule in two legs to give Nora a chance to promote her movie in Manila. The concert tour will resume (second leg) starting Aug. 7, scheduled in 10 more US cities."

Escota is inviting Noranians to the premiere of Naglalayag.

"ICON will be there to give away ‘imported’ chocolates to everyone," he promised.

* * *

So what’s the real, real score between Kris Aquino and Pampanga Governor-elect Mark Lapid? Are they "committed" to each other? Are they going steady?

I’ll go straight to the point (wala nang paliguy-ligoy pa): No, they’re not – sweethearts, that is – never mind if Mark has been floating on Cloud 9 perhaps believing that they were, or they "would be." While he and his father, Senator-elect Lito Lapid, were vacationing in the US, Mark had two balikbayan boxes shipped home, packed full with pasalubong for Kris.

Father and son came back last Friday, with that big smile gone from Mark’s face. Reason: He and Kris agreed that they would be better off as just friends, no more and no less.

Somebody close to Kris told Funfare that she isn’t ready to go into another relationship. That somebody quoted Kris as saying, "Maybe in the future...who knows? But more than likely, we’ll just stay friends."

Now, did I hear right that Kris might soon be dating a very eligible mayor (no, not the same one) with whom she might also just, ehem, stay friends?

Don’t blink. You might miss a new chapter in Kris’ checkered love life.

Letter from G. Tongi

I just received, although a bit late, a letter from L.A.-based G. Tongi who has some good news for me and Funfare readers. Here it is:

I am not sure if you are aware of the play I did called Days When Cocaine Was King. It ran for six weeks at the American Renegade Theater and it just ended last April 29. What an experience it was to play Juanita on stage.

But alas, all good things must come to an end. I am very happy though that I was fortunate enough to get a very good review in the Daily Variety which is the trade paper for the entertainment industry in Hollywood. It says, "Tongi radiates such a deep sensuality on stage that it is easy to believe she would haunt Ro’s psyche..."

I am currently in Costa Rica and am leaving today for Los Angeles. I have been here for a week of surfing! I was also able to go to Manuel Antonio overnight to visit the National Park, which is the most popular in all of Central America.

Besides hanging out on the beach, horseback riding and canopy tours each day, it was mostly just to get out of L.A. Also, my friend Don Stockwell, whom I met in Manila years ago while doing my dance show Eezy Dancing, has relocated here to San Jose, the country’s capital from Miami. So it was wonderful to see him again, too, and meet all his Costa Rican friends.

Anyway, I leave for San Francisco over the weekend to celebrate the Philippine Fiesta. I will be performing a couple of songs for the Filipino community. Then I go back to Los Angeles for my birthday on the 14th of June. I can’t believe I am turning 26 already!

Gary Valenciano and wife Angeli are also in town. He is performing at the Shrine tomorrow. So many events happening!

However, I can’t wait to get back to Manila in September. Hopefully you are free so we can catch up. Last time in San Francisco you were so busy!

Hope all is well,

– Giselle

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])