Daddy Diet

Curtain-raisers:

• What could have been the reason behind the off-the-air shouting match ("Crispy with cuss words," according to the Funfare DPA) last Thursday afternoon between the tandem of a popular radio program? The word war happened during a commercial break. The male half of the tambalan walked out posthaste and was replaced by somebody else. The next day, the male half showed up but the female half didn’t, pinchhit by the previous day’s replacement. By this time, let’s hope the tandem is back. But, of course, they won’t give their listeners any hint of their off-the-air "war."

""• Congratulations to Tonton Gutierrez and Glydel Mercado on the birth of their first child, to be named Aneeza, at 4:20 yesterday morning at the St. Luke’s Medical Center. The baby girl, weighing 4.13 lbs., was delivered the natural way. "Aneeza looks very much like Papa Tonton," said Lola Lolit Solis (Tonton’s manager).

• Advance congratulations, too, to Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz whose second child is due very soon. Also, to Singapore-based Rico Hizon and wife Melannie who will be first-time parents in mid-September. It’s a boy, according to Rico, to be named Jose Miguel Federico Benedicto Syquia-Hizon (Migo for short). Jose is derived from Rico’s father and grandfather, Miguel from his great granduncle, Federico from Rico and Benedicto from the couple’s dear friend, Bencab. Rico and Melannie have been married for six years.

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Several days ago, a tabloid blind item mentioned that the love son of a popular young actor was baptized at the Manila Cathedral and the actor was present at the event. The mother is said to be a nursing student.

Last Sunday on The Buzz, Diether "Diet" Ocampo admitted that, yes, he’s the actor referred to in the blind item.

That makes him the third unwed-father Hunk (the two others are Jericho Rosales and Piolo Pascual).

Asked why he didn’t tell anybody about it, Diether simply said, "Nobody asked me."

Funfare sources said that Diet and the girl have broken up but have remained friends.

"One look at the baby and you will say that he’s my carbon copy," said Diet who is being romantically linked to Kristine Hermosa, his leading lady in the just-concluded ABS-CBN soap Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas.

Diet signed the child’s birth certificate.

So how did Kristine react to the good news?

"I think she understands," said Diet.

Will Diet’s admission have adverse effects on his career? I don’t think so. Although he shouldn’t be emulated (I mean, having a baby out of wedlock) by his fans, he should be commended for owning up to his responsibility.

There were other unwed fathers before him – including Aga Muhlach, Leandro Muñoz, Michael Flores, Vhong Navarro, Vandolph, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Marco Sison, Miguel Vera, Gabby Concepcion, Robin Padilla, Dino Guevarra, Jay Manalo, etc. – and their "unwed status" hardly affected their career. Their private lives should be their own and what matters is that they give a good performance (the only thing they owe the public).

Diet’s only wish is to shield his love son and the mother from the glare of the media to keep their privacy.

Martin, Pops with kids on holiday

If you happen to be in California this week and you see somebody who looks like Martin Nievera with somebody who looks like his ex-wife Pops Fernandez, I assure you here and now that they’re them. No, the un-couple haven’t reconciled (the fond wish of their fans and many of their relatives and friends). They’ve become better friends after the annulment of their marriage and they get together every now and then – for the sake of their sons Ram and Robin.

Martin texted to Funfare that he left Manila last Saturday to meet with Pops and their sons in the States for their grand annual family holiday.

"I will make a stop in Las Vegas to do a show with Sheena Easton and Brian McKnight," added Martin.

Incidentally, a few issues ago, a US-based Funfare reader asked if it was Martin whom he saw in an episode of The Casino, Fox Channel’s newest reality-based show based in Las Vegas. The answer is yes, as confirmed by other US-based readers, one of them Odina Maningas who sent the following e-mail:

I just want to let you know that here in the US, there’s a new reality-TV series called The Casino which is being aired every Monday on Fox Channel. It’s about the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas. On two episodes, including the premiere, Martin Nievera was shown briefly, either with a bunch of people or with the entertainment director of the casino.

Monday (July 12) last week, Martin got a bigger exposure. The camera zoomed in on his poster and then he was shown singing Say That You Love Me at his actual concert. The series’ regular actor/singer, Matt Dusk (ala Harry Connick, Jr.) who sings at the lounge of the casino, even commented that Martin has got a nice voice and wished that he (Matt) could be elevated at the showroom and fill it up the way Martin did.

I joined the community discussion at the Fox website (www.fox.com/thecasino) to request for Martin’s return to the Golden Nugget. Who knows, Martin might end up as The Casino’s resident singer.

I tell you, it’s exciting to see one of our own on US national television.

Six Feet Under promo quiz

The final season of HBO’s original series Six Feet Under will premiere the last of two episodes on Aug. 3 at 9 p.m. To hype up the series before the finale, Funfare and HBO are conducting a joint quiz promo. Easy does it: Simply answer the set of questions published in Funfare every now and then and e-mail your entries to nespinosa@virtusio.com; subject: Philippine STAR-HBO SFU contest.

The first five senders of the correct answers will each receive a copy of the SFU book (very nice; "collectible"). Participants must answer all the questions (three sets each) based on 11 episodes. They should write their complete name, address and contact numbers. (Call 725-7891, 727-5251 or 726-5132 up to 30 for inquiries.)

And here’s the sixth set of questions (for Episode 308 aired last June 30, to be replayed soon):

• According to Arthur, who started the Renaissance?

1. Petrarch

2. Michelangelo

3. Biotto

• Where does Frederico and his family have a picnic?

1. Zoo

2. Cemetery

3. Beach

• What do the members of The People make to earn money?

1. Tie-dye tee shirts

2. Hammocks

3. Mops

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)