• Many people are wondering if Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) chairman Edu Manzano will go after controversial cager Alex Crisano (a.k.a. boyfriend of equally-controversial Ethel Booba). Remember Sir Edu’s "threat" (is it all there is to that?) that the VRB will arrest not only producers of pirated videos but also those buying them? A few days ago, Crisano was reported to be buying pirated VCDs somewhere in Quezon City and he let the hawker get into his car. That’s how Crisano said he lost his gun (to the hawker) which resulted in his being detained overnight at a police precinct until he produced his license. Sir Edu, your move!
• I’d like to thank those who stayed up late last Saturday evening to watch Showbiz Stripped on GMA, which I co-host with the unstoppable Melanie Marquez – and those who also did to watch the premier episode featuring Susan Roces and Mother Lily. Last Saturday’s episode about starlets dancing in bars (a sympathetic look, I must stress) got a good rating. Thank you and stay tuned for more exciting features on Showbiz Stripped, described as "the alternative showbiz-oriented show."
• Reminder from Louie Cruz: OPTV: Overseas Pinoy Television has recently concluded its fifth season of airing over ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC). It is currently preparing for its sixth season of airing which will still be seen by Filipinos in North America, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe also via TFC. Re-runs of its previous episodes are currently being aired over cable TV’s Prime Channel on Saturdays at 9 a.m.
In only one year, Rachelle’s life-long dreams have all come true.
"I can’t believe that all this is happening," Rachelle told Funfare.
"Nakakalula!"
When Rachelle had her debut on Aug. 31 last year, she made three wishes and all of them have come true, to wit:
1. Have her own solo album,
2. Have a show abroad, and
3. Have a solo concert.
Granted. All in one year, starting early last year when she won the Search for a Star contest and signed up as a Viva artist (with Veronique del Rosario-Corpus as her manager).
Released in July last year, Rachelle’s self-titled solo album has been declared "gold" a month after it hit record bars and a "platinum" (with sales of more than 30,000 units) four months later. Three hit singles spun off from that album: Don’t Cry Out Loud, You and Me (We Wanted It All, a duet with Christian Bautista) and From the Start (composed by Vehnee Saturno, which won for Rachelle a "silver" and Best Song award at the Shanghai Asia Music Festival in November last year).
In September last year, Rachelle together with fellow champions Mark Bautista, Sarah Geronimo and Christian Bautista paved the way for the new breed of Pinoy artists by holding a smash-hit concert tour on both coasts of the US, kicked off in New York which I personally witnessed. Yes, it was a hit! There has been a persistent demand for an encore, so the same producers, my good friends Alice and Red Martinez, are mounting Magnificent 7 (The Return of the Champions) on May 22 (a Sunday) at the Golden Center for the Performing Arts, Queens College, also co-starring with Mark, Christian and Sarah along with champion runner-ups Raymond Manalo, Sheryn Regis and Frenchie Dy.
"After the concert last year," Alice and Red told Funfare, "we have been swamped with requests for a repeat. Tickets are almost sold out." (Those in New York and New Jersey and neighboring places may inquire about tickets at these numbers: 212-7515820, 917-4454437, 718-5072302 and 201-3284847. Alice and Red’s Re-Al Entertainment, Inc. is presenting the concert with Metrobank and Orient Star.)
The same show will also be staged in other parts of the US, including in Los Angeles and San Diego middle of June, produced by another good friend, Al Chu (who also produced the Champions concert in L.A. last year).
But before that, Rachelle will have her own solo show entitled Rachelle Ann Go, The Ultimate Champion on Friday, April 29, at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City, supported by guests Ogie Alcasid, Mark Bautista and Christian Bautista, with the Arti Sta. Rita Choir. (Ticket prices are P700 and P400. For inquiries, call 911-5555, 687-7794, 687-6181 local 715.) Yes, Rachelle will sing her songs – and more.
Incidentally, Funfare would like to congratulate Rachelle and Mark for having been chosen Most Promising Female/Male Singers by the recent 35th Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation Awards.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)