Ryan’s wish: We could be happy for each other

I have settled matters with the people involved. And for me, that is what matters. I wish we could all just be happy for each other.

That’s the brief, straightforward reaction of Ryan Agoncillo to the Funfare banner story last Friday quoting a letter from the mother (who requested anonymity) of Ryan’s "other girlfriend" that Ryan didn’t have a formal "closure" with the girl before he, as persistent rumors have it, started going steady with Judy Ann Santos.

"The less said about this issue (especially in public)," said Ryan’s manager, Noel Ferrer, in a note to Funfare, "the better it would be to everyone concerned. Ryan has spared people from all these showbiz complications. Please just wish (‘the other girlfriend’) well as much as Ryan and Juday."

Being a gentleman, Ryan has refused to make any further comment on the matter, not even to clarify "the other girlfriend’s" mother’s claim that her daughter thought that she and Ryan were still "on" as of last April, even asking her via a long-distance call from the US (where the girl was then; she came back shortly to clear things up with Ryan – in vain) to send three bouquets of tulips to Ryan to mark their anniversary.

Again, Funfare wants to clarify that "the other girlfriend’s" mother wrote to Funfare as rejoinder to a story that Ryan and Judy Ann were an item and were, in fact, talking about marriage (which Judy Ann denied, saying she’s "not ready yet"), and not to "run after Ryan." Saying she was happy for Ryan and Judy Ann, the mother added that Ryan should have closed one chapter (with her daughter) first before starting a new one.

There.

Here’s wishing Ryan and Judy Ann all the happiness in the world. Same goes to "the other girlfriend."

VI-S.I.O.N., anyone?

Several issues ago, Funfare mentioned in passing that Vilma Santos’ international fans club, headed by New York-based Alan Trambulo (also a Batangueño like Vilma is now, being the mayor of Lipa City), has put up a website called VI-S.I.O.N. (or Vilma Santos International On-line Network).

Alan has just sent Funfare the following e-mail to elaborate on the VI-S.I.O.N. website:

Vilma Santos, the Philippines’ Longest Reigning Box-office and Movie Queen, Most Versatile/Awarded Actress, a three-term outstanding Lipa City Mayor and, recently, a UP Gawad Plaridel Awardee for Film has a fan website called: VI-S.I.O.N. –Vilma Santos International On-line Network.

It is a website created for, of, and by the Vilmanians all over the globe, and was conceived and created by me on April 8, 2004. It can be accessed by login to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VilmaSantosVISION or www.vilmasantos.net

The website is a fans’ forum and more, a home away from home, a sanctuary where Vilmanians all over the globe can find respite and freely express their love and admiration for their beloved Movie Queen through exchange of opinion, news and information on the QueenStar’s past, present and future exemplary achievements on film, TV, public service and latest projects. The website has members from all the four corners of the globe and most importantly, the fan site was conceived to create awareness/promote fund-raising projects intended to raise funds to help the impoverished Vilmanians in the Philippines.

Through the fans’ collective efforts and deep love for, we hope, the next National Artist and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, they were able to successfully come out with the VS Newsletter, which was replete with articles, photos, memorabilia – their tribute and homage to their idol.

Long live Vilma Santos and her VI-S.I.O.N.!

An appeal from Jolo Revilla’s lawyers

Lawyer Ernesto C. Perez II sent Funfare a letter ("on behalf of the Honorable Senator and Mrs. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr."), retained counsel of Jose Lorenzo H. Bautista, a.k.a. Jolo Revilla, "a minor," appealing to the media to spare Jolo and (former?) girlfriend Grace Adriano (the kids have a months-old love child) from further harm by not playing up their private lives.

Part of the letter reads:

We are very much aware of the constitutional rights of freedom of the press, as well as the right to information of all Filipino people. Having said this, we also concede the fact that the minor Jolo Revilla is a celebrity whose life is open to scrutiny to everyone. However, the celebrity status of Jolo Revilla is not a license to scrutinize anything and everything in his life. There are limits to what can be reported. In this particular case, the right to know of the public as well as the freedom of the press must be equally balanced with the best interests of the minor children involved.

We are writing to appeal to your esteemed editorial to consider the protection of the rights of both minors Jolo Revilla and Ms. Grace Adriano (who are at the center of the controversy) pursuant to all existing laws, rules and regulations, in order to limit the suffering and harm being inflicted on them.

In accordance with Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act", the best interests of children shall be the paramount consideration in all actions concerning them. Furthermore, every effort shall be exerted to promote the welfare of children and enhance their opportunities for a useful and happy life.

Much has already been said regarding the lives of both Jolo Revilla and Ms. Grace Adriano. We believe that the continued mention of their names and current situation surrounding their lives at this time, in various media reports, have ripened into psychological abuse that have affected both minors.

Please consider the cumulative effects of all that has been written and broadcast to this date — all the accusations and counter-accusations that have been expressed — as a "circumstance which gravely threaten or endanger the normal development" of both minors. We firmly believe that you will agree with us that this incident must be avoided at all cost.

The young mind can only handle so much. The Revilla family has consistently endeavored to protect the person of the minor Jolo Revilla since the controversy started. Their comments have been limited to clarify certain facts and have constantly called that the matter be resolved by amicable communication between all parties concerned, without the involvement of media.

It is quite regretful that the matter has reached a point that gravely threatens and endangers the normal development of Jolo Revilla and Grace Adriano. We advocate to all parties concerned that the primordial rights of both minors be respected and considered first and foremost before any news or commentary is made pertaining to the current state of affairs of their lives.

Comment? Just this: I hope Lawyer Ernesto C. Perez has also made a similar appeal to the parents of "minors" Jolo Revilla and Grace Adriano and will constantly remind them (the parents) to refrain from swapping charges and counter-charges against each other in the media. Early on, the elders shouldn’t have (gleefully?) announced the coming of their grandlovechild to the media or done the love child’s baptism in the glare of TV cameras. They could have proceeded with all those rituals away from the limelight to avoid, as Jolo’s lawyer put it, further harm to the persons of the "minors" involved (the poor baby included). Yes, that can be done – not exposing yourself to the media. But first, the preventive step should be taken by the people concerned and involved. I may also add that The STAR hasn’t been chronicling the affair of "minors" Jolo and Grace, except to publish the baptism photos of the couple’s love child.

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