Only the Million stars and not the Champions

Curtain-raisers:

• A popular (especially with the masses) DZMM talent is, well, jumping ship very soon and moving over to RMN DZXL. I won’t identify who he/she is just yet because final negotiations are still going on. Anyway, tune in to DZXL (558 AM) and find out who he/she is on Aug. 15 when he/she (with a co-host) is scheduled to start his Monday-thru-Friday program from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. I assure you that the program is interesting.

• Congratulations to Gary Valenciano (who’s celebrating his and Angeli Pangilinan’s 20th wedding anniversary this month) for winning three trophies at the Aliw Awards held the other night at the Manila Hotel – Best Male Concert Performer in a Major Venue (for his Thankful concert), Entertainer of the Year and Hall of Famer.

• Fresh from a two-week vacation in Europe with husband, Sen. Ralph Recto, Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos is leaving again on Aug. 19 for New York as special guest of the Philippine Fiesta event organized by Mila Mendez. Vilma was invited through Alan Trambulo, a front-desk officer of Radisson Hotel in Manhattan, who’s the president of the Vilma Santos International Fans Club. Vilma won’t make a side trip to L.A. as originally planned and will fly straight back home after the event.

* * *

Some people, including Pinoys in the US, must be wondering why Sarah Geronimo, Rachelle Ann Go, Mark Bautista and Raymond Manalo are not included in the line-up of artists topbilling a concert in California in October, again produced by Al Chu who produced the Night of the Champion concert also in L.A. last year and a repeat in June. Is there any problem between Al Chu and Viva Concerts, Inc. (with which the Champions artists are under contract)?

"No problem," said Al during a long distance phone chat with Funfare. "You see, the concert this October is called Stars in a Million Concert and featured are Stars in a Million winners/runners-up Sheryn Regis, Christian Bautista, Frenchie Dy, Erik Santos and Jerome Sala, together with Marissa Sanchez and Divo. Sarah, Rachelle, Mark and Raymond are Star for a Night winners."

The Stars in a Million Concert will be mounted at the Orpheum Theater at 842 S. Broadway in L.A. on Oct. 7; and at the Spreckles Theater at 121 Broadway in San Diego on Oct. 8.

That said, Al Chu added, "I never had any problem with Viva. Whatever, if ever, there are some little kinks, we can iron them out at once. I am in constant contact with June Torrejon (of Viva Concerts, Inc.) regarding future concerts here in L.A. and San Diego under the ABC Entertainment, Inc. & Marissa Entertainment banner, with the understanding that all Viva shows in L.A. (and San Diego) will be offered to me first."

Al Chu was here last month for vacation in his native Tacloban City. One of his memorable moments was when he met Susan Roces (one of his three favorites, the two others being Vilma Santos and Gloria Romero) right at Susan’s Greenhills home two days before he flew back to L.A.

Tootsie and Jansen will live in L.A.

No, Tootsie Guevarra (real name: Emma Therese Pinga) and Jansen Cunanan are not going to settle down in the Philippines after their wedding on Monday, Aug. 8, 3 p.m. at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City.

"We will live in L.A. where Jansen and his family are," said Tootsie who flew in end of July, two weeks ahead of Jansen who graduated with a degree in Medtech from St. Jude College here. "We came back purposely for the wedding."

Only a few from showbiz are members of the wedding entourage, including (as principal sponsors) Vehnee Saturno, German Moreno, Jose Mari Chan and Ida Henares; and (as secondary sponsors) Christopher de Leon and wife Sandy Andolong, and Geneva Cruz and boyfriend KC Montero. It was Geneva who acted as "bridge" between Tootsie and Jansen.

In L.A., Tootsie will continue her singing career.

"Jansen won’t stop me," said Tootsie who was among the guest performers at the repeat concert of the Three Tenors (MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, DILG Sec. Angelo Reyes and former DILG Sec. Joey Lina) at the Manila Hotel last week.

Tootsie and Jansen will return to L.A. on Aug. 17.

What’s up?

• The National Asthma Movement (NAM) invites the public to its ninth Asthma Fair on Aug. 14, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Megatrade Hall 3 of SM Megamall (Building B), Mandaluyong City. You can have fun and win prizes while learning from lectures about asthma.

• The WaterPlus Productions is holding auditions for new members of D’Bodies. Applicants must be 5’5" tall, charming (with sex appeal) and must have singing/dancing talent. For inquiries, call Stephanie Gamboa at 411-1271 or 413-4418.

• Taste Buds at Robinsons Place goes mainstream as it features upcoming bands every Friday this month, with 4th Note Band slated tonight. The Unlabeled Band takes centerstage next Friday, Aug. 12. Shows start at 6:30 p.m. Taste Buds is located at the second level, Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place, Ermita, Manila.

* * *

E-mail reactions at [email protected]