Maui: Don’t worry, Tita Lani, I’ll take care of Bryan

Curtain-raisers:

• You have only so many minutes to catch up with the last leg of Anthony Pangilinan and Maricel Laxa’s Third Philippine Parenting Convention (theme is Equipping and Completing Parents) starting at 7:30 this morning at the Erwin Theater of Ateneo de Manila. Lined up are excellent speakers, moving entertainment, games and giveaways and surprise guests. Simply show up at the gate or call 435-4281 or 434-0139.

• No, Alma Concepcion wasn’t awarded for Best National Costume in the 1994 Miss International contest but as Miss Friendship. This clarification was made by Alma’s uncle Eugene Concepcion and readers Eton Concepcion (no relation to Alma) and Narima dela Cruz.

• Golden Center of Cebu, Inc. will hold a convention on The Joy of Approaching the Golden Years with Grace and Dignity on Oct. 14 and 15 at the Sacred Heart Center in Cebu City.

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Wearing a silver ring (which she proudly showed around) given to her by boyfriend Bryan Revilla, Maui Taylor met some members of the press yesterday over lunch at Dencio’s (in front of ABS-CBN) to confirm that, yes, she and Bryan have been going steady for two months now.

Last Sept. 25, Bryan, 18, formally introduced Maui, 23, to his parents, Sen. Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado, during Bong’s birthday party at the Revilla residence in Imus, Cavite. Maui said that she was so afraid of Lani that she hid behind Bryan. Her Tita Lani turned out to be nice and charming, accepting Maui as if she’s been a member of the Revilla Clan for a long time. "Wala kang dapat ikatakot," Lani assured Maui.

No such "fear" as far as Bong was concerned. "Close kami," said Maui. "I used to guest on his show Idol Ko si Kap (on GMA, recently replaced by Hokus Pokus).

Neither does Lani (and Bong) have any reason to be "afraid," according to Maui.

"Tita Lani need not worry," Maui said. "I will take good care of Bryan."

Asked if she and Bryan were, ehem, "careful," Maui blushed and said, "Why? Nothing goes on between Bryan and me." (Lani and Bong’s fear is that Bryan might get into the same situation as his younger brother Jolo who sired a child with Grace, Rosanna Roces’ teenage daughter.) "What do I like about Bryan? Well, he’s responsible, mature and malambing," adding, "But we are not into a serious relationship, so Tita Lani has nothing to worry about. Like Bryan, marami pa akong gustong ma-achieve career-wise." (See related story on C-3.)

Besides shows (one of them the twice-postponed shows of the Viva Hot Babes in the US, rescheduled sometime this month; she’s participating even if she’s not a member of the group anymore), Maui is busy rehearsing for the play Private Parts, directed by Elwood Perez, which will be mounted on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Music Museum. It’s Maui’s first foray into theater, with, among others, Ynez Veneracion, Katherine Luna, Allen Dizon and Behn Cervantes (who also conducted an acting workshop with the cast).

Is it true that she’s delaying the rehearsals with her tardiness?

"Of course not! I was late only once. I notified them beforehand that I would be late."

Dubbed as a pasaway (troublesome), Maui also clashed with Joyce Jimenez when they participated in Extra Challenge’s P2-million challenge (won by Kara David and Jiggy Manicad). Maui and Joyce were eliminated early on and Joyce blamed it on Maui who broke the rule against having a cellphone during the shoot. Despite Maui’s apology and explanation, Joyce hasn’t quite forgiven her (Joyce wanted so much to bag the P2 million).

Before the year ends, Maui might have a show in Australia where Joyce is studying (in Gold Coast). Will she seek out Joyce and iron things out?

"I might," Maui smiled. "I just might."

Reunion With Fr. Eric

Speaking of Australia, Ronald Constantino, Nora Calderon and I had a reunion with our good friend Fr. Jose "Eric" Adriano the other day at Annabel’s (Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City). Based in New South Wales for more than a decade now, Fr. Eric is here for a brief vacation and he brought along the Most Reverend Luc Matthys, DD, Bishop of Armidale, who was with us on that salu-salo.

We had a pleasant time with Bishop Luc who was appointed the ninth Bishop of Armidale, New South Wales, in March 17. He was born in Belgium, incardinated as priest in the Archdiocese of Melbourne in l976, ordained priest at Boksburg Transvaal on Dec., l961, for the Diocese of Johannesburg where he took up Philosophical Studies.

It’s Bishop Luc’s first visit to the Philippines and, so far, he’s enjoying the places Fr. Eric has brought him to, including Cavite, Tagaytay and Cebu. Bishop Luc says Mass first thing in the morning in every place he visits.

From the bishop, we learned that around five million of Australia’s 20 million population are Catholic. Fr. Eric said that there are about 25 Filipino priests in Australia.

To Bishop Luc and Fr. Eric, we (Ronald, Nora and I) say, "Have a nice stay in the Philippines," the political turbulence notwithstanding. E-mail reactions at [email protected]