Kris ‘100% pregnant’

Last Sunday, Kris Aquino texted Funfare that she was only "98 percent" sure that she was pregnant, pending more tests.

Yesterday, she texted Funfare again to confirm that she is "100 percent four weeks and three days pregnant" as shown by an ultrasound.

"James and I just came from my OB-Gyne," said Kris.

Kris told Funfare that if a boy, her and James’ first-born will be named James Jr. But Kris has changed her mind about naming their baby, if a girl, Oprah because, she said, "plenty people made kontra," including her mom, former President Cory Aquino who told Kris to choose a Christian name instead. "What if when the child grows up, Oprah is not anymore as popular as she is now," Tita Cory reportedly told Kris.

This early, Kris told Funfare, her son Joshua is already starting to show signs of "insecurity" which is normal among (especially solo) children expecting a sibling.

"Joshua has become more affectionate than he already is," said Kris. "He keeps on hugging and kissing me even when we are about to go to sleep. He sleeps between James and me," added Kris who will give birth in May next year.

Because of her pregnancy, Kris will have to stop making movies, although she will continue her TV work until her OB-Gyne tells her to go on maternity leave.

Incidentally, Kris-watchers can follow the progress of Kris’ pregnancy by reading Kris (the Kris Aquino magazine) which chronicles everything people want to know about Kris (who is, like Oprah, the only local celebrity with a magazine named for and devoted to her). Edited by Kris herself and published by the ABS-CBN Publishing, Incorporated, Kris has been outselling (slightly, that is) its competition, Cosmopolitan (Philippine edition), since it hit the newsstands early this year. Here are the figures (copies sold), furnished Funfare by ABS-CBN Publishing, Incorporated:

• Kris, Jan.-Feb. 2006, 1,365; Cosmo (with Judy Ann Santos on the cover), May 2006, 1,145

• Kris (on Kris’ Secret Obsessions), May-July 2006, 1,775; Cosmo (Lindsay Lohan on the cover), June 2006, 1,646

• Kris (Kris’ Secret Obsessions), May-July 2006, 2,510; Cosmo (Camille Prats on the cover), 1,640

• Kris (Kris’ Secret Obsessions), May-July 2006, 2,853; Cosmo (Bianca Gonzalez on the cover), 2,374.

‘Manong’ to Libingan: A family affair

Twenty-five years after he died (on July 21, l981), the remains of National Artist Gerry "Manong" de Leon were transferred to the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, last Sept. 12 which happened to be Manong’s 93rd birthday (born on Sept. 12, 1913).

Here’s an account of that "family affair" by Liberty Ilagan, one of Manong’s children:

It was a family reunion, with friends of our family also present, including Gloria Romero, Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Delia Razon, Lilia Dizon, Celia Rodriguez, Minda Morena, Amparo Lucas, Angelo Castro Jr., Cirio Santiago and Marichu Maceda, among others.

Most members of our family were around: My sisters Baby (wife of Ronaldo Valdez) with son Janno Gibbs and Vicky (who flew in from Paris for the occasion), our mom Fely Vallejo, dad’s sister Rosa, my cousins Robert Arevalo (with wife Barbara Perez) and Ruben Ilagan.

I’m proud of my dad. I just found out from my friend who is a stamp collector that my dad was honored on a stamp issued in Nov. 2002.

The ceremony was very solemn. His coffin was placed on a caisson filled with flowers, with a white Arabian horse pulling it. Around 100 soldiers in gala uniform marched, with the army band leading the way.

Pastor Tito Pel did the prayer. Then, there was a 21-gun salute.

The casket was lowered to the sound of trumpets doing the tops. After the burial, tenor Robert Natividad sang Mga Patak na Luha, my dad’s composition, followed by Janno who sang Salamat sa Alaala, also composed by dad.

It was an awe-inspiring celebration.

Briefly noted

• Is Alfred Vargas the man of your dreams? Now you can have the time of your life with Alfred 24/7 by simply going to the SM store near you and joining Walker’s "Take Your Time with Alfred" promo until Oct. 31. Buy P400 worth of Walker products and you get a free customized Alfred Vargas wristwatch.

• Nyoy Volante is performing at Hard Rock Cafe Makati tomorrow (Sept. 22), starting at 9 p.m. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable evening and treat themselves to great acoustic music as Nyoy dishes out his hit songs from his multi-platinum albums as well as cover versions of some of today’s homegrown favorites. (For reservation, call 893-4661 to 64.)

• Help our bet, 2006 Bb. Pilipinas-World Anna Maris Igpit, make it to the semi-finals in the ongoing Miss World pageant in Poland by texting MW112 and sending it to 2929 for both Globe and Smart. You votes count a lot. Grand finals is set for Sept. 30, aired by ABC 5 on Oct. 1 (Sunday, Philippine time) and Star World (same schedule).

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