• Could it be true that James Yap will legally adopt his stepson Joshua (James’ wife Kris Aquino’s son by Phillip Salvador)? It’s the same as the case of KC, Gabby Concepcion’s daughter with ex-wife Sharon Cuneta, who has also been legally adopted by her stepdad, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. Phillip has reportedly given his consent. Henceforth, the boy will be known in legal documents as Joshua Aquino Yap. Kris and James are expecting their own (first) child in May.
• Enteng Kabisote is leading the ongoing 32nd Metro Filmfest with a gross of almost P20-M. Here’s the first-day ranking of the nine official entries according to bookers (note: other sources are giving different rankings but the bookers are said to be the most "reliable"): 1. Enteng Kabisote; 2. Shake, Rattle & Roll 8; 3. Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo; 4. Super Noypi; 5. Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di; 6. Matakot Ka sa Karma; 7. Tatlong Baraha; 8. Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Zee Moveeh; and 9. Ligalig. The rankings may change dramatically as the filmfest goes on, especially after the Gabi ng Parangal on Dec. 29.
The event was the 70th birthday party Monday night (Dec. 25) of Leonardo "Remy" Monteverde, the Regal Patriarch fondly known in showbiz circles as Father Remy.
Said the flaming-red invitation: All gifts are respectfully declined. The honor of your presence is the best gift for us.
The invitation came from Renald Winston, Stephen (Tan) and Marie Sherida, Jeffrey (Teo) and Marie Roselle, Ronald Stephen and Grace (Averia), Richard Goldwin and Jynett Marie (Ngo), "together with our beloved mother, Lily Monteverde."
So the Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin Restaurant in Greenhills, occupying the whole second floor, was filled with well-wishers who were mostly in red.
"I think the whole Chinese community is here tonight," quipped Tempo’s Ronald Constantino.
And the bigwigs of the TV and movie industry, business and politics, too.
"It’s like a big scene in Mano Po," added Lorna T.
Before the lauriat dinner was served, former First Lady Imelda Marcos led a few other guests in praising the birthday celebrator.
The most touching part was when the Monteverde children and grandchildren were shown on video heaping more praises on Father Remy, with the couple’s special child Winnie (the eldest) simply saying, "I love you!" That was very moving, I guess, if you know how much Father Remy and Mother Lily treasure Winnie as their "lucky charm." And then the grandchildren dedicated a song, Karen Carpenter’s You (...you are my heart and my soul, my inspiration...), to their grandpa.
The highlight of the affair was when, with From a Candy Store in the Corner to Chapel on the Hill (said to be their theme song), Mother Lily regaled the crowd with her recollection of how she "courted" Father Remy, then a star player of the basketball team owned by the Yu Family (Mother Lily is a Yu), against her parents’ wishes and never mind if she was threatened with disinheritance. The now Regal Empire was jump-started with the showing of the tearjerker drama All Mine To Give which Mother Lily bought for P10,000. The movie grossed a hundred times more than the capital. Tubong-lugaw, as they say.
That night, for love of Father Remy, the Regal Matriarch’s "drama" was "All Mother’s To Give." She really gave her all to make Father Remy’s special day 70 times more memorable than the past ones.
"I was surprised," said the very shy and soft-spoken Father Remy in his acceptance speech. "I didn’t know it would be a party as big as this. I thought it was the usual small dinner at home."