Funfare late-breaker: Lani to run for vice gov. of Cavite

It’s confirmed: Lani Mercado is running for vice governor of Cavite in next May’s elections.

This was confirmed by Lani herself yesterday during the party for the press she co-hosted with her husband, Sen. Bong Revilla, at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

"Yes," Lani said in-between the raffle of gifts, "I am running."

From the sidelines, Sen. Bong nodded with a quiet smile.

It’s not the first time Lani is throwing her hat into the political ring. In 2001, she failed in the mayoralty race in Imus, also in Cavite.

Early last year, there was a rumor that Lani was being fielded as candidate for Mayor of Lipa City now ruled by Vilma Santos who is on her third and last term. (So far, Vilma is "undecided" whether to run for a higher office – governor, maybe? – or to retire from politics and resume full-time her rudely-interrupted showbiz career.)

According to Lani, she’s not sure yet who her running-mate will be and under what party she will run.

"Everything is under negotiation," she added.

Lani’s brother-in-law, Sen. Bong’s brother Edwin "Strike" Revilla (member of the board of directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office), is running for mayor of Bacoor, also in Cavite.

"Yes," Sen. Bong confirmed, "Strike will run."

Meanwhile, Sen. Bong’s brother-in-law Casimiro "Jun" Ynares III (husband of Bong’s sister, Andrea "Andeng" Bautista, and general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority) is being wooed to run for governor of Rizal where the incumbent, his father Casimiro Ynares, is serving his third and last term.

"But Jun hasn’t decided yet," said Andeng.

How the Metro Filmfest films are faring

The ranking of the nine entries in the ongoing 32nd Metro Filmfest remains the same.

Here are the grosses in the first three days (Dec. 25, 26 and 27) of the filmfest which ends on Jan. 7, 2007:

1. Enteng Kabisote – P49.9M

2. Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo – P33.8M

3. Shake, Rattle & Roll 8 – P21.1M

4. Matakot Ka sa Karma – P10M

5. Super Noypi – P9.5M

6. Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di – P7.9M

7. ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Zee Moveeh – P6.1M

8. Ligalig – P3.1M

9. Tatlong Baraha – P2.3M

The ranking could change (although perhaps not significantly) after the Gabi ng Parangal tonight at the Aliw Theater.

What’s up?

• While his starrer is raking it in at the tills, guess where Enteng Kabisote star Vic Sotto is – yes, taking it easy in Singapore with his girlfriend Pia Guanio.... Also in that city state are Richard Gomez and wife Lucy Torres.... I’m not sure if Gretchen Barretto and her beloved Tonyboy Cojuangco did go also to Singapore as planned... Yesterday, Rufa Mae Quinto and boyfriend Erik Santos left via PAL for a holiday in Bangkok. They’re sharing a room (with double bed) at the Amari Watergate Hotel.

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)