First, the bad news: Up to now, Charice Pempengco and her mom Raquel haven’t gotten back their passports which were stolen along with other valuables by a Salisi Gang while they were having dinner Wednesday night in Barrio Real, Calamba, Laguna.
Now, the good news: Mother and daughter will get their new passports on March 7 and, hopefully, their British visas in time for their trip to London second week of March to finalize Charice’s guesting on The Paul O’Grady Show (the British counterpart of the popular US TV show Ellen, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, in which Charice guested in late December last year).
And still more good news: Mother and daughter are scheduled to fly to New York for the negotiation with Disney which is interested in signing up Charice. Representing the Pempengcos in the negotiation is lawyer Edward Shapiro, the same guy who made it possible for Charice to guest on Ellen. If ever an agreement is reached, Charice will not just do a record for Disney but also appear in Disney projects, including High School Musical 3 which stars another Filipina, the controversial Vanessa Hudgens.
Well, good luck, Charice! And may you bring home the bacon from London and from New York.
Charo Santos is new ABS-CBN president
Congratulations to Charo Santos-Concio who has just been appointed president of ABS-CBN by Gabby Lopez, the company’s chairman and CEO. Charo assumes the position formerly held by Freddie M. Garcia, then Cito Alejandro and then (temporarily) by Gabby himself. Charo was formerly EVP and channel head.
In its New Year Mga Halu-Halong Hula-Hula last January, Funfare predicted that Charo would be promoted during the first quarter of the year but Charo didn’t believe it then.
Besides FMG (now happily retired), nobody perhaps deserves and is more qualified for the position than Charo who knows the business as she does the lines on her palms. She knows the ins and outs and the secrets of the trade, whether radio, TV or movies.
Not many people know that Charo had her OJT (On-the-Job Training) at the ABS-CBN, under the late director Tony Santos, when she was about to graduate from St. Paul’s College (and after her reign as Baron Travel Girl and Miss Green Revolution). Yes, Charo rose from the ranks.
Good luck, Charo!
Welcome back, Jun Polistico!
Of course, you remember Jun Polistico, the ’70s balladeer who left the country to seek greener pasture in Las Vegas at the peak of his career — with great success.
Jun flew in last night for two shows at the Aris Bar (owned and managed by Aristeo Demavivas) of the Hotel Del Rio, Iloilo City, tonight and tomorrow night, March 2. (For ticket inquiries, call 033-3358699 or 0917-8450903.) It was Aris who invited Jun back.
It must be recalled that Jun first joined the Society of Seven (SOS) when he arrived in Las Vegas. When he quit the group, he was replaced by Gary Bautista who died two years ago of heart attack while performing onstage.
Later, Jun joined the group Valentino as the main soloist. He’s famous for mimicking great singers (like Lani Misalucha is doing in her Las Vegas act also with the SOS), including Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Elvis Presley, Lionel Ritchie, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Tony Bennett and Matt Monro.
Welcome back, Jun! And may you stay longer and do more shows.
What’s up?
• Condolence to June Torrejon and her family on the death of her mom, Elsie U. Torrejon. She was 84. Her remains lie at the Rolling Hills Funeral Parlor in Bacolod City where she was found dead in her sleep early yesterday morning, a day after June celebrated her birthday on Feb. 28. The body will be flown back to Manila in a few days.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)