Villar to help Jennylyn

Any moment now, Jennylyn Mercado will be giving birth to her and ex(?)-boyfriend Patrick Garcia’s love child.

Strapped for cash and with no probable support coming from Patrick (said to be “malingering” in the States), Jennylyn has been getting offers of help from all over, one of them coming from an “anonymous Good Samaritan” whose invitation for Jennylyn to give birth in the States, “all expenses paid,” was politely turned down. Patrick’s mom said on national television that she was willing to set aside an “educational fund” for the baby but the proud Jennylyn said, “No. Thanks but no thanks.”

Led by ex-boyfriend and loveteam-mate Mark Herras, Jennylyn’s StarStruck colleagues (Katrina Halili, among them) have reportedly passed the hat around and are raising more funds for Jennylyn who has been jobless these past few weeks and, for sure, for several more weeks after she gives birth.

When Senate Pres. and Presidentiable Manny Villar recently invited the movie press to the awards night for his Pondo Sa Sipag, Puhunan sa Tiyaga (P100,000 for each of the 16 winners), held at the historic Laurel House in Mandaluyong City (bought by the Villars from the Laurel heirs allegedly for more than P70 million), Funfare asked Villar if it’s true that he was willing to give the “beleaguered” Jennylyn financial support.

“All the time,” said Villar. “If she asks for my help. Jennylyn is a friend of our family. She helped us during the campaign. If I help other people, siya pa kaya?”

In case you didn’t know, Villar has showbiz connection. Former LVN star Evelyn Villar, now based in the States, is his aunt.

“I see her everytime I am in Los Angeles,” he said.

Asked if he’s definitely running for President in 2010, Villar broke into a “winnable,” meaningful smile that, well, said it all.

Zohan actress not Arab/Israeli

Wondering if Adam Sandler’s leading lady in You Don’t Mess With the Zohan is an Israeli or an Arab since she looks like one?

The answer is no, she is not. Her name is Emmanuelle Chriqui who is from Canada, born in Montreal and raised in Toronto.

A cross between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Evangeline Pascual, Emmanuelle has appeared in Detroit Rock City, Snow Day, 100 Girls and On The Line (where she plays her first lead role).

But it is in Zohan where she’s getting noticed, especially in her hilarious scenes with Sandler who plays an ex-Israeli commando  who works as a hairstylist in New York.

How come Emmanuelle sounds so much like an Arab in the movie?

“I had to learn Arabic accent and Palestinian accent,” Emmanuelle told Funfare. “People often mistake me for a Persian or an Arab . Why,” she asked with a smile, “don’t I look Canadian?”

Asked if Sandler is funny off screen as he is on screen, Emmanuelle said, “Yes, definitely! He’s very funny. You know, initially, he’s shy but when he warms up to you, wow, he’s on! Hehehehe!”

What about Rob Schneider, Sandler’s Fil-Am buddy who’s also in Zohan?

“Rob is fantastic. He and Adam together are just a two-man show. Great!”

Chris Brown coming soon?

Negotiations to make Manila the all-important first stop in the recently initiated Asian Tour of Chris Brown is entering its final stage.

An insider source privy to the on-going negotiations revealed that agreement in principle has been reached between the Manila promoter and the Stateside booking agency handling Brown’s Asian Tour.

The source further revealed that the terms and conditions have largely been agreed on except for the definite date of the Manila concert. The Manila promoter is pushing for the date to be either on Oct. 28 or 29, before the All Souls/All Saints Day long break.

Brown is eagerly awaited by the younger concert crowd especially after the 19-year old R&B sensation garnered the second highest number of Teen Choice Music Awards in the 2008 Teen Choice held Aug. 3. (Only the Jonas Brothers had more votes).

Brown won the following Teen Choice awards:

• Teen Choice Music Male Artist  (besting fellow nominees Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jesse McCartney and Kanye West),

• Teen Choice R&B Track Forever (up-ending Mariah Carey, Danita Kane, Sean Kingston and Bow-Wow),

• Teen Choice HookUp (with Jordin Sparks on No Air), and

• Teen Choice R & B Artist (winning over Beyonce, Rihanna, T-Pain and Usher).

Brown’s With You was also nominated for Teen Choice Music Single award.

As soon as the Manila date is confirmed, the Manila promoter promises that the Araneta concert tickets will go on sale early to allow Chris Brown fans, who are mostly in their teens and even younger, the chance to purchase premium tickets offering the added value of a “Greet and Meet Chris Brown” feature.

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