. Ogie, Michelle divorced . Anjo, Jackie reconciled

As Funfare has been saying, Ogie Alcasid and Michelle van Eimeren have long been divorced and, happily, have found their respective new happiness.

This was confirmed by Michelle herself when she and their two daughters, Leila and Sarah, were interviewed by reporters upon their arrival Friday night from Brisbane where they are based. They came to celebrate with Ogie his 20th anniversary in showbiz, highlighted by a concert at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday night.

Does the uncouple’s divorce give Ogie and his beloved Regine Velasquez the freedom to get married anytime they plan or want to? Not just yet. Under Philippine laws (they were married here), Ogie is still legally married to Michelle, so he has to have that marriage annulled first.

Michelle was sweet and charming during that airport interview in which she also said that she and Regine are friends and she wished Ogie more power.

“Life is short,” said Michelle, “so why dwell on the negative?”

Correct, isn’t she?

* * *

That must have been what was on the mind of Anjo Yllana and Jackie Manzano when they decided to reconcile after a few months of separation — you know, let bygones be bygones and face the future with a positive outlook.

Since it was also Funfare which reported in a “scoop” the break-up of Anjo and Jackie (and other “exclusives” about them as well), I want to take note here of their decision to give their marriage one more try.

“We discussed our differences and we promised not to commit the same mistakes again,” said Anjo. “My mistakes and her mistakes.”

He didn’t elaborate.

“We are in the process of reconciling not because of our children but because we realized, especially when we lived apart, that we really love each other,” said Jackie whose life was put at risk during her last pregnancy due to a heart problem.

Anjo said that a relative told him that their marriage wasn’t strong enough because they didn’t get a church blessing. They got married only in civil rites.

“So if nothing serious crops up between now and December,” said Anjo, “if we don’t get into a big fight, Jackie and I plan to get married in church.”

Here’s hoping that this time around, they would live happily ever after.

* * *

Allen Dizon said that Paupahan, which he himself produced (as initial venture of ATD Entertainment Productions), would be his last sexy film. Actually, it was not. His latest film, Viva Films’ Room 213, just might be “it.”

“You see,” said Allen, “Viva and my own ATD company have lined up non-sexy films for me. I also don’t want to do more sexy films, although I must say that direk Keith (Sicat), who is a graduate of visual arts and painting in England, shot my sexy scenes in Room 213 so beautifully that they came out like paintings. Ang ganda!”

In the movie (still showing in Metro theaters), Allen plays an architect who does everything to save his marriage (to Gwen Garci). He plays the role in a “subdued” manner, especially in the scene where he catches Gwen in a “threesome” scene with Tyrone Perez and Maricar dela Fuente.

“Year 2008 has been good to me,” said Allen who was cast in the ABS-CBN soap Kung Fu Kids and in the Viva comedy Ikaw Pa Rin (Bongga Ka, ‘Day) starring Robin Padilla and Ai-Ai delas Alas.

Now shooting Baler, Viva’s 2008 Metro Filmfest entry, Allen will next star in Paputok (Firecrackers), which is about child labor and abuses in the firecracker industry, and Marino, his tribute to marine schools and seamen, both produced by ATD.

* * *

Here’s good news for those who missed the shows of Golden Divas Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña and Carmen Soriano (and those who want to see them again):

After a series of successful shows at the Music Museum and the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia, the three ladies will have another repeat performance at the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Oct. 17 (Friday, 9 p.m.).

As I’ve been saying, the Golden Divas is an absolutely entertaining show, one that young and old alike shouldn’t miss.

Viva Concerts & Events Productions has been getting insistent requests for a repeat, so...

(Note: Ticket prices are P3,000, P2,500, P2,000 and P1,500. Call Music Museum at 721-6726, TicketWorld at 891-9999 or Mandarin Oriental at 750-8888 local 2446.)

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