Eddie & Annabelle as good as new

The best indication that Annabelle Rama is fast recovering from a major surgery to remove two myomas barely three weeks ago was when she raised her voice over the reported “billingitis” afflicting the manager of one of the stars of Desperadas 2, Regal Films’ 2008 Metro Filmfest entry featuring (this is the way I think they should be billed) Ruffa Gutierrez, Iza Calzado, Rufa Mae Quinto, Marian Rivera and Ogie Alcasid.

“She’s back to normal,” quipped Ruffa, laughing (unaffected by the billing non-issue) during the “praise and thanksgiving Mass” held on Dec. 1 not only for Annabelle but also her husband Eddie Gutierrez who himself underwent angioplasty (one of his major arteries was blocked) just a week ahead of Annabelle.

Regal Matriarch Mother Lily, who was one of the guests, was cool, assuring Annabelle that the matter would be attended to, don’t worry.

“‘Yung manager dyan na bago at wala pang karapatan,” said Annabelle, her hands over her tummy held tight by a binder, “huwag nang maipag-away sa billing, ano!”

After the surgery, Annabelle should feel lighter because, she revealed, her uterus, ovary and Fallopian tube were thorughly cleaned.

“The doctor said that had I delayed the operation, the bad cells inside my tummy could have turned to cancer. I was scared.”

Eddie said that he felt as good as new and has, in fact, started playing golf again with friends in Alabang.

The couple was well enough to be given permission by their doctors to fly to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya bout on Saturday, Dec. 6 (Sunday, Dec. 7, Manila Time). They left Tuesday night, with Annabelle on a wheelchair.

Home alone for 10 days is Ruffa with daughters Lorin and Venice. All the Gutierrezes are US-bound. Ruffa is tied down here with shoots for the ABS-CBN soap I Love Betty La Fea and the promo for Desperadas 2. 

Asked if they were good enough to resume you-know-what, Annabelle said her doctor advised her to wait a few more weeks.

Joked Eddie, “Ako hindi bawal. Ewan ko sa kanya.”

The Gutierrezes are spending Christmas together here.

Martin a hit in Atlantic City concert

True to form, Martin Nievera proved once again to be a great story-teller, a wonderful crooner and an exciting entertainer during his Martin at 25 concert last month at the Showboat Casino/Hotel in Atlantic City, mounted by O’LE Group’s Drs. Ramon and Ching Legarda.

My friends, New York-based concert producer Alice and Red Martinez and Ronn Reganit, were there.

Here are excerpts from Ronn’s review sent to Funfare:

He gingerly opened the show with Pasko Na Sinta, only to have his orchestra/band repeat the opening bars for his own satisfaction and to the audience’s delight.

His blues/rhythm and soul arrangements displayed his true versatility and skill. As he asked everyone to clap and sway to his rhythm, Martin managed to skip, run and gyrate all over the stage, just like that famed energizer bunny, not missing a bit as he ribbed the audience with his trademark entertaining gab.

As mark of a true genius, Martin had this creative approach of acknowledging his sponsors and supporters alike, singing their praises and mentioning each of their names while the band played Twelve Days of Christmas. The audience responded with one of the several standing ovations.

His comedic timing was near perfect, even to a fault, giving his backstage crew curve balls on queues. His antics with Lani Misalucha were very funny as both artist scrambled for their song, and they supremely managed to appear at ease while Martin lampooned Lani’s gown, a la fashion designer.

Meanwhile, Martin, with friend Louie Ocampo, are featured in A Christmas Wish, an intimate evening of two world-class artists slated for Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., at South City (at the second floor of Festival Mall in Alabang, just above the National Bookstore), Ticket is only P700 each (first-come-first-served basis). The concert is for the benefit of Louie Tabuena Liver Foundation. (Note: For inquiries, call 826-5777 or 0918-9170516.)

Briefly noted

• As Funfare reported the other day, the Golden Divas (produced by Viva Events & Concerts, Inc.) show featuring Pilita Corrales, Carmen Soriano and Carmen Pateña staged by Alfonso “Tito Al” Chu in Anaheim, California, two weeks ago was such a big hit that a repeat is scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Pala Casino in San Diego, California.

“The audience loved them,” said Tito Al. “Most of them were senior citizens, some came in wheelchair. The three divas were such great ladies, full of life and enthusiasm.”

As expected, Pilita was the most popular among the three, always accommodating and gracious to her fans.

“I love Pilita,” added Tito Al.

• The concert staged by Rogel Aragon’s Aragon Entertainment Production at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in L.A. was also a hit. Called A Night of Music & Love, the concert featured mostly US-based artists, including Dingdong Avanzado and wife Jessa Zaragoza, Karlyn Bay, Anthony Castelo, Leandro Muñoz, Louie Reyes, Michael Laygo, Mon David, Ella Mae Saison, Patricia Javier and Marco Sison, plus Tirso Cruz III and Ladine Roxas who flew in from Manila with composer Vehnee Saturno who wrote the show’s theme song. Proceeds from the concert will finance the completion of the San Miguel Church in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, a project of immigration lawyer Jemela Agraviador-Nettles.

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