Raffy Tulfo to sue TV5?

Curtain-raisers:

•  It’s confirmed: A presidentiable is dangling a P100-M offer before a popular TV host to endorse him in the 2010 elections. But the TV host is not biting not only because he doesn’t need the money (it is chicken feed to him, considering that he’s reportedly earning five times, even more, than that in one year) but because his heart and loyalty belong to another presidentiable and (especially) his wife. No, contrary to rumors, the TV host is not running in 2010; he may not be physically fit for the back-breaking, health-risking campaign.

• It’s almost confirmed: The muckraker (hiding behind the name “Marina del Rey” in the e-mail and text messages) waging a smear campaign against another presidentiable and his pretty wife could have a crush on either the presidentiable or the husband (of another woman) being linked to the presidentiable’s wife. The truth is that the presidentiable and his wife are happily married. She’s wondering why the muckraker seems to know her every move. Is it possible that the muckraker is somebody close to the presidentiable’s wife? As the late Inday Badiday would say, “Mag-ingat sa mga taong hindi mo kilala. Mas lalong mag-ingat sa mga taong kilalang-kilala ninyo.”

• A few years after she broke up with her foreigner husband, a TV personality continues to be hounded by unsavory blasts from the past. Said a Funfare DPA, “In all the years that they were married, the man touched the actress no more than six times. It must have been such a big blow to the ego of the actress who is every inch desirable... and delectable.”

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Anytime now, Raffy Tulfo will file a “breach of contract” case against TV5.

According to a Funfare informer, sometime in Oct. 2008, Raffy’s AC Productions, represented by his publicist Joey Sarmiento, started negotiating with TV5 to buy airtime for his show called Wanted, with him as host. Several meetings followed soon after, between October and December, and the deal was finalized.

Last March 2, the contract between AC Productions and MPB Primedia, Inc. (which manages TV5) was signed. AC issued a check for P50,000 to Primedia as “reservation fee.”

Meanwhile, Raffy bought editing machines, video cameras, computers and other production equipment; and secured contracts with various advertisers. He also announced the forthcoming show on his dzXL program Wanted sa Radyo. A billboard announcing the show was to be put up along EDSA as per the contract.

As agreed upon, on March 27, AC Productions submitted a Payment Before Broadcast (PBB) check and a tape of the first episode for the MTRCB preview, only for Raffy to receive a letter on the same day from Primedia informing him that TV5 wouldn’t be airing Wanted because it doesn’t conform to the station’s format. Instead, Primedia proposed another show without Raffy in it.

Two views of the Divas’ concert in Atlantic City

The more than three hours Divas 4 Divas concert at the Boardwalk Hall of Fame in Atlantic City last March 21 was SRO and, according to Funfare contributor Bobby Yalong, “simply fabulous!”

Each of the divas — Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez and Kuh Ledesma who’s also the producer of the concert’s US tour — gave individual numbers before they did a production number together “that sent the audience into a thundering, endless applause.”

Added Bobby, “One of the highlights was when the divas borrowed each other’s hit songs. They were a hit when they came out in golden silk kimonos with matching rhinestone-crusted headdresses and did a couple of Madonna songs.”

The guest performer, Gabby Concepcion, was a real crowd-pleaser when he sang two songs, Iisa Pa Lamang and Mula sa Puso, from his album.

Concluded Bobby, “The producer Mely ‘Bing’ Pechangco Gabriel of MPG Global Productions, was very happy. The show was successful.”

The feedback from another Funfare informer who was there was something else.

“The shows started at 9:15 p.m., more than one hour behind schedule,” said the informer. “Many of those in the audience started boo-ing dahil naiinip na sila. Many of them came from New York; others came from other places. Kaya daw na-late ang mga divas because they just came from another state but they still went shopping daw and were so tired that they overslept. Di tuloy nakapag-sound check, so the sound system was not good.

“But you know how Filipinos are. They make fun of even a most inconvenient situation. Joked one of them, ‘Siguro nirayuma dahil mga aging diva na sila.’ Nakakatawa, ‘no?

“It was Gabby who won the audience’s heart. When he was called to the stage, many people rushed forward to take his pictures. They also enjoyed his singing. Talagang pinagkaguluhan siya.”

Monsour holds summer Taekwondo workshops

Now that he’s not so busy with TV and movies, Monsour del Rosario is concentrating on his favorite sport — Taekwondo.

He has his own Olympians Taekwondo Training Center which is holding Taekwondo summer workshops, starting today until May 22, with a week-long break during the Lenten season. Promotion test is slated for May 23.

The Palms Country Club Taekwondo Summer Program starts on April 14, with Monsour himself and Arnold Baradi as training directors. Both of them are 6th Dan Blackbelters. (For further information, call 771-7171 locals 307 and 308, look for Chen Memarion.)

The Alabang Country Club Taekwondo Summer Program starts on April 15, also with Monsour and Arnold as trainers. (For further information, call 842-3530, 842-3539 or 842-4442, look for King Stehmeier or Cristy Morong.)

Another trainer is Stephen Fernandez, also a 6th Dan Blackbelters.

“This is a worthwhile activity for children whose parents don’t know what to keep them busy this summer,” said Monsour.

The OTTC office is at the Second Floor of Amber Place, #19 Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City (telephone and fax: 889-5463, look for secretaries Mercy and Arlene for details.).

What’s up?

•  Happy birthday to (some of) those born in April: Carson Chan, April 1; Leah Puyat, April 4; Gloria Diaz and Sheryl Cruz, April 5; Richard Gomez, April 7; Dr. Aye Nuiguid and Dagang Vilbar, April 9; Patrice Ramos, April 10; Rissa and Robbie Mananquil, and Vic Casim, April 11; Philip Cu-Unjieng, April 12; Aya Montebon, April 14; Miguel Pastor, April 16; The STAR’s Lifestyle Editor Millet Mananquil and Rina Samson, April 17; Albert Martinez and Kim Chiu, April 19; Luis Manzano and Rosemarie Sonora, April 21; Regine Velasquez, Olga Azarcon, April 22; Ricky Toledo, April 23; Mons Tantoco, April 24; Mikee Carrion, Marvin Wyjanco Raymundo and Joanna Mojica, April 25; William Chang, April 26; Chito Roño, April 28; Tingting Cojuangco, April 29; and The STAR’s Lifestyle columnist Cecile Zamora van Straten, April 30.

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