Kelly keeps her promise

When I did an exclusive interview with Kelly Clarkson in Hong Kong in June last year in connection with her All I Ever Wanted album (released by Sony Music), she said that she promised to come to the Philippines as soon as she got the chance. Well, she did and she’s coming for a concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, May 1.

I’m sure that Kelly will charm her Filipino fans with her warmth and humility the way she won the hearts of the Asian journalists who interviewed her.

“I’m still the same even if what happened seemed too surreal,” said Kelly, the first ever American Idol winner eight years ago. “Everything happened pretty much overnight. But fame hasn’t changed me at all. I still live in Texas, I’m still ‘normal,’ surrounded by my family and the same friends.”

American Idol then was not the same American Idol now.

“Back then,” added Kelly, “not many people followed the competition the way millions of people around the world do now. We were just a bunch of kids as if in a choir camp...as if we were just at play and not in a competition. No one expected the show to blow up, no one knew that anyone could be successful from it. We had a different perspective. Now, people know what could and what would happen, so the contestants are much more competitive.”

So how does she deal with the loss of privacy?

“As I said, I live in Texas, in the middle of nowhere, pretty isolated. It’s definitely not like living in New York. When I go home, I spend time with my family. We are a pretty tight group, very closely-knit.”

Asked how she felt the morning after she won, Kelly smiled, her eyes lighting up with fond memories.

“Honestly, I wasn’t euphoric at all as people must have thought. I was really tired; I was so exhausted that all I wanted was to go to sleep. It was an overnight thing and, yes, it was so surreal. I didn’t even feel it until the next week.”

And what’s the best lesson that she learned from her American Idol experience?

“It was a good preparation for life...keeping things honest and straight-forward.”

(Note: Kelly Clarkson Live in Manila is presented by The Philippine STAR, Jag, myDSL Watch-Pad and ABS-CBN.)

They have showbiz ties

Aside from his being the grandson of the late Dr. Jose R. Perez, the Starmaker of the defunct Sampaguita Pictures, Manila Councilor Edward Maceda, son of former Sen. Ernie Maceda and Marichu “Manay Ichu” Vera-Perez Maceda, has other showbiz connections.

Yes, he was once romantically linked to Francine Prieto to whom, Edward admitted, he would bring home-cooked food.

“I would bring kare-kare to her on the set of Bubble Gang (the GMA gag show of which Francine was a member of the cast),” said Edward, still a bachelor into his late 30s, during a lunch hosted by his mom at the terrace of the Vera Perez mansion inside the former Sampaguita Studio. “I met Francine during the 2007 campaign; she did a motorcade for me, kasama ni Pauleen Luna. Francine and I became really close for about eight months, naging good friends kami, but we never went steady.”

Edward is running for a fifth term under the Asenso Manileño of Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and is the official candidate of Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. He served as Manila councilor for three consecutive terms and, after a three-year break, won a fourth term. Manilans must love him so dearly that they want to keep him in office. Edward’s credentials are impressive: he finished grade and high school at La Salle (where he was a member of the singing group Kundirana, just like Ogie Alcasid, Randy Santiago, Dingdong Avanzado and Gary Valenciano), AB Journalism at UP and Law (with honors) at Ateneo.

Would Edward run for a higher position?

Well, if ever, he would be a winner.

Also present at the lunch (but who came late from an interview with ABS-CBN) was ZTE whistle-blower Joey de Venecia, stepson of Gina Vera Perez de Venecia, who is running for the Senate. The guy is an admirable survivor, having beautifully hurdled the stressful Senate probe into an anomalous deal involving high government officials and influential people, helping the government save billions of pesos, never mind if the controversy led to the ouster of his father, Rep. Joe de Venecia, as House Speaker.

With his courage, honesty and determination, Joey should be an asset in the Senate.

His marriage having been annulled, Joey is legally single (he has a 17-year-old son).

His showbiz connection (besides his mom Gina)? Joey was once romantically linked to Heart Evangelista to whom, according to rumors, he sent flowers with “meaningful” notes.

“I met Heart in the house of Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste. I was starstruck as I always am when I meet showbiz stars. It was a nice meeting. Heart is a very nice woman and a wholesome actress. The industry should develop more actresses like her.

But, and that’s the BIG BUT, Joey said that there was nothing more than friendship between them.

“I sent her flowers just to thank her for being nice,” said Joey. “That was all.”

By the way, Gina de Venecia herself is running as representative for a district in Pangasinan.

“I will not endorse anybody, kahit na kamaganak ko, if I don’t believe that he is qualified,” said Manay Ichu.

Luis rallies behind dad

Like any son who idolizes his father, Luis Manzano is rallying behind his father, Edu Manzano, who is running for vice president as the running mate of Gibo Tedoro under the administration’s Lakas-CDM banner.

“My dad will not enter a battle he’s not ready for,” said Luis. “He is ready for its consequences. I believe in his integrity. I know his intentions. I believe he is sincere.”

Luis added that his dad’s track record will speak for Edu who was exposed to military discipline as early as age 17 when he joined the US military and served for four years. Edu became the first chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB), the agency tasked to fight piracy.

“I know that the battle won’t be easy for my dad,” said Luis, “so I am supporting him all the way.”

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