. Charice not (yet?) in Glee . Bill Clinton a Journey fan

Oh no, whoever posted in the Internet the kuryente news that Charice is now with Glee should bury his head in the sand. Shame, shame, shame! Very embarrassing! Only a few minutes after the “scoop” came out (who “electrocuted” the “culprit”?), Charice herself posted a denial, saying, “How I wish!”

But if ever Charice would audition for Glee, I’m sure she’d easily make it. With her hit debut international album, she has definitely a big edge over some local stars (no names, please!) who have been claiming that they are auditioning for the show. Not that there’s something wrong in auditioning. Anybody can always try.

“Everybody here in the (US) East Coast is excited about it,” said Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent. “And everybody is also disappointed when Charice tweeted that there’s no truth to the report. But then, hope springs eternal, doesn’t it?”

Recently, Glee aired a dance scene shot in a mall with Jollibee in the background. The dance number looked familiar, reminiscent of a mall dance craze some Pinoys did on YouTube.

After her baptism/confirmation (with her brother Carl) last Saturday, Charice (with her mom Raquel) flew to Japan last Monday to record a song. From there, they will go to New York for a speaking engagement and then proceed to Canada for an album promo-concert.

Charice’s eponymous album debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and, according to reports, ranks No. 4 in Canada. Pyramid, the album’s carrier single, is a certified hit.

* * *

Former Pres. Bill Clinton, reportedly a big fan of the American rock band Journey, is said to be catching Arnel Pineda’s New Jersey concert on July 25 at the Boardwalk Hall of Atlantic City (the Las Vegas of the US East Coast). Arnel is Journey’s Pinoy lead vocalist.

“Mr. Clinton is set to headline a lecture series of big-name politicians to be hosted by the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort. He is scheduled to speak two days before the Arnel Pineda concert,” Edmund Silvestre (of The Filipino Reporter) confirmed news reports.

Edmund added that his paper learned that a staffer of Mr. Clinton has made reservations for six front-row seats at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Philips Ballroom, venue of the Arnel Pineda concert that will also feature Filipino belter Rachelle Ann Go and the Ammo Band, the group where Pineda started in the Philippines before he became the lead singer of Journey in 2008 replacing the great Steve Perry. Arnel was discovered by Journey’s lead guitarist, Neal Schon, via You Tube.

Boardwalk Hall officials would neither confirm nor deny the report citing security concerns, but the show’s Fil-Am producer, Mely Pacheco Gabriel of MPG Global Productions, confirmed to The Filipino Reporter that six VIP tickets worth $150 each have indeed been reserved by the former president’s party.

“That’s all we can say right now,” Edmund quoted Mely as saying. “Of course, it will be a big honor if Mr. Clinton would really show up. I was told he’s a big Journey fan and he’s familiar with the life story of Arnel Pineda especially his rise to stardom. It’s Mr. Clinton we’re talking about here that’s why it’s hard to assume that he’ll be there. Besides, he’ll have a hectic schedule that week and will be meeting with political leaders, supporters and fans that’s why we don’t want to just assume that he’ll be in Arnel’s show even if six front-row tickets have been reserved by his people.”

When Edmund asked further, he said that Mely said a Boardwalk Hall official requested that she secure “a special guitar” just in case “a special guest” comes up on stage to jam with Arnel.

The Filipino Reporter also learned that Mr. Clinton and the Filipino rock singer might be staying in one hotel during the duration of their Atlantic City stay.

Arnel is currently in L.A. recording a Journey album and preparing for the band’s world tour next year. His concert with Rachelle Ann Go and The Ammo Band will also be staged in other states. It will be Rachelle Ann’s first concert in the US as a Kapuso star.

“If and when Bill Clinton watches the Atlantic City show, I’m sure he’ll be blown away not only by Arnel and the Ammo Band, but also by Rachelle Ann’s impressive voice and beauty,” Edmund quoted concert promoter Odi Maningas of Las Vegas as saying. “Bill will get a closer look at a Pinay world-class performer just like Charice. Remember that Rachelle is not an ordinary singer, she’s a champion.”

The July 25 Boardwalk Hall concert called Loves to Rock will benefit the Street School Project of Arnel Pineda Foundation.

Will Robin extend Wowowee stint?

The stint of Robin Padilla as replacement host of Willie Revillame on Wowowee is supposed to end today, with Cesar Montano as possible replacement.

But it seems that Robin is “getting the hang of it” and might be persuaded upon to stay for a while. I think he would until such time when he starts shooting a movie for Star Cinema.

“Robin is not used to multi-tasking,” said one of Funfare’s VDPA (Very Deep Penetration Agent), “pero sana ituluy-tuloy muna niya ang pagho-host. Mukhang nag-i-enjoy naman siya.”

But as I’ve been saying, Wowowee is not the same without Willie who, hopefully, might go back to the show after a three-month rest. ABS-CBN has accepted his apology but didn’t release him from his contract which is still good for one year and a half.

Funfare has been receiving loads of e-mail. Some of the senders, as I put it, hate Willie with impunity but many others love him with a passion.

Here’s one positive e-mail that should lift Willie from his present condition, from reader Tisa Tulawie-Rodriguez:

Dear Mr. Ricky Lo,

Willie Revillame is a person you love to hate or hate to love. But as host of Wowowee who forever made my Mom happy in her out of the world situation (Alzheimers), who not only gave her entertainment, made her laugh and cry at the same time, gave her hope in her slowly becoming sunset world, I will never agree, sign or encourage that he should be removed from Wowowee.  

My Dad once said, love is a sacrifice. Loving my mom so much put me in that position to like what makes her happy and I believe I am one of the thousands or millions of people who were made happy by Willie (indirectly) and who would want him to stay on. Whatever ABS-CBN and Willie decide, they have to think of the millions of people who are in the same category as my mom.

— TISA TULAWIE-RODRIGUEZ

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