Kim stable after stroke; Chiz appeals: Tigilan ako!

Where could he have gone wrong?

Last Wednesday, Kim Atienza, fondly called Kuya Kim by his followers who are mostly young, was sorely missed on the ABS-CBN late-morning show Showtime which he co-hosts with Vhong Navarro and Anne Curtis.

Before the day was over, the sad news was all over town that Kuya Kim suffered a mild stroke presumably on his way to work and his driver rushed him to the Makati Medical Center instead of the ABS-CBN studio.

Knowing Kim to be a health buff who works out regularly and strictly watches his diet (unless pressure of work has prevented him from doing such activity lately), I was shocked to hear the news. If it could happen to somebody like Kuya Kim, doesn’t it make everybody feel vulnerable?

According to reports, Kim was over-fatigue…overworked? Besides Showtime from Monday through Saturday, Kim also does the daily weather report on TV Patrol World and hosts the Sunday show Matanglawin. He said that he had to give up co-hosting the early-morning ABS-CBN show Umagang Kay Ganda due to health concerns.

“Hindi na kaya ng katawan ko,” Kim told Funfare Update recently.

The good news is that Kim is recovering fast. I texted him to ask how he was and he texted back, “Better na. Speech is back, still have to stay in ICU for three to four days. Prayers have worked.”

 I told Kim to take it easy, not to work too hard and to take a good rest.

He texted back, “I know. They are still testing.”

He really has no choice.

“I’ll rest for a month or two after this. I have to take it slow.”

Even if Kim is still at the ICU, I know that he’s okay now because he can text as fast as ever.

Please pray for his continued speedy recovery.

* * *

Another littler shocker on the front page of a tab yesterday:

Kris tinuluyan si James; Chiz nag-file na rin ng annulment?

I knew that Kris Aquino was filing her petition for the nullity of her marriage to James Yap last Monday but she asked me to keep it off the record. As usual, James is making no comment, not even saying if he has hired his own lawyer.

About the persistent rumor that he and wife Tintin are having marital trouble…Chiz has already denied it for the nth time through his good friend Bibeth Orteza (who directed Chiz’s campaign plug that reportedly helped win Jojo Binay the vice presidency). The crazy rumors are even linking Chiz to Kris and Kris herself has denied it (including rumors linking her to other men, including Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, a widower).

A few days ago, the STIR.PHIL website reported that, quote-unquote, “Kris is the reason for the planned annulment of Chiz and Tintin’s marriage.” It’s the same website that reported the reports that Kris was pregnant and, among others, that Piolo Pascual will reveal his marriage plans, all of which have been denied and proven wrong.

At the risk of irritating Chiz, I texted him yesterday about the tab headline, “Is it true that you are filing an annulment case?”

Chiz promptly texted back, “Of course not!”

I called Chiz and he said, “Tigilan na nga nila ako!”

Otherwise, he added, he might be forced to file charges against the rumor-mongers who seem to be out to destroy his family.

Venus holds on to No. 1 in Miss U poll

Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj continues to stay on No. 1 among the Top 10 Miss Universe bets in the Internet popularity survey conducted by the Miss U Organization.

According to Funfare Update’s US-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, Venus was recently chosen by Farouk Hair System to visit San Francisco together with Miss USA Rima Fakih. The two will do promo work for the brand.

“I’m overwhelmed by the warm reception I’ve been getting from our kababayan in the US,” Felix quoted Venus as saying. “I’m lucky to be chosen (by the Miss U Organization) one of the six candidates to promote the pageant (on Aug. 23, Aug. 24 Manila Time, in Las Vegas),” along with Misses Puerto Rico, Australia, Haiti, Colombia and Mexico.

In Las Vegas, Venus was welcomed by 1977 Bb. Young-Pilipinas Dorothy Sue Bradley (who played first runner-up in that year’s Miss Young International contest) at the Mandalay Bay Hotel where the Miss U pageant will be held. Dorothy migrated to the US in 1979.

Briefly noted

• Condolence to Imelda Papin and her family on the death of her father, Rosendo Papin Sr. last Aug. 10. He died of rectal cancer at age 80. For 20 years, Rosendo served in various capacities in Presentacion, Camarines Sur where Imelda was once vice governor — first as barangay captain, as councilor and then as vice mayor. He’s survived by his wife Justina Arcilla and 10 children (Imelda is second child). His remains lie at the St. Peter’s Chapels on Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. Interment will be on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

• Nap Gutierrez has a new discovery, a five-year-old whom he describes as “a child wonder.” His name is Owie Boy Gapuz who has guested in TV shows and is in the cast of Rosario, the 2010 Metro Filmfest entry directed by Albert Martinez. The boy is undergoing an acting workshop under Beverly Vergel who said that he’s “a natural talent.” Nap said that Owie will soon record an album.

• The La Salle Filipiniana Dance Company of De La Salle University (Dasmariñas, Cavite) will take center stage in Concert at the Park on Sunday, Aug. 15, starting at 5 p.m. Program host is Minette Padilla. Admission is free.

• Calling all dance enthusiasts. Sta. Lucia Mall has launched the Spotlight dance contest for amateur dance performers, solo or in small groups, male or female, 12 to 35 years old, with pleasing personality and star quality. To join the contest, drop by the Ad & Promo Department to secure an entry form and forward the requirements. An audition for qualified dance groups will be held tomorrow, Aug. 14 at the Entertainment Center Phase 3. For details, call the Ad & Promo Department at 681-5401 loc. 118 or visit www.staluciamall.com.

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