US shoot of Walang Hanggan aborted?

To paraphrase what the poet said, the best-laid plans of men can go awry.

That’s what happened to the hit ABS-CBN soap Walang Hanggan when the cast (Dawn Zulueta, Julia Montes, Paulo Avelino, Melissa Ricks, Joem Bascon and Coco Martin) was in Santa Clara, California, to grace the One Kapamilya Go event last week. Since they were there, the plan was to shoot parts of the soap’s finale next month but there was a hitch --- Richard Gomez wasn’t able to join the group.

According to a Funfare Update source, Richard’s visa was in order but the US Embassy was asking for a DOY document from Richard who didn’t get it on time.

In that case, will the soap’s ending be drastically revised?

Stay tuned as you’ve always been doing and find out how the various conflicts will be resolved.

Travel-weary but triumphant

Looking triumphantly fresh even after a long haul from Warsaw, Poland, where she finished third runner-up to Belarus’ Ekaterina Buraya in the 2012 Miss Supranational Pageant, Elaine Kay Moll rushed from the airport to the bienvenida party last Wednesday at the Gateway Suites of Gateway Mall in Quezon City, hosted by Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta, head of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI).

“My nervousness simply evaporated when my name was called first as a semi-finalist and then as third runner-up,” said towering 5’11” stunner from Catarman, Northern Samar, who played basketball for the National University.

First runner-up was Thailand’s Nanthawan Wannachutha, second runner-up was Czech Republic’s Michaela Dihlova and fourth runner-up was Ecuador’s Sulay Castillo. More than 60 beauties competed for the title twice won by a Filipina. Kay received a tiara, $2,000 cash prize and set of jewelry.

Funfare’s “other beauty expert Celso de Guzman Caparas” quoted Kay as recalling that unknown to the contestants, they were already being judged from day one, not only during the pre-pageant night and finals. 

Celso said that Kay thought Miss Denmark Julia Propenko, Miss Slovenia Lea Kern, Miss Ecuador Sulay Castillo and Miss Panama Elissa Estrada have striking beauties; they all became close to her.  

“Miss Iceland Sigrún Eva Ármannsdóttir was parang Barbie doll,” added Kay who singled out Miss Costa Rica as her stiff competitor “because she’s so beautiful and her presence could be felt anywhere.” 

Kay enjoyed her stay in Poland, its food, weather and the scenic sights. She found the Poles just like the Filipinos who are very warm and hospitable.  She also discovered for herself, “Totoo pala that there is a Filipino in every part of the world.” She said that she’d never forget the love and support given to her by the Filipino community in Warsaw and will cherish this forever. They also gifted her lots of foods and Pope John Paul II souvenirs. 

Which Oliver Tolentino gown should Maria Menounos wear to the Emmy Awards?

Maria Menounos, host of weekday entertainment news program Extra, announced on American television that she will leave it up to the viewers to vote online to decide which of three Oliver Tolentino gowns she’ll wear to this Sunday’s 2012 Emmy Awards. Menounos, an actress and former contestant on Dancing with the Stars, co-hosts with Mario Lopez. Extra is a “must-see” show in Hollywood and its website gets over 12 million hits per month. 

Oliver first welcomed Menounos about three weeks ago to his Melrose Avenue boutique where she brought a film crew, viewed samples of his work, and discussed designs for a “finding the dress” segment. Oliver did some sketches and a few weeks later Menounos returned with her crew to find Oliver had created a half-dozen dresses from which she could choose. 

Oliver, a big promoter of Philippine fabrics in Hollywood, included a few gowns made from pineapple fiber (piña) in the mix. Menounos was so pleased with the gowns that she couldn’t pick one and decided to let Extra viewers choose which of the three gowns she should wear on the Emmys red carpet to interview arrivals. 

“This is exciting for me on several levels,” confided Oliver.  “First, I was flattered Maria chose me as the designer on this project.  She is beautiful and nice and has been great to work with. I’m also very proud to have another opportunity to promote Philippine fabrics on the international stage.”

The 2012 Emmys air live on Sunday, Sept. 23. People may vote for their favorite Oliver Tolentino gown at www.ExtraTV.com.     

— With a report from Funfare’s “beauty-watcher” GERRY DIAZ

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)