•How Gringo lost his right ring finger •Nancy unfazed by bashers: I have a Vice

Movie writer Jun Nardo, the resident emcee, aptly described as “not politically motivated” the movie press cons hosted by Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde for her anointed senators and senatoriables (14 of them).

It’s true. Mother Lily’s “adopted” children (each of whom she calls “anak,” never mind if some of them are only slightly younger than she is) are all running in the May 13 elections but during the Q&A with the licentious movie press, they are “game” in answering questions that are less political than personal. And they seem to enjoy the free-wheeling exchange.

The other night when she hosted a dinner press con for reelectionist Sen. Gringo Honasan at her own Imperial Palace Suites (IPS, Timog-Morato Rotonda, Quezon City), Mother drew laughter from the crowd when she confessed that Gringo was her secret love and proceeded to dedicate a song to him — you know, once I had a secret love that lived within the heart of me. All too soon my secret love became impatient to be free…

Of course, you take Mother Lily’s surprise revelations with a grain of salt. Gringo gamely responded with a bit off-key rendition of The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me that made Mother Lily blush, especially when Gringo looked at her with eyes lit up with admiration as he reached the line…If anyone should ever write my life story for whatever reason there might be. You’ll be there between each line of fame and glory ‘cause you’re the best thing that ever happened to me… (Trivia: Did you know that Gringo inspired the 1987 Regal comedy Kumander Gringa with Roderick Paulate in the title role.)

Anyway, if anyone should ever write Gringo’s life story, he/she should include a chapter about Gringo’s missing right ring finger which caught the curiosity of the movie writers, prompting Gringo to reveal how he lost it.

While escaping from his hideout in the early ‘80s after that memorable coup attempt (against then newly-elected Pres. Cory Aquino), he recalled that his wedding ring got caught in the barbwire while he was jumping over a fence and his finger was cut off. He went back to retrieve it, especially the ring — “Otherwise,” he joked, “my wife would scold and never forgive me.”

He got his finger back — and the ring — but unfortunately, the doctor couldn’t attach it back. He’s wearing the wedding ring still, but what happened to his cut finger?

“It’s preserved in formalin and kept at a hospital,” said Gringo. “The doctor who ran the hospital died recently,” adding, “but losing a finger is nothing compared to soldiers who have lost their lives for the country.”

Hmmmm, isn’t Gringo lucky that he didn’t lose his dirty finger instead? (That’s a joke!)

*  *  *

Because surveys places her among the Top 12 Senate bets and dismissed as “inexperienced,” Nancy Binay is getting bashed by some people including — what guts!!! — Vice Ganda (see related story in Funfare on Page 1 Section D) who “belittled” Nancy at a recent press con for his May 17 concert at the Big Dome.

In yesterday’s lunch press con (yes, also hosted by Mother Lily), Nancy was asked how she felt about it and she simply shrugged it off, saying, “We’re in a democracy and anybody can express his or her opinion. Anyway, he’s just one vote,” adding in jest, “mayroon din naman akong Vice,” referring to her father, Vice Pres. Jojo Binay, “not just one but two,” looking at Sen. Jinggoy Estrada seated beside her and Mother Lily, hinting that Jinggoy might run for the country’s second highest office in 2016.

A Tourism graduate from UP, Nancy was contented working in the shadow of her father as member of his staff.

“Politics is not alien territory to me,” explained Nancy, eldest of Vice Jojo and Dr. Elenita’s children. “Lumaki kami sa public service. We are used to helping people, especially the poor.”

That’s why her platform involves services along that line — increased budget for immunization, day care and feeding centers, education for employment, more benefits for senior citizens and Tulong Card for children and mothers.
I think it’s too premature to pass judgment on Nancy. Better to wait if and when she makes it to the Senate.

Greco Belgica is true to his name

I suppose his good looks (as in artistahin) could win votes especially from women but there’s more to Greco Belgica than outward appearance.

Probably the youngest senatoriable (running under the banner of Democratic Party of the Philippines-Reporma Pilipinas), Greco is as determined as the animal whose name (gecko) sounds like his.

The son of Butch Belgica (now a preacher), Greco hasn’t figured among the Top 12 in surveys but he has been doing his best to familiarize people with his credentials, to wit:

• Post-graduate studies: International Trade & Commerce, University of California-Berkeley, USA;

• College education: Marketing & Management, San Beda College, Manila;

• President of Yeshua Livestock and Agricultural Farms & Industries, and also engaged in property development, trade and commerce;

• Former Councilor of Manila, sixth district;

• Board member of Anti-Drug Board of Manila;

• Executive director of Kontra Droga Pilipinas;

• Ordained minister of the Gospel, Lords Vineyard; and Kings Revival Church, Dubai, UAE; and

• President of Yeshua Change Agents and executive director of Kontra Droga Program (DDB , YCA).

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)