Cesar cries ‘Foul!’: New Kim a Pinay?

Just when things seemed to be hunky-dory between her and estranged husband Cesar Montano, what made Sunshine Cruz appear in The Buzz last Sunday and, so to speak, stir another hornet’s nest?

I wasn’t able to watch the show but somebody who did told me that Sunshine said, among other accusations, that she’s the one paying for their three daughters’ tuition fees and the rent for her (Sunshine’s) house.

Funfare called Cesar for his reaction but he could not “be reached.” Somebody close to him — and Sunshine — however, came to Cesar’s defense and said, “What Sunshine said was completely false. Cesar has paid for the kids’ tuition fees and sent Sunshine payment for the house rent. His secretary has the checks and the vouchers to prove it.”

What the Cesar defender couldn’t understand is why Sunshine tended to picture Cesar as a “bad person and a bad father.” She even dragged the kids into the issue by letting them be interviewed.

“The truth is that the kids would rather stay with their dad,” said the Cesar defender.

The court decided to split custody of the kids between Cesar and Sunshine, three days of the week with Cesar and three days with Sunshine. When the kids are with Cesar, he has to spend for their food and allowance, and the same when they are with Sunshine. What about Sundays?

Several issues ago, Funfare pointed out that the real victims of feuding showbiz couples are the poor children who are caught helpless in the crossfire.

Now, can’t (especially) actress-wives stop themselves from washing their dirty linen in public and do it at the laundry area of their houses? In case you haven’t noticed, it’s the actor-husbands who keep mum, for sure to protect the children from brazen public exposure, forced only to open up bit when pushed against the wall.

Reacting to this corner’s recent item about the start on Sept. 9 of the advance sales for the 2014 staging of Miss Saigon in London’s West End (where it premiered in 1989, with Lea Salonga originating the pivotal role as Kim), an  “insider” said that the new Kim might be a Filipina. A series of auditions was held here last year and short-listed were Rachelle Ann Go, Frencheska Farr, Aicelle Santos, Tanya Manalang and Apple Chiu.

“Stand by for the announcement,” he said without giving a hint who is “it.”

Meanwhile, another Funfare source said that more tickets were sold in a single day for Miss Saigon than for any other show, raking in more than 4.4 million pounds in opening day, beating the record set in the West End by The Book of Mormon (West End) which took two million pounds and The Producers (on Broadway) with $3 million.

“I’m not just surprised,” Saigon megahit producer Cameron Mackintosh was quoted as saying, “I’m completely amazed. I had a feeling a lot of people would want to see it because I’ve probably had more letters in this country asking when I was going to bring back Miss Saigon more than any of my other shows.”

Miss Saigon will open at the Prince Theater in May 2014, the musical’s 25th  anniversary.

Megan nearing the ‘moment of truth’

Four more days and the world will know who the new Miss World is. Will our bet, Megan Young, be “it”? Let’s keep our collective fingers crossed.

So far, Megan (one of the 127 vying for the crown) is reported to be doing well, placing among the top ranking by the Global Beauties Leaderboard and No. 2 in the beating odds of Ladbrokes.

Last night, the contestants spoke to the press about the noble projects they are supporting. Megan brought South Sea pearls for the Charity Lunch and Beauty With A Purpose Auction set for today. Same night, they will be pitted with one another in the Top Model competition, dressed by 48 of Indonesia’s elite fashion designers.

Then, Megan will tape the Dances of the World segment together with 10 other contestants on the eve of the grand finals.

The grand coronation night will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the majestic Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center in Bali, starting at 7:30 p.m. (same as Manila Time). — Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas

(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.)