Drew & Iya also getting married

Year of the Horse (2014) promises to be a “marry, marry” year as far as showbiz is concerned.

Early this week, Boots Anson-Roa and lawyer Francisco “King” Rodrigo announced that they are getting married (the second time for both; their first partners having died months apart six years ago) on June 14, 2014, King’s 75th birthday (Boots is turning 69 on Jan. 30, 2014).

Immediately after, Funfare came out with the scoop that Karylle and Yael Yuzon (of Sponge Cola) are doing the same in March (somewhere near Metro Manila).

Another couple who is tying the knot, for better or for worse, are Drew Arellano and Iya Villania in January, beating the couples mentioned to the altar.

Drew and Iya have been (living?) together for almost eight years now, so the wedding is just a formality. Where (here or in Australia where Iya was raised) it will be hasn’t been revealed yet.

The sad note is that Drew’s father, Atty. Aga, won’t be around to witness his fair-haired boy march down the aisle. Atty. Aga died of colon cancer last June and his ashes, as per his wish, were scattered around Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong where Atty. Aga spent a good part of his life.

So who are next — Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera? Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna? Heart Evangelista and Sen. Chiz Escudero? Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano? James and Michela Cazzola?

Stay tuned.

Tessie spearheads concert for Waray Yolanda victims

Of course, many people know that Tessie Tomas hails from Catbalogan City, Western Samar, which was not, like Northern Samar, as badly hit as Eastern  Samar (where Boy Abunda, said to be running for governor in 2016, comes from, Borongan City that is, where his sister Fe is the mayor).

The president of the Katbalaoganon Foundation, Inc. (KFI) is spearheading Operation Bulig Kita (Let’s Help), a fund-raising show for the benefit of Typhoon Yolanda victims in Samar, set for Sunday, Dec. 8, starting at 7:30 p.m. at K-Pub at the Fort Strip.

“It will be a star-studded evening of great music and entertainment,” promised Tessie.

Featured are Tessie’s dear friends like Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Nanette Inventor, Verni Varga, Jon Santos, Jacqui Magno, Richard Merck, Robert Seña and Tessie herself.

The event is sponsored by Maybank. (For tickets, call Toby’s at 651-7700, Stacy’s at 952-6843, K-Pub at 847-1961 or KFI at 912-3835/0917-5849126.)

According to Tessie, to date KFI has sent four truckloads of relief goods to Basey and Marabut in Eastern Samar, and other towns devastated by Yolanda. Part of the proceeds of the show will go to the Guian  (Eastern Samar) Development Foundation. KFI is committed to participate in projects to rebuild lives and livelihood in Samar.

“Damo nga salamat,” said Tessie in Waray.

Token in Manila to promote new CD

After an extended vacation in the US, Bacolod-based Token is in Manila to promote her latest (second) album titled A Token of Love which carries 10 of her original compositions. While in the US, Token guested in the famous The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

She sang the theme song (The Impossible Kid) of the late little action star Weng-Weng, and has traveled around the world performing. She has also composed songs for the likes of Pops Fernandez, Eva Eugenio and Marco Sison.

“I can do shows anywhere in the Philippines for charity,” said Token who spends most of her time in her native Bacolod. “More than entertaining people with my music, my mission in life is to help people in need.”

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