Julia makes peace with dad

Curtain-raiser:

•  Do you have what it takes to be a Dorina, the lead character played by Sharon Cuneta in Bituing Walang Ningning which is being made into a musical by Viva Films (the movie’s producer) and Resorts World? If you do, and you’re between 16 and 20, pretty and can sing, try to audition on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28 and March 1, at Resorts World starting at 8 a.m. Both amateurs and professionals are welcome. The chosen one will co-star with Mark Bautista and Cris Villonco in the musical.

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When Julia Barretto will have her debut on March 10 at the Shangri-La Makati, it will be a truly happy occasion, thanks to Julia’s taking the initiative of reconciling with her father, Dennis Padilla, thus bridging an ugly gap created when Julia’s mom, Marjorie Barretto, filed a case to have Julia’s surname changed from Baldivia (Dennis’ real surname) to Barretto. The case cast a negative shadow on Julia’s image.

Two nights ago, Julia made the right move by visiting Dennis on the set of the ABS-CBN show Deal Or No Deal (hosted by Luis Manzano) in which Dennis is one of the 20 Lucky Stars (formerly the 26-K not-quite-known girls, now made up of stars) holding the suitcases containing the money. 

It was a surprise visit. Julia arrived on the set without any companion purposely to personally hand the invitations for Dennis, Dennis’ mom and lola  and even his present partner. Cheers to Julia for making the right move.

According to Funfare Update sources, the reconciliation was “tearful,” with father and daughter speechless for a while before they dissolved into each other’s arms. In a jiffy, the animosity vanished. Father and daughter then had a private conversation.

The happy reunion is in dark contrast to their two previous meetings, first at the wake for the mother of Raymart Santiago (estranged husband of Julia’s Aunt Claudine Barretto) and then at a Dreamscape Christmas party where Julia “pretended” not to see Dennis.

Funfare Update learned that Dennis will be Julia’s first dance at her debut. Until then, friends are hoping that Marjorie will follow Julia’s gesture and also make peace with Dennis so that there will be real (hopefully lasting) peace in the family.

Gov. Joey’s ‘Amazing Race challenge’ for Xian

Xian Lim and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda

Now that they, too, have bridged the gap between them by swapping forgiveness, Gov. Joey Salceda must be joking (or isn’t he?) when he asked Xian Lim to an Amazing Race-like challenge to prove Xian’s claim that he traces his roots to Albay.

Bulgar columnist Ambet Nabus, the movie writer closest to Gov. Joey, printed in his column yesterday the list of “challenges” for Xian (read them and…laugh?):

Visit Lake Danao in Polangui to appreciate the smallest fish, sinarapan;

Go to Oas Church, take a picture with the baptistry built in 1600;

Visit the Gen. Simeon Ola Museum (Ola is the hero of Albay) in Guinobatan (where, according to Ambet, “naghanap ng milyong followers si Xian nang nag-show siya doon”);

Visit the sunflower plants and Kawakawa Hills in Ligao City;

Magpa-picture sa Cagsawa Ruins;

Do the ATV (Auto Terrain Vehicle) at the slope of Mayon Volcano (like past Albay visitors Kris Aquino, Zac Efron and KathNiel);

See the Nuestro Porteria Church on the hill in Daraga;

Eat sili ice cream;

Visit the Ligoon Hills in Legaspi City and enjoy a panoramic view of Albay;

Chill out at the Mayon Resthouse in Tabaco City;

Do the “river-tubing” in Malinao; and

Eat DJC halu-halo and pray to Nuestra Señora de Salvacion in Tiwi.

If Xian hurdles these “challenges,” I’m sure that Gov. Joey will declare him an “Honorary Tourism Czar of Albay” (hehehe!), even if during his recent controversial visit Xian reportedly said (when handed a book about “Warm Albay”), “I’m not here to promote Albay.”

The Beatle magic lives on

The Beatles: The music will never die

Fans of the Beatles will be happy to know that a dinner-show called Beatlemania: Blast From The Past is set for tomorrow night, starting at 7 o’clock at the Players Pub & Bistro (Formerly San Mig Pub), at the Alabang Town Center. (Ticket is P2,700 each.) Guests are requested to come in their ‘60s or ‘70s best.

The event will feature the culinary expertise of the famed international Chef Mervyn Whitfield, the personal chef of the Beatles and their discoverer, Brian Epstein. Among Liverpool music enthusiasts, Chef Whitfield has also become known as the Fifth Beatle.

Promising to be a rare-themed event, Beatlemania will give the audience a chance to taste the personal favorite dishes of John, Paul, George and Ringo as they relive the Beatles music by The Bloomfields. To add to the merriment, Gary Lising, former gag writer of Bob Hope and Filipino stand-up comedy icon, will appear as guest emcee.

Chef Mervyn, a British chef with 42 years of kitchen expertise, did his apprenticeship at the five-star prestige Grosvenor House Hotel in London, and graduated after five years as Chef Torno. He joined the famous Entertainment group NEMS run by Epstein, and was assigned to other famous groups like Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer, Cilla Black and Cliff Bennet, aside from the Beatles. He has also shared his culinary expertise with prominent people and royalties alike, among them Princess Diana, Fergie Duchess of York, Phil Collins, Luciano Pavarotti, Oliver Reed and many others.

Menu for the Beatlemania night: 

• George — Indian vegetarian curry pies with yoghurt dip;

• Paul — Fillet of sole with parsley sauce with marble potatoes and fresh peas;

• Ringo — Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with roast potatoes and fresh vegetables; and

• John — English Sherry trifle, a classic dessert-layered sponge, gels with fruit custard and double cream.

The Bloomfields — one of the most exciting bands in the Philippines commissioned to relive the Beatles Era — is composed of four ultra-talented musicians. The band members are vocalists in their own respect, but also play instruments. On drums is Rocky Collado, Lakan Hila plays the lead guitar, Dino Pascual on rhythm guitars, and Louie Poco for bass.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)