Regine (sigh) is loveless

Would you believe that Regine Velasquez has been loveless for six years now (her last boyfriend having been Ariel Rivera, now the husband of Gelli de Belen with whom he has a son)? How does Regine cope with this barrenness in her lovelife? Is she so choosy that, after Ariel, she hasn't found a new love worthy of her heart (never mind her body, not yet anyway)?

"I'm okay," said Regine who shuns doing Valentine shows (and, if she has time, would rather watch Martin Nievera and Zsa Zsa Padilla's Divine Madness show at the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow, Feb. 13, among the dozens of Valentine shows lined up this weekend). "I've lasted six years loveless but I hope I won't be spending the next six years still loveless."

So instead of having a bongga Valentine show, Regine will sing for free at the Glorietta at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14, as her special gift to her fans. It's not her first time to be doing a free show. Last year, Regine celebrated her birthday by giving a free concert at the Makati Coliseum and, the year before last, she also did a free birthday show at the UP Diliman Sunken Garden.

What Regine is looking forward to are two big projects, one of them a movie with Robin Padilla inspired by Notting Hill, to be produced by Viva Films and directed by Joyce Bernal (who also megged Regine's last movie, Dahil May Isang Ikaw, with Aga Muhlach).

"For the first time," said Regine, I'll be playing a rich-girl role, a singing superstar, so I'll be wearing nice clothes. Buti naman. I won't be driving a truck (like in Dahil); instead, I'll have a chauffeur. O, di ba? Si Robin 'yon."

It's a known fact that Robin is a fan of Regine and he never misses any of Regine's concerts. What if Robin would court her on the set?

"Would he?" asked Regine.

Shooting of the yet untitled movie will start end of February.

On April 7 and 8, Regine will hold her first major concert for 2000 at the Araneta Coliseum and she hopes to add Sharon Cuneta to the glittering array of guests (confirmed ones include KC Montero, Janno Gibbs, Gabby Eigenmann and Ogie Alcasid).

It's perhaps not a known fact that Regine is an avid fan of Sharon and she has seen all of Sharon's movies (dare her to name all of them and Regine will rattle off the titles in a minute).

"The first song that I memorized without anybody teaching me is a Sharon Cuneta song, Mr. Deejay, when I was 6," recalled Regine who has yet to personally and formally invite her Idol to be among her guests. "It will be a dream come true for me," added Regine.

Asked what her three favorite Sharon songs are, Regine mentioned Sana'y Wala Nanang Wakas, Ikaw and Sana'y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan.

And her three favorite Sharon movies?

Bukas Luluhod ang Mga Tala, Bituing Walang Ningning and Dear Heart.

Two managers called up Funfare first thing yesterday morning to clarify an item that Maricel Soriano and Cesar Montano's ABS-CBN sitcom Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis will soon fade out because their contract, according to the Funfare source, wasn't renewed by aBS-CBN.

Maricel's manager Manny Valera: "Maricel's contract as talent and line-producer (of Kaya) is good until May 2000. The show is rating so why would it be axed?"

Cesar's manager Norma Japitana: "Cesar's contract will expire next year. Kaya ni Mister is doing well."

So there. On with the happy hour.

Yeah, why rock the boat when it's sailing smoothly?

Priscilla Almeda and Leonard Obal combined forces in an enticing, rip-roaring Valentine dinner concert, 'Comics Sex-ion', tonight at Tagaytay Highlands in Dagaytay City. Expect a full serving of some old and new songs, sexy songs, Valentine jokes, spoofs, as Priscilla and Leonard celebrate Valentine oddities, beginning with themselves as an old couple. When not doing films, Priscilla takes to the road for shows and concerts. She recently signed a recording contract with Dyna Records where she's currently finishing her debut album. Priscilla has two films in the can: Huwag Kang Kikibo, Siya ang Hihipo and Syota ng Bayan.