Kaya ni

Could it be true that Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis, the Monday night ABS-CBN sitcom topbilled by Maricel Soriano and Cesar Montano, will soon fade out of the boobtube?

A Funfare DPA said that the cast's new taping might be their last because ABS-CBN has opted not to renew Maricel's (and Cesar's?) contract which is expiring soon (or hasn't it expired already?).

But followers of Kaya ni Mister can go on laughing because the show that might replace it is also a ribtickler, a Palibhasa Lalake type of sitcom starring Dominic Ochoa, Rico Yan and Marvin Agustin.

Oh, well. As I've been saying, that's how the showbiz cookie crumbles. Win some, lose some.

The Funfare DPA didn't give any reason why Maricel's (and Cesar's?) contract wasn't renewed by ABS-CBN.

"Can you hazard a guess?" he asked with an "intriguing" tone.

I can't.

Speaking of Cesar, although he and Sunshine Cruz don't admit it, Funfare sources are positive that they've been going steady for several months now, a May-October romance that started on the set of their starrer Bullet (directed by Cesar himself).

But it's not true, according to Sunshine in a radio interview, that she and Cesar are getting married sometime in March in Las Vegas (and why there!?!), although she revealed that, it's true, she's going to the US around that time (until early April) for a series of shows.

"There's nothing to deny," said Sunshine, "I'm not denying anything but neither am I confirming anything."

There's no need to, actually. Action speaks louder than words and in Cesar and Sunshine's case, their every "action" betrays them.

Recounted Monica Feria, editor-in-chief of Mirror magazine which features the lovebirds on the cover of its Valentine "The Kiss" issue, "The photo session (with Jun de Leon) was free-flowing, spontaneous -- and passionate. The two kept on kissing and playing around in-between takes. Eventually, the break-time kissing bouts became the main event."

When Sunshine was confined at a Quezon City hospital middle of last year after she was hurt in a shooting, it was Cesar who acted as her "nurse," to the point of, according to Funfare's "medical DPA," sharing Sunshine's bed to keep her warm and safe and sound. Indeed, a loving embrace can be as potent as medicine.

If the two are in love, fine, go ahead. Cesar is legally free (he's a widower with two grown-up children, Angela, 18, and Angelo) while Sunshine is already of age (half Cesar's age). But then, as Sunshine herself confirmed in that radio interview, her parents aren't happy with her relationship with Cesar because "Cesar nga has been married and has children."

In the long run, though, it will be only Cesar and Sunshine who should settle the matter because, if and when they do get married sooner or later, they are the ones who will share bed and board, for better or for worse.

"Siguro naninibago lang ang parents ko dahil ang bunso nilang anak ay nagdadalaga na," Sunshine said good-humoredly. "They haven't yet accepted the reality na may lumiligaw na sa akin. They think I'm still their little baby."

But so much in love though they may be, Cesar and Sunshine won't be spending Valentine's Day together because Sunshine is going to Japan to fulfill a 10-day singing engagement -- unless, of course, Cesar follows her. Not a remote possibility.

Incidentally, if Cesar and Sunshine decide to tie the marital knot now, they will both be hitting two birds with one stone. Cesar will gain not just a wife but a daughter (Sunshine is only two years older than Cesar's daughter Angela who recently celebrated her 18th birthday) while Sunshine will gain not just a husband (and, ehem, an honest-to-goodness Papa) but an instant family.

Kaya kaya ni mister? Kaya kaya ni misis?

What do you think?

Here's an interesting reaction letter from reader Mary Ann A. Laverty, e-mailed from Hayward, California, USA:

Goooodddddd job!!!

Can't help but laugh all the way through reading your article regarding her highness. Queen Phony-ness, Madame Auring. I just couldn't quite understand how she stood long enough loitering around the industry, given airtime and media attention, when all she does is a clear slap on our intelligence. I waited for the day and for that someone who would outright have the guts to blow off her cover!! And I tell you again... goood job!!!

C'monnnnn.. it just takes one look at her face and you'd know it's fake.. all fake!! Right, dear?

Thanks, Ricky I should be expected to be smiling for a week or so (maybe more!!) thinking of your article. Teeheeheeeheeeeeeee!!

* Engaged couples living in Cebu and Mindanao no longer have to come to Manila to take the marriage-preparation seminar called Discovery Weekend. For the first time, it will be held at the Talavera House of Prayer in Cebu City from Feb. 18 to 20. Interested couples may call Joyce and Michael Fernan in Cebu (233-52-17) or Araceli and Ronald Ramiro (262-10-53).

* The De La Salle Voices (Cultural Ambassadors of Lipa City), with choirmaster Edwin Narvaez, are featured in the pre-Valentine concert entitled So In Love tonight (starting at 6) at the Paco Park Presents, hosted by Maribel Fernandez.

* The Cavite Youth Symphonic Band, under the direction of Arnel Feliciano, will be featured on Concert at the Park on Sunday, Feb. 13, starting at 5 p.m. Taking turned at the baton are resident conductor Erick Hayag and Rodel Colmenar. Guest soloist is Robert de Pano. Host is Susan Fernandez.