Pops-Martin marriage finally annulled! - FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo

And finally, four years after Funfare broke the sad/bad news that their supposedly "perfect marriage" was headed for the rocks, Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera are now legally free to marry other partners – if they wish to, that is – or, who knows, each other.

Yesterday morning, Judge Leticia Morales of the Makati Regional Trial Court rendered Pops and Martin’s marriage null and void after hearing the case for barely a year. This piece of (well, good) news was confirmed by Pops’ lawyer, the Katrina Legarda, in a brief interview with Funfare.

The annulment was granted to Pops and Martin on the grounds of "psychological incapacity" on both sides. The couple has two children, Ram and Robin.

"In an annulment case," said Katrina who’s also the lawyer of Carmina Villarroel (against Rustom Padilla) in a similar annulment petition, "there’s no alimony involved. But Martin is required by the court to give a monthly support for their children."

At press time last night Funfare called Martin who arrived Tuesday evening from the US after a successful concert tour. Informed about the verdict, Martin was surprised, saying he was hearing about it for the first time. "Kailan pa ang decision?" he asked.

The case was first heard in June last year, with Pops and Martin initially giving their testimonies separately before meeting in court for the final hearing. Although the couple has been separated three years ago, they have buried the hatchet (no, not on each other’s back but) in the dustbin. They have become better friends now that they’ve split up, with Martin paying their kids regular visits or taking them out for a good time.

Pops has remained at their conjugal home in Ayala Alabang with Ram and Robin, while Martin is now living alone or, according to some sources, with Katrina Ojeda, the girl long romantically linked to him and said to be one of the reasons why he and Pops broke up.

Pops and Martin were married in a fairy-tale wedding in June, 1986, a showbiz event featured as an added attraction in their post-wedding movie Now and Forever. Unlike in the movie, however, the couple didn’t live happily ever after, not forever anyway. Their marriage started to crack in 1996 when Martin was rumored to have an "other woman."

Although linked to other men (Aga Muhlach and Troy Montero, among them), Pops has remained fancy-free. But now, as the title of her new Viva movie says (Gusto Ko Nang Lumigaya), she’s free – and legally so – to fall in love again.

Now, will Martin, as he has been rumored a few weeks back, remarry now that any legal barrier is gone?

Stand by for further developments in the continuing Pops-Martin real-life soap opera.

Georgetown auction

The Georgetown Club of the Philippines will hold an international auction at the Manila Astoria Hotel on Makati Avenue corner Eduque Street in Makati City at 6 p.m. today.

This year’s president, Dr. Jesus Y. Perez, Jr., has announced that the auction aims to raise funds for scholarships of deserving students who will be sent to Georgetown University for international studies.

The scholarship program will be named after the Club’s Chairman, Rev. Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J.

This grand international art auction will feature rare valuable artworks including original paintings, prints, jewelry, furniture, silver, ivory and other collectible items gathered on consignment from private collections.

The Georgetown Club of the Philippines wishes to contribute to the educational advancement of the future leaders of our country and foster a way of maintaining and strengthening the members links with their alma mater.

Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a Georgetown alumna, is the guest of honor in the launching of this fund drive.

The Board of Governors for 2000-2001 include the following: Shirley Advincula, Socorro Alejandrino, Jose Carpio, William De Meyer, Francisco Duque, Epifania Lagman, Manuel L. Morato, Norma R. Nierras, Jesus Y. Perez, Jr., Regis Puno, Ernesto V. Romero, James B. Reuter, S.J., Vicente Roxas and Francisco Soriano.

Today’s affair is "by invitation only." An arts and antiques fair will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Oct. 27 to 29.