Kangkong okayed for showing - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

Ask Funfare what the Vegetable of the Year is and I’ll tell you without any second thought that it is – how did you know!?! – yes, Kangkong!

The (considered) lowly but absolutely nutritious veggie has been in the limelight of late, mentioned in newspaper headlines and front pages, thanks to President Erap who threatened his critics, "Pupulutin kayo sa kangkungan!" (You’ll be fished out of the kangkong patch!)

In fact, Kangkong was also in movie headlines some weeks ago because it happens to be the title of a new Seiko skin flick (the movie preceded Erap’s kangkungan statement) which was "X-ed" by the Appeals Committee of the MTRCB because of "too many bold scenes" (some of which done in the kangkungan). Thus, the movie’s November playdate was aborted.

Cheer up, you lovers of boldies! Kangkong has been given an "OK" by the MTRCB where it was tossed back by the Appeals Committee which, after "X-ing" it, advised the Seiko producer to tame it down a bit. Kangkong will finally open in Metro theaters on January 4, right after the 10-day Metro Filmfest, so expect the Year 2001 to be a . . ."vegetarian" year?

Kangkong stars Brigitte de Joya, Rodel Velayo, Odette Khan, Jethro Ramirez and newcomers Sofia Valdez and Paula Gomez.

Was it Brigitte’s fault that Kangkong was "X-ed"?

"Why blame me when all I did was portray my role as a liberated Balikbayan as well as I could?" said Brigitte. "The director asked me to strip so I stripped. I’m just being obedient. Besides, I’m not a dramatic star but a bold star. Mayroon ba namang bold star na hindi naghuhubad?"

By the way, what’s Brigitte’s stand on the ongoing impeachment trial of President Erap?

"Wala akong pakialam doon," she joked. "Basta, ang utak ko ngayon nasa kangkungan."

Well, let’s wait and see who’ll be fished out of the kangkungan.

Great year for Merks

How quickly time flies, or so they say.

Just when no one was looking, suddenly it’s the first wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Merk (wife is Roni Tapia-Merk of BPI) who observed it very quietly and yet very significantly. Their anniversary was marked by the baptism of their first baby, Maria Manna, at the Mary The Queen Parish Church in Greenhills West.

The baptismal ceremony was officiated by Fr. Albert Venus who also officiated Richard and Roni’s birthday mass.

Godparents include showbiz personalities like Martin Nievera, Sharon Cuneta, Cesar Montano and wife Sunshine, Rico Puno, president of BPI Family Bank Aurelio "Gigi" Montinola III, Sari Paz Villar-Tan of 105.1 Crossover and Jingle Uy of Jollibee.

It was a busy year for Richard and quite fulfilling one. He had a round of successful shows from the Mandarin Hotel to Larry’s Bar to Alegria Lounge and to as far as Romeo’s Jazz Bar in Angeles City. In fact, Richard will be heard again on Dec. 23 and 30 at the Ciao of Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati. He initiated a series of tributes for Lito Molina (the jazz exponent) and the last tribute for Gerry Paraiso who passed away last Dec. 12.

Of course, nothing beats the experience of Richard finally finding the long lost grave of her father, James Bernard Merk, in a Cleveland, Ohio cemetery. "That reunion with my father even if only in his graveyard was more than enough for me," Richard said. "That reunion answered a lot of questions about my life," he added.

Now a full-time parent and with a solid career for both of them, Richard and Roni certainly cannot ask for more.

Star Records recently had a soft launching of Richard’s first CD called Jazz In Time and so far, feedbacks are very encouraging. Included in the track list are Two for the Road, For Once in My Life, Fallin’, Lord I Offer My Life, Save Your Heart For Me, I Have Dreamed, Every Breath You Take and Gerry Paraiso’s You among others.