Does Lance have a ‘love child’? - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

May anak na nga ba si Lance Raymundo?

That was the interrogative headline in Ogie Diaz’s column in Abante Tonite recently, prompting showbiz-watchers to ask, "Yeah, does Lance really have a love child?"

According to Ogie, a fan was asking him that question after the fan spied Lance often standing by at a school for special children, "parang nagbabantay at may hinihintay," forever listening to his Walkman to avoid getting bored. Ogie surmised that Lance might be waiting for the child of a relative, who knows?

To clarify the (minor) issue that’s starting to annoy Lance and his manager Angie Magbanua, Funfare sought out the two to, you know, "make a clean breast of it."

No, it’s not true that Lance has a love child; neither is he waiting for a child of any relative in that school for special children.

But, yes, it’s true that Lance often goes to that school (and other such schools for special children besides) and it’s because his girlfriend, a commercial model who happens to be in the medical profession which deals with special children, works in various clinics that treat special children. Lance picks up the girl from those clinics, making those who see him suspect that he might be a parent of one of the pupils there.

And, yes, to avoid getting bored, Lance listens to his Walkman but not to "hide" himself or to pretend that he’s not aware that people are looking at him.

"Lance has been plagued with questions after that column item came out," related Angie who’s just as concerned as Lance is. "Once when he performed at a beauty contest where he impressed women in the audience (including Elizabeth Oropesa who’s Lance’s big crush), everybody was asking him kung totoong unwed father siya."

Angie has to issue this disclaimer to put to rest the rumor which is, according to Angie, "hurting Lance’s sexy but clean image" and as somebody who is, that’s it, "still negotiable."

Reunion of stars

Remember Jean Lopez, the doll-like actress at Sampaguita Pictures back in the ’60s, and Romano Castelvi, the debonair action star who rode on the crest of the James Bond craze also in the ’60s (star of such agent flicks as Lady Killer, etc.)?

Jean and Romano are now based in Toronto since the early ’80s, moving there after living for a few years in California where they hooked up with Filipino stars who migrated to that part of the USA, like Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama who, like Jean and Romano, also sold very expensive (ordinary wage-earners like you and me can’t afford them) pots and pans; Bert Leroy, Jr. who’s now based in the East Coast with his family; and Zaldy Zshornack and Shirley Gorospe who, like Eddie and Annabelle, have since come back home.

Back in the ’60s, Jean used to star in light comedies with the likes of Jose Mari Gonzales and the Stars ’66 composed of the late Dindo Fernando and Loretta Marquez, Rosemarie Sonora who has remarried after separating from Ricky Belmonte and is now happily settled in California, Shirley Moreno, Pepito Rodriguez and his kuya Ramil, Bert Leroy, Jr., Blanca Gomez who’s now also based in California, Gina Pareño who’s as active as ever after kicking her drug habit and the late Edgar Salcedo.

Romano is the son of the late Jaime Castelvi. He was among the most popular local James Bonds, together with Tony Ferrer (as Agent X-44), the late Roberto Gonzales and other wannabes. Besides being a dashing action star, Romano (Billy for short) was also a good dancer. He topbilled dozens of action flicks produced by his good friend Dante Silverio’s Dansil Productions.

Anyway, after many years abroad, the couple came back for a much-needed vacation late last year and, by this time, they should be packing their things for their return to Toronto, their second home.

Two Fridays ago, while hundreds of thousands were massing at EDSA for People Power II, Jean and Romano were treated to a bienvenida dinner at Blue Bacon(Lantana St.,Quezon City) by Jean’s Sampaguita colleagues, including Gloria Romero, Amalia Fuentes, Daisy Romualdez, Ramil and Pepito Rodriguez, Romeo Vasquez, Liberty Ilagan (fresh from Paris), Sarah Calvin and Amparo Lucas. Also present were Minda Moreno, Pempe Rodrigo (bosom friend of Sampaguitans) and Imelda Ilanan, now based in Singapore with husband Ben Avancena and their son, who feels like a Sampaguitan and who starred with Romano in the movie The Guns of Billy The Kid.

Asked if she or Romano are still interested in doing movies, Jean said, "Why not? But then, during this homecoming, I doubt if we have enough time for that."

Well, maybe next time?

What’s up?

l The Mel Gibson movie What Women Want will have a premiere tonight at the Cinema 9 and 10 of SM Megamall. Watch it.

l Martin Nievera’s XV3, The Aftershock – The Crossover Live Tour will be staged tonight at 8 at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City, with Jon Santos, the Hotlegs and Regine Velasquez as fellow performers.

l Due to unavoidable circumstances, Solar Films has cancelled the premiere of Way of the Gun scheduled tonight at SM Megamall. Ticket holders are advised to wait for further announcement. For inquiries, call Susan at 733-25-96 to 97.

l Isabel Granada and Robin da Rosa are the special guests of Dyan Castillejo on tonight’s episode of Sports Unlimited, 11:45 on ABS-CBN.