Will heads roll at GMA as soon as Manny P. comes in? - FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo

* Fresh from a five-day trip to New York where she interviewed American Sweethearts stars Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kris Aquino (still the No. 1 female talkshow host in my book – and, I guess, in yours, too) reacted to a recent Curtain-Raiser item by texting me the following message: I was just away for five days and you’re already kicking me out of The Buzz. Na-upset mo ang Mom and sisters ko. I have nothing against you praising Carmina (Villarroel who took over as Boy Abunda’s co-host in Kris’ absence. – RFL) but why at my expense and with a total disregard for my five-year track record? At least now I know how little you think of me. (Oops! So sorry, Dear Kris, but I didn’t mean it that way. Please tell your Mom and sisters that I’m so sorry, too, for "upsetting" them.)

* * *

This explosive (it is, isn’t it?) item will be brief and direct to the point:

Could it be true that several people at GMA are, so to speak, are shaking in their boots, wondering what will happen to them as soon as new GMA big boss Manny Pangilinan assumes full power and authority at the station by August?

Could it be true that Manny P. would look into some "sensitive" secrets? What could those "secrets" be?

Could it be true that some shows (especially the tsismis-y ones of which Manny P. has a phobia, decent as he is and therefore having a distaste for showbiz gossip which in the past hasn’t spared him) will have to go? Which ones?

And now, the clincher: Could it be true that a big man in the industry has already signed up with GMA, to assume office sometime near end of this year yet? Who could he be?

This I assure you: You won’t get the answers to these titillating questions on either Startalk or S-Files, not even on Extra! Extra! or I-Witness.

Stay tuned – and keep your ears wide open.

Kaycee, the Mermaid attraction

Everybody is all agog over the restaging of Little Mermaid by Trumpets in August and Sept. at the Meralco Theater, all because of the newest (among many) addition to its cast – Kaycee Concepcion, the Most Sensational Theater Discovery of the Hour, no doubt about it. Very Gabby, very Sharon (Cuneta), isn’t she? The sum total of her parents’ best qualities.

For sure, people (this one included... I’ll be first in the queue) will flock to the Meralco Theater to find out for themselves, with their own eyes (and ears), how good an actress Kaycee is. Looks-wise, Kaycee is undoubtedly a sensation, a smashing beauty (worth P5 million as Human/Bench image model, her first endorsement). But whether or not she has also inherited her parents’ immense thespic talents remain to be seen, so I guess Kaycee is pressure a bit into proving that she deserves to play the role of Princess Sapphire which was portrayed last year by another Child of Showbiz, Karylle (Zsa Zsa Padilla’s daughter) that is.

No, Kaycee didn’t replace Karylle as initial reports (in this corner, blush!) had it. She auditioned like the other new additions to the cast and she did pass with satisfactory (flying?) colors, along with Cathy Azanza who’s the alternate for the role. (Reprising the role as Jewel are Carol Banawa and Dianne de la Fuente).

Sharon said that she gave Kaycee the go-signal to try theater (for the time being, the movies soon?) not so much because Kaycee also loves to to sing – and act – but because it’s off-school season, with classes at I.S. opening in September yet, so Kaycee can make use of her time profitably with the rehearsals and the staging of Little Mermaid (8 p.m. on Aug. 3, 4, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31; and Sept. 1, 7 and 8... and 3 p.m. on Aug. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26; and on Sept. 1, 2, 8 and 9).

But you know, once the "genie" is out of the bottle, it’s hard to put it back in. I’m sure Mama Sharon is now in a dilemma whether or not to let Kaycee go on to conquer other fields – that is, recording and movies/television.

(My guess is that Mama Sharon will eventually say... Yes!)

What’s up?

* Featured performers at Casino Filipino Parañaque tomorrow night are Ariel Rivera and Dessa.

* A concert for the benefit of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society and TB Control Program will be held at the Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas (Folk Arts Theater) tomorrow 8 p.m. The concert, ROCK Musika... Noon at Ngayon, features Mike Hanopol, Sampaguita, Coritha, Joey Smith, Mike and Noah, Eraserheads, River Maya and Parokya ni Edgar.