‘I married her for the wrong reason’

Curtain-raisers:

• After her very promising "debut" as showbiz talkshow co-host (actually as pinchhitter for Kris Aquino in an episode of The Buzz, with Boy Abunda), Carmina Villarroel has been receiving offers/feelers to do her own talkshow or to be a co-host of one. This was confirmed by Carmina’s manager Dolor Guevarra who told Funfare that Viva Television is toying with the idea of putting up a talkshow on IBC 13 with Carmina as host. What about that?

• Now, what do Dingdong Dantes, Bobby Andrews and Dino Guevarra have in common? What – rather, who – are they sharing? Ask any of them who and all you get as an answer is an enigmatic smile – or a big blush.

• Could it be true that the new apple of John Estrada’s eye is controversial "import" Victoria London? If true, then it’s confirmed that John has a weakness for imported goods. Right, Vanessa?

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Not a few showbiz couples "commit" marriage because of an impending visit by the stork – you know, the girlfriend is already in the stage where her tummy is getting too obvious to be hidden or camouflaged.

Name some of them? Never mind (you probably know who some of them are).

"That’s also the reason why I married her," said a certain actor who, these past years, has remained mysteriously quiet about his break-up with his actress-wife, smiling through the whole controversy but hurting inside. "I married her for the wrong reason."

Not really for love, that is.

This item is deliberately made to be "misleading" (no dates and hardly any tell-tale clues, see?) so as not to pinpoint the actor in question because, bless him, until now he hasn’t said a single negative word against his estranged wife who has been letting off quite a mouthful.

He was very young then and he found himself a would-be father. His girlfriend, a few years older than he was, told him that she was into that "interesting stage" and he had to marry her. And so he did, albeit reluctantly. And then, he "woke up" a few years later and realized that, that’s it, he married her "for the wrong reason."

And so their marriage hit the rocks.

The "other actress" he eventually fell in love with – "for the right reason" – didn’t really ruin his marriage which was already in near-shamble when she got into the scene. She offered him more than shoulder to cry on when he most needed it.

Bodyshots winners

A few issues ago, Funfare reported that the Bodyshots is one of the rich sources for showbiz material, it being the "alma mater" of some of today’s most popular stars (John Estrada and Eric Quizon among them). Bodyshots 2001 winners were chosen recently and the winners, or the semi-finalists, could make producers’ and talent scouts’ heads turn, who knows?

Here’s a report on the Bodyshots 2001 by Funfare’s "beauty experts" Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping, Francis Calubaquib and Felix Manuel:

The Bodyshots search, now on its 12th year and produced by the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP), continues to produce some of our country’s top ramp and commercial models, beauty queens, and even showbiz personalities.

Thirty aspirants (15 males and 15 females) joined the Bodyshots Model Discovery of the Year 2001 held in the UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City last June 30.

Two outstanding candidates who really stood out that night and exuded the so called "x-factor" were dark-brown-skinned Lauren Novero and Michelle Shulte (who is a half German and Filipino).

Familiar face candidate number 22, Lauren Tamayo Novero, (22, 5’11" tall, student from Pasig) is the current Red Horse Beer commercial model. Aside from winning the top title, he was also named Best in Swimwear, Mr. Walker International and Mr. Runway.

Candidate No. 10 Michelle Salonga Shulte, 16, stands 5’9" tall, measures 32"-24"-34.5" and weights 119 lbs. She was the most awarded candidate of the night (Miss Avon Fashion award, Miss Facial Care Center award, Miss Eagle Point Resort, Best in Swimwear and Miss Runway).

The remaining finalists are Senen Dizon, 20, a student from Pangasinan; Solomon Glass, 22, from Cebu; Zan Joe Marudo, 18, HRM student at San Sebastian College from Batangas; Luke Mucklin, 17, from United Kingdom; Bambi Abdulsani, 23, from Davao; Grace Tagad, 18, a student from Ilocos Sur; Amy Verbo, 19, a student from Bicol; and Joyce Ortega, 17, a student from Toronto.

(Special thanks to Jay Patao and Reynante Laya for the accompanying photos.)

Here is the complete list of the Bodyshots special award winners:

1. Compass Internet Choice Award

#17 – Norwin Crespo (20) Makati
#4 – Paula White (16) United Kingdom

2. Friendship Award

#28 – Archie Bautista (21) Bulacan

3. Mr. & Miss Bodyshots Photogenic

#30 – Jonathan Camara (18) Canada
#6 – Jennifer McDonald (21) USA

4. Facial Care Center Award

#10 – Michelle Shulte

5. Mr. & Miss Eagle Point Resort Award

#18 – Senen Dizon (20) Batangas
#10 – Michelle Shulte

6. Mr. & Miss Country Waffles Award

#19 – Luke Mucklin (17) United Kingdom
#1 – Ardel de Jesus (21)

7. Mr. & Miss Tac Tours Travel Corp.

#17 – Norwin Crespo
#2 – Shella Peters (16)

8. Marie France Fitness Center Award

#6 – Jennifer McDonald

9. Mr. & Miss Las Palmas Award

#17 – Norwin Crespo
#9 – Nikki Meneses (20) Bulacan

10. Best in Swimwear

#22 – Lauren Novero
#10 – Michelle Shulte

11. Miss Avon Fashion
#10 – Michelle Shulte

12. Mr. Walker International Award
#22 – Lauren Novero

13. Mr. & Miss Runway

#22 – Lauren Novero
#10 – Michelle Shulte

Touching tribute

Perry Como died last May and fellow singer Vic Damone gave him a touching eulogy he wrote in a recent issue of Time magazine. Funfare is sharing that tribute with the readers. Here it is, quoted verbatim:

Perry Como was one of the musical treasures of the 20th century – a star who illuminated several generations. And he was my friend. Without him, there would have been no Vic Damone the singer.

As a teenager, I worked as an usher at the Paramount Theater in New York City. My family needed every dime we could meet to make ends meet, but I paid a dollar a week for singing lessons. I needed to know: Was I wasting my money? So when Perry headlined the Paramount, I decided to go for broke. Taking him up in the elevator, I asked if he would listen to me sing and tell me if I had a chance to make it.

"Sure, kid, go ahead."

I stopped the elevator between floors and sang There Must Be a Way, one of his hits.

"Well, kid, you’ve really got something. Don’t stop singing."

I didn’t. Thanks to the miracle of recording, neither will Perry Como.