Carlos speaks up

This corner’s "breaking news" a few issues ago about Carlos Morales’ forthcoming wedding to his new girlfriend (of barely three months), Lia Lorenzo, spawned all sorts of speculations, all of which reflected negatively on Carlos, such as 1) he’s dazzled (as in nasilaw) by his new girlfriend’s alleged wealth, she being reportedly coming from the family that owns Del Monte in Cagayan de Oro, 2) he’s interested only in obtaining a US visa with the help of his new girlfriend who is said to be part-American, part-Italian and part-Filipino, and 3) he decided to go steady with his new girlfriend without even formally breaking up with his old girlfriend, Liezl (a law graduate who’s taking up the bar exams soon), of seven years.

In an informal chat with Funfare yesterday afternoon, Carlos clarified the issues against him point by point, reluctantly at first, and relenting only when told that Liezl was interviewed on The Buzz last Sunday and, although she didn’t say anything that would have put Carlos in a bad light, she did "warn" other girls who might go into a serious relationship with him.

His eyes sparkling (sign of being very much in love?), Carlos said that, even if he didn’t want to, he had to speak up in fairness not only to himself but also to Liezl and to Lia and her family ("Nakakahiya sa kanila").

Issue No. 1: "Why would they say na nasilaw ako sa kayamanan nina Lia when I didn’t even know if, according to reports, she comes from a family that owns Del Monte in Cagayan de Oro? Foul, isn’t it? I’m the type of person who, when in love, doesn’t look at what the girl or her family owns but what she is. Besides, I’m now also earning well."

Issue No. 2: "As far as getting a US visa is concerned, I won’t have any problem at all because I’m a US citizen. Anytime now, I’m going to apply for a ‘blue passport’ (for US citizens). I really want to go to the States to look for my American father whom I last saw when I was 6. My father used to work at the former Subic Naval Base in Olongapo City where he met my mother (a native of Leyte). I’m their only child."

Issue No. 3: "When I met Lia, my relationship with Liezl was already going bad. In short, wala na kami. Besides, I want to make it clear that Lia and I are not yet going steady. We’re only special friends at present."

Which simply means that, contrary to reports (including the Funfare "breaking news"), "We are not getting married yet. How can we when, as I’ve said, we are not even going steady yet?"

But when he travels to the States to have a much-awaited reunion with his long-lost father, Carlos would like Lia to go with her, "So my Dad can see what a beautiful girlfriend (meaning, friend na girl) I have."

Meanwhile, Carlos is busy with his ABS-CBN soap Recuerdo de Amor (early afternoons, with, among others, Carmina Villarroel and Diether Ocampo) and his new Regal movie, Red Diaries (with Assunta de Rossi).

Yesterday, Carlos signed a contract as star of the new TV commercial of a popular liquor, to the tune of... guess how much? Enough to buy several shares of Del Monte Cagayan de Oro? "Maliit lang," Carlos smiled humbly.

I...Ai-Ai: I am, I am!

Since three or so episodes ago, ABS-CBN’s Magandang Tanghali Bayan (Saturday edition) and Saturday-night sitcom Arriba! Arriba! have never been the same again, what with the inclusion of Ai-Ai delas Alas as a regular on both shows. I mean, MTB and Arriba! have become even more interesting with Ai-Ai in them.

Instead of asking Ai-Ai about her love life (ho-hum!) during her recent tete-a-tete with the movie press, Funfare made her complete the sentence(s) starting with "I am..."

Here she goes:

"I am beautiful"

"I am alluring"

"I am happy"

"I am in-demand"

"I am plastic – kung plastic ang kausap ko!"

"I am good in bed – when I’m asleep!"

"I am desirable – especially when I have money!"

"I am gullible – especially when it comes to men!"

"I am loyal"

"I am loveless (but not sexless)!"

"I am religious (no kidding!)"

"I am faithful (sometimes!)"

"I am a good friend (if the friend is good to me)"

"I am a bad enemy (if the enemy is bad to me)"

"I’m normal (sometimes!)"

"I’m bisexual (sabi ng mga reporters)"

"I’m confused; I’m not sure if I’m heterosexual"

"I am a one-man woman and, sometimes, a one-woman woman"

"I am afraid of ghosts (I have a third eye, you see)"

"I am datungera (especially if I’m in love with the guy), kaya madalas akong lokohin ng lalaki"

"I am a good mother (to my children Sancho, Sofia and Nicolo)"

"I am true to myself"

"I am honest"