Ricky in coma after massive stroke

It’s turning out to be a bad, bad year for local showbiz denizens – health-wise, that is.

Just as Maritoni Fernandez is said to be recovering from breast cancer after undergoing chemo therapy in the States, the sad news came that Alma Moreno is suffering from multiple sclerosis, a degenerative, incurable disease that cripples a patient through her nervous system. It’s also confirmed that Michael de Mesa is positive for Hepatitis C (ask your friendly neighborhood doctor how scary that illness is).

Suddenly, multiple sclerosis and hepatitis C have become familiar terms in showbiz-watchers’ vocabulary.

Yesterday morning, word spread that Ricky Belmonte succumbed to a heart attack at 8:45 when, in fact, although Ricky did have a massive stroke that resulted in cerebral hemorrhage, he was (as of presstime last night) in coma, propped up by life-support gadgets at a hospital in Parañaque City near his house located next to that of his sister Elizabeth C. Ilustre.

Ricky is living by himself, with only the household help as companions, because all his three children are now on their own. Wowie/Renzo is living with his own loved one while younger son Patrick is with his mom, Rosemarie Sonora, in Antioch, California, where Rosemarie has been staying with her American husband. Sheryl is now based in San Francisco, California, with husband John Norman Bustos (a police officer) and their four-month-old child.

Turning 55 on Dec. 25 (that’s why he’s named Jesus Cruz), Ricky started in showbiz in 1967, introduced as the leading man of Susan Roces (who would become his sister-in-law) in Si Syanang at ang Pitong Tsikitings. Yes, the surname Belmonte was taken from the Belmontes, STAR publishers who, in the ’60s, used to publish several movie magazines (Movie World, Movie Land, Movie Star, etc.) and it was one of the editors (was it Franklin Cabaluna or Douglas Quijano?) who "baptized" Jesus Cruz as moviedom’s Ricky Belmonte.

From a matinee idol, Ricky matured first into a bold star until he settled down as a serious character actor both on the small and the big screens. He belongs to the famous Showbiz Cruz Clan and he’s the older brother of Danny Cruz, the father of Sunshine Cruz.

Although the doctors’ prognosis is very bad, I’m requesting Funfare readers to say a little prayer for Ricky’s recovery (and also for that of Maritoni, Alma and Michael and other ailing showbiz people). Remember, prayer can move mountains, so...

Echo’s starry 22nd B-day celebration

The best proof whether or not you’re liked and loved by your colleagues and fellow workers is the number (or lack of it) of well-wishers who show up on your birthday bash (or some such special occasions).

Jericho Rosales cried tears of joy when dozens of his friends trooped to Dish (at Rockwell) last Saturday night, Sept. 29, to celebrate with him his 22nd birthday (actually, his birthday falls on Sept. 22 but Echo postponed the celebration due to his heavy schedule).

Among the first to arrive were Echo’s Pangako Sa’yo co-stars Eula Valdez (Ms. Amor Powers herself) and Vanessa del Bianco (but she had to leave early, immediately after greeting the Birthday Boy... for a "pressing appointment" with, ehem, "somebody"?), followed by directors Ruel Bayani, Eric Salud and Rory Quintos.

Other well-wishers were Rommel Montano, L.A. Mumar, Kathleen Hermosa, Sarah Christopher, Marc Solis, Mico Palanca, Keempee de Leon, Troy Montero with girlfriend Nikki Valdez, Tonton Gutierrez, Paolo Contis, Victor Neri, Jodi Sta. Maria, JM Rodriguez, Vhong Navarro, Dominic Ochoa, Lara Fabregas, Aurora Halili, Victoria London and Patrick Garcia.

Of course, Echo’s "special friend" (and Pangako leading lady) Kristine Hermosa was there but she arrived very late, at almost midnight. Pa-dramatic entrance, you know.

The evening, sponsored by Lee Jeans Co. (with the support of Kristine Sy Uy, assistant to the Lee Jeans president), wouldn’t be complete without Echo’s fellow Hunks Piolo Pascual, Carlos Agassi, Diether Ocampo and Bernard Palanca.

Incidentally, Echo is a Best Actor (in a Mini Series) nominee in the 15th Star Awards for TV slated this Saturday, Oct. 6, at the UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City. Will Echo get a "surprise" birthday "gift" from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), which is behind the Star Awards?

Think About It on DZRJ

After having been rudely and arbitrarily interrupted from broadcasting since July 24 of this year from a government station, the widely listened radio program Think About It, hosted by Jun Alegre, returns to the airwaves with a vengeance starting today on DZRJ AM 810, with a new and innovative format that’s sure to delight its regular audience and draw more following.

Think About It shall take a more hard-hitting stance this time around and will now be heard live nationwide, initially for one hour starting at 6 in the afternoon – Monday to Friday. The program will now encourage listeners to participate in the discussion in Pilipino or English and any of the four other major dialects – Bicolano, Cebuano, Ilonggo and Waray – all of which the anchor/host is reputedly adept and fluent in.