The singer-comedienne is properly ‘used,’ at last!

Curtain-raisers:

• Janette McBride has formally bidden goodbye to the followers of the ABS-CBN show Talk TV yesterday, determined as she is to quit showbiz and resume her studies in Australia (where her family is). Now, guess who might replace Janette as co-host of Julius Babao, Christine Bersola and Ryan Agoncillo. Could "it" be Bernadette Allyson (no, not her because she’s infanticipating her and Gary Estrada’s first child)? Or could it be Cheska Garcia (Patrick’s sister)? Any other "candidates"?

• During the early telecast of her gameshow Game KNB?, host Kris Aquino was badly criticized for her Matrix-type wardrobe (what!?! wearing a trench coat in a humid country like ours!?!). Well, Kris has improved a lot – she also doesn’t shout anymore, or haven’t you noticed? – thanks to Paul Cabral who’s now doing her clothes. Kris now looks more lovable, more comfortable and more "with it."

• Congrats to my good friend Nestor Cuartero on his new directorial work, a special pre-Christmas concert called Christmas in November slated for tonight at the Downtown Bar of Hotel Rembrandt (Quezon City). The show, produced by Daisy Romualdez, features Dulce and Jun Polistico, along with Daisy (and Manny Paner’s) daughter Danita Paner. Musical director is Gerry Matias. Sponsors are NE Group of Companies, PCSO, PAGCOR, Bakahan at Manukan, Ricky Reyes Salons, Center for Pop Music Philippines and Suzuki Philippines.

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A pretty (in her own right) although somewhat "healthy" singer-comedienne is thanking heaven that she has finally – finally! – found a man who, she is certain, loves her for what she is and not, unlike her past two or three boyfriends (plus an ex-husband), for what she has.

Without any reservation and true to her being bluntly honest, the "feeling lucky" lady has been telling friends that during intimate moments with her past lovers, "Ang feeling ko, parang nandidiri sila sa akin. How did I know? Because they’d cover my body with a blanket before they embraced me. O, di ba pandidiri ‘yon?" And, to add insult to injury, she was the one spending for the men, even when they checked into a motel/hotel or when they went to a restaurant. "When the bill came," she related, now with relief, "my boyfriend/lover would excuse himself to go to the rest room. ‘Yon ang style namin para hindi halatang ako ang nagbabayad."

Things are different now. Her boyfriend, a certified bachelor, makes her feel like a queen, especially in their private moments. "He makes me feel that I have the most gorgeous body in the world," she gushed. "When we’re alone, ang pakiramdam ko kasing-ganda ni Jennifer Lopez ang katawan ko. Basta, you know what I mean. Fulfilled ako – to the bone."

And she doesn’t have to foot the bill, thank God!

"I was used and abused by my past lovers," she said. "Now, I’m properly used, kaya haping-hapi ako!"

Divas at ‘Lady Captain’s’ B-day bash

You probably are too young to recall character actress Offie Angeles who figured prominently in the soap Yagit (and in some episodes of Kahapon Lamang, Hiyas and others) with her villainous portrayals in the early ’80s. She was also in a few movies (Diablo Force, Huwag Mo Akong Isumpa, etc.) but she decided to retire in 1987 to put up her own school, The Admiral Maritime Training Institute, one in her native Bulacan and the other in Manila (near the Sta. Cruz Church).

Offie had dinner last week with half a dozen movie writers at the Manila Hotel to keep posted on what she’s doing these days – running her maritime school, of course! Offie has been teaching maritime subjects at the Philippine Merchant Marine School (now College) even when she was busy acting in TV dramas and movies. She’s now known as "Lady Captain" because she’s the only lady/woman who owns and runs her own maritime school.

"Do I miss acting?" Offie asked. "Of course, I do. But my problem is time, lack of it. If there’s a good offer for a TV guesting, okey lang ako."

Tonight, Offie is celebrating her birthday and her school’s sixth anniversary with a big bash at the Coconut Palace. Invited entertainers are Dessa, Anna Fegi, Isay Alvarez and Jenine Desiderio, with Eddie Mercado as host. The celebrator’s special guest is Ara Mina. The Appetite band will provide the "live" music.

Band of Brothers promo questions

Here’s the new set of questions (for the episode entitled The Breaking Point, airing tonight starting at 10) in the HBO-Funfare tie-up promo for the telecast of Band of Brothers (on the HBO Channel, naturally!):

1. Which of the following men lost a leg after getting hit in an attack on Bastogne?... (a) Randleman, (b) Toye, (c) Muck, or (d) Malarkey

2. What happened to Buck Compton?... (a) died, (b) got wounded, (c) transferred out of Bastogne, or (d) none of the above

3. Name the soldier who was rumored to have killed German prisoners-of-war after offering them cigarets... (a) Winters, (b) Lipton, (c) Eugene, or (d) Speirs

4. As a result of his incompetence as a commander, name the soldier who incurs the dislike of his men ... (a) Winters, (b) Lipton, (c) Dike, or (d) Randleman

And here are the winners for episodes 1 to 5:

• Episodes 1 and 2: Alberto Alcantara, Rommel F. Cardino, Mary Franzine C. Artista, Emerson Salvador, Oliver Plana, Crecenciano S. Orias, Jr., and Maria Teresa G. Paulino

• Episode 3: Teopisto Rigonan, Richard Que, Raymund M. Ecasa, Cheen Bartolome, Raymond R. Rojas, Fortunato Tadiague and Jonathan Yap.

• Episode 4: Manolito M. Arenas, Robert Louie G. Gutierrez, Afren Santos, Stephanie Anne T. Lopez, Marlo Mata, Joel C. Ronquillo and Roberto C. Villasol

• Episode 5: Fritz Michael S. Cuaresma, Nelli Kim Tan, Elizabeth A. Fenix, Ramon Ecle, Joseph Perez, Rita Mae Eria and Leson Ebreo

(Note: Each winner will receive a beautiful Band of Brothers T-shirt. Those joining the contest may send their entries to: Funfare-Band of Brothers contest, P.O. Box 512, Greenhills Post Office, San Juan, Metro Manila 1502.)