Jay Sonza new RMN head?

Maybe because you’ve been hooked on those TV operas, you probably didn’t notice that something big is happening in radio, specifically at the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) where a "changing of guards" is going on. (Under RMN are DZXL, an AM station, and WKCFM.)

Several issues ago, Funfare reported that Bobby Ante was quitting RMN head after 17 years of service. The Funfare DPA said that Bobby was "retiring," all right, but only from RMN. Who knows, he might resurface soon in another station, just wait and see.

The same DPA said that in today’s meeting of RMN bigwigs, the post vacated by Bobby will be offered to Jay Sonza who worked with the company from 1980 to 1986 (as announcer, news director and program director, while at the same time acting as OIC of RMN’s Davao stations DXDC and DXXC-FM) before he explored other fields, going back to "where be really belongs" last year.

Jay is, of course, also seen with Mel Tiangco on the GMA 7 Sunday show Partners: Mel & Jay and, until recently when he resigned due to pressure of work at his own consultancy company, on ABC 5 as a newscaster.

If and when Jay accepts the RMN offer (he just might, I assure you), he will continue co-hosting Partners since there’s neither conflict of interest (since RMN isn’t into television) nor conflict of schedules.

With the resignation of Bobby Ante, all the deejays (including Chico and Delamar whom Bobby recruited for RMN from a rival station) were asked to quit, so a major revamp is in order.

Now, what sort of changes will Jay Sonza implement as soon as he assumes office?

Stay tuned.

Troy in Super B: Perfect casting

As he himself smilingly admits, Troy Montero isn’t a good actor – yet – so he is hardly affected by negative reviews/criticisms about his acting in the few movies he has done so far. He can dance, all right, and tries to sing. But what people take note of him is neither his acting nor his terpsichorean prowess but his body, said to be his main asset. (Right, Kris?)

Anyway, in his latest movie, Neo Films’ Super B which is one of the six official entries in next month’s newly-revived Manila Film Festival, Troy is cast as a reporter, the object of desire of Rufa Mae Quinto (as the title role). In the whole movie, Troy isn’t made to deliver any line (wise idea, scriptwriter Juan Maria Mendoza, and direk Joyce Bernal), even when Rufa/Super B hounds him anywhere he goes, trying to catch his attention – to no avail.

It’s only toward the end that Troy finally opens his mouth, to say "I love you" to Rufa/Super B.

Also admittedly, Troy’s Tagalog, like his younger brother KC’s, is as crooked as the back of a person suffering from osteoporosis so his Super B part is a "dream" role, indeed! It proves beyond any reasonable doubt that, sigh, Troy is better seen than heard.

Danita is now a lovely young lady

How time flies!

It seems only yesterday when I saw Daisy Romualdez cuddling a few-months-old baby who was so frail and so sickly that Daisy’s friends thought it wouldn’t grow big at all.

The other night, Daisy invited yours truly, along with Tempo’s Nestor Cuartero and Bulletin’s Cris Belen, to dinner at Holiday Inn’s Rotisserie and we were pleasantly surprised to see Daisy’s baby now grown so tall (five-feet-plus), so lovely (beauty-queen material) and so talented (according to Nestor the girl sounds like Britney Spears). Meet a star in the making – Danita Paner.

Now 13, Danita is ripe for the big break; she should be an asset to any company (Mr. M, are you there?) and, with her beauty and talent, could give many of today’s young-young stars a run for the money.

Thus far, Danita has been singing as "guest" in shows produced by her Mama Daisy’s own Daisy Romualdez Productions, such as Dazzle which is slated this Sunday, May 26, at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Manila Peninsula, topbilling Dulce, Jun Polistico and Marissa Sanchez, also with 2001 Bb. Pilipinas-International Maricar Tolosa (Danita’s lookalike) doing a dance number.

Dazzle is directed by Angie Magbanua and presented by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office, Pagcor, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, San Miguel Corp., Park Developer, Mega Accent and Friday’s. Other sponsors include Renee Salud, Fanny Serrano, Tapa King and Flower Facade.