Jose Mari scores another ‘first’

Curtain-raisers:

• Congratulations to Vivian Sarabia for being awarded The Most Outstanding Optical (for Consumers Quality Service in the Philippines) for Year 2002. Because of Vivian, thousands upon thousands of people (this one included) can seem to see forever even on a not-so-clear day. Keep the vision focused, Vivian!

• Paolo Montalban was visible on TV (MTB, S.O.P., etc.) these past two weeks. No, he wasn’t here to do a show or a movie but to attend his uncle’s birthday bash. He was billeted at the Imperial Palace Suites (Timog-Morato Rotonda, Quezon City) and left yesterday for Australia before going back to the US. Asked about Patricia Javier, rumored to be his "new girlfriend," Paolo was puzzled. "Patricia who?" he asked back. No further question.

• During a recent stockholders meeting, Felipe Yalong was elected as the newest member of the Board of Directors of GMA Network, Inc. Yalong, a seasoned finance executive in the broadcast industry, will also serve as acting treasurer. Yalong is the Network’s Senior Vice President for the Corporate Services Group. A CPA, he has an excellent track record in finance management and audit. The other members of the GMA Board are Felipe Gozon, chairman; Gilberto Duavit, Jr., Ana Teresa Gozon Abrogar; Laura Jimenez Westfall; Joel Marcelo Jimenez; and Judith Duavit Vasquez.

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Funfare’s biggest and most resounding "congrats!" is reserved for Jose Mari Chan who is set to perform on June 29 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, USA, the first ever Filipino artist to score such a feat.

Foxwoods? Yes, Foxwoods!

If you (like me) still don’t know, Foxwoods Resort Casino is several notches higher (in rank and reputation) than the Bellagio in Las Vegas; the Silver Legacy in Reno, Nevada; and the Showboat in Atlantic City. Joe Mari has performed in all those three casinos and he still can’t believe that he’s doing the Foxwoods.

The Foxwoods comprises six casinos that collectively offer more than 6,400 slot machines and an incredible 350 tables for 17 different types of table games, and a luxurious, high-tech Race Book as well as the world’s largest Bingo Hall.

Foxwoods is the largest resort casino in the world, with more than 315,000 square feet of gaming space in a complex that covers 4.7 million square feet. More than 40,000 guests visit Foxwoods each day. Accommodations at the resort total more than 1,400 guest rooms and suites, including the 312-room Great Cedar Hotel, the 280-room Two Trees Inn and the Grand Pequot Tower, with more than 800 rooms. For conventions and group events, Foxwoods features more than 55,000 square feet of meeting space and 25 conference rooms. Foxwoods is within easy driving distance from four of East Coast’s major cities (New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence).

The resort hosts 24 restaurants with varied menus that are sure to satisfy every palate. The Fox Theater opened in 1993 with a concert series by Frank Sinatra. The Foxwoods Arena, which opened in 1994 with a performance by Luciano Pavarotti, is designed to seat more than 4,000 people.

These facts about Foxwoods were e-mailed to Funfare by Raoul Tidalgo, entertainment editor and columnist of the New York-based The Filipino Reporter, who initially couldn’t believe that Joe Mari was scheduled to perform there.

"Not just any artist can perform there," said Raoul. "Hindi basta-basta singers ang nagpi-perform doon."

True enough, when I went over the roster of performers from May to July, I noted such names as Little Richard, Al Green, Sugar Ray, Martin Short and many others. Slated on June 28, a day before Joe Mari’s show, is Natalie Cole (ticket prices are $38.50 and $49.50). On July 3, it’s Linda Ronstadt’s turn (ticket prices are $66 and $82.50). Admission prices for Joe Mari’s show are $45, $60 and $75. Diana Ross is also performing there on July 19 and 20 (ticket prices are $82.50 and $110).

How did Joe Marie get into Foxwoods?

Well, you know, word got around the US casino circuit that Joe Mari’s show last year at the Bellagio was a hit," that he’s a good performer comparable to the international artists lined up at Foxwoods, and before he knew it Joe Mari was being contacted by an agent for his Foxwoods slot.

"Of course," said Joe Mari, "I said ‘yes’ right away. I know Foxwoods and it’s not easy for a performer to be booked there."

On the show with Joe Mari are Rocky Brown (one-time Miss Saigon cast member on Broadway), M.D. Lerrick Santos and the Le Rose American Asian Cultural.

Meanwhile, Joe Mari’s new album Heart’s Journey (carrying original compositions) is still available at record bars. If you haven’t got a copy yet, then what are you waiting for?

HBO Sex and the City promo

Here now is the sixth set of questions in the joint HBO-Funfare promo for Sex and the City for tonight’s episode entitled Time and Punishment, airing starting at 10 o’clock (with a replay on Saturday, June 22, same time):

1. Who does Miranda call when she injures her neck in the shower?

2. Who goes to Miranda’s apartment to help her when she injures her back?

3. What game is Adan playing with the bartender at Scout?

4. What does Carrie bring to Miranda’s apartment when she pays her a visit?

5. What does Carrie do to Adan’s dog when it has diarrhea?

(Note: Send entries, complete with name and address and title of episode, to: SATC-Funfare Promo c/o Virtusio PR, P.O. Box 512, Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila. Or e-mail to: [email protected]. Senders of the first seven sets of correct answers will get SATC notebooks and posters.)