Quiet life for Gloria

It’s six months to this day since the death of her husband, Amado Cortez, at 75 due to lung cancer, but Gloria Sevilla hasn’t quite let go.

"It’s as if he’s still with me," said Gloria, who’s about to enter her early ’70s. "I can feel Madz’s presence in every corner of my house. All I have to do is close my eyes, call his name and I feel the warmth of his embrace."

With her children all grown up, having their own families and scattered around the world, Gloria has opted to live by her lonesome at her own condo unit somewhere in San Juan, Metro Manila, with only a maid for companion.

"I lead a relatively quiet life," said Gloria who lived for years in San Francisco when Amado was assigned there as Consul General. "I like it this way."

Twice a week, Gloria reports to the MTRCB (in her capacity as a member of long standing) to review one movie each time. Once a week, she tapes for the ABS-CBN sitcom Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis.

Named one of the 100 Most Notable Cebuanos during the millennium celebration of The Queen City of the South, Gloria last appeared in a movie a few years ago. She said that she’s open to more movie offers.

Asked if she plans to revive (again) the Visayan Movie Industrry of which she reigned as queen decades ago, Gloria said she would love to but she simply didn’t have the time nor the resources to do so.

Next year, Gloria will take time out from showbiz to help campaign for her son Mat Ranillo III who’s running for Congressman in the second district of Zamboanga del Norte.

Asked if she would run, Gloria shook her head.

"I ran in Cebu in l988 and I lost. That was enough."

Beauty Queens’ Whereabouts

It’s off-season for beauty pageants, but "beauty-conscious" Funfare readers shrug, who cares?

Here’s an update on the whereabouts of some beauty queens, courtesy of Celso Caparas, himself a "beauty expert":

• Michelle Reyes is flying to London anytime now to fulfill modelling engagements as part of her contract and duties as 2003 Miss Tourism. She was also invited by the Miss New Zealand and Miss Bahamas World organizers to crown their winners in October and November.

• Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2002 Karen Loren Agustin now teaches visual-image enhancements (visual poise, graces, hairstyling, make-up and skin care, among others) at the John Robert Powers.

• For the first time since she won the title last June, 2003 Miss Universe Amelia Vega returned to her homeland, the Dominican Republic, last Aug. 16, coinciding with the closing ceremony of the XIV Pan American Games in the capital city of Santo Domingo. She danced the merengue with President Hipolito Mejia at the event.

• Dayanara Torres (Miss Universe of 1993) isn’t the only Miss Universe who has given birth (to her and husband Marc Anthony’s second child, Ryan Anthony, in Long Island, New York). Another Miss Universe, Cecilia Bolocco (1987) of Chile, is giving birth this December to her and husband (former Argentina President Carlos Menem’s) first child.

• The 2004 Miss Universe Pageant will be held in Quito, Ecuador. Meanwhile, 2003 Miss International Christina Sawaya (of Lebanon) will relinquish her crown on Oct. 8 at the Raddison Miyako Hotel in Tokyo. The Philippine bet in that contest is Jhezarie Gamez Javier.

• The 2003 Miss World Pageant will be held in the southern resort of Sanya, post-SARS China, on Dec. 6. The finals will be broadcast live from a specially-built venue to be named the Miss World Stadium, designed to resemble the crown of Miss World when illuminated at night. The reigning Miss World is Azra Akin (of Turkey). The Philippine bet is Ma. Rafaela Yunon.

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