Willie takes a bride

Curtain-raisers:

• A few readers (including Tina Navarrete and "Jannie") sent this important correction as rejoinder to the Funfare item yesterday describing Kris Aquino’s mom, former President Cory Aquino, as a Marian devotee and Rommel Adducul as beloging to the Victory Christian Fellowship which doesn’t "worship" the Virgin Mary: Catholics do not worship but venerate the Virgin Mary. It’s a common misconception. The kind of Marian devotion that you mentioned is a special relationship that individuals have with the Mother of God and it is for this reason (that Virgin Mary is Jesus’ mother) that we venerate her.

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FLASH: Yes, Willie Revillame is shouting Wowowee! with a distinct ring these days for a very good reason: He just married model and one-time (2000) Bb. Pilipinas semi-finalist Liz Almoro in civil rites last March 9, with Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos officiating. The "secret" ceremony, witnessed by a handful of people very close to the couple (including Willie’s mother, Liz’s mom Clavel, and Golden Lions couple Donna Villa and Carlo J. Caparas), was held at Mayor Vilma’s residence at Green Meadows Subdivision in Quezon City.

Liz is beautiful, smart and intelligent, now taking her Master’s Degree. And rich. She owns Nuvo Restaurant in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City. She has showbiz connections. Her mom Clavel co-produced the Chavit Singson bioflick with Donna and Carlo.

"Suwerte naman ni Willie," said the Funfare DPA. "Mayaman na at matalino, maganda at mabait pa si Liz. I was surprised when I heard the news because Liz had just broken up with her long-time Cebuano boyfriend Glenn Soco."

Willie has his own house and can give Liz a comfortable life. It’s his second marriage. The first, to Princess Punzalan, was annulled. Princess herself is reported to be getting married in May.

The Funfare DPA said that Willie and Liz met through a mutual friend.

"Willie was badly smitten," the DPA said. "It was love at first sight. When he met Liz, Willie was overheard telling a friend, ‘Ito na ang babaing pakakasalan ko.’ As far as I know, sinagot siya ni Liz last February."

So sorry, said the DPA, but she can’t yet release the wedding photo of Willie and Liz due to certain "complications." But do stay tuned. Funfare will publish the photo as soon as there’s a "clearance."

To Willie and Liz, our best wishes!

FAP Declares May 14 As Filipino Film Industry Day

This year’s Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards will be held on May 14, again with Albert Martinez’s APM Events handling the whole affair, from the preparation of the collectors’-item invitations and souvenir programs to the laying of the Red Carpet similar to the one at the Oscars to the awards show to the post-awards gala dinner for winners and special guests. Plus, of course, the packing of the much-coveted Loot Bag (containing signature products, etc.), also similar to the one given as honorarium to presenters at the Oscars.

To assure the presence of the stars at this affair deemed to be "the local equivalent of the Oscars" and therefore an industry event, the FAP (which was created by virtue of Presidential Executive Order 640-A) has declared May 14 as the Filipino Film Industry Day.

The resolution reads:

WHEREAS, the Filipino Film Industry is a significant, popular and effective institution which helps inculcate in the minds of our citizens, especially the youth, the value of self-reliance and the vision of serving our country;

WHEREAS, the Film Academy of the Philippines has been created by law, E.O. No. 640-A, to develop and support the Filipino art of filmmaking as a vital instrument of social and cultural enhancement by virtue of giving yearly recognition of outstanding movie artists, technicians and workers for the emulation of our fellow-Filipinos;

WHEREAS, the Film Academy of the Philippines deems it appropriate and necessary to designate and devote a day of celebrating the significance of the Filipino film industry in the life of our nation as the most powerful medium of communication and as a tool of accomplishing the patriotic objectives mentioned above;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the officer and members of the Board of Governors of the Film Academy of the Philippines, do hereby promulgate the following resolution:

"Be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that effective this year, May 14 is declared the FILIPINO FILM INDUSTRY DAY for the yearly observance by all those involved in domestic filmmaking and the movie-patronizing public."

Those who signed the resolution were: Espiridion Laxa, chairman; Leo G. Martinez, director-general; Jesse M. Ejercito, DDG for admin/treasurer; Manuel Nuqui, executive secretary; Eddie Romero, senior adviser; Robert Arevalo, adviser; Ma. Elisa Anson-Roa, executive director, MOWELFUND; German Moreno, president, KAPPT; Wilson Tieng, president, MPDAP; William Mayo, president, KDPP; Pablo Gomez, president, SGP; Isagani Sioson, president, FSC; Manuel Morfe, president, PDGP; Jose Solo, president, FEGMP; Rollie Ruta, president, STAMP; Johnny Delgado, president, AWF; Josefino Cenizal, president, UFIMDAP; Antonio Ramos, president, AD/PM; and Ben Pinga, president, OSFILM.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])