Lani chosen Mother of the Year

Congratulations to Lani Mercado for having been chosen Mother of the Year by Woman Today magazine in connection for its 22nd anniversary celebration. The awarding will be held on May 7 at the Entertainment Area of the Robinsons Galleria Mall.

Nobody perhaps deserves the title more than Lani who, as wife of Sen. Bong Revilla for almost two decades, has maintained a spotlessly-clean image despite the endless intrigues and controversies swirling around her family, including those linking Bong to other women, something which Lani (just like any other wife confident of her husband’s affection) simply shrugs off as part of the hazards of the trade.

"Sa showbiz pa," said Lani, who was discovered by Regal Matriarch Mother Lily at age 13. (Note: It was Ethel Ramos and I who gave Lani her screen first name which was derived from Lani Oteyza, one of the favorite Premiere Productions actresses, and Lani Hall who was popular during the early ’80s. Lani’s real first name is Candy.)

Lani has seven children by Bong (actors Bryan and Jolo, Inah, Gianna, Loudette and Ram; one was stillborn.)

"Ako, martyr?" Lani frowned. "Only those who don’t know me will think I am."

True enough, even when she’s parrying gossips about her and Bong’s domestic life on national television, Lani keeps her poise even on the brink of tears. She doesn’t fight back (not even with Rosanna Roces, mother of Grace with whom Jolo has a months-old love child) with harsh words but with humility, not ashamed to say sorry even if she doesn’t have to, even when she’s the aggrieved party.

"More than anybody," added Lani, "it’s the mother/wife who can keep the family together. Kaya nga haligi ng tahanan ang tawag, eh."

Still slim and sexy despite seven children, Lani got a big surprise last April 13 when she turned 36. Bong and their children secretly prepared a big party for Lani at their Alabang house, with Bong himself "serenading" Lani with love songs, including The Way You Look Tonight, which is one of Lani’s favorite songs.

"I couldn’t help but cry," confessed Lani, adding in jest, "I am convinced beyond any reasonable doubt na mahal talaga ako ng asawa ko."

Last March, the Revillas had a family bonding during a trip to California where they looked for a school for Jolo (who’s coming home in November for the wedding of his aunt Andeng to Jun Ynares).

"We should be doing that more often," said Lani.

Gionna Gears Up For Miss U Tilt

2005 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Gionna Cabrera recently left for Colombia for a two-week personality-development crash training under famous Colombian beauty expert Alfredo Barraza. From Colombia, Gionna will fly to Thailand first week of May for the 2005 Miss Universe Pageant where more than 80 other beauties from the same number of countries are competing. Grand finals will be on May 31.

Meanwhile, here’s a report from Funfare’s "beauty experts" Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib:

The 21-year-old stunner is very much encouraged by the positive feedback she has been getting from pageant enthusiasts all over the world. Knowing that a lot of people believe in her helps her prepare mentally for the tough competition ahead. A neophyte in the pageant scene, Gionna became the first Bb. Pilipinas titleholder to win the Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown awards. She has had training sessions in Mandarin with Berlitz, personality development sessions with Dale Carnegie and several sessions with Slimmers World. She also had training sessions with Bb Pilipinas Universe 2002, Karen Loren Agustin.

Gionna is the eldest among five siblings. She finished her elementary and secondary education at Miriam College and Saint Paul’s College Quezon City, respectively. She has an Integrated Communications and Marketing degree from the University of Asia and the Pacific. She has traveled extensively since childhood and enjoys meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. She describes her childhood as a culmination of happy memories which cultivated her curious mind as a girl. She has been to the US, Canada, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and Thailand.

Miss Universe 2005 Schedule of Activities:

• May 3 : Arrival of Miss Universe and NBC Television crew and staff

• May 8 : Miss Universe 2005 delegates start arriving

• May 10: Official casual wear and swimwear fittings

• May 13: Parade of delegates along Na Pralan Road (3 to 5 p.m.)

• May 14: Bangkok city tour starting at the Grand Palace (3 to 5 p.m.)

Dinner sponsored by Singha at The River (6:30 to 8 p.m.)

• May 15: Auction of delegates’ gifts at the Oriental Hotel, Bangkok (6:30 to 10 p.m.)

• May 16: AIDS Memorial Candlelight Vigil at Benjakitts Park, Bangkok (6:30 to 7:40 p.m.)

• May 17: Miss Universe Organization’s sponsor event

• May 18: Factory Visit to Singha Factories at Pratumthan (8 to 2 p.m.)

• May 19: Visit to Phuket, Thailand (Thai Airways - official air carrier)

All-day beach party at the Dusit Laguna Hotel in Phuket

• May 20: Visit to sponsor TG . Delegates will then fly back to Bangkok for a formal dinner reception at the Don Muang International Airport Dignitaries Hall

• May 21: Sponsor event - Aeju Dhaya Bank International Money Exposition at the National Convention Center, Bangkok (8:30 to 11 a.m.)

• May 22: Free day for delegates

• May 23: Thailand World Class Products Display Exhibit at the Impact Exhibition Hall in Bangkok — Visit and dinner (4 to 8 p.m.)

• May 24: Fashion show by the BSC (official swimwear of the Miss Universe Thailand pageant) at the Central World Plaza Hotel,Bangkok (6 to 9 p.m.)

• May 25: National costume show at the Impact Arena Hall (7 to 9:30 p.m.)

• May 26: Presentation show at Impact Arena Hall (7 to 9:30 p.m.)

• May 27 to 29: Rehearsals at the Impact Arena Hall

• May 30: Dress rehearsal at Impact Arena Hall (6 to 8 p.m.)

• May 31: Final show at Impact Arena Hall (8 to 10 a.m.)

Coronation Ball - Napalai Dusit Thani Hotel (6:30 to 10 p.m.)

What’s Up On Showbiz Stripped?

Friends and readers have started asking me what our next feature is on Showbiz Stripped (Saturdays, starting at 11 p.m. on GMA, with Melanie Marquez as my co-host).

For our third episode tonight, find out the sad stories behind those lovely StarStruck teeners who look so innocent and so unaffected both on the small and big screens. What we don’t know is that many of them have gone through harrowing experiences early on – you know, battered by their own parents, coming from broken families, etc. You’ll be shocked to learn the stranger-than-fiction stories of these young people. I won’t preempt the show by telling you the details. Stay tuned, please!

The StarStruck guests include 2004 winners Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado, 2005 winners Mike Tan and Ryza Cenon, and the runners-up.

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