Lara marries a banker

Yes, the popular song is right: Love is more comfortable the second time you fall.

It’s true in the case of Lara Fabregas who has found a new love in the person of a rich banker with houses in Scotland, London and other parts of the world.

This interesting piece of "scoop" was relayed to Funfare by somebody close to Lara (who promised to send photos of Lara and her husband, who will remain unnamed for the time being). The simple and quiet (civil) wedding was held two months ago in Hong Kong where Lara’s husband has business interests. Why in Hong Kong and not in Scotland? "The man’s father was ill and the couple didn’t want to hold a big wedding without the father in attendance," said the Funfare DPA. "Another wedding, a big one, is now being planned."

It’s Lara’s second marriage. Her first, to Raymond Bagatsing, lasted no longer than two years. They were married Indian style (a nod to Raymond’s Indian ancestry) in Tagaytay at sunset. The affair was so romantic that everybody wished Lara and Raymond many years of togetherness.

Well, they were not meant to be, uh, lifetime partners. Before long, the marriage suffered irreparable cracks due to basic differences. It seemed that one of them couldn’t blend into the other’s family. As far as I know, their marriage has been annulled. Raymond has remained fancy-free, with his sight set on Hollywood after he (and Julia Clarete) were declared winners on ABC Channel 5’s Hollywood Dream. Prizes include a screen test in Hollywood and membership to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

After doing a few movies and stage plays, Lara packed her bags for London where she held a job on the side for some time while she continued her acting career, doing TV and modeling. The DPA didn’t mention if Lara met her future husband in London.

According to the Funfare DPA, Lara is now "living like a princess" in her husband’s estate in Scotland.

Oh, well, what else can we say to Lara but "Best wishes – and may you and your husband live happily ever after."

A fairy-tale birthday and christening

When Venice, second daughter of Ruffa Gutierrez and Yilmaz Bektas, is christened on Sunday, Oct. 2, she’ll have 29 pairs of ninongs and ninangs, almost as many as those of her Ate Lorin when she was christened two years ago.

The affair at the grand ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila also serves as Venice’s belated first birthday celebration and, like that of Lorin, the venue will be transformed into a virtual wonderland, with kiddie guests requested to come dressed as fairies or angels.

Here’s the honor roll of godparents (as the names appeared on the fancy invitation tied with a multi-colored ribbon secured by a butterfly):
• Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and (Marikina City) Mayor Marides Fernando
• Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Ms. Precy Estrada
• (NBI) Director Reynaldo G. Wycoco and Madam Imelda R. Marcos
• (DENR) Secretary Michael Defensor and Ms. Amparito Lhuillier
• Gov. Casimiro M. Ynares Jr. and Ms. Anastacia W. Co
• (San Juan) Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito and Atty. Annette Gozon Abrogar
• Mayor Jerry Pelayo and Ms. Aurora Mendoza
• Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Ms. Annielie Mardigan
• Mr. Ariel (Aga) Muhlach and Ms. Ara Mina
• Mr. Ben Chan and Ms. Carla Del Prado
• Atty. Bonifacio A. Alentajan and Ms. Clavel Bendaña
• Mr. Boy Abunda and Ms. Elsie Hen
• Mr. Butch Francisco and Ms. Gelli de Belen-Rivera
• Mr. Celso delos Angeles and Ms. Jean Saburit
• Mr. Douglas Quijano and Ms. Marlene Robertson
• Dr. Ed Regalado and Ms. Naty A. Pappas
• Atty. Felipe L. Gozon and Ms. Norma Lim
• Atty. Felipe Antonio B. Remollo and Dr. Normita Vicencio
• Mr. Janno Gibbs and Dr. Pie Calayan
• Mr. Joey Marquez and Ms. Rachel T. Singson
• Dr. Manuel Calayan and Ms. Regine Velasquez
• Mr. Mario Laurel and Ms. Rufa Mae Quinto
• Mr. Michel Lhuillier and Ms. Rose Flaminiano
• Mr. Phillip Salvador and Ms. Roselle Monteverde
• Mr. Ramon Christopher Gutierrez and Ms. Sharmaine Arnaiz Ochoa
• Mr. Richard R. Gutierrez and Ms. Sheryl Cruz
• Mr. Rudy Fernandez and Ms. Shirley Kuan
• Mr. Tim Yap and Ms. Vina Morales
There you are. Fifty-eight ninongs and ninangs all in all. Count ‘em!

Reader’s reaction

Here’s an interesting letter from reader Mylene:

I am from Los Angeles, California and I love reading your articles. It’s my way of checking on what’s going on in Philippine showbiz. I decided to e-mail you because I was able to watch live, the Rock Star INXS finale and I was so sad when MiG got eliminated. I talked to some people in the audience. They were all rooting for MiG, making comments like MiG is the perfect match for INXS and they made a big mistake not choosing him to be their lead singer. I said amen to that.

But the real reason why I wrote is that I want to say I was able to talk to MiG when he was with the other rockers who were eliminated. I told him I was Filipino and that he will always be my rock star. He was very appreciative. I asked him if he could speak Tagalog and he started speaking it. I was so impressed. He said he likes all kinds of Filipino food. He asked what my name was and even asked if I live in the States. This short conversation with him just made me admire him more. He’s very down-to-earth and I will forever be his fan. His family was there too to support him. If I’m not mistaken, his wife was there too. There was this guy who looked just like him. That must be his dad. MiG kept waving to his family. I am so proud that he is Filipino. In fact, he mentioned and thanked the Philippines for all the support.

Kudos to MiG for being such a nice guy. I’m sure he will go places.

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