What’s Vina up to?

Curtain-raisers:

• Is Susan Roces running for Mayor of Quezon City (according to a report on GMA’s 24 Oras the other day)? "Who said so?" asked Susan when contacted by Funfare for comment. "I didn’t know that I have such a plan."

• Suffering from sleep disorder? See Dr. Roland de la Eva, consultant of the St. Luke’s Medical Center’s Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Center (telephone number 723-0101 locals 6414 and 4729). I did a year ago. If you do, you’ll be amazed to discover what happens in your mind – and your subconscious – while you’re asleep. Dr. Roland is announcing through Funfare that St. Luke’s Institute of Pulmonary Medicine (Section of Pediatric Pulmonology) will hold its 11th Post-Graduate Course in Pediatric Pulmonology on Aug. 17 and 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the fourth floor auditorium 1 of the SLMC’s Cathedral Heights Building Complex. For inquiries, call Dr. Roland (overall chairman) or Dr. Joje Undar (course secretary) at 723-0101 locals 5421 and 4128.

• Correction, please: Agot Isidro, not Angel Aquino (as wrongly mentioned by correspondent Ferdy Lapuz in yesterday’s Funfare), plays Jett Pangan’s wife in Tulad ng Dati (directed by Mike Sandejas) which has a sell-out screening at the UP Theater last Tuesday. Angel won as Best Actress (for Donsol) at the just-concluded Cinemalaya Film Festival.

• Set for 3 o’clock this afternoon at the Robinsons Metro East’s Fountain Area is the grand launch of LOUD magazine, with band performances by Slapshock, Itchyworms, 6Cyclemind and Alamid.

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Will, according to reports, Vina Morales do something "shocking" in her concert Showgirl at the Araneta Coliseum next Friday, Aug. 18?

Will she perhaps do something as "revolting" as being nailed to a cross like what her idol Madonna did in her recent concerts in the US and in Rome, perceived to be a sacrilegious act denounced by no less than the Vatican? Or will Vina, as she has been reported to be "threatening," perform some of her songs in something as revealing as a thong or with her boobs exposed?

Confronted by Funfare with these questions during an exclusive phone interview yesterday afternoon, Vina said she herself is still in the dark what her director, Floy Quintos (with Butch Miraflor as musical director), will ask her to do that is, she conceded, something that will shock the audience – something that will shock MTRCB Chief Consoliza Laguardia out of her wits?

"I’m inviting Ma’am Consoliza to my concert," added Vina, "and she should see for herself."

Exposing her boobs is out of the question, said Vina. "Hindi ko kaya," she said, adding half-joking, "besides, I can’t do it because my parents are strict."

All Vina would say is that in the Bollywood portion of the concert, she’ll be doing "an act" with some guys, dressed in daring costumes (more daring than the ones shown with this story).

"I’m on my way to the rehearsals and I still don’t know what my director has in mind; I’m not sure kung makakaya ko ang ipapagawa nila sa akin," said Vina whose last major solo concert, Vina Revealed, was held at the Folk Arts Theater in 2002. "As the title of my show implies, I will show all aspects of a showgirl. There’s a ballroom segment, with my sister Shaina (Magdayao); a hip-hop segment, with Jay-R; the Bollywood segment is with Ogie Alcasid; a showdown with Ai-Ai delas Alas; a Dancing Queen segment featuring gays in fabulous attire; and American Idol champion Carrie Underwood’s Christian song Inside Your Heaven as finale. That should make Ma’am Consoliza happy."

Is Vina trying to be "shocking" to attract attention because she feels "threatened" by the new breed of concert artists?

"No," said Vina, "I’m just going with the flow. If you notice, that’s the trend abroad. Watch the concerts of Madonna, Beyoncé and other popular artists and they do more than just sing... they dance and really strut their stuff."

Because she’s fit, Vina didn’t really have to physically prepare for her Showgirl concert.

"I run almost every day. That’s how I condition my body."

Is "concerting" Vina’s way of release because she hasn’t been rumored to have a love life?

"What!?!" she exclaimed. "Ako ba naman mawawalan! I have a constant date, somebody not from showbiz, but I’d rather keep his identity secret para hindi ma-intriga."

(Note: Showgirl is produced by Live Artists Productions Inc. For ticket inquiries, call LAPI at 920-2643 or 926-0556, JLD Management at 751-2292 or 818-9393; or any SM Ticketnet outlet at 911-5555.)

Other hideaways in Bohol

Besides the Panglao Island Nature Resort (featured in Funfare in last Monday’s issue), there are several other hideaways in Bohol.

One of them is the Bohol Tropics Resort owned and operated by the Yap Family, which has a row of cottages to choose from (pick the one facing the tranquil sea). The BTR has all the amenities: entertainment centers (with a laser disco/ballroom, karaoke bar, nightly live music, etc.); aqua sports facilities (three dive shops and a jet-skiing/boating area); a convention and events center; and cozy rooms equipped with a private verandah, personal ref, jacuzzi, etc. (For inquiries, call 038-4113510 to 14.)

There’s also the Ananyana Beach Resort (where Manila Mayor and Mrs. Lito Atienza stayed when they were in Bohol as special guests of the Tigum Bol-Anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan, TBTK 2006, last week). Exotic is the word that best describes Ananyana which was designed by no less than famed interior designer Kenneth Cobonque (a Cebuano) who does wonders with the lowly rattan, transforming it into artistic masterpieces such as the unique bed that Brad Pitt bought, the same one found in one of Ananyana’s cottages. (For inquiries, call Ananyana’s resident manager Joy Suarez at 038-5028101/5028022 or 0917-3042452.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])