But a young actor, although he didn’t "overstay his welcome," committed a much graver "crime" – he "abused his welcome." It happened not abroad but in a city south of Manila in the not-too-distant past.
The actor was invited to perform at one of the city’s activities commemorating an important event and so he did, acquitting himself passably well even if, as he apologized before he sang, he wasn’t a singer.
Like all guests, most of them balikbayan from all over the world who came home purposely for the big event, the actor was treated well. He was booked at a classy room and accorded all the amenities.
But then, he "abused his welcome." On the last night of the myriad activities, the actor had one drink too many and he wanted to, as the Funfare DPA put it, "score with the beautiful young balikbayans," daughters of the city’s prominent clans. He was eyeing 10 of them, some of whom fell under his spell.
The actor invited (lured?) the girls one by one to his hotel room for a, sorry to use the term, "quickie." His big blunder was when he tried to hit on a pretty teenager who happened to be the daughter of the big event’s chairwoman. Of course, the girl said no and, worse, squealed on the abusive actor.
Moral of the incident?
Drink but don’t drive. Rather, if you drink, hit your bed but not any girl around. The one you try to "hit" may be the wrong one.
In short, don’t "abuse your welcome."
Now appearing for the fifth time as loveteam in Regal Films’ Eternity (still showing in several Metro Manila theaters), Iza has a US-based boyfriend while Dingdong is, as everybody knows, the boyfriend of Karylle. (Ignore the rumor that Dingdong has been making palipad-hangin at – sending "feelers" to – Pauleen Luna whom Marvin Agustin is said to be "eyeing.")
Iza and Dingdong were first paired in the Jolina Magdangal starrer Annie Batungbakal and then in two GMA TV shows (Love to Love and Encantadia) before yet another movie (Moments of Love, co-produced by Regal and GMA Films). In Eternity, directed by Mark Reyes, Iza and Dingdong play lovers who lived in the 1800s (with co-stars Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado as lovers of the present).
"I don’t call us a ‘loveteam’ in the strict sense of the word," said Iza. "Dingdong and I became comfortable with each other after we had a workshop under direk Peque Gallaga. That workshop was important for us to be relaxed with each other and to be credible as lovers."
Luckily, according to Iza, her US-based boyfriend, band member Gerry Garcia, is neither the jealous nor the possessive or insecure type.
"He knows that Dingdong and I have a love scene in Eternity," said Iza who met Gerry on a blind date.
Iza is in her 20s while Gerry is in his 30s. He was born in Washington D.C. where he was also raised, but is now based in L.A. The two have been going steady for two years, happy with their long-distance romance.
"The advantage? It makes us miss and long for each other, nasasabik kami sa isa’t-isa," said Iza, daughter of choreographer Lito Calzado. "The disadvantage? It prevents us from developing a deeper relationship."
Besides, they see each other often. Gerry was here for business and pleasure eight times last year while Iza stays with Gerry’s family when she’s in the US, once in Washington D.C. and then in L.A. when she spent the Christmas season there last year.
Is it true that Gerry has proposed to her?
"No, he hasn’t. He knows how important my career and family are to me and I know that he’s also busy with his own career."
And how do they cope with temptation?
"We handle it pretty well," said Iza.
Is Gerry faithful?
"I am," smiled Iza, "and I hope he is."
Model Manette Mercado, a 22-year-old 5’9" stunner, finished first runner-up in the recent 2006 International Model of the Year pageant, almost scoring a back-to-back victory for the Philippines since last year’s winner, Bridget Tolentino Inoferio, is a Filipina. This year’s winner is Laura Korgemae of Estonia.
Meanwhile, here’s a rejoinder from reader John Paul T. Añonuevo:
You mentioned that Amparo Muñoz was able to relinquish her title. Amparo, Miss Universe 1974 from Spain, never got the chance to relinquish her title in 1975 (won by Anne Marie Pohtamo of Finland). She (Muñoz) was invited to go to El Salvador, but "the organization never sent her the air tickets." The crown was just carried on a pillow and the eventual winner (Pohtamo) was crowned by Kerry Anne Wells (Miss Universe 1972). The quoted statement that I placed here was taken from www.elanecdotario.com. This website contains some anecdotes on various pageants. You may want to go to this exact site for the article about Amparo Muñoz: http://www.elanecdotario.com/2005/oct05/3/oct3ai.html. There is even a picture of Miss Universe 1975 (Anne Marie Pohtamo) being crowned by Kerry Anne Wells.
Also, in your story about Anna Maris Igpit, the Philippine bet in the ongoing Miss World contest in Poland, I would like to correct the statement that the Miss World title is the only international title that a Filipina has yet to win. While I agree with you that no Filipina has won Miss World (the closest was Evangeline Pascual in 1973 when she placed first runner-up), I would not say that the title is not the only one not won by a Pinay.
To date, there are five "grand slam" pageants mentioned in www.globalbeauties.com. These titles are Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, Miss Earth, and Miss Tourism Queen International. The Philippines has won two Miss Universe titles already (Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margarita Moran in 1973). We have four Miss International winners (Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979 and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005). We also recently won Miss Tourism Queen International with Justine Gabionza. That leaves the Philippines with two more major pageants yet to be won – Miss World and Miss Earth.
I hope these information can help your readers, especially pageant enthusiasts like me.