• Fresh from her clashes with Dawn Zulueta and Lani Mercado (and husband Bong Revilla), Gretchen Barretto launched into an exchange of heated text messages with her former manager Angeli Pangilinan. It started when Angeli texted Gretchen that she was praying for Gretchen’s "peace of mind," an unsolicited gesture that didn’t sit well with Gretchen. The two women were in fighting form, hardly mincing words in their text exchange that, according to "Do Gooder" (the Funfare DPA), rocked the skeletons on both sides. In one text message, Gretchen mentioned a chapter in Angeli’s past and Angeli replied, presumably with head held high, that at least she’s happily married (to Gary Valenciano). Ouch! Did Angeli hit Gretchen’s Achilles’ heel?
• A rejoinder to Funfare’s feature on Verni Varga in last Saturday’s issue, from "the other beauty expert" Celso Caparas: Verni was my batchmate (1976), along with Julio Diaz, at the Victorino Mapa High School in San Miguel, Manila, near CEU, La Consolacion and Holy Spirit. Talagang singing is Verni’s passion. Verni would bring along civilian clothes when she came to school because in the afternoon she would perform in clubs along Recto Avenue. During recess, she would practice, with me and our chums as audience.
The name Imelda Ilanan still rings some bells, doesn’t it? She’s the mother of Maricel Laxa (dad is semi-retired actor Tony Ferrer). Hailed as one of the loveliest faces in Philippine movies in the ’60s and ’70s, Imelda played leading lady to the era’s super action stars such as FPJ and Joseph Estrada. She has quit showbiz, all right, but everytime she comes home for vacation, she can’t resist an offer for guesting in TV dramas.
Imelda was here for the Christmas holidays (she arrived on Dec. 20 last year) and as usual, she reunited with some of her friends – Ethel Ramos, Norma Japitana, Ronald Constantino and yours truly – over lunch at Annabel’s before she flew back last Jan. 19 to Shanghai where Ven, now vice president of Johnson International, was reassigned in 2005. Also present was Maricel who has made Imelda a lola four times over.
Happy in Shanghai which is known as the Paris of the Far East – or, "Happily Shanghai-ed" – is how Imelda described her present life. It showed.
"I’m studying Mandarin," revealed Imelda who has been a full-time wife and mother after she married Ven. "Shanghai is a very interesting place with a very interesting history."
Like Maricel, now 36 (and happily married to Anthony Pangilinan), Mikhail (or Misha for short), now 18, is inclined towards showbiz.
"Misha loves music," said the proud mom. "He plays the saxophone very well. After graduating with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the Shanghai American School, he plans to take up an arts course in Switzerland and try theater in London. He’s fluent in Mandarin."
Said Maricel (who holds a master’s degree in Family Life & Child Development), "Misha is like a son to me. I was 18 when he was born (at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City)."
Asked if she missed showbiz, Imelda said yes, of course.
"I try to keep up with local showbiz by watching the TFC (The Filipino Channel, international arm of ABS-CBN) and Pinoy TV, of GMA). Kaya hindi ako nahuhuli."
"That’s how I got into showbiz," he said.
Discovered by Ihman Esturco (who’s having his directorial debut in Troika), Janvier took over the role of Dodong in Tanghalang Pilipino’s presentation of ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal from Lauren Novero who was tied up with other commitments.
"He’s an exotic six-footer; he has the makings of a good actor," said Ihman who should know because he himself is a natural sing-and-dance actor.
Ihman convinced Janvier to move from Baguio to Manila and pursue an acting career. He promptly cast Janvier as the guy who has a one-night-stand with newcomer Mara Altiera in Troika (literally means "threesome, with fellow newcomers Andre Soriano and Jamil Basa completing the love triangle).
Described as a "disturbing film" (find out for yourselves why), Troika will be shown starting on Valentine’s Day.
• Feb. 2, at Our Lady of Consolacion Parish, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, 6 p.m.
• Feb. 4, at San Juan Bautista Parish, San Juan, Hagonoy, Bulacan, 5 p.m.
• Feb. 7, at Lourdes Parish, Tagaytay City, 6 p.m.
• Feb. 8, at Metropolitan Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Zamboanga City, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 13, at St. Francis Academy, Mabini, Batangas, 2 p.m.
• Feb. 14, at Mother of Perpetual Help Novena and Healing Mass on RPN 9, 8 a.m. and at Miraculous Medal, Project 4, Quezon City, 6 p.m.
• Feb. 16, at Guadalupe Church, Cebu City, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 21, at Mother of Perpetual Help Novena and Healing Mass on RPN 9, 8 a.m. and at Metropolitan Hospital, Binondo, Manila, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 22, at St. Joseph The Worker Cathedral, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, 6 p.m. and
• Feb. 23, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Project 6, Quezon City, 6 p.m.
Regular healing masses:
• Every Monday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m., at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon;
• Every first, third and fifth Sunday, 8 a.m., TV mass on Channel 4;
• Every first Sunday, 9:30 a.m., at SM North EDSA;
• Every first Wednesday, 12:15 p.m., at SM Megamall;
• Every second Friday, 5 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Sariaya, Quezon;
• Every third Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., at Buklod ng Pag-ibig Healing Center, Balete Drive Extension, Quezon City;
• Every second and fourth Sunday, 9:30 a.m., at SM Bacoor (Cavite).
(Note: For schedule and prayer requests, call 042-540-2206 or 042-540-3085).