Angel surprises Payatas folk

Settlers of Payatas community in Quezon City got the biggest  surprise of their lives when Angel Locsin visited the place.

Angel in disguise appeared unannounced and went around the place. “Nag- research ako. I wanted to know how these people in Payatas were. The funny thing is, they were laughing kasi nakapustiso ako. And I think they knew it was me,” she says. She also promised them she will be back on her birthday.

And she did. Angel was ecstatic in the company of her Payatas friends. “Ngayon sobrang happy ako sa career ko, sa personal life ko.” She was also feted with a party on the set of her teleserye Lobo with her leading man in the series Piolo Pascual giving her a special birthday cake.

What did my favorite Luis Manzano give Angel on her birthday? I think he has been showering her with a lot of love. Not wings because she got them already. Why not a commitment  ring? That would be cool! Or am I the last one to know?

Jennylyn: Is she or isn’t she?

Heavy with a child, Jennylyn Mercado is again at the center of controversy. Recently, she was rushed to a hospital when she slipped on a wet floor. Jennylyn admitted that she is going through so much emotional stress. The reason? Ex-boyfriend Patrick Garcia’s alleged harassment through text messages. Patrick, the gravevine says, is super jealous of Andrei Felix who is rumored to be dating the heavily pregnant Jen. In an interview with The Buzz Andrei denied he is dating Jen. “Jen and I are friends. We got to know each other when we worked together in the movie Tiyanaks last year. I have known Patrick for a long time when he was still with ABS-CBN,” said Andrei. His message to both Jen and Patrick? “Guys you are my friends. I hope you can fix whatever problems you have.” I saw Andrei in Boracay a few days ago, and no pregnant Jennylyn was hovering around. 

Renato Balestra in Manila

Direct from the runways in Milan, high fashion designer Renato Balestra will arrive in Manila this summer as the costume designer for Broadway Asia’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, directed by Bobby Garcia and starring Lea Salonga.

Balestra joins Cinderella’s world-renowned international creative team assembled to create the magic and romance of Cinderella on stage. Balestra has dressed some of the world’s most famous women, from Hollywood royalty Elizabeth Taylor and Lauren Bacall to Saudi Arabian princesses and leading ladies of the international jet-set from the Queen of Thailand to the empress of Iran, to the first ladies of Egypt and the Philippines.

There is a science behind his designs. Balestra comes from a family of architects and engineers and first began his studies as a civil engineering student. It was not until the last years of his engineering studies, however, that he became involved in fashion, creating a design in response to a bet made among friends. Without his knowledge, the design was sent to Milan and, to his great surprise, he was invited to participate in the creation of an haute couture collection.

For years, Balestra designed for the theater, the cinema and, naturally, the fashion world until the success of the first Renato Balestra label collection convinced him to choose the latter option. From Via Sistina, where the Balestra shop had its headquarters, he began his rise to international fame, developing and creating a variety of activities.

Today, Balestra designs and markets approximately 30 different collections that include haute couture and ready-to-wear collections, a complete line of men’s wear and a wide range of accessories. His private clients include prestigious names from all over the world.

Among his many awards, he had the great honor of being awarded the title of Honorary Professor at the Fashion Academy in Beijing. He has designed the costumes for various theater operas, and has recently created the costumes for Rossini’s Cinderella for Belgrade’s Opera Theater, and those for Strauss’ Cavaliere della Rosa in occasion of the lyric opening season of Teatro Verdi in Trieste.

Balestra’s most recent designs will debut on the CCP stage this summer when Cinderella plays there from July 29 to Aug. 24.  From Cinderella’s gown she wears to the Prince’s ball, to the horses that take her there, the Cinderella cast will sparkle in Balestra’s breathtaking designs.

Tickets are on sale for the premier engagement and are available at all Ticketworld outlets, via the website at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call Ticketworld head office at 891-9999.