Marian finds a defender halfway across the globe

Because she’s a TV top-rater (Marimar and now Dyesebel), Marian Rivera has lately been the subject of muckraking and a smear campaign which, luckily, haven’t succeeded in pulling her down (woe to the evil minds behind those dirty tricks).

Marian may be pleasantly surprised to know that she has a defender halfway across the globe, somebody who knows the real Marian Rivera. Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (of The Filipino Reporter) chanced upon Marian’s “staunch defender” who declared with impunity:

“Don’t even think about messing up with Marian Rivera, she never gives up without a fight.”

He’s none other than Marian’s ex-boyfriend, now US Navy Airman Davoud Haghighy.

“Davoud said that in view of what appears to be a malicious campaign to discredit the Marimar and Dyesebel star who is now the undisputed prime time TV drama queen in the Philippines,” said Edmund in his exclusive report to Funfare.

“She’s kind-hearted, but she has a very strong personality that she can be feisty when needed to defend herself,” Davoud added. “Mabait siya kung mabait ka, pero mas mataray siya pag tinarayan mo siya at binastos. Maybe because she’s a Caviteña and has Spanish blood.”

According to Edmund, Davoud, who is based in Virginia, visited his family in New York City recently. Fourth in a brood of five, his father, Saifollah, is an Iranian native, and his mother, the former Evelyn Esguerra, is also a Caviteña.

In his interview with Edmund, Davoud expressed excitement about the prospect of meeting again Marian when he learned that his ex-girlfriend, recently voted the FHM Philippines’ sexiest star of 2008, is going to the New York-New Jersey area to perform at the Philippine Fiesta at Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, N.J. on Aug. 16 and 17. (Marian will be joined by her Dyesebel co-star Dingdong Dantes, and I Love Betty La Fea star Bea Alonzo.)

“He’s hoping to hang out with Marian even for awhile,” wrote Edmund. “He said Marian’s former friends in Cavite, who are now based in the US, are also looking forward to reuniting with her.

“I’m so happy for her and I’m so proud that I got to know her,” said Davoud, 23. “If it’s not too much, I hope to see her again and maybe talk over a cup of coffee. But, of course, di naman natin alam kung gusto pa rin niya kaming makita. Siyempre nagbabago ang lahat at superstar na siya, kumbaga unreachable star na siya. But I’m hoping.”

Davoud said he and Marian dated only for a couple of months while they were still in high school at St. Francis of Assisi College System in Cavite.

“She was in fourth year and I was in third year,” he said. “We were both too young then and she was popular even outside school. Then I migrated to the US and we lost contact. Even then, mukha na siyang manika and people would stare at her even in malls. She had a lot of admirers and suitors.”

Davoud said he was not surprised when Marian entered showbiz because she was already into commercial and ramp modeling then.

“What I did not expect is the level of fame she’s in now,” he said. “Hindi ko talaga akalain na sisikat siya nang ganun. She’s so huge now.”

Davoud was already with the US Navy the first time she saw Marian on TV.

“I just can’t take my eyes off of the TV set,” Edmund quoted him as saying, said, laughing. “I was so enamored. She deserves it.”

When Edmund asked Davoud what he’ll tell Marian if and when they meet again, he replied in jest: “Bumalik ka na sa akin. Joke! Seriously, I would just say hi, wish her luck and maybe get her e-mail address so we can communicate as friends. At siyempre, magpapa-picture ako sa kanya,” he said.

Crowned King  front act for Panic concert

FLASH: The rock band Crowned King will be the front act of the Panic at the Disco during its concert Aug. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

According to the backgrounder sent to Funfare by Concertus, Inc, producer of the concert, “the seven-piece, thrill-seeking Crowned King from Canada has practically invented a new genre that uniquely combines the usual four-piece rock band set-up with some bad-ass brass. Three of the members are lugging some excess freight weight to the gigs — a trombone, a trumpet and a saxophone — but nothing could be heavier than the symphonic inflections they add to their own mix that has captivated new converts across the globe.”

The band was organized in Argyle Secondary in North Vancouver where Jordan Frank (sax), Ryan Delmaire (guitar), Adam Brown (Bass), Jonny “Frommage” Luccock (trombone), Chris “Lammy” Lambert (drums) and Chris “Chonger” Hong (trumpet) all met in the school’s music program. They were later joined by Jordan’s younger brother Shaun (vocals) who is a fellow music program alumnus.

Added the backgrounder: “The result of this rare amalgamation? A punchy and out-of-this-world hybrid of manic vocals, mean guitar riffs and textured layers of sound, that is fun and boisterous yet still palatable to an indulgent ear.”

Crowned King will release a brand-new EP titled Don’t Let Go soon, along with a hot new video for the title track directed by Grammy Nominated Frank Borin who is well known for his work with The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, Good Charlotte and Simple Plan, among others.

(Note: Tickets to the Panic At The Disco concert are: Patron VIP P3,950, Lower Box P3,450, Upper Box A P1,750 and Upper Box B P950. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Concertus, Inc. at 8132612 and 8132617. Sponsors are E-Aji, Magnolia Pure Water, GSM Blue and Little Asia, together with media partners ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, CS, MYX, 89.9 Magic, Jam 88.3, Campus 99.5, Wave 89.1, Mellow 94.7. Official residence is Crowne Plaza.)

Briefly noted

The Association of Twins and Multiple Births in inviting parents of twins, truplets and other multiple births to a reunion on Aug. 16 at the Bahay Ugnayan, Good Shepherd Convent, 1043 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City. The reunion is in preparation for the First International Festival of Twins slated for December. It’s a joint project of ATMB and Pro-Life Philippines. Millette Garcia-Hammond, together with her own “miracle twins” Mikhaila and Jaclyne, are the guests of honor for Pro-Life Family. Activities lined up include an art contest, a medical mission, livelihood projects and entertainment.

Sponsors include PAL Foundation, Fern-C, Dimsum & Dumplings, Asian Gem Tourism and Foundation, and Flight Shop Inc. Media partners are Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic and Pinoy Global Access.

(Note: For inquiries, call Pro-Life at 911-2911, 422-8877, 421-7147 and 481-6641; or celfons 0918-4975281 and 0909-3042451.)

Dennis-Marjorie marriage annulled

BREAKING NEWS: As Funfare went to press yesterday afternoon, I got the “flash” news that the petition for annulment of marriage filed last year by Caloocan City Councilor Marjorie Barretto against husband Dennis Padilla was granted by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court as early as three weeks ago.

According to the Funfare DPA, the annulment case was filed last year because of unresolved issues between the couple, including Dennis’ reported previous marriage to another woman.

Marjorie and Dennis have four children: Daniella, 14; Julia, 11; Claudia, nine; and Leon, five.

Those close to the couple said that Marjorie and Dennis are “okay” with each other.

“In fact,” a friend of Marjorie said, “Marjorie consults Dennis every now and then concerning her duties as a councilor.”

Dennis himself has served as councilor of the same city.

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