Cher still very much part of KTLA TV

A few issues ago, Funfare reported that Cher Calvin, who used to open the KTLA newscast in L.A. at 5:30 a.m., is now going steady with Jerry Garcia, ex-boyfriend of Iza Calzado (who herself has found a new love). Cher last year broke up with her Swedish boyfriend after a long-distance romance that almost ended in marriage.

Here’s a rejoinder from Cher’s father, former actor Roger Calvin, e-mailed to Funfare by L.A.-based journalist Baby K. Jimenez:

Hi, Ricky! How are you? I just want to update you on Cher.

Cher not only does field reporting (like the rest of the anchors at KTLA) but also does the anchoring on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and 10 to 11 p.m. with Lu Parker. Then she does field reporting on Monday thru Wednesday.

What’s good about this new schedule is that she doesn’t have to wake up at 3 a.m. anymore and be on camera at 5 a.m. Monday thru Friday. Now, she can go home after 11 p.m. and sleep until 12 noon if she wants to. She used to go to bed at 7 p.m. at gising sa madaling araw. Now she is more rested and relaxed.

And me? I will be in California to be with Cher on Father’s Day. This fall, I will travel again all over Italy. I don’t visit other countries like I used to; I just keep going back to my favorite places where I can enjoy the beautiful scenery and watch good-looking people — you know, pa-coffee-coffee sa sidewalk. That’s why I love New York City because its ambience is the same as that of my favorite cities in Europe.

Hugh ‘sexiest’ na, mabait pa!

Did you know that, unlike most Hollywood stars, Hugh Jackman, recently named The Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine, is warm and friendly to fans who casually greet him during chance encounters?

“At mabait pa!” claimed Pinay New Yorker Edith Sampayan, an administrative assistant at Penn Plaza, who met by chance the Australian hottie and Tony winner at the upscale Jean Georges Restaurant (at Manhattan’s Trump International Hotel & Tower) last May 15 during a dinner date.

Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre, who relayed the little story to Funfare, said that Edith was with her husband, Sonny Sampayan. Edith was an employee of ABS-CBN for 18 years before she and Sonny moved to the US.

Wrote Edmund, “The Sampayans were enjoying a sumptuous meal when the star of Wolverine and X-Men came in and sat on the next table. Edith recognized him immediately and rushed over to introduce herself.”

Edith related that Sonny tried to stop her at first, saying, “Honey, don’t do that because he might get offended.’ But I told him, ‘Honey, don’t worry. Hugh wouldn’t mind’. So I approached Hugh and said, ‘Hi, Hugh! I am Edith from the Philippines. I am a big fan of yours, I love all your movies, can I have a picture with you?’”

The 6’2”-tall actor replied with a big smile, “Hi Edith, how are you? Sure, come.”

Sonny, an executive assistant at a major French bank in Manhattan, snapped the photo that is now a source of envy among Edith’s female friends on the Net.

Minutes later, Hugh’s wife, Deborrah-Lee Furness, arrived and asked the Sampayans what they were having for dinner.

“I told her we’re having roasted chicken and the taste is out of this world,” Sonny recalled, after which Mrs. Hugh Grant called the waiter and ordered the same.

“The guy is such a gentleman with a beautiful wife and kids,” Sonny said. “He deserves all the successes he has achieved in life.”

The rocker and the model wed

From Funfare’s Cebu stringer, this piece of another happy news:

Zubu Band lead singer Rodrigo Rivera Jr. and Luz Tubu recently got married at the Shangri-La Mactan grand ballroom with over 200 guests in attendance. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor  Tubu and he, is the son of Gensan multi-billionaire Rodrigo Rivera Sr. and Dolores Chua.

The bride’s gown and groom’s suit were designed by Rajo Laurel and those of the bridesmaids by Jun Escario.

Pastor Alvin Rival officiated the nuptial Mass.

Principal sponsors were Inquirer columnist Ramon Tulfo, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, AFP Chief of Staff Alexander Yano, Francis Kong, Rep. Eufrocino Codilla, Roberto Fernandez, Frederick Dy, Pilar Pilapil, Soccoro Grey, Glorie Ayo, Catalina Lee, Marie Therese Gamallo, Lilia Kong and Maria Codilla.

Matron of Honor was Rowena Tubu and Best Man was Rodrigo Rivera III. Junior bridesmaids were Cheska Celine Monsod, Ciara Louise Ferrer, Laetetia Kirsten Ferrer, and Veronica Jane Rivera.

Bridesmaids were Cleofe Ferrer, Gemma Monsod, Limsey dela Peña, Johannah Crista Rivera, Janine Cristina Rivera and Janice Cassandra Rivera. Little Bride was Jandra Leona Rivera; and assistants of the bride were Patricia Banca Rivera and Katrina Chelsea Rivera.

Among the little attendants were the bride’s nieces as flower girls: Allegra Franca Guidicelli and Deandra Riveral. Secondary sponsors were Ryan and Joan Rivera, Deonie and Debbie Ann Riveral, Richie and Cecile Rivera, Ronnel and Jane Rivera and Roy and Katherine Rivera.

Cocktails were served, followed by a 30-minute fireworks display.

The dinner reception was held at Marque. There were speeches and toasts. First dance for Jun and Luz was an upbeat swing number. Music was provided by the Zubu band. That set the tone for the rest of the evening and way into the next day.

Jun and Luz spent their honeymoon in Amanpulo, Palawan.

Jun is heir to the successful RD Group of Companies. He is a BSC Accounting graduate from the University of San Carlos and earned his Master in Management from the Asian Institute of Management. A licensed nurse, Luz worked as a PAL flight attendant for 12 years. A former beauty queen, she was also a fashion model.

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