Anne back from Europe

Anne Curtis came home from a month-long European vacation. The actress goes out of the country for fun and relaxation yearly. Last month Anne left the country for her annual sabbatical. First on her itinerary was Spain.

Anne visited the cities of Madrid, Salamanca, Marbella and Majorca. She also met up with friend Isabelle Daza who was in Madrid. They went around Italy then met up with showbiz friends Raymond Gutierrez, Bea Soriano and Liz Uy. The group went around Venice, Florence, Milan, Paris and Prague before heading back to Madrid. Anne and her group also attended the Barcelona Music Festival. In this trip, Anne tried bridge jumping in Barcelona. Welcome back, Anne.

Rochelle’s battle continues

Rochelle Barrameda is crying for justice for her sister Ruby Rose who disappeared on March 14, 2007, that day she said she was going to the bank and would proceed to see her children by estranged husband Manuel Jimenez III, scion of a well-known fishing family in Navotas. I remember Rochelle appearing on The Buzz distraught at the disappearance of her sister but hoping Ruby Rose was still alive. The Barramedas even offered a P500,000 reward to anyone who could give information on Ruby Rose’s whereabouts, until they got a call from Gen. Roberto Rosales. “Sumurender kay General Rosales ‘yung witness.”

Ruby Rose’s body was found in a drum enclosed in a steel case. “Niyakap ko ang witness. I told him thank you kahit may kinalaman siya sa pagkamatay ng kapatid ko. I was not mad at him. Maybe because if it were not for him, we will not be able to find my sister,” explained Rochelle.

Rochelle said the witness asked forgiveness. “Nagsisisi siya kung bakit pa siya ang naging instrumento para gumawa kay Ruby ng ganoon.”

Authorities are looking into the angle of separation as a motive for the killing. Ruby Rose is separated from Manuel III and has filed a custody case involving her children who now live with their dad.

Last week, Ruby Rose’s body was laid to rest. None of her children attended the wake. Police also filed murder charges against Lope Jimenez, Manuel Jimenez III, Eric Fernandez, Spike Discalzo, Roberto Ponce alias Abet, Rudy de la Cruz and Manuel Montero. Jimenez’s family lawyer, Mario Aguinaldo said in interviews that his client has nothing to do with the crime.

“There is no reason to have her killed,” he said. “If they did it, they should have dumped it to higher seas or even transported the body abroad, but not bring it somewhere near their own property.” Besides, he said, the Jimenezes even wanted Ruby Rose alive because there is an ongoing child custody case between her and Manuel III. “We are even winning the case,” he added.

Calvin Millado’s Congo Grill

Calvin Millado invited us to the opening of Congo Grill Tomas Morato recently. Calvin is part owner of the resto together with the Sytin Brothers. Congo Grill serves authentic Filipino dishes. The new branch in Tomas Morato seats 200. It has sleek modern interiors, safari-inspired murals and tribal art decors. It also has a full service bar, spacious covered veranda and private banquet hall that can accommodate in-house catering and private functions.

Congo Grill serves one of the best sisig in town. In fact Congo Grill has won the honor of being called Sisig King in the Annual Sisig Festival in Pampanga in 2006. Other Congo Grill bestsellers are sizzling squid, coconut prawn tempura, Pinoy osso bucco, chicken in pandan leaves and pochero.

In 10 years, Congo Grill has now 10 branches. It is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays and weekends including holidays. On its menu are 155 dishes ranging from appetizers, seafood, steaks and other gourmet specialties.

For details, call 332-2193 to 94.