Darna also flying high in US

Curtain-raiser:

•  It’s confirmed: Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin have broken up but neither of them is talking just yet. “I still don’t know why,” Luis’ mom Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos texted Funfare when asked about it. “I don’t meddle in Luis’ personal life. Up to now, he hasn’t talked to me about it.” Was there a “third party” or have they just fallen out of love like what usually happens between showbiz couples? Or did somebody pressure them into breaking up?

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Darna is flying high not only over the Philippine islands, but also over the area of responsibility of the USA.

That’s the latest report from Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre.

“Although there’s no media research or official figures attesting to the smoldering popularity of Marian Rivera’s Darna on GMA Pinoy TV (counterpart of ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel or TFC), numerous TFC viewers in the New York-New Jersey area (and elsewhere in the US) admitted they now have included Darna in their daily viewing habits along with their favorites May Bukas Pa, Tayong Dalawa, Only You, TV Patrol and Wowowee.”

Darna rated more than 44 percent on its initial airing. The rating went up to 46-plus percent after only a few days.

“Trailer pa nga lang exciting na dahil ang sexy ni Marian, nakakagigil na Darna,” Edmund quoted Alfred Aldana, a Jersey City nurse and father of two college kids, as saying. “I’ve been glued to it since the first episode.”

“The (Aug. 10) pilot is very interesting and I think I will follow it ‘til the finale,” said businesswoman Felicita Go of Long Island, New York. “Sana lang ma-maintain ang quality at hindi mapabayaan. Lalo na yung effects and story line, sana maalagaan.”

Grace Yago-Tiburcio, an office employee and mother of two from Nashville, Tennesse, said she has always been a Darna fanatic, no matter who dons the sexy, red costume.

“I watch all the Darnas,” she said. “I was still in Batangas when Angel Locsin became Darna. Hindi ko pinalampas ‘yon hanggang matapos. Now, it’s me and my three children who watch Darna here in America. My husband (Nelson) likes the first episode; mukhang promising daw.”

Marietes Mancego-Carreon of Toronto, Canada, said there’s something in Darna that is so endearing to the audience. “Especially when the heroine is as beautiful as Marian,” Edmund quoted Carreon as saying. “She is the perfect representation of a modern Filipino woman — brave, intelligent and strong but loving, just and compassionate.”

GMA Pinoy TV has been giving a full-blast promotion for Darna as early as June, with colorful flyers and Darna’s life-size cut-outs displayed during Fil-Am events, such as the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Manhattan, the biggest Filipino Independence Day gathering outside the Philippines.

Said Edmund, “It remains to be seen, however, if Darna and GMA will be able to steal for good loyal TFC viewers. After all, TFC has a very strong line up of shows both in the entertainment, and news and public affairs departments and the Kapamilya network will definitely give a fight. As of now, it is safe to say that TFC still enjoys wider viewership than GMA Pinoy TV among US Filipinos. But based on the buzz the new Darna is creating even among TFC fanatics, ABS-CBN must do something to steal Narda’s stone.”

Edmund’s punchline?

“Better yet, TFC people should strike a deal with Valentina (played by Iwa Moto) to eliminate Narda pronto, or ask Santino to seek Bro’s divine help.”

Starry reunion for ailing friend

After more than four years in hiatus from the concert scene, the exceptional a cappella group TUX reunited on stage to aid an ailing comrade — with heartwarming help from the brightest names in Philippine music.

Originally slated for just two nights (July 17-18) at the Music Museum, the public clamor prompted a third run for STUX On You...You’ve Got A Friend, with all the big-name guest artists like Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Pops Fernandez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Vernie Varga, Nanette Inventor, John Lesaca, and Kuh Ledesma taking turns performing before a full house for three straight nights to raise funds for cancer patient Carlo Bulahan’s series of chemo treatments.

“A five-time Aliw Award winner, TUX — credited for infusing a cappella into the pop scene almost 25 years ago, spiced up with their unique brand of college wit — didn’t disappoint, according to New York balikbayan Cynthia Marfori, who was invited to the event by Carlo’s wife, Marika,” said Edmund Silvestre in another report.

From the antics of Jeric Mariano and Monet Silvestre, to the bellowing bass voice of Eric Antonio, the musical brand TUX became known for catering to a generation that grew up in the ’50s to ’70s nostalgia, TV sitcoms and Broadway musicals. It was that generation that jam-packed the Music Museum for three nights. Other members of TUX are Manny Aquino, Popo Suanes, Dante Sibug and Gary Villanueva.

Under the magical direction of Freddie Santos, it was the musical variety special reborn in an age of reality shows and YouTube fixations.

But it was the overwhelming support of friends in the music industry that will leave an indelible mark for the TUX guys, especially Carlo. The crowd was delighted by Gary’s lightning moves, Regine’s effortless and soaring notes, Kuh’s smooth velvety voice, and Zsa Zsa’s natural Motown swagger.

The TUX did duets with their guest artists, underlining the group’s renowned flexibility in matching themselves with the best in the industry. Every song was preceded by friendly banter.

“It’s a great generation of performers,” remarked music genius Ryan Cayabyab, whose a cappella arrangements have long been a TUX staple ever since they started singing Ryan’s pieces from his famous ONE album.

Here’s the rest of Marfori’s account of the TUX show:

Nanette Inventor—better known in the ’80s as the fabulous and snobbish Doña Buding— brought back the glory days of stand-up comedy. Pops Fernandez joked about her memories of TUX performing at her wedding before joining them in an a cappella of the Beatles’ Here, There and Everywhere. Martin Nievera, still the undisputed vocal giant that he is, rendered a breathtaking a cappella of Stevie Wonder’s Lately. And when Vernie Varga delivered her version of Fantasia Barino’s I Believe, it was goose-bumps from beginning to end. Even John Lesaca’s violin magnificently (and playfully) handled a solo part in the TUX duet arrangement of Si Aida, Si Lorna, o Si Fe.

And as Pops summed it up, “This is the Penthouse Live gang all together again!”

Gary, Kuh and Vernie each gave a touching spiel on faith in God, while Freddie Santos offered profuse words of thanks and a prayer for miracle. The finale number, Bridge Over Troubled Water, reunited the TUX guys with their early members, Zebedee Zuñiga and Manolo Tanquilut, now both highly respected musicians in the industry.

And when Carlo Bulahan made a surprise entrance for a solo, there was not a dry eye at the Music Museum.

“For Carlo and for most of us in the audience, it was a testimony of God’s power and miracle, friendship, and family,” said Carlo’s overwhelmed wife Marika Bulahan, who watched the show with daughter Ryah, 11. “We didn’t expect this much response from people.”

And here’s a piece of good news for TUX fans: The group is heading for Singapore this October to represent the Philippines in an international a cappella festival.

Here’s what the festival brochure says: “This year’s line-up of all-male a cappella teams features a variety of musical styles with rock music from Queen, Police & Sting by Rock 4 (Netherlands), Reggae and Bossa Nova from Jamaica Café (Indonesia), Pop from Permanent Fish (Japan), Korean Pop from SJ Tone and the golden oldies and familiar favorites from TUX (Philippines).”

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