Nora's Sydney concert set for August 29

MANILA, Philippines - Curtain-raisers:

• What’s so special about Dec. 22 that Regine Velasquez (photo) keeps on dropping it in her TV interviews, hinting that something important might (take note: italicized) happen on that date? Asked for comment, Regine’s beloved Ogie Alcasid (photo) texted this message to Funfare: TY so much, Ricky. Hahaha! Pag ok na ok na will let you know. In the meantime, I will give you three guesses: 1) Regine and Ogie will finally (finally?) get married; 2) Regine and Ogie will finally (finally?) get the legal document they have long been waiting for; and 3) Regine and Ogie will go abroad for a (conjugal?) vacation and “commit” something.

• Anytime now, a Kapamilya star will jump ober da bakod and become a Kapuso. A few more “finishing touches” on some fine points and the contract will be ready for signing. Is the Kapamilya a he or a she? Clue: The person was very visible during the recent election campaign.

• From Shirley Kuan, this helpful health tips she called “8 super food swaps for longevity”:1) Swap green tea for coffee, 2) Try trail mix (dried fruits and nuts) in place of fatty snacks, 3) Switch brown rice for white rice, 4) Swap fish for red meat, 5) Use olive oil instead of butter, 6) Swap sweet potatoes for potatoes, 7) Swap berries for refined sweets, and 8) Switch to water instead of soda. Said Shirley, “Make all these switches and you are on your way to a healthier you.”

Superstar Nora Aunor re-visiting Sydney.

That headline in the August 2010 issue of Bayanihan News, a Filipino newspaper in that Australian city, would have been just an ordinary announcement until you read the story that says that “Nora is going back to Sydney to have a concert billed as Ms. Nora Aunor Live in Concert at the Diamond Auditorium, Campbell Street, Blacktown on 29 August 2010 at 3 p.m. The show will be under the auspices of the veteran Philippine Entertainment Network, in association with Demetriou Promotions.”

This piece of news was relayed to Funfare by Renato Perdon of the Bayanihan News.

The rest of the story is a flashback on Nora’s career but it doesn’t mention anything about a reported “botched up” facial surgery in Japan early this year in preparation for launching her an endorser of a top beauty clinic in Tokyo.

Reports quoted Nora as saying that she “lost” her voice, that’s why instead of singing at a post-surgery concert in Canada, she only “talked” but didn’t sing. According to the following reports, Nora was contemplating on filing charges against the beauty clinic, said to be Japan’s equivalent of The Belo Medical Clinic, which has vehemently denied Nora’s allegations.

Now, with her scheduled concert in Sydney, does it mean that Nora has at last recovered her “lost” voice? How did she do it? Will she change her mind about filing charges against the beauty clinic?

I guess her fans in Sydney will not pay good money just to hear or listen to her “talk;” they’d love to listen to Nora “sing.”

Meanwhile, here’s a text message from Aster Amoyo, who was instrumental in bringing Nora from L.A. to Japan for that controversial surgery: May I have the honor to invite you to the opening of Japan’s No. 1 Shinagawa Lasik and Aesthetics in the Philippines on July 30, 3 p.m. at Mezzanine, Tower 2 of The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

Yes, it’s the same company that would have brought Nora to the Philippines for her abortive launching as endorser last April.

I leave it to you to put one and one together.

There were three events on July 23.

In the morning, the graduation of Gabrielle “Garie” Concepcion, daughter of Gabby Concepcion with ex-girlfriend Grace Ibuna, from De La Salle – College of St. Benilde where she finished a course in Tourism Management.

For lunch, Garie and her well-wishers trooped to the Wack Wack Golf & Country C lub in Mandaluyong City.

In the evening, a party was held at Tabu Bar in Makati City.

Gabby was at the graduation ceremony and at the lunch; while Garie’s half-sister KC Concepcion was at the party.

“The two girls are close,” said Vivian Recio who furnished Funfare the exclusive story and photos, “They are fond of each other; they often see each other.”

Vivian and Boy Abunda are managing Garie’s career just as they do that of Dawn Zulueta. Garie has just completed recording of a 13-song album to be launched sometime in September or October.

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