Mermaid wows Lebanon

• The influx of foreign celebrities is bringing back to an avid music-lover not only sweet memories of yesteryear but also juicy behind-the-scenes stories, some of them can be told only in blind items, to wit:

• A balladeer was an incurable sex fiend, so every time he came for a concert, first thing he asked for was, yes of course, women. One time, his friends played a trick on him and offered him a Filipino cross-dresser. No, the singer didn’t notice the difference.

• Did you know that a popular ‘60s warbler (as they were called back then) usually wore nothing between her and her glittering gown? Did it enhance her dreamy voice? “Maybe,” said the music-lover, although I didn’t see the connection between her vocal cords and her…

• A popular ‘60s quartet was booked at the Manila Hotel when they came to Manila for a concert that ended on a sour note. “One night,” said the music-lover, “the quartet’s group gay manager wandered around the nearby Rizal Park, looking for young boys.”

• And did you know that when a hugely popular Foreign Athlete was here, an equally popular Local Athlete brought him to an A-list establishment where LA made FA choose among 21 girls? “Perhaps FA wasn’t in the mood that night,” said the music-lover, “so he brought only 14 to his hotel room.” What a big dunking he must have done!

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With Christian Bautista, Karylle and Jed Madela headlining the Filipino singers’ campaign to conquer Asia, will the local theater industry be far behind?

“Things are picking up,” said Funfare stringer Carlo Orosa, citing Trumpets Theater Company’s Little Mermaid, topbilled by Tippy Dos Santos, which caused quite a splash during the annual Batroun International Festival held last July 22 at the Al Mina Main Stage in Lebanon.

Considered one of the most successful and longest-running original Filipino musicals, Mermaid introduced Carol Banawa, Dianne de la Fuente, Karylle and KC Concepcion to the world of theater.

The week-long festivities, ranging from concerts to musicals and party events, drew thousands of tourists from around the world.

“In fact,” added Carlo, “last July 9, UK’s most distinctive and recognizable voice Ali Campbell from the group UB40 brought the house down in an all-night concert featuring his hit songs from his albums Big Love and Running Free that sold over 70 million worldwide. Lebanon’s most famous pop female singer Najwa Karam likewise rocked the venue last July 16. Capping the main event was Lebanese singer, songwriter, composer and instrumentalist Ramy Ayach who will host the big open-air party on July 29. Other events include fashion shows, kiddie activities and street parades.”

No party for Sarah

Sarah Geronimo (photo) turned 23 on Monday, July 25, but she decided not to host a big party but only a simple celebration with her family.

Actually, Sarah had an advance celebration when she spent one month in the US with her mom Divina and her sister, with a side trip to Europe.

Any birthday wish?

“I’d rather not ask God for anything more,” said Sarah, “I just want to thank Him for what I have now and for what I am now.”

No wish for her love life (which was recently rocked by a headline-making controversial love triangle involving her, Cristine Reyes and Rayver Cruz)?

“Saka na lang ‘yon,” smiled Sarah. “Iintindihin ko muna ang career ko and my family.”

After starring with Gerald Anderson (who reportedly gave her a Hermes bag after the shoot) in Star Cinema’s Catch Me… I’m In Love, Sarah is set to star in a movie that will re-team her with John Lloyd Cruz.

Two Sundays ago on ASAP Rocks, Viva Records awarded Sarah two plaques, one for the platinum achievement of her One Heart album and the other when the same album turned gold. Also, Sarah’s What Love Is concerts with Martin Nievera was certified “sold out” at the Big Dome, and in Iloilo and Cebu.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit http://www.philstar.com/funfare.)