Arci: Willie is only a kuya to her

A few days after she came home from Singapore early last month, Arci Muñoz was pleasantly surprised to find herself the object of blind items that she’s the “new girl” of Willie Revillame.

It was Willie who hosted that weekend trip last All Soul’s Day as his blowout (to mark his first anniversary as a Kapatid, host of Wiltime Big Time) for his staff and other friends, some of whom were with him on his private plane FlyWillie while others took commercial flights. Arci was invited to come along because Willie considers her part of the Wiltime family, having guest-hosted several times.

“It was flattering and amusing at the same time, pero nakakahiya kay Willie who is only a kuya to me,” Arci told Funfare a few days ago during the signing of the contract between her manager Annabelle Rama and Viva boss Vic del Rosario Jr. as the “joint forces” behind her career. “There were 91 of us in the group and Kuya Willie was nice to everyone. During the shopping, he bought everyone an item each.”

It was at the store where Arci was photographed holding a bunch of Singaporean dollars. When that picture surfaced in the Internet, some people concluded that Willie must have given the money to Arci.

“We were having fun,” added Arci. “Nagpapalit si Kuya Willie ng P1M to Singaporean dollar at sabi niya, ‘O, ito na lang kakapal ‘yung one million’ (equivalent was roughly 660,000 Singaporean dollars). I held the bills and made them into a fan and had my picture taken.”

Contacted by Funfare before the Arci interview, Willie dismissed the tsismis. “Arci is like a little sister to me,” he said. Like Arci, Willie said he’s loveless, malamig ang Pasko. Arci said she hasn’t had another boyfriend since she broke up with Kean Cipriano three years ago.

“Career muna,” according to Arci, “and studies.” (She’s a Theater Arts senior at UP.

In January next year, her new soap Felina will start airing on TV5, with Balikbayan Leandro Muñoz (no relation) among her leading men. Henceforth, Annabelle and Boss Vic are handling Arci’s TV projects, endorsements, a possible movie for Viva Films and an album presumably with her own band and, why not, Kean as guest performer.

“After all,” said Arci, “friends na kami. It would be a pleasure to work with him.”

Philippine bet in Mrs. World pageant

2011 Mrs. World-Philippines Romelda H. Martinez is now in Orlando, Florida, as the country’s bet in the 2011 Mrs. World Pageant with grand finals set for Thursday, Dec. 15. She trained with former Bb. Pilipinas and Mrs. World finalist Maricarl Tolosa-Cabel, and will wear a Philippine terno by Goulee Gorospe for the National Costume competition.

Other married Filipinas who have competed in the same contest include Rosita Capuyon-Liwag (1985, finalist and Best National Costume), Bing Pimentel (Mark Gil’s ex-wife, 1986), Maricel Morales (first runner-up, 2000), Aurora Hill (2002) and Joanne Santos-(ex)-Primero (2004), former Miss International Melanie Marquez (finalist, 2005), Aimee Cragun (finalist, 2008) and former Bb. Pilipinas-World Daisy Reyes (finalist, 2009).

2011 Mrs. World Philippines Romelda H. Martinez

— Reported by Funfare’s ‘beauty experts’ Felix Manuel, Francis Calubaquib, Joey Cezeare and Gery Yumping

The Stylistics coming back for another concert Jan. 26

The Stylistics, who have been here before, are coming back next month for concerts at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Jan. 26 and at Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City on Jan. 27, with That’s Ntertainment Productions as producer.

The Stylistics are expected to sing their hits such as Betcha By Golly Wow, You’ll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart), I’m Stone In Love With You, Stop Look and Listen, You Make Me Feel Brand New and many more.

Tickets are priced at Patron A P5,300 (reserved seating), Patron B P4,770 (reserved seating), Lower Box P4,240 (reserved seating), Upper Box A P2,650 (reserved seating), Upper Box B P1,590 and General Patronage P530. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555.

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