Entertainment

Richard will pay for mom's stem-cell therapy

FUNFARE - Ricky Lo - The Philippine Star

July 31, 2012 | 12:00am

Curtain-raisers:

• Thy Womb (Sa Iyong Sinapupunan with Nora Aunor as lead star), which is competing with 17 other films in the 2012 (69th) Venice Film Festival (from Aug. 29 to Sept. 8), is not Dante Mendoza’s first time in what is considered to be the world’s oldest filmfest. In 2009, Dante had his Venice debut with Lola, starring Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio. Dante is the third Filipino director to compete in Venice. He pointed out that the first was Manuel Conde with Genghis Khan in 1952, followed by Mike de Leon with Sister Stella L. (Sangandaan, Vilma Santos in the titular role) in 1985. Trivia: Vilma made it to Venice way ahead of Nora.

•There must be a grain of truth to the rumor that “something beautiful” is developing between Ruffa Gutierrez (upper photo) and Derek Ramsay which started when they were among the stars who graced the recent Kapatid network TV5 launching in the US. Derek is now in London covering the Olympic Games for TV5 while, according to a Funfare DPA, Ruffa is in South of France. It’s easy for them to meet up since Ruffa is going to London on Aug. 4 for the launch of Frigga, a new fashion line put up by feng shui expert Maritess Allen (lower photo). No problem really since both Ruffa and Derek are fancy-free.

•From Jonas Gaffud, this reaction: I want to clarify something in the letter sent to you by reader Ditas Calimbahin. Venus Raj didn’t have any control on the story about her featured in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) two Saturdays ago. She gave the whole story to MMK’s research group. I guess that since her story was too long, they had to cut some parts. They should have mentioned lawyer Francis Padua Papica that sent Venus as a scholar in a Bicol university through his FPP Foundation. I assure you that Venus will always love and remember Francis.

* * *

Encouraged by the positive feedback from Lolit Solis who, with Lorna Tolentino and other prominent Filipinos (who don’t want their names mentioned), recently underwent a stem-cell therapy in Germany, Annabelle Rama said that she is ready to follow suit in September.

“I’m suffering from high-blood pressure, high blood sugar and other ailments,” said Annabelle, “and from what I heard, after the therapy I would feel better. Lahat daw ‘yon gagaling.”

It’s her son Richard who’s paying the bill which is roughly P1M for the whole package inclusive of nine injections (in the butt) of fresh (newly-harvested) cells from a mountain black sheep grown in Villa Medica where the procedure is done, and plane fare plus hotel accommodation.

“Richard wants me to have my scoliosis checked and my lumbar region which are giving me so much pain,” added Annabelle, “so I will have two more injections for that, each costing an extra one thousand euros (roughly P51,000).”

After the therapy, Annabelle hopes to come back feeling renewed, ready to register her certificate of candidacy as congresswoman of one of the districts in Cebu.

“Richard and my other children want me to be physically fit for the campaign,” said Annabelle.

Meanwhile, Richard is reported to be “inspired” in the company of Sarah Lahbati, her leading lady in the GMA soap Makapiling Kang Muli.

Observed somebody who knows Richard well, “When he insists that a certain actress accompany him in the Kapuso out-of-town events, then that’s it. It happened before with Jewel Mische, Richard’s ‘secret girlfriend’ for a few years, and it’s happening now with Sarah with whom Richard did a passionate kissing scene in Makapiling (thanks to the suggestion of the director, Ricky Davao).”

Incidentally, starting Aug. 4, on its second season on GMA 7, Richard’s Pinoy Adventures has an earlier timeslot, 6 to 7 p.m. The change in schedule, from Sunday to Saturday, the extended run, are in answer to viewers’ clamor, including teachers and students who discover and realize how beautiful the Philippines is through Pinoy Adventures.

With Richard as guide, televiewers are brought to the country’s most scenic albeit seldom visited spots. “I didn’t realize how beautiful the country is until I watched Pinoy Adventures” is the consensus of the viewing public.

The initial episode of the second season on Saturday is set in Bukidnon, capturing its breathtaking plains and mountains. Joining Richard in the Bukidnon sojourn is, you guessed it, Sarah. They visit its many attractions, including a ranch and a pineapple plantation. As always, Richard does some “stunts,” biking atop a cable wire.

No armchair adventurer, the actor goes where the action is. He climbs rugged mountains and cliffs, dives under the sea, jumps from waterfalls, roughs it up with the natives. An adventurer at heart, Richard takes the road less traveled, discovering along the way hidden paradise with its magnificent flora and fauna.

The first season of Pinoy Adventures saw Richard exploring Cebu, Palawan, Romblon, Surigao and Kalinga Apayao.

Discover Bukidnon on Aug. 4, with Richard (and Sarah, too), 6 to 7 p.m., on GMA 7’s Pinoy Adventures. See for yourselves how beautiful the Philippines is.

Briefly noted

• While their respective countries are locked in the Scarborough Shoal issue, Miss Philippines Queenee Rehman and Miss China Wenxia Yu (photo, far right) are very friendly toward each other at the ongoing Miss World contest in Inner Mongolia, China (finals on Aug. 18). “Beauty is beyond politics,” according to Queenee in the Miss World Facebook. The good news is that Queenee has made it to the Top 15 Favorites according to Global Beauties Leaderboard.

— Reported by Funfare’s “beauty-watcher” Gerry Diaz

•Congratulations to Sarah Geronimo (photo) for being named Most Favorite Singer by Filipino kids in Cartoon Network’s New Generations Survey 2012. Sarah beat other Filipino artists including Charice and foreign artists like Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift.

•Lando Perez-Jacob is back in harness as director of Sagad, formerly titled Wanted: Boarders which was unfinished after a swindler reportedly victimized its producer, Elona Mendoza (left). Under her E. men Films, Elona has decided to resume of the production, with her as leading lady. Sagad is in the can, set for release early next month. Lando and Elona are now preparing their second project.