Why Martin ‘censored’ title of Valentine show

Curtain-raisers:

• Gerald Anderson and Maja Salvador (photo) don’t seem to hide the fact that there’s something beautiful between them — and, if they’re in love, why should they (hide it, that is)? They see to it that people see them jogging together (and holding hands at that!) around the UP Campus. Last week, Gerald took Maja on a quick tour of Ateneo after he took the college entrance exam. If girls like Sarah Geronimo and Kim Chiu (and whoever else but not, I guess, Gerald’s alleged “secret love” whom we shall call “Effervescent Mama”) are shedding quiet tears, you know why.
• From Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde (photo, who went under the knife late last week), this text message: All the tubes connected to my body have already been removed. Thank God, I don’t feel any tinge of pain now. Thank you to all my dear friends, my apos, my husband, my children, my daughters-in-law, my sons-in-law, the entertainment press, my doctors and nurses for praying for my successful operation and speedy recovery. Most of all to my dearest God Who never fails to love me and give me comfort, strength and guidance. With all your love and support, I was able to surpass this ordeal readily. Thank you very much. I love YOU ALL. Maraming SALAMAT!
• Now I know where top sweepstakes agent Manuel Uy got his very popular and oft-quoted “battle cry” — you know, A winner never quits, a quitter never wins. According to a 1956 article titled The Best Advice I Ever Had…, reprinted with several other vintage stories in the Reader’s Digest’s Classic Reading Special, the late Hollywood bombshell Rosalind Russell, feeling discouraged during a diving competition when she was 13, her father pulled her aside and reminded her, “Rosalind, you’re going to have to learn one thing: A quitter never wins and a winner never quits. My father never had to repeat those words.”

Did you know that the title of the first Valentine concert together of Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez has to be changed because it might have a naughty insinuation since the ad shows them in bed under one blanket, reminiscent of the ‘60s Hollywood mate-swapping movie Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice?

It was first called Fourplay before it became Foursome, scheduled on Thursday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. at the SM Mall Of Asia (MOA) Arena. (For tickets, call SM Tickets at 470-2222.)

Yes, Martin had the good sense of “censoring” the original title and had it changed to a less suggestive (but still a tad too naughty) one.

“Otherwise,” Martin told Funfare during their recent second presscon, “we could have gotten into trouble.” Well, you know how sensitive the self-appointed guardians of public morality can sometimes be.

As usual, Martin was playful as ever, always in a teasing mood when talking about his and Pops’ failed marriage.

Asked where he’s hiding his left hand in the “foursome” photo on the concert’s ad, Martin didn’t say where (did he curl it around Pops somewhere?). Commented Regine in jest, “Didn’t you notice that Ogie is smiling?” (hinting that Martin’s “missing” hand might be tickling Ogie who’s seated rightmost).

Martin and Pops are good friends now, maybe because, according to Funfare DPAs, they have found new loves. Martin has reportedly broken up with Miss “K” and is happy with somebody else while Pops, although she denied it to death, is dating a highly-placed man.

What about Ogie and Regine? Well, they seem to be on an extended honeymoon.

Incidentally, here are Regine’s (delayed) answers to the “foursome” forum that came out in Funfare several days ago:

Do you believe that romance can be sustained during marriage?

Regine: Yes, it’s very important for married people to keep the romance alive. They have to work hard at it para maging masaya at magkaroon pa rin ng excitement ang mag-asawa.

Love song that means so much to you and why?

“Tayong Dalawa because Ogie wrote that song for me when we got married and it’s really a beautiful song.”

What mistakes did you commit in your failed relationship that you avoid committing in your present relationship?

“Parang not applicable to me naman, hehehe! Pero siguro it’s saying what I feel; communicating well sa partner mo.”

Values that you want to instill in your children?

“I’d like to think my parents did a good job in raising me and my siblings. I’d like my son to have respect for others, especially sa mga nakakatanda. I want him to learn to say po at opo… ‘yung maging kind, loving, patient, working hard for something he really wants and, of course, the value of having faith in Our Lord. Basta maging mabuting tao at maging maka-Diyos lang siya kasi everything follows na.”

You seem to be more friendly with your ex than you were when together. How do you do it?

“I don’t hold a grudge against people who did me wrong kasi kung ex man o hindi, when I forgive, I also try to forget and I just lift it to the Lord. Saka bina-value ko na lang ‘yung naging friendship.”

(Foursome is presented by PLDT Home in cooperation with McDonald’s, Bench, Endless Collagen Drink, Victoria Court, PCSO, Pacific Blue and Cravings, together with The Belo Medical Group, Karate Kid Japanese Restaurant, La Filipina Corned Pork & Luncheon Meat, Amigo Segurado Spaghetti & Macaroni, M. Lhuillier, Chrysler, MERALCO, Fila, Coca-Cola and Farm Baby Products. Radio sponsors are Radio High 105.9 and Crossover 105.1.)

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)