What will James give Bimby on his birthday?

Curtain-raisers:

•It pains me to break the sad news that one of my favorite TV shows might fold up before end of this month. I won’t say on what channel it’s airing. The only vague clue I can give is this: The show dissects controversial issues. About what? I keep mum. It might beat another show (in the same network) in fading out. Again, no clue.

•I understand why Daniel Padilla is reacting the way he does to two equally young stars who are ridiculing his singing style which, in all fairness, Daniel’s avid tween fans find absolutely delightful and endearing. Daniel is not boasting and only reacting in kind when he said, “Bakit, naka-platinum na ba ang album nila; magkakaroon na ba sila ng concert sa Araneta Coliseum?” Correct! I guess the two young stars making fun of Daniel’s singing are possessed by the green-eyed monster.

*  *  *

Because he’s prohibited by law from visiting/seeing his son Bimby, or even as much as being near him (the Permanent Protection Order filed against him by his ex-wife Kris Aquino, you know), poor James Yap had to resort to social network in greeting Bimby when the boy turned six on April 19 (also the birthday of Manila Mayorable/Former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada).

Here’s what James posted @jamesyap18:

“I miss holding your hand. I miss giving u a hug. Kahit anong mangyari, lagi mong tatandaan na mahal na mahal ka ni Papa! Happy birthday Baby James!” #flashbackfriday

Read presumably by thousands around the world (except the one it was addressed to…which made it all the more heart-breaking), the message from a father forbidden to be with his son on his special day easily won sympathy for James. I know a lot of parents who shed quiet tears over it because they identified with another parent aching to be with his child to give him a little hug or even just hold his hand.

Last Saturday night, I bumped into James at the 80th birthday dinner for  Manuel Yap at the Century Seafood Restaurant of Century Park Hotel hosted by his wife, Anita Yap, and their children (Dr. Welson Yap and wife Siony, Arthur and Daisy, Edison and Carmela, Jefferson and Marissa, James and Buhay, Danny and Evelyn, and Philip and Nancy). Although he’s a Yap, James is not related to the Yaps but he’s a good friend of Dr. Welson’s son Jeff.

As a special guest, along with healing priest Fr. Joey Faller (Dr. Welson’s good friend), James made everybody happy by having his picture taken with them, never mind if he had to stand every now and then, before he could resume to finish the nine-course lauriat dinner.

“He’s so down-to-earth,” commented one guest. “Ang bait-bait pala niya, walang ka-ere-ere.”

I told James how he touched a lot of people with his birthday message to Bimby and I saw a certain sadness cross his face, his eyes turning a bit misty.

I asked him what gift he’s giving Bimby and he said, “Secret! Surprise!”

And how would, how could he give it to the boy without violating the law?

Well, if there’s a will, there’s away.

I’m sure that eventually, when he grows older, Bimby will realize what a good man his father is. As they say, blood is thicker than…

*  *  *

This is the nagging question of the hour: Did 2013 Miss Universe-Philippines Janine Tugonon really fly to France the day after the 50th Bb. Pilipinas Pageant Sunday night last week to be with Script vocalist Danny O'Donoghue whom she met during a meet-and-greet after the group’s recent concert at the Araneta Coliseum?

Was it a case of, well, not really love but mutual attraction at first sight? Janine and the O'Donoghue swapped e-mail addresses and she said that they have been sending each other updates regularly. Janine admitted that she and her boyfriend, Jaypee Santos, have broken up for reasons that she didn’t reveal (although a Funfare DPA told me the “real reason” which I’m not in a position to reveal).

Anyway, to clear things up, I called up Jonas Gaffud, Janine’s manager, and this is what Jonas told me:

Janine went to France as a reward for herself. She went with her sister. She didn’t have any break since the Miss Universe Pageant in Las Vegas in December last year and even prior to that because of the rigid training. A month after the Miss U contest, there was the screening of the 2013 Bb. Pilipinas aspirants. Her family planned her trip early this year. She was not there to meet the vocalist of Script but for a short break. So the speculations are not true. And Janine is arriving soon to continue and fulfill her duties as Bb. Pilipinas.

Let’s hear what Janine has to say when she comes back.

• Janine and Script guy:  What’s the real score?

(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.)