Ogie A:?

Curtain-raisers:

•  Did Noli “Kabayan” de Castro witness something that gave his eyes a permanent-shock look? That’s what followers (this one included) of TV Patrol have been wondering after Kabayan returned from a brief leave. “I can’t look him straight in the eye,” according to a field reporter. Will TV Patrol co-anchor Korina Sanchez please educate us on what happened?
• Meanwhile, viewers of Eat, Bulaga! and Vampire ang Daddy Ko are happy at the way Vic “Bossing” Sotto is looking younger and younger every day. No, it isn’t because of any scientific “touch.” So, has he found the fountain of youth? Is it because of Obagi treatment (the brand being endorsed by his ex-girlfriend and Bulaga co-host Pia Guanio)? A big no! Then, Bossing’s girlfriend Pauleen Luna must be an effective elixir.
• Forwarded by an anonymous reader: Rivers do not drink the water they carry. Trees do not eat the fruit they bear. Clouds do not bathe in the rain they produce. We are meant to give, even if we get nothing from it. Measuring life by what others do may disappoint us, but measuring life by what we do will make life meaningful.

That question mark(?) in today’s headline eloquently defines Ogie Alcasid’s present status — you know, is he or isn’t he leaving GMA, his home for years, and moving to TV5 (whose big boss, Manny V. Pangilinan, is Ogie and wife Regine Velasquez’s wedding godfather)?

These past few weeks, all sorts of speculations have been coming out, so Funfare decided to get the whole truth and nothing but straight from Ogie.

“My contract with GMA expires on June 30 yet,” clarified Ogie, “so I don’t have any decision yet. My contract forbids me from negotiating with other networks, so let’s just wait and see.”

Last Sunday, Ogie announced on Party Pilipinas that the show was good only up to Sunday, May 19.

“After that,” said Ogie, “what I know is that they will be airing ‘best of’ episodes from the show.”

That is, until a replacement show is ready to be launched.

Will heads roll?

“No,” assured Funfare’s GMA informer. “The main hosts will be retained,” presumably including Ogie.

Lilybeth G. Rasonable, OIC Entertainment TV of GMA Network, said that there will be “exciting changes” in the new (still variety) show — “More fun and thrilling elements with the biggest and brightest Kapuso stars.”

Incidentally, are Ogie and Regine on a package deal?

“No,” said Ogie who is managed by Leo Dominguez and Regine by her sister Cacai Velasquez-Mitra. “Hands off ako sa kanya, and vice versa, when it comes to our careers.”

So it doesn’t mean that if Ogie will jump ober da bakod, or stay where he is, Regine will follow suit. Regine has been hinting on social media that she’s not, well, so happy where she is, saying that loyalty doesn’t exist in showbiz and that she’s loyal only to her husband and their son and to God.

Asked how Regine’s health is, Ogie said, “She has just been given new medication for her reflux which has been affecting her vocal cords, worsened na rin by stress. That’s why she’s on a temporary leave. Ako ang nurse niya,” adding with a laugh, “medyo matigas ang ulo ng pasyente ko. Kung ano ang bawal, ‘yon ang kinakain.”

Watch out, MiG Ayesa will be back to “rock” you!

After his stint as Stacee Jaxx (the same role he originated on Broadway) in Rock of Ages in Manila last year, he will be back for more of it, also by Atlantis Productions with Chari Arespacochaga again as director, at a limited engagement from July 12 to 28 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

“I am so spoiled as Stacee Jaxx as his entrance is quite awesome and getting to sing Wanted Dead Or Alive again is a personal favorite moment of mine from the show,” says MiG who will be joined by a stellar cast which includes Nyoy Volante, Vina Morales, Aiza Seguerra, Jett Pangan, Calvin Millado, Jamie Wilson, and Bibo Reyes among others.

Rock Of Ages was the sold-out smash hit of 2012 and the run enjoyed a riotous, sizzling reception from the audiences who trooped to the theater for the show. 

(A limited number of shows are now available for show buying and fundraising opportunities. For details, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078.)