It’s a boy for Nonito and Rachel

“It’s the most wonderful feeling I’ve ever had. There has never been something like this!”

Nonito Donaire Jr. was excited just like any first-time father as he confirmed to Funfare during a phone interview yesterday that his wife, Rachel, gave birth to a 6 lbs./8 ounces, 18-inch boy early morning last Tuesday, July 16, at the St. Rose Hospital in Las Vegas.

The baby is named JREL Michael Donaire. The first name stands for Junior Rachel Everlasting Love and the second for St. Michael, the saint Nonito said he usually prays to before a fight or when he needs moral support.

Rachel was initially scheduled to deliver the normal way but her doctor decided to do a Caesarian section because the baby was somewhat big. 

Barely two weeks earlier, Rachel saved a five-year-old boy from drowning by diving into the pool during a party at a friend’s house.

“We were having a Fourth of July celebration,” recalled Nonito who pitched in for Rachel in the interview because, he said, Rachel was breastfeeding. “When Rachel saw the boy, she didn’t hesitate; she immediately dove into the pool and brought the boy to safety.”

Nonito added that he wasn’t sure yet when his next fight would be.

“For now,” he said, “Rachel and I are focused on JREL. He’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Jolina goes on maternity leave

Since she has been missing from her two GMA shows (Mundo Mo’y Akin, Personalan [on GMA News TV] and Sunday All-Stars), TV-watchers have been wondering if rumors are true that Jolina Magdangal is moving to another network.

“Actually,” Jolina’s husband Mark Escueta confirmed also during a phone interview yesterday, “she’s just on leave because her doctor advised her to take a rest. Yes, Jolina is two months and six days pregnant, and she has been spotting.”

Married in December 2011, the couple first felt that Jolina was in a delicate condition last Father’s Day when she was “delayed” by five days.

“We were celebrating at K-Pub (a Korean restaurant owned by Geleen Eugenio) when Jolina had a spotting,” narrated Mark. “Her pregnancy was confirmed and she continued doing her shows. Then, she had another spotting and her doctor told her to rest for two weeks. When the spotting stopped, Jolina went back to work. But then, she suffered another spotting. Last July 1, Jolina underwent an ultrasound. More on and off spotting happened, so her doctor advised her to go on an indefinite leave.”

Jolina is due to give birth second week of February next year, probably on Valentine’s Day.

Charice sad over Glee’s Cory’s death

Perhaps even more than anybody else, Charice was caught “shocked” by the news that Glee star Cory Monteith was found dead (alone, according to earlier reports) in a hotel in Vancouver last Sunday, July 14. He was 31.

“When I learned about it,” Charice told Funfare, “akala ko joke lang. I waited for more news and when it was confirmed that it was true, na-shocked ako.”

Charice met Cory during her two guestings on Glee where she played Filipino exchange student Sunshine Corazon. In the hit musical, Cory played Finn Hudson, the captain of a football team who became part of the glee club. His real-life girlfriend Lea Michele (head of Charice’s rival team) also plays his girlfriend in Glee.

“Mabait siya,” added Charice. “He was the first to warmly welcome me to the Glee set. Sayang that we didn’t have enough time na mag-bonding.”

Cory admitted that he started using drugs at 13 and entered rehab in March this year. According to updated report, the cause of his death was “heroin mixed with alcohol.” Until last Sunday, he was reported to have been drug-free.

“At that time,” continued Charice, “I didn’t see anything wrong with him. But I was surprised when I saw his latest photos and he’s so thin.”

Asked for her message to Cory’s family, Charice said, “I feel so sad over Cory’s untimely death. I will pray for the repose of his soul. I also ask people to pray for him.”

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