^

Entertainment

James has 3 good reasons to celebrate

FUNFARE - Ricky Lo - The Philippine Star

If James Yap is feeling light and easy these days, it’s because he is in a celebratory mood for three good reasons:

His team, San Mig Coffee Mixers, beat Rain Or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup championship even if he was nursing an elbow injury;

He and ex-wife Kris Aquino have made peace concerning their son Bimby after a hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court, and James can now enjoy unrestricted visiting rights; and

 He has a very beautiful girlfriend in the person of Michela Cazzola, an International Studies graduate in her native Italy, who is working for the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Last Friday night, James gave a thanksgiving party at the Skye Lounge in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, hosted by Mototechnik which he co-owns with partners Jeffrey Yap, Andy Cheng and Renato Alfante Jr.

Before he and Michela showed up at the venue, James spent time with Bimby, just the two of them, but did not (because he wasn’t supposed to) bring the boy to the party.

“It was our most memorable together after a few years,” said James. “Imagine, after a long time Bimby still remembers his favorite game on my celfone and he kept looking for it. Unfortunately, it was in the celfone that was lost. I think I’ll give him a new one with his favorite game in it.”

James, who turned 32 last Feb. 13, is thankful to Kris (said to have her own new boyfriend, a foreigner whose identity she’s keeping confidential) for her being in a good mood leading to the settlement of their long-running (four-year) court battle, at the same time praising Kris for being a good mother to Bimby (and Joshua whom James treats like his own son). In her Instagram, Kris thanked Judge Sulit, her lawyer Sig Fortun and James’ lawyer Lorna Kapunan “for the patience and guidance to help James and I reach a long-term agreement regarding Bimby’s custody/visitation…,” adding in another entry, “At the end of the day, as parents we want Bimby to grow up feeling loved and secure. James and I as a couple weren’t blessed with a happy ending but through God’s grace we have been given a chance to have an ‘And they Lived Happily Ever After…’”

During the Skye affair, James and his partners showcased Vespa and Aprilia by Mototechnik, and offered special promos, plus a raffle of gift certificates. He also welcomed sponsors Titan, Focal Speakers, Outlast Battery, Standard Insurance, Insurance Experts Agency, Gadgets in Style and Fabulous Autoworks.

James and several players are managed by Virtual Sports, Inc., the biggest sports agency in the Philippines headed by president Dondon Monteverde, chief executive officer Charlie Dy, and managing directors Edgar Tan and Paula Punla.

Two Sundays ago, James and Michela discussed their romance in their first tell-all interview for The STAR.

Asked how soon they are planning to settle down, James said, “It will happen, pero enjoy muna kami together.”

Smiling, Michela (also a Catholic like James) nodded, “Yes, in God’s own time.”

(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.)

ANDY CHENG AND RENATO ALFANTE JR.

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

BIMBY

BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY

CHARLIE DY

COM

JAMES

JAMES AND I

  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Recommended
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with