Diana back home at FHM

September is homecoming month for FHM Philippines as it celebrates the return of one of its most iconic cover girls ever: the stunning Diana Zubiri!

It turned out that her surprise appearance in last July’s FHM 100 Sexiest Victory Party was just a teaser. Now, she shows off her gorgeous form in a classy and sexy spread photographed by Paolo Pineda. Diana’s long-awaited return — her fourth FHM cover and first since July 2008 — is sure to generate a huge buzz, just like her unforgettable “flyover” debut in 2002.

In the cover story, Diana lets us in on her life away from the cameras. She shares her very movie-like experience of returning to student life as a celebrity.

Was it hard to act normal?

“Hindi ako masyadong friendly at first kasi nahihiya din ako,” she tells FHM. “Siyempre hindi rin nila alam kung suplada ako o mabait!”

Did she ever try to use some of her star power to boost her grades even for a bit?

“I tried to, hahaha!” Diana, who graduated with a degree in Theater Arts, naughtily admits.

While she pursued her studies away from the limelight, Diana’s grateful to the FHM faithful who never stopped voting for her in the 100 Sexiest Women in the World, the magazine’s signature campaign.

Even with the unending love showered on her by fans, though, Diana reveals she was nervous about coming back to the pages of FHM for the fourth time.

“Feeling ko was, ‘Kaya ko pa ba ulit? May appeal pa ba ako sa readers? Susuportahan ba nila ako?’”

And finally, Diana reveals the truth about her rumored relationship with Pres. P-Noy once and for all. Find out her answer to that and more in FHM’s jam-packed September issue, now in the market nationwide. You can also score digital copies through the FHM and Buqo apps, Zinio, and the Summit Newsstand.

Sing-along, poem-a-long for the senior citizens

There will be an advance celebration of Grandparents’ Day (which is on Sept. 7) at the Sofitel Hotel, Davao Room, on Friday, Sept. 5, starting at 6 p.m.

During the dinner-buffet, while the Tiongco Brothers (then known as The Four Aces of the Philippines) render their melodious blending of voices, love poems will be read by election lawyer Romy Macalintal the way he does in his radio program, The Law of the Heart is Love. And instead of asking the audience to sing-a-long, they will be requested to read love poems which will be made available at their respective tables.

Thus, it will be a “Sing-A-Long and Poem-A-Long” show for the performers and the senior citizens-audience as they recall memories of the past with love songs of yesteryear.

 The event is being held for the first time in a five-star hotel like The Sofitel Hotel. The common musical entertainment usually consists of songs and music rendered by various talents. But this is considered as first in the field of entertainment because the reading of love poems and poetry is being revived or given prominence.

 Romy is confident that senior citizens like him and the Tiongco Brothers will have a grand night and will forever cherish this moment. Children and grandchildren may want to give it as a gift for their senior parents and grandparents by way of honoring them on Grandparents’ Day.

Limited seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis only. The regular cost of the dinner-buffet is P3,000 but a 50 percent discount will be given to senior citizens or for P1,500 only. Any government-issued ID showing that the holder is 60 years old or above will be honored for the 50 percent discount.

(Note: Interested parties may call 551-5555, local 6988 for tickets and reservation.)

A beauty-ful day at Phl NY consulate

It was indeed a day of beauties at the Philippine Consulate General in New York City last Aug. 28 when Honorable Consul General Mario Lopez De Leon met with reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler of Venezuela and the top three winners of the recently-concluded Miss Philippines Quest USA.

Gabriela paid a courtesy call on Consul General De Leon regarding her relief efforts with CordAid in Coron, Palawan. She expressed her excitement in participating in more activities in helping the Philippines. 

A few hours after Gabriela left the consulate, Synergy Production’s head Grace Labaguis (official franchise holder for Miss Philippines Quest USA), together with Miss Philippines Quest USA’s resident pageant coach Izza Dungca, accompanied this year’s top three ladies of the pageant — Alexa Kirby, Miss Philippines Quest Winner, together with her runners-up Misook Mendonca (first) and Isabella Estella (second). 

Consul General De Leon congratulated the winners and wished Alexa luck as she leaves for the Philippines on Sept. 5 to compete in the 2014 Miss World Philippines Pageant in Manila.

“I am quite excited to be back home again. I went there a couple of times to help in various medical missions and I hope to be of more help when I go back this time,” said Alexa.

The statuesque summer camp counselor is excited to meet reigning Miss World Megan Young whom she looks up to.

— Reported by FELIX MANUEL

Viva releases statement on Sharon

Here’s the latest word on Sharon Cuneta’s (photo) quitting TV5 (from Viva Entertainment, her management) published in The STAR last Sunday:

Sharon Cuneta’s contractual relationship with TV5 Network, Inc. officially ended on Aug. 18, 2014 more than two years ahead of the original contract period that was supposed to expire in 2016. Ms. Cuneta graciously announced the end of her relationship with TV5 in social media, and TV5 later came out with an official statement thanking Ms. Cuneta for being part of the Kapatid Network for almost three years and wishing her well in all her future endeavors. Underneath these cordial expressions, however, lie a host of unresolved issues pertaining to the pre-termination of the contract, including the causes thereof and the consequential injuries suffered by the aggrieved party. These matters are left for resolution privately between the parties themselves or, if necessary, through an appropriate formal proceeding. In the meantime, Ms. Cuneta intends to enjoy the restful company of people who have always loved and believed in her, in good times and in bad times, and at the same time re-create herself for even bigger opportunities in her phenomenal career.

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