Ai-Ai in 2015: Be positive

In keeping with her positive outlook in 2015, Ai-Ai delas Alas was in a flaming-red dress when she hosted a post-Christmas lunch with her writer-friends at Romulo’s Café yesterday. She came with eldest son Sancho who is now a Kapuso talent managed by Ai-Ai herself.

“This year will be better than last year,” assured Ai-Ai.

She has shows lined up, one a Valentine show titled Ai Y Papa (with Richard Yap) set for the newly-opened theater at Solaire, and the other a concert in November at the MOA Arena marking her 25th anniversary in showbiz. She’s also launching a new business: an intimate wash for both men and women, and four kinds of perfume named after her and her children (Sophia and Nicolo, aside from Sancho).

Asked what achievements she’s proud of in her 25 years in showbiz, Ai-Ai said, “My Tanging Ina movies and TV series, my concerts (two at the Folk Arts Theater and two at the Big Dome,” not to mention having well-mannered children.

And what did she regret doing?

“I don’t regret over anything,” said Ai-Ai. “In my life, ayoko mag-regret because, sabi nga ng nasirang Tita Inday (Badiday), even the falling of a leaf has a reason. I learned from everything that happened in my life.”

Ai-Ai and Sancho with writer-friends at yesterday’s post-Christmas lunch, back row, from left: Lhar Santiago, Mario Dumaual, Bayani San Diego (partly hidden), Salve Asis, Allan Diones, Gorgy Rula, Jun Nardo, Jojo Gabinete, Eugene Asis and Jun Lalin; and (front row, also from left) Joe Barrameda (newly-elected president of the Philippine Movie Press Club), Isah Red, Ricky Lo, Mario Bautista and Ian Fariñas.

She begged off from talking about her love life (with the badminton player slightly younger that Sancho).

She dropped her plan to run for mayor of Calatagan, Batangas and doubted if she ever ventured into politics in 2016 even if some people are pushing her to.

While waiting for his first project as Kapuso, Sancho is undergoing acting workshops both on comedy and drama.

“Anak, ipakita mo sa mga tao na mahusay ka ring artista katulad ng father mo,” Ai-Ai challenged Sancho whose father is a retired theater actor who played Judas in the staging of Jesus Christ Superstar in the early ‘80s.

Repeaters, showbiz among Bb. hopefuls

Thirty-four hopefuls were launched over the weekend as official candidates of the 2015 Bb. Pilipinas pageant with grand finals set for March 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum (aired live on ABS-CBN).

Among them is Wynwyn Marquez, daughter of Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno and niece of 1979 Miss International Melanie Marquez and model Via Marquez. A Kapuso star, Wynwyn is a Business Administration (major in Marketing/Management) from San Beda College Alabang. Turning 23 on May 4, she weighs 115 lbs. and measures 35-24-35.

2015 Bb. Pilipinas hopefuls (from left): Wynwyn Marquez, Pia Wurtzbach and Kimverlyn Suiza

According to Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas who covered the announcement, there are eight repeaters: Hannah Ruth Sison (#19, 2013 candidate and 2014 second runner-up), Anabel Christine (#6, 2014 candidate), Toni Alyessa Hipolito (#16, 2008 Top 10 finalists and 2010 candidate), Ria Rabajante (#1, 2013 candidate), Kimverlyn Suiza (#15, 2014 candidate), Pia Wurtzbach (2013 first runner-up and one of semi-finalists in 2014), Mae Liezel Ramos (one of 15 semi-finalists in 2014) and Patricia Lae Ejercitado (#6, 2010 candidate and one of the 12 semi-finalists in 2012).

Another candidate, 2014 Miss Philippines-Earth runner-up Maria Jenny Felix Gonzalez, is the niece of 1991 Bb. Pilipinas–Universe Alou Gonzalez and 1975 Miss RP Suzanne Gonzalez. Deaf-mute Christine Balaguer, one of the 13 semi-finalists in 2014 Miss Philippines-Earth, is also a candidate. Her life story will be featured on Charo Santos-Concio’s Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) with 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe/Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj as Balaguer.

A ‘dry-run’ for Pope welcome

The entire stretch of Roxas Boulevard has been fenced off with concrete barriers to protect the millions of people who would line up and take a glance of Pope Francis when he arrives on Thursday, Jan. 15. The concrete barriers would also serve as protection to prevent the spilling into the streets of welcomers who could slow down the Pope’s motorcade.

Election lawyer Romy Macalintal during his own ‘dry run’ for the Papal Visit at the Roxas Boulevard yesterday

Election lawyer Romy Macalintal, a lector-commentator at the Last Supper of Our Lord Parish in Las Piñas City, yesterday did his own “dry-run” on with Pope Francis’ photograph on hand. “Thereafter, I said a little prayer for His Holiness’ safety and security wherever he goes coupled with a poem by James J. Metcalfe which, although written in 1952, would forever remain as a sincere prayer for His Holiness. The poem is lifted from Metcalfe’s book of prayerful poems, My Rosary of Rhymes, which had the Imprimatur of Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York on April 28, 1952. What a coincidence that the Cardinal was also named Francis.”

Lord, Bless His Holiness

 By: James J. Metcalfe

Lord, bless our Holy Father, in the Vatican at Rome

And keep a special place for him, in Your eternal home.

He rules and guides with humbleness, the people of Your church

And strives to give us comfort, in our everlasting search.

He teaches us to follow You, and do Your holy will

To keep Your great commandments, and our promises fulfill.

He holds the keys You handed, to St. Peter long ago

The keys to Your eternal church, for everyone to know.

O Lord, bestow Your grace upon, our Pope, His Holiness

And after life bestow on him, eternal happiness.