From the US where he is vacationing with his beloved Dr. Vicki Belo, Dr. Hayden Kho reacted to the story about Scarlet Snow, his and Vicki’s 14-month-old daughter whose identity was revealed for the first time since the baby’s picture started appearing on billboards as image model of Dr. Vicki’s baby products.
Hayden said that he felt “bad” that Snow was described in the story as “not my child with Vicki but with a woman I’ve never met.”
Here are Hayden’s text messages to Funfare:
“I met the surrogate mom and she is not Scarlet’s mother. It’s more complicated than that. Scarlet is not Mexican-American.
“There are two kinds of surrogacy — traditional and gestational. That of Joel Cruz is traditional. That’s not what we did.” (Note: Joel had his sperm fertilized with the egg of a “baby maker” who herself bore the baby. — RFL)
“We don’t want to talk about the details of Scarlet’s conception and birth. That’s very personal to us and to the family.” (Note: Hayden didn’t explain what “gestational surrogacy” is. — RFL)
“Scarlet Snow’s surrogate mom is only a carrier — a gestational surrogate it’s called — and has no genetic contribution to her.
“Scarlet Snow is 100 percent our baby.”
By the way, Hayden said that they got the baby’s name from the Bible: “Isaiah 1:18 Though your sins be red as scarlet, I shall make them white as snow.”
Regine wins hearts of Fil-Am media guys and fans in NYC
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid had a post-concert meet-and-greet with the tri-state Fil-Am media and fans at Promdi restaurant in Queens, New York, last Sunday, May 15.
Despite her busy schedule, Regine was able to squeeze in four shows here in the US. Her Chicago (Copernicus Center) and New Jersey (Bergen Performing Arts Center) concerts were jampacked. She is flying to the West Coast and will be at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center on May 21 and at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena the following day.
NYC fans were given ample time to mingle and meet their idol during the two-hour event in Queens. On a personal note, I have been a fan of Regine’s since her Bagong Kampeon days and seeing her again, after nine years, gave me goosebumps. During the photo-op, I asked her to sign some 20 CD (part of my cherished collection) and she said, “I’d be very happy to sign them!” I was ecstatic! For an avid fan like me, it’s a dream come true!
During the forum, Regine advised aspiring singers to follow their dreams and never give up.
“The road will never be easy, but as long as you love what you are doing and giving the best that you have will eventually lead you to your dreams,” she enthused.
Regine is currently on primetime television appearing in the drama series Poor Señorita and hosts her own lifestyle show, Sarap Diva. GMA International — through its three international channels (GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News International) — is the exclusive media sponsor of Timeless: The USA Concert Tour 2016.
Three of GMA’s well-loved personalities were also present during the event, Bang Arespacochaga (GMA senior program manager), Cheri Domingo (head of programming, GMA International) and Grace Labaguis (marketing consultant for GMA International US-East Coast). — Reported by Felix Manuel/Photos by Yetbo Loverita
Film by Cebuana director vies in 4 int’l filmfests
Miss Bulalacao, the debut feature of Ara Chawdhury (from Cebu), will compete in four international film festivals this June. It stars Russ Ligtas, Tessie Tomas, Mon Confiado, Nanette Inventor, Chai Fonacier, Keith Deligero, Ferdinand Mesias, Gen Mijares and Ronyel Compra.
“I’m excited to bring Bisaya humor to international audiences, and curious how it will be received,” Ara said.
After winning Best Supporting Actress and Best Screenplay at the Cinema One Originals 2015, Miss Bulalacao will have its international premiere at the Seoul Independent Women Film Festival (June 2 to 12) where the director will be present. The film will then simultaneously travel to San Francisco, US and Bangkok, Thailand.
Director Ara and cinematographer Christian Linaban will represent the film in its North American premiere at the YBCA New Filipino Cinema (June 9 to Aug. 3) in San Francisco while lead actor Russ Ligtas will be in the Bangkok Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (June 10 to 19) where the film will compete.
Miss Bulalacao will also be exhibited at the Durban International Film Festival (June 16 to 26) where the film’s producer Bianca Balbuena will serve as part of the jury for the international feature competition.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)