Raising Scarlet Snow, Little Superstar!

Wasn’t Vic in the list of nominees?

On the heels of the announcement of the FAMAS as a “reinvented” (for want of a better term) award-giving body, it is already hounded by controversy, particularly in the Dolphy Lifetime Achievement Award which is citing, yes of course, outstanding comedians. 

The maiden awardee is Vice Ganda (left) whose selection has generated some noise from some quarters.

The common practice is that the family the special award is named after (you know, “in memory of”) is given the privilege of choosing to whom the award is bestowed, such as the Vera-Perez Family for the Dr. Jose R. Perez Memorial Award or Susan Roces for the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award (this year’s choice is Coco Martin who more than deserves it).

According to Funfare sources, the Quizon Family (with Eric Quizon as virtual head) was left out in the selection of the recipient. FAMAS reportedly conducted a survey, but could it be true that Vic Sotto’s (photo) name wasn’t on the list of nominees? Of course, Vice Ganda is inarguably very popular these days but I agree with columnist Gorgy Rula who wrote that Vic is also deserving if not even more so, basing on body of work, longevity in the business, number of following, etc.

Didn’t Eric (and family) raise any objection (not really against Vice but against the selecting process)?

“He just shrugged it off,” said somebody close to Eric.

***

Mention the name Scarlet Snow and the title that immediately comes to mind is…Little Superstar! On her Instagram, Scarlet enjoys more than 2.3 million followers and more than 1.2 million on her Facebook account. She’s also the most in-demand showbiz-kid endorser, with three so far (Red Ribbon, Belo Clinic and Nankid) and one more coming up soon. The offers keep coming but Scarlet’s dad, Dr. Hayden Kho, said, “Enough for the meantime.” Scarlet’s mom, Dr. Vicki Belo agreed.

Scarlet’s followers come not just from the Philippines but around the world.

“Everywhere we go,” related Vicki, “people want to have a selfie with her. It’s okay lang naman except that sometimes napuputol whatever she’s doing, like when she’s swimming or sliding. But she’s game. It doesn’t affect her because she’s too young to make sense of the situation.”

During the recent wedding of Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia in Balesin Island, Vicki was amused when Sharon Cuneta, one of the principal sponsors (like Vicki), approached Scarlet (a Flower Girl) for a selfie.

“I was thrilled,” gushed Vicki.

Funfare talked to Hayden and Vicki the other day at the Manila House where they hosted an intimate lunch for three birthday celebrators. The couple looked so youthful, all aglow, that we concluded that they must be enjoying an extended “honeymoon” bliss. Their faces lit up when they talked about Scarlet.

Lunch at Manila House with three friends celebrating birthdays, from left: Tanya Quibilan; Hayden; celebrators Rubby Sy-Coyuito, Lolit Solis and your Funfarer; Vicki; Shirley Pizarro; Salve Asis; and Jojo Gabinete.

“Whatever Scarlet earns from commercials is her own,” said Hayden (who takes care of posting Scarlet’s pictures on social media), that is, minus the commission of the girl’s agent Joji Dingcong. “Scarlet’s money is deposited in her own bank account.”

How is it raising a Little Superstar?

“We don’t spoil her,” shared Vicki, “but we let her be, so that she’ll grow up like any other kid.”

But, of course, Scarlet is not just like any other kid. She is, hands down, the most widely-traveled showbiz kid, having visited cities around the world, except when, like recently, her parents went to the Holy Land for their annual visit.

“If we travel more than seven days, such as during our 17-day Holy Land trip,” said Hayden, “we leave her home with her yaya.”

Also because Scarlet is studying at an exclusive school (she studies Mandarin) near the family home in Dasmariñas Village in Makati City, although at age three (last March) she has yet to reach school age (minimum age for pre-school is four years old).

“It’s more like laro-laro for Scarlet,” explained Hayden, “kaysa naman walang ginagawa sa bahay. It’s too early for her na mag-serious schooling. She’s in school only half a day. She has to be back home for her siesta starting at 1 p.m.”

Vicki and Hayden on ‘extended honeymoon

Unlike most kids, Scarlet is not allowed to have a gadget.

“It’s not good because it ruins a kid’s memory span,” said Hayden. “Kapag ayaw ng isang game, lipat nang lipat. If ever she uses a gadget, I have to guide her. I make sure that she watches educational programs. I am so excited guiding her because, as you know, I am a first-time father.”

A few more weeks and Vicki’s daughter Cristalle Belo-Pitt will give birth to a boy, Vicki and Hayden’s first grandchild

So how are they preparing Scarlet for the baby’s arrival?

“She’s actually very excited,” said Vicki. “Every time she sees Cristalle, she touches Cristalle’s tummy.”

“I would tell her, ‘Scarlet, you will soon be an Ate’,” Vicki said. “And she would say, ‘No, I am not Ate, I am his Tita’.”

Three new directors compete in Cine Filipino

Present during the presscon for three Cine Filipino entries were Miguel Almendras, director Rod Marmol, Edgar Allan Guzman and Joross Gamboa (who are starring separately in two movies for a change), director Alpha Habon, Kate Alejandro, director Therese Anne Cayaba and Nico Antonio

With a grant of P2M each (additional financing at their own expense) from Cignal, the sponsor of the Cine Filipino which opened yesterday in selected SM, Gateway and Greenbelt theaters, three new directors have come up with interesting entries, namely:

• Mga Mister ni Rosario, written and directed by Alpha Habon, and starring Joross Gamboa (as a guy who has so much passion and love for his craft) and Kate Alejandro;

• Delia & Sammy, directed by Therese Anne Cayaba, about a couple in their twilight years starring Jaime Fabregas and Rosemarie Gil (who is making a much-awaited comeback after years of absence), Nico Antonio and Tessie Tomas.

Edgar Allan stars in Mata Tapang and Joross in Mga Mister ni Rosario(left). Making a comeback is Rosemarie Gil in Delia & Sammy with Jaime Fabregas(right)

• Mata Tapang, written and directed by Rod Marmol, starring Edgar Allan Guzman as a soldier who, while recovering from surgery, develops a third eye that makes him see the ghosts of his comrades.

 The trajectory of the three directors’ career bears watching.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram@therealrickylo.)