A ‘surprise’ tutti-frutti 19th birthday party for Kisses

Last year when she turned 18 (May 1), Kisses Delavin was honored with a fan-organized debut at a five-star hotel. Five days after she turned 19, fans again surprised Kisses wth a “Tutti Frutti” party at the Philippine Marines Acero Hall in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“I was overwhelmed,” said Kisses (full name: Kirsten Danielle Tan Delavin) who, if you recall, was called the “Miracle Daughter of Masbate” at the PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) because her mom, Carrie Delavin, suffered seven miscarriages before she and Kisses’ dad, Gilbert Delavin, had her. That’s why Gilbert and Carrie are understandably over-protective towards their daughter.

Kissables (that’s how her fans are called) from here and abroad (Singapore, Korea, Dubai, etc.) gathered to have fun during the “Summer Fruity” affair, complete with an AVP presentation, fan production numbers and special “surprise” guests in a show of love and unity.

Kisses with parents, Gilbert and Carrie Delavin

The same Kissables filled up every nook and cranny of the Kia Theater where Kisses had her solo concert several weeks ago (with guests Tony Labrusca, one of the two being eyed as Kisses’ loveteam-mate, with Donny Pangilinan as the other one; Sam Milby; Marlo Mortel; and Karla “Queen Mother” Estrada). Kisses showed everybody that she could not only sing but also dance up a storm.

“I am grateful that Kissables are behind me every way, all the way,” added Kisses who enjoys more than 450,000 followers on Twitter and more than 1.4 million on Instagram. She has a certified-gold/platinum album.

Kisses with some of her furry friends

Next up for Kisses is Regal Entertainment’s Walwal, directed by Joey Javier Reyes (also starring Kiko Estrada, Elmo Magalona, Jerome Ponce and Donny), which is showing third week of June. Walwal is a millennial word that means, yes, wala-wala lang; an ABS-CBN teleserye called Playhouse; and a hosting job for LUH, an online show for OneMusic PH.

Tam P. Austria in ‘art-eventful’ celebration

Tam P. Austria: A well-rounded artist and author

Tam P. Austria is a multi-awarded painter, author (of Recreamindoism Rena Philosophy, published in 1999; and My Inspirer) and co-author (of Zeal For Art with Alice Guillermo).

He was recently nominated for the National Artist Award in a resolution dated Sept. 28, 2017, in Zamboanga City by the officers of the MRRD National Executive Coordinating Committee, acknowledging his dedication and citing that “in spite of the hardships during the early years of his life, Tam has risen from poverty to become one of the premier artists of our country and is among the leaders who advocate social awareness…teaching the new generation that harmony and prosperity can be achieved through positive approach and healthy living.”

Tam is busy with the Art Month events: Art Forum Monologue with Artists on May 31 in Cebu City; book launching (in cooperation with Emilio Gallery) on June 9 in Davao City; Art Forum and Sketching Session on June 16 in Antipolo City; Tanay Artists in Art Session on June 23 in Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal; Sining Likha Sayaw at Musika (in celebration of his wife Mary Divine’s birthday) on July 15 at the Manila Hotel; and Sining Musika Alay sa Ama with son (artist-actor) Mike Austria in full concert on July 25 at Teatrino (Greenhills).

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