Gary V postpones April show

It would have been Gary Valenciano’s first major solo show for 2020 set for April at the Smart Araneta Coliseum but because of the COVID-19 outbreak, he and his wife Angeli Pangilinan have decided to postpone it. It’s the same show that Gary’s son Paolo (who’s directing it) “mistakenly” described as his dad’s farewell concert, making people think that Gary was quitting (fortunately, he’s not…yet!).

“We had to postpone the dates when DOH gave an advisory to limit concerts and big gatherings,” Angeli told The STAR, “but Araneta has no open dates so MOA Arena was offering the dates in the second half of the year. Perhaps November is the best time because Gary has shows abroad.”

So the other shows must go on ­— “God willing,” said Angeli.

The itinerary: May 16 in Toronto; May 23 in Calgary (also in Canada); May 31 in Pechanga Temecula Southern California; and June 13 in Cache Creek, Brooks, North California.

Other events have also been either cancelled or postponed, including Avril Lavigne’s Head Above Water concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on May 20. Early last Sunday, the Canadian singer posted this on her social-media account: I am so sad to announce that we are unable to tour the Asian markets due to the continuous outbreak of the coronavirus. My band, crew and I have been working so hard to bring this tour worldwide and are completely bummed out.

She advised her fans to take care and stay healthy: Please everybody, take care of yourselves and stay healthy. You’re in my thoughts and prayers and we are hoping to announce rescheduled shows soon.

It would have been Lavigne’s first concert tour in five years, after she took a break in 2014 when she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease.

According to Glenn Llamas of Wilbros Live, producer of the Lavigne concert, the new dates will be announced soon.

The two-day (March 7 and 8) Wanderland event has also been cancelled. Postponed (but no new dates announced) is the March 14 MOA Arena concert of the 1987 Green Day American rock band.

Last Tuesday at the ballroom of Luxent Hotel where he was introduced as the millennial endorser of Beautederm by the brand’s president Rhea Anicoche-Tan, Darren Espanto revealed that, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he wasn’t able to go to China (which has the most number of patients and deaths) to perform at a music festival.

“It’s safer that way,” said Darren, turning 19 on May 24, who has gone a long way since he finished a finalist in The Voice Kids contest of ABS-CBN seven years ago.

Although he has been linked to actresses like (identified by the movie writers) Kyline Alcantara, Andrea Brillantes, Ylona Garcia and Alexa Ilacad, Darren insisted that they are just his friends and they’re still young to be seriously involved while they are concentrating on their careers.

“I’ve never had a girlfriend,” admitted Darren, not even Cassy Legaspi (daughter of Zoren Legaspi and Carmina Villarroel) who’s the current girl linked to him. “I’m close to Cassy and (her twin brother) Mavy.”

Toward the end of the presscon, movie writers were pleasantly surprised when Rhea sang a duet with Darren because they didn’t know that, aside from being a former radio deejay, she’s also a good singer.

Incidentally, Darren is the voice behind the 2019 hit song Sasagipin Kita, the soundtrack of the ABS-CBN series A Soldier’s Heart.

“I don’t have any person in mind when I sing it,” clarified Darren. “It’s about family and friends, a song you can dedicate to anybody because it gives hope and inspiration.”

Quality films in the first Metro Manila Summer Film Festival 

Based on the trailers shown during the announcement of the eight official entries of the first Metro Manila Summer Film Festival (MMSFF), it’s easy to see that they are better, “quality-wise,” than most entries of the December MMFF year in and year out.

“Impressive,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City which is hosting the Parade of Stars (from the Welcome Rotonda to the Quezon Memorial Circle) on April 4, a week before the start of the 11-day MMSFF from April 11 (Black Saturday) to 21. “The entries are really good. Mga quality films.”

The Quezon City government is spearheading the event in partnership with the Cinema Exhibition Association of the Philippines (CEAP). The announcement of the entries was made by Danilo Lim, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The awards night will be held on April 13, Monday.

The eight MMSFF entries are pictured here.

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