When the photos of Juliana Gomez and Miggy Bautista circulated on social media, tongues started wagging...are they already an item? One photo shows Juliana and Miggy seated on a sofa, with Miggy kissing Juliana’s right shoulder and the other shows them holding drinks in what looked like a well-lit garden. What do Juliana’s parents, Ormoc City Mayor Richard “Goma” Gomez and Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, say about it?
According to Funfare sources, Miggy is an award-winning athlete from Ateneo de Manila University. His full name is Jian Miguel “Miggy” Bonnevie Bautista and he comes from a well-to-do family. His mom is related to Dina Bonnevie. Further research revealed that Miggy (described as “a very nice boy”) is a member of the country’s National Fencing Team and who has won a prize at an event in Switzerland.
To find out the real score between Juliana (who turned 20 on Sept. 8 last year; Lucy is a Marian devotee) and Miggy, Funfare texted Goma and Lucy, “May boyfriend na pala si Juliana?”
Goma’s reply: “Ganun ba? Wait, let me confirm with Lucy. OMG! Hahahahaha!!!”
Lucy’s reply: “Hahahaha!!! At her age, most probably she’s seeing someone, getting to know each other.”
That’s what Goma also said during a phone call a few minutes later.
“They are getting to know...”
According to Goma, Miggy is a member of the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) of which Goma is the president. Juliana is a member of the UP Fencing Team and the sport is an interest that she shares with Miggy.
Goma confirmed that the photos were taken at their home when the family treated the fencing team to a dinner. The team was in Ormoc last year (November to December) to train for the Olympics.
“They will be back in Ormoc anytime now to train for two more months,” added Goma.
Funfare noticed that Goma was somewhat nervous on the phone. Was he?
“Konti,” he admitted and then he laughed.
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Coming from a formidable clan is no joke. It can be at once scary and challenging. Ask Diego Gutierrez, son of ex-couple Ramon Christopher “Monching” Gutierrez and Lotlot de Leon, who counts among his relatives two great lolas (Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor), two great lolos (Eddie Gutierrez and Christopher “Boyet” de Leon), Aunt Jackielou Blanco (and Uncle Ricky Davao) and... oops, did we miss anybody?
Managed by Leo Dominguez like mom Lotlot and sister Janine Gutierrez, Diego is starting as a singer (may mga pinagmanahan, so why not?). With all those (showbiz) blood in his veins, he does have a strong foundation to bank on.
Starting today (Feb. 5), you can check on Spotify how Diego is as a singer. He has just uploaded a song called On A Dream which he co-wrote with his friend who was, according to Diego, having a problem (may pinagdadaanan) with his “significant other” during the pandemic.
Wasn’t Diego in the same situation with his own “significant other”?
No, Diego assured. “We are okay.”
Diego said that they were supposed to record the song in the US but the pandemic happened so they did it here. He said that it was his uncle, Mark Feist, who helped them, sharing that his uncle has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Celine Dion and John Legend.
Now that he and Janine are both Kapamilya and together in ASAP Natin ‘To, Diego hopes they would perform a duet. Not only that. He also wants to record a song with Janine, and another song with his two lolas (Lotlot’s mom Nora and Monching’s mom Pilita whom Diego calls Mamita). If only with his Mamita, which of Pilita’s many songs would he pick to record with her?
“A Million Thanks To You,” said Diego. “I will dedicate it to all members of my family who have been so supportive and who always remind me to work hard and huwag kakabahan kapag nag-pe-perform.”
Diego’s other passion is basketball. He is a Marketing graduate from the University of Asia and Pacific.
While Janine is living alone in her own condo unit in Mandaluyong City, and their two other siblings are with Lotlot and her husband in Parañaque City, Diego is staying with Monching in Fairview, Quezon City.
“I spend equal time between them,” according to Diego. “I visit my mom regularly.”
(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)