Clothes of the stars gobbled up at QC Celebrity Bazaar

A white T-shirt belonging to movie actress Joyce Jimenez was the most sought after item yesterday during the opening of the Quezon City Celebrity Bazaar, a fund-raising project included in this year’s celebration of the Philippine Councilors’ League Week.

No less than Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista and hordes of male City Hall employees attempted to purchase the P300 shirt, but TV newscaster TJ Manotoc, son of businessman and sportsman Tommy Manotoc, managed to beat them to the prized item as the bazaar opened.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. opened the Celebrity Bazaar during flag-raising ceremonies at City Hall yesterday morning.

The "Private Joyce" shirt was among hundreds of items donated by the sexy actress to the Mowelfund-sponsored project, intended to raise funds for low income workers in the film industry and for livelihood programs of Quezon City residents.

The most expensive item, a royal blue strapless long gown worn by movie actress Lorna Tolentino was acquired for P3,000 by Councilor Bernadette Herrera.

"It’s a very expensive gown, and Lorna used it only once," Councilor Herrera told The STAR. The gown, worth P50,000, was worn by the actress when she received one of her numerous acting trophies.

Also on sale were the gowns of Rep. Imee Marcos, Pilita Corrales, Boots Anson Roa as well as a painting by actress Alice Dixon, which was bought by Manotoc for P2,500.

Socks, shorts and T-shirts worn by Cesar Montano were also hot items in the bazaar, selling from P20 to P300.

At least 18 movie personalities had committed to sending their personal effects to the bazaar to help raise funds.

Ma. Chit Sambile, welfare and public relations officer of the Mowelfund, said the initial target of the fund-raising was P40,000, but said more items are expected to arrive in the next five days.

To benefit from the proceeds of the bazaar are alternative livelihood programs such as basic haircutting, reflexology, computer training and food processing.

Apart from the bazaar, other events lined up for the week-long celebration of the 13th anniversary celebration of the PCL in Quezon City include a mega job fair and community visitations to hospitals and other institutions.

SOCA on Sept. 9

The highlight of the PCL celebration will be Belmonte’s annual state of the city address (SOCA) to be delivered on Sept. 9 at the Carlos Albert Session Hall.

The SOCA aims to inform city residents of the progress and gains of city government in the last 12 months.

In his speech at yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony, the mayor said the legislative branch of government is the true mark of democracy. He also lauded as "new heroes" the country’s civil servants who perform sacrifices in performing their duties.

The celebration of PCL Week also aims to enhance local legislature as a proactive partner in the promotion of peace, tourism and environment.

Yesterday’s celebration was capped by a mass wedding sponsored by Belmonte and Councilor Eric Medina of the city’s second district.

Some 269 couples from Barangays Commonwealth, Payatas, Batasan Hill Silangan, Holy Spirit and Fairview, participated in the wedding ceremonies.

The event is part of the program of the city government to provide unwed couples with opportunity to get marriage licenses and legalize their union.