More showbiz figures volunteer services to GMA

First were superstars Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.

Now popular teenage star Jolina Magdangal, actresses Assunta de Rossi, Rufa Mae Quinto and Angelu de Leon, singers Jaya and Mitch Valdez, actor Joel Torre and comedian Leo Martinez (who is also known as Congressman Manhik Manaog) are among the latest converts of President Arroyo.

Local entertainment celebrities continue to troop to Malacañang to express their full support and even volunteer their services to help Mrs. Arroyo bring her message to the masses.

The President hosted last Monday night at Malacañang a dinner reception for these entertainment personalities led by Aunor, who appeared in the "Ina ng Bayan" infomercial produced by Channel 13.

Aunor and Martinez were billed as special guest and emcee, respectively, during the 55th birthday celebration of Mrs. Arroyo last Friday at Le Pavilion on Roxas Boulevard where the Chief Executive launched several government projects.

During the occasion, lookalikes Aunor and Mrs. Arroyo sang a duet of "You," a song popularized by the late Karen Carpenter, and an a cappella version of "Together Again."

Aunor and Martinez were invited to the dinner reception along with their fellow stars, mostly talents of ABS-CBN and GMA Channel 7, who were accompanied by movie producer Vic del Rosario.

Like Aunor, Del Rosario of Viva Films also used to be a frequent visitor at the Palace during the term of their erstwhile friend, actor-politician and deposed President Joseph Estrada.

Also present during the dinner was Channel 13 board member Cerge Remonde, whose station is producing a Nora Aunor special.

The dinner affair was not listed for media coverage and was not in the official appointment schedule of Mrs. Arroyo last Monday.

Palace officials told The STAR that the dinner was just "inserted" into the President’s schedule. Before dinner Mrs. Arroyo posed for a souvenir photo with the stars.

Interviewed by ABS-CBN at the Palace, Jaya, Jolina and Rufa Mae expressed their willingness to support the President.

Jaya even made a pitch to Filipino viewers not to buy "pirated" compact discs and video compact discs which are being blamed for much of the financial woes of the local entertainment industry. — Marichu Villanueva