Simple at tahimik lang daw ang pag-celebrate ng birthday ng mister ni Tanya Garcia na si Mark Lapid noong nakaraang February 16. Sa bahay lang daw at wala raw ‘yung usual na malaking party dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic. “Dito lang kami sa house nag-lunch. Kaming family lang talaga kasi nga bawal pa naman talaga ang big gatherings. Dumating lang sila papa (Lito Lapid) tapos mga kapatid nya. It was a quiet and simple lunch lang with our three kids,” sey ni Tanya.
Natanong namin si Tanya kung may plano bang tumakbo sa anumang posisyon sa gobyerno si Mark sa 2022?
Former Governor of Pampanga si Mark Lapid from 2004 to 2007. In-appoint naman si Mark ni former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority in 2008. “Naku, wala siyang plans tumakbo sa 2022. Recently lang, kaka-appoint lang sa kanya ni President Rodrigo Duterte sa TIEZA ulit. So, balik siya sa pagiging government employee. Siguro dun na muna talaga si Mark.”
Ang TIEZA or Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority ay “attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT) that designates, regulates and supervises tourism enterprise zones established under Republic Act 9593.”
From 2009 to 2016, nagsilbi na noon si Mark bilang chief operating officer of the TIEZA under President Benigno Aquino III.
Balik sa pag-arte sa teleserye si Tanya pagkatapos ng maraming taon. Natuwa naman siya na sa muling paggawa niya ng teleserye sa GMA, sina Carmina Villarroel at John Estrada ang kasama niya sa Babawiin Ko Ang Lahat.
Chef JR, tinalo ang mga kilalang celeb chef
Nag-stand out sa kanyang audition para sa bagong cooking show na Farm To Table si Chef JR Royol. Tinalo nga raw ng Bicolano-Igorot chef ang ilang mas kilala nang celebrity chefs. “This show came at the right time. Noong may tumawag sa akin para mag-audition ako, wala akong alam na it’s for a cooking show. Akala ko guesting lang iyon. When they called me na ako ang napili, natuwa po ako kasi marami kaming nag-audition. Magandang blessing ito for my family,” sey pa ni Chef JR.
Bumagay raw kasi si Chef JR sa concept ng show kung saan pupunta ito sa iba’t ibang farms sa bansa at ituturo kung papaano makakalikha ng masasarap na putahe gamit ang fresh ingredients mula rito. “The way I look at this project is para siyang hands-on training. For me, more than the exposure, I’m mostly excited with the knowledge na makukuha ko working with different people. One of my practices is to really teach my staff before. Mas excited ako na mas malawak ‘yung audience na matuturuan ko with this show.”
Prince Harry at Meghan, magsasalita kay Oprah
Pagkatapos na i-announce last February 14 na magkakaroon ng second baby sina Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, ngayon ay inanunsyo ng Duke and Duchess of Sussex na tuluyan na silang hindi magse-serve bilang working members ng Royal Family. “Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service. While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family,” ayon pa sa Buckingham Palace.
Ang mga honorary military appointments at royal patronages nina Harry at Meghan ay ibabalik kay Queen Elizabeth II to be redistributed. Kasama rito ang The Royal Marines, RAF Honington, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, The Rugby Football Union, The Rugby Football League, The Royal National Theatre and The Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Ayon naman sa spokesperson ng Duke and Duchess: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Haharap sa isang 90-minute interview sina Harry at Meghan with Oprah Winfrey on March 7. Puwede na nilang sabihin ang gusto nila sa sit-down interview dahil they are no longer in service of the Queen.