MANILA, Philippines—The whole show biz industry mourns the death of Rudy Fernandez.

His discoverer/mentor Deo J. Fajardo remembers his first impression of Rudy, then a 17-year-old college sophomore taking up Commerce in UP. “I first met Daboy in their house on F. Manalo, San Juan, with his sis Merle. Tinataguan niya ako nung una kasi ayaw niya talaga mag-artista. Pero after three months of persuading him, pumayag na rin.”

Good thing Daboy changed his mind. He has left an indelible mark in show biz. I will fondly remember how Daboy, every time we see each other, would tease me about his nephew Mon (an ex-BF during my UP days).

Thank you, Daboy, for those brief yet heartwarming moments. Bravo for a life well lived, on and off cam!

On the warpath

JUST when I thought that Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz were on the verge of reconciling, Shine is on the warpath again. She’s mad at her sister-in-law Ched (based in Italy) for allegedly spreading nasty stories about her which aggravate her already volatile marriage.

“Sometimes silence is good and effective but not all the time,” she says. “Especially if my kids are involved. I have done my part. I hope Cesar will do his part, too. Dapat damayan niya kami ng mga anak niya if he doesn’t want us to part ways for good. Kapatid niya nga si Ched pero pamilya din niya kami.”

I tried to reach Ched via e-mail but for now she refuses to comment on the issue. Cesar is at a loss. “I love both Shine and Ched. Nothing can ever change that. I don’t believe any of the bad things said against my wife,” he says. “They should both know their responsibility and not let personal grudges and differences get in the way.”

As a close friend of the couple, I know it’s their quarrels that keep them going. After all is said and done, Buboy and Shine will be arguing who loves the other more.

Caught in the crossfire

GOT this text from Cesar’s eldest daughter Angela (from his previous marriage) who’s also embroiled in the family squabble:

“The gap is between Tita Ched and Ate Shine. My Friendster account was used to air feelings. I would not have allowed it to happen if I monitored my Friendster 24 hours. Naipit na lang si daddy, ako at ang family sa differences ni Tita Ched and Ate Shine. This should not be happening. I love them both.”

Friendster turned Frenemienster?

Fake preggy photos

THE TABS picked up my blind item about a young star who sent her fake preggy photos to Pinoy British footballer Phil Younghusband. They thought I was referring to Rhian Ramos.

Oops! Mistaken identity! Although his fab manager Joyce Ramirez says Rhian also had some escapades with Phil, there’s another mestiza young star who also has the hots for him. When she bumped into Phil at Fiama, she grabbed his iPhone and stored her number in it using an alias.

Seems like the football star has all the reasons to play the field.

French Film Fest

THE 13TH French Film Festival, to run from June 11 to 22 at the Shangri-La Plaza, is a celebration of love in its different aspects with films “Un Baiser s’il vous plaît (Shall We Kiss?),” “Chansons d’Amour (Love Songs),” “Qui m’aime me suive (Whoever loves me, follow me),” “Ma Vie en l’Air (Love is in the air),” “Clean,” “Roman de Gare (Crossed Tracks),” “Je Crois que je l’aime (I think I love her)” and “Ah! Si j’étais riche! (If I were a rich man).”

Local films “Serbis,” which was a contender in the Cannes Filmfest , and “Now Showing,” selected in the Directors’ Fortnight, will also be shown Plus the Oscar-winning performance of Marion Cotillard in “La Môme.” Alllons au cinema! L’ Amour toujours L’amour!

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com.