Dollywood
James Bond-inspired party for Dingdong
By Dolly Anne Carvajal
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:47:00 08/05/2008
Filed Under: Celebrities, Entertainment (general)
MANILA, Philippines—Birthday boy and new Belo endorser Dingdong Dantes celebrated in style at the NBC Tent (Fort). Guests defied the elements to attend his James Bond/Casino Royale-inspired party on a rainy Sunday.
There were gaming tables, slot machines, guns on display, sexy ladies, a “shaken, not stirred” Martini bar and a waterfall of diamonds buffet centerpiece. Dong fulfilled his fantasy of portraying an Agent 007 character even just for a night.
The welcome bash Dr. Vicki Belo threw for Dong was nothing short of spectacular. Dong used to have stubborn love handles but because of the non-invasive Belo-Shape which tightens skin and removes fat, he’s now the highest paid underwear model.
To me, Dong is also a model friend. Success and happiness could not have found a more deserving person. His fab GF Karylle sang “I Finally Found Someone” for him. Dong and K are truly each other’s best.
A-1 band Side A got the party mood going. Spotted at the fete were Marian Rivera, Iza Calzado and BF Jerry Garcia, Ogie Alcasid, Marco Alcaraz with date Kris Bernal, Ricky Davao, Janno Gibbs, DJ Mo, Benjie Paras and wife Lye, GMA’s Wilma Galvante, Paolo Paraiso, Geoff and Gabby Eigenmann, Kyla and BF Rich Alvarez, Diana Zubiri, Dino Guevarra, Jojo Alejar and Dr. Hayden Kho.
Dong was in a daze all night. So instead of interviewing him, I let him bask in his glory. At 28, Dong’s body, love life and career are in their best shape.
No homebody
Iza Calzado is blooming all the more now that her US-based BF Jerry Garcia is in town. Doesn’t he experience culture shock attending show biz parties with her?
“He’s used to big parties since he’s a businessman,” Iza says. “But he’s still adjusting to having his picture taken all the time.”
Is she willing to give up her career if and when they get hitched? “Jerry’s not the kind of guy who will make me quit anything I love to do. I know he will respect my choice to remain in show biz. I’m not a homebody. I’m always looking for an adventure.”
Iza’s definitely enjoying life’s roller-coaster ride with Jerry by her side.
Guess list
• Guess who this controversial celebrity is. She’s living in with a low-key TV personality who’s estranged from his wife. How long can they keep their romance secret? Will he subdue her high-profile nature or will she try to be as inconspicuous as he is? Love has a queer way of changing everything.
• Guess who this separated actress is. Her liaison dangereuse with a married politico is an open secret in his baluarte. Is their affair the cause or (after) effect of her failed marriage?
Pinoy advantage
“Mas masarap magmahal ang Pinoy kaya mas type ko silang BF kaysa foreigner,” Rufa Mae Quinto said. “Pero kung half-Pinoy pwede na rin (laughs).” I shot back in jest, “Upper or lower half?” We both had a good laugh.
Pchi had a taste of what it’s like to deal with foreigners as an OFW in GMA Films “I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust And Love You).” The movie will take you on a grand cruise of life aboard the Costa Magica. The breath-taking cities of Milan, Napoli, Genoa, Savona, Florence, Rome, Pisa, Marseilles, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Tunisia form a dramatic backdrop to this charming story of love, laughter and luck.
Pchi’s choice to take a cruise with? “Jon Avila. Half-Pinoy, half-Irish siya.” A better half? “I’m already complete,” Pchi said, laughing. Spare your Jerry Maguire lines, guys. Pchi’s an all-in-one woman!
Right ingredients
When it comes to acting, John Lloyd Cruz has all the right ingredients and the recipe to go with it. Very much like the Greenwich Overloaded Pizzas he endorses.
Loydie shines anew in “A Very Special Love” with Sarah Geronimo. His performance is neither OA nor bland. He puts in just the right amount of emotion required in every scene.
I particularly liked the scene where he was begging Sarah to stop loving him. That’s something his fanatics can never do.
Wrong move?
Entertainment programs usually post higher ratings than Public Affairs shows. This must be the assumption of ABS-CBN when they decided to move “Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK)” to Saturday prime time and pitted it against GMA’s “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS).” But ratings proved otherwise.
Last July 19, KMJS posted a rating of 26.9 percent against MMK’s 19.9 percent, based on data from AGB Nielsen for Mega Manila. Kudos to Jessica and her staff. I hardly miss any of their interesting episodes. It’s TV time well-spent.
Celebrity night
Join the fun in the National Press Club’s Celebrity Night with Freddie Aguilar and Krista Ranillo on Friday, Aug. 8, 7 p.m. at the NPC Bldg. (5th flr), Intramuros. What better way to celebrate the lucky 888 day?
PERSONAL: To all “Badiday loyalists,” please join me in prayer as I celebrate all the wonderful things my mom is, especially today. Happy Birthday, SuperwoMOM. I’m sure you’re having a blast up there. Saranghamneda, Ma!
Thanks a mil to Enchanted Kingdom’s cool AVP-Marketing Richard Burgos for a fun mission well-accomplished!
E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com
|
