MANILA, Philippines?Cesar Montano sent me a text message all the way from Sydney: ?Amiga, I?m bonding with my 13-year-old son Diego. He?s almost as tall as me already. He lives here with his mom. I?m teaching him how to sing Cat Stevens? ?Father and Son? so even if we?re apart, he will always remember my advice to him, which is in that song.?
Mr. Singing Bee is also Mr. Doting Dad. In spite of his hectic schedule, Buboy finds a way to make all his six kids (Angelo and Angela with his first wife, Diego with Teresa Loyzaga, Angeline Isabelle, Samantha Angeline and Angel Francesca with wifey Sunshine Cruz) feel loved in equal measure.
Back to work
Ces Drilon is raring to go back to work in ?Bandila? after her controversial captivity by the Abu Sayyaf. But she relished her time away from the cameras.
?I enjoyed not wearing make-up for three months,? she says. ?I rekindled ties with friends. Most of all, I?m thankful that I?m still alive to savor my kids? loving words to me.?
Any apprehensions about newscasting again? ?That I might break my promise to my loved ones not to set foot in Mindanao for the time being.?
To lighten the mood, I teased Ces (we fondly call each other V.S., meaning Vagina Sister since we got close during our guest stint at ?Vagina Monologues? in 2003). ?What about being a captive of love?? She laughed. ?Saka na ang questions about love life.?
What matters is that Ces loves what she does and does what she loves against all odds.
Adopted children
Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin are now adopted son and daughter, respectively, of Bukidnon. They had the time of their lives shooting in that province. Adoption rites were held last Sept. 29 at Paaralang Sentral ng Impasugon. If there could only be similar rites for legions of girls who dream of being adopted by Papa Piolo and many guys who want to make Angel their babe.
MVP
It was a delight to chat with PLDT chair Manny Pangilinan or MVP as he?s fondly called by his colleagues. It has long been his vision that telecommunications and media merge.
Are they buying a TV network anytime soon? ?We?re always like a bride in the altar without a bridegroom,? he says in jest. His latest advocacy is ?Project 2G: Gabay Guro? which will be launched on Oct. 10. ?We intend to make 10/10 Teacher?s Day yearly,? says MVP. ?It aims to foster the professional development of teachers through scholarship grants, English proficiency, computer literacy programs and pay tribute to the unsung heroes who cultivate our minds. All teachers have to do is sign up for the program in their schools to get a Gabay Guro Tribute card which will entitle them to avail of benefits from our partner establishments.?
Teachers are close to MVP?s heart because he used to teach Catechism at the National Center for Mental Health while he was in college. Kudos to MVP?
Most Valuable Philanthropist!
Back-to-back concert
I am counting the days and my heartbeats till the ?Rihanna and Chris Brown Live in Manila? back-to-back concert on Nov. 16 (Call 891-9999. Venue to be announced later). Music Management International and All Youth Channels Inc. (MTV Philippines) bagged the rights to the much awaited event.
Rihanna, a multi-platinum MTV VMA, Grammy and American Music Award winning artist, earned the coveted title of international superstar at the young age of 19. In just three years, Rihanna already had multiple No. 1 hits, two MTV Video Music Awards and three Billboard Awards under her belt.
On the other hand, MTV VMA, Billboard and Teen Choice Award winning artist Chris Brown is the first male solo artist to release a single that went straight to the top of the Billboard singles chart. His eponymous first album won three Billboard Awards in 2006 including the prestigious Artist of the Year.
Bring your UMBRELLAs WITH YOU for the ultimate music typhoon Chrihanna!
E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com
