MANILA, Philippines - Regine Velasquez hosted dinner at her place and Judy Ann Santos did the cooking.

The occasion was a get-together of close friends who brought their watches, paintings, branded clothes and shoes for a public auction to raise funds for the Oscar Awards bid of Juday?s movie ?Ploning.? The money will be used for the movie?s promo materials in Hollywood.

Present during the dinner were KC Concepcion, Gretchen Barretto, Sunshine Cruz, Ogie Alcasid, Rowell Santiago, Fanny Serrano, Joyce Bernal, Girlie Rodis, Agot Isidro and husband Manu, Wyngard Tracy, Direk Nico Garcia, Juan Sarte and John Lapus.

The public auction is on Nov. 28.

There are 67 foreign pictures vying for five Oscar nomination spots. Other films from other countries get more government support. But Juday will get by with a little help from her friends.

Big switch

Diether Ocampo remains tight-lipped about his rumored transfer to GMA 7. But a Kapuso insider told me that Diet has really made the big switch.

Perhaps he just doesn?t want to preempt anything at this point because it was ABS-CBN who made him a star. But there?s more to it than loyalty.

Productivity also matters. We all reach a point in our lives where we feel like we?re stuck in a rut and it?s time for a career move. Will the grass be greener for Diet on the other side of the fence?

Lavish bash

Ronald Singson?s lavish birthday bash at Embassy was attended by so many celebrities and politicians. He had the whole club for his exclusive use.

The dashing scion of political kingpins was once linked to Angelu de Leon, who was one of his guests. But the celebration was disrupted when an unidentified guest lobbed tear gas at the club. Party pooper!

Like a brother

Alessandra de Rossi is often spotted with eliminated ?Survivor? contender Kiko. Is there any romance angle?

?None at all,? Alex says. ?He?s my best friend and like a brother to me.? Friendship in love?s game or love in friendship?s name?

Shanghai honeymoon?

Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano are off to Shanghai. Will it be their nth honeymoon?

?In a way,? Shine says. ?But getting preggy is not one of my priorities. Buboy has a basketball game with ex-PBA players. Sasamahan ko lang siya.?

I teased Shine, ?O baka babantayan mo?? She laughed and said, ?Ako ang pangontra sa temptation ni Buboy.? Beware, ladies who attempt to tempt Cesar!

Star-white glow

Bea Alonzo makes playing contrasting roles seem like a breeze. Her finding the perfect approach does not only apply to her acting but also to the products that she uses on her skin.

With Belo Essentials Whitening Toners, she maintains her star-white skin glow. Not even petty intrigues about her rumored BF Jake Cuenca and his ex Roxanne Guinoo fighting about her makes Bea lose her poise.

Even as she plays an ugly duckling in ?Betty La Fea,? her complexion radiates. Belo la Bea!

Eraserheads the movie

?Eraserheads Reunion Concert: The Movie,? which opens Nov. 26, will relive the glorious moments of the band?s well-attended gig three months ago. This big-screen version of the show should be interesting for those present at the venue, as well as the fans who missed it.

PERSONAL: Muchisimas gracias to Jing Romero, Pia de Villa and Patrick Tan of Sea Air for making it Christmas in November.

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