It was a joy to see my childhood idol, Tito Dolphy! Eric and Epy Quizon brought me to their dad?s dressing room at TV5?s grand launch. I was so touched when he told me that he always reads my column and he misses my mom all the more every time he sees me.

(Joey de Leon, Vic Sotto and Direk Bert de Leon came in. It was such a delight to watch them brainstorm their number on the spot.)

Eric flew in from Hong Kong, where he is now based, for the launch. He is directing his dad?s show on TV5, ?Pidol in Wonderland.?

?It will be sort of a Lola Basyang thing, with my dad telling the story which could vary from fantasy, drama or comedy. Nakakatuwa si Dad. Sharp na sharp pa rin ang mind. Ang bilis ng pick-up. Bawal lang siya magpagod masyado. Physically, he may need to slow down a bit but mentally he?s still so quick. When he has an important decision to make or a deal to close, he looks for me. I will hop on the next plane out of HK to fly home.?

I teased Eric that he is his dad?s favorite son. He just smiled. No doubt, Tito Dolphy and Eric are each other?s best.

I kidded Vandolph. ?Bati na tayo ha?? I haven?t seen Vandolph in a long time. Many controversies ago, I wrote a scoop about Vandolph?s love child (Gabrielle) with my friend Gia. Both of them are now happy with their respective partners.

?Dapat maganda na isulat mo sa akin ha?? Vandolph teased. Now that he has another baby with his wife Jenny, Vandolph is now taking fatherhood seriously. May his two kids grow up knowing that he loves them both in equal measure.

* * *

The bigwigs of a company that manufactures one of the products that Marian Rivera endorses got peeved at her. She made them wait for hours to pose for pictures with them. Maybe she was in one of her moods, that?s why she didn?t want to go out of her hotel room for a photo-op. Hmm ? not a pretty picture of Marian again.

* * *

Maricel Soriano, Yayo Aguila and I all had a good laugh when we bumped into each other at the ladies room of the World Trade Center during TV5?s launch. Maria and I happen to be the exes of Yayo?s husband, William Martinez.

?Let?s put the past behind,? Maria said in jest. Maria is ninang to my son IC and also to Yayo and William?s kid.

On our way out, Maria?s teenage son Maron was waiting for her. I teased her. ?Does he have a GF already??

The proud Ma smiled. ?Yup at approve naman sa akin.?

When Yayo and I joined William at their table, I kidded William. ?You better hide! Nag- compare notes kami sa CR about you.?

Past is past but the memories last.

* * *

I was saddened by the news of a Facebook friend that Anjanette Abayari is now under LA County Rehab. Prior to that, she was in and out of a hospital for medication.

According to him, AJ is gaunt and looks so wilted. Once upon a time, I was close to AJ when we were both endorsing Revlon. I wish there?s something I could do to help her get her act together. It?s never too late for AJ to regain lost glory.

All she needs is the proper motivation and the right mentor. Her addiction ought to be replaced by the passion she used to have as an artist.

* * *

A colleague sent me this text message: ?Balita ko naghahanap na ng condo unit si Shaina Magdayao and John Lloyd Cruz. Baliw na baliw na si Shaina kay JLC. Si JLC parang ?di naman seryoso. Sana ?di mabuntis si Shaina ng wala sa oras tulad ng Ate Vina niya.?

True or false? Whatever the real score is, Shaina and Lloydie have all the right to be happy. Live and let live! Love and let love!

***

A Facebook contact from Istanbul insists that Yilmaz Bektas has gotten hitched already. I still have to confirm this.

Ruffa Gutierrez is now enjoying her newfound freedom. So Yilmaz is also moving on. But no matter what, Ruffa and Yilmaz will never ?divorce? themselves from their adorable daughters Lorin and Venice.

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com