Gary E’s next ‘project’

Curtain-raiser:

• Here’s TV5’s statement on Willie Revillame’s announcement that his show WowoWillie will air its farewell edition on Oct. 12, three days before his contract expires on Oct. 15:  We respect the decision of Mr. Willie Revillame to retire upon the expiry of his contract with TV5. We wish him well in his new pursuits.

• From Audrey Tan-Zubiri, wife of Migz: Now that the dust has settled and proclamations over and done with, I would like to wholeheartedly thank you for your support, confidence and prayers for Migz. We truly appreciate it. A lifetime would not be enough to show our gratitude. I will carry the friendships forged and all the memories in my heart forever. We worked hard and prayed even harder but I guess life is pointing us in another direction and I am excited to see where it will lead us to next! Still so much to be thankful for. May God bless you and your family.

• Could it be true that Charice has stashed away so many millions in the bank that even if, as rumors have it, she withdraws one million every day she will still have more than enough for two years even if she doesn’t work and just gives in to her whims? OMG, if I had that much money, I would enjoy life even much more than what she’s doing now.

• Now, could it possibly, possibly be true that a couple who split up (I’m not saying when, huh) has a sex video of them in a very compromising situation? Funfare sources said that the ex-couple was addicted to watching porno DVDs that must have “inspired” them no end. It’s only the woman shown in the rumored video so she’s worried that it might spread like similar celeb-starred sex videos in the past.                                                           

* * *

Now that the campaign is over, second-termer Board Member Gary Estrada (Quezon Province Second District) and wife Bernadette Allyson will have time to concentrate on their joint “project” — that is, to have a son.

“We were always so tired during the campaign that we would fall asleep as soon as we hit our bed, especially during the last critical month,” recalled Bernadette with a laugh. The couple has three daughters: Garielle, 11; Gabbi, 6; and Gerri, 5.  “Now we are rested.”

It’s Bernadette’s first time to help Gary campaign (for three straight weeks) in the district which covers one city (Lucena) and the towns of Candelaria, Sariaya, Tiaong, Dolores and San Antonio.

“That’s why she realized how it felt to go home exhausted,” added Gary who would rush home to their Valle Verde (Pasig City) home after a hard day’s campaign. “So when she would ask me to eat out and watch a movie, I would beg off.”

Gary’s Quezon Province residence is in San Antonio where he bought a farm when he was 19 (he invests his money wisely).

“I joined politics by accident, it was never planned,” said Gary. “My career is really showbiz and whatever politics there is in my blood was activated when I joined Lingkod Bayan. When my Uncle Erap became senator, vice president and then president, you never heard me entering politics, di ba? “

But of course, the Erap (Ejercito/Estrada) magic has admittedly worked for Gary equally as did his good performance during his first term as board member. Knowing that his folks (Erap who won for Manila Mayor, cousin JV Ejercito for senator and half-brother E.R. Ejercito re-elected as Laguna governor) were preoccupied with their own campaigns, Gary never sought their help.

“Hindi ko na sila inistorbo,” stressed Gary who, observing the Filipino custom of utang na loob, politely turned down insistent invitation for him to run for a higher office against the incumbent.

Said Bernadette, the wind beneath Gary’s wings (but insisted that she’s not ready to run), “Through the help (contributions) of our friends, Gary was able to build school houses and farm-to-market roads. Most of his achievements are about infrastructure. By the way, Gary has an almost perfect attendance.”

“Actually, maganda lang pakinggan ‘yung Board Member,” Gary downplayed his position. “A board member is higher than a mayor but in truth parang barangay kagawad lang ako. Look, we don’t have a pork barrel, we don’t have any executive function but only legislative. The salary is really not that substantial, that’s why I’m lucky that the showbiz industry is very good to me na I can go back to it anytime I want to. Every year, may work ako so my career is really pag-a-artista.”

What friends are for

Guess who was the first to pay Ai-Ai de las Alas a visit to give her a big hug as she tries to recover from her broken 30-day marriage — yes, Willie Revillame!

The other morning, Ai-Ai woke up to find Willie at her home. They live near each other at the posh Ayala Heights in Quezon City.

“I have to,” said Willie. “When I was in the same situation, Ai-Ai was among the first to console me and I’ve never forgotten it.”

It wasn’t only Ai-Ai whom Willie made happy that day but also the household help who got monetary gifts from him.

“That’s what friends are for,” added Willie. “Nagdadamayan lalo na sa panahon ng pangangailangan.”

Why Christopher feels like a winner

Even if he failed in his bid for board membership in Batangas, Christopher de Leon (along with wife Sandy Andolong) feels like a winner because Rafael Sandino, his eldest son (with Sandy; his son Ian with Nora, is chronologically the oldest) married Aerika Gayle Laino, his girlfriend of 10 years, last Sunday, May 19, at the Chapel on the Hill, Don Bosco Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. The affair was exclusive to members of the family and close friends (including Amy Austria and husband Duke Ventura, and Tirso Cruz III; Gov. Vilma Santos was proxied by her sister Emelyn). The reception was held at Vera Grace Farm in General Aguinaldo, Cavite, owned by Lorna Tolentino.

Both Sandino and Aerika are based in New Zealand.

It was Fr. Sonny Ramirez who officiated at the wedding. He won the admiration of those present because even if he had a little speech difficulty due to a stroke, Fr. Sonny finished the ceremony. Christopher and Sandy have a soft spot for Fr. Sonny who guided Christopher at Oasis of Love when Christopher recovered from drug dependence.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)