Seasons with the Gutierrezes

Tomorrow night (July 6) on E! Channel, the Gutierrezes’ reality-TV show It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez (ITGTBAG) will bade goodbye with its sixth episode (good for one season). But tonight on TV5 after the PBA telecast, ITGTBAG will take a bow at its new home, showing all six episodes from the beginning when Richard Gutierrez exploded his “I am a proud father” confession that sent the show’s rating sky-high, the highest ever chalked up by E! Channel.

“Now,” said Annabelle Rama, the Gutierrez matriarch (whose Tagalog-cum-Cebuano dialogue merited subtitles for the benefit of viewers in other Asian countries), “’yung walang E! Channel sa kanilang cable connection ay makakapanood na ng buong season sa free TV.”

One of the episodes to watch (aside from the Richard “confession” and the introduction of his and girlfriend Sarah Lahbati’s son Zion) is Annabelle’s breakfast in bed with Papa Eddie Gutierrez.

“It’s my favorite scene,” said Eddie. “It was our first time to have breakfast in bed on the luxury liner and at our room in Ritz Carlton Singapore which was equipped with a Jacuzzi.”

Asked what they ate in bed, the couple only laughed but you can be sure that the menu included eggs (hard-boiled and sunny-side up) and hotdogs.

The good news, according to Richard’s twin brother Raymond (who is going to London to take up a three-week crash course in trend-forecasting), is that even before the first season  ended, E! has announced a second season for ITGTBAG.

Raymond assured that Season Two will see the family deal with even more excitement and drama. Questions: Will Richard and Sarah’s relationship move any closer to marriage? Will Ruffa’s long-distance relationship with a French-Arab guy (who’s a deadringer for her ex-husband Yilmaz Bektas) end happily ever after? Just how far will things go?  And will the family be welcoming another baby in the near future?

“The early renewal of It Takes GUTZ To Be A Gutierrez demonstrates NBC Universal’s continued commitment to invest in local productions that are relevant and resonate with our audiences in the region,” said Christine Fellowes, managing director, Asia-Pacific, Universal Networks International. “We look forward to building on this tremendous success with the Gutierrez family in Season Two.”

ITGTBAG broke ratings records throughout its run, becoming the E! Channel’s most watched program in the Philippines since January 2013. At its peak, the series made E! the No. 1 channel during the show’s 9 to 9:30 p.m. timeslot among  key demographics (Total Viewers, Adult 16+, Women 16+) out of 24 English general entertainment/lifestyle channels in the Philippines. The series also performed well in Malaysia, where it ranked No. 2 program on E! for the week of June 15 to 21.

Tomorrow’s episode on E! Channel follows the aftermath of Richard and Raymond’s heated argument at the dinner table. Meanwhile, the family’s South East Asia vacation ends on a high note as they explore the fun-filled attractions at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. The excitement continues back in Manila where the family celebrates Ruffa’s fabulous 40th birthday bash (how young is she? Secret!!!), as well as the safari-themed birthday/baptism party for Zion.

First East Coast bet for Miss World Phl to be chosen

Miss World Philippines national director Cory Quirino is flying to New York City to oversee the first-ever beauty pageant to pick the East Coast Fil-Am community’s official delegate to this year’s Miss World Philippines in Manila (with Megan Young as the reigning winner) slated for Aug. 29, with venue to be announced.

The NYC search will be held on July 12 (Saturday) at 7 p.m. at the Symphony Space at 2537 Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Ten Fil-Am beauties of different backgrounds are vying for the crown of 2014 Miss Philippines Quest USA. Cory will also sit in the panel of judges.

Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre said that Grace Huffano Labaguis and her Synergy Production are behind Miss Philippines Quest USA, which is a franchisee of Miss World Philippines.

“We are all excited to welcome Miss Cory Quirino who not only epitomizes exquisite mestiza beauty, but also exudes substance,” said Grace, a marketing consultant of GMA International, and who is herself a head turner. “Ms. Quirino is now a force to be reckoned with when it comes to discovering world-class beauties and we hope our contenders for Miss Philippines Quest USA will meet her high standards. After all, isn’t she the one who discovered Megan, the Philippines’ first Miss World?”

According to a report by Funfare’s New York-based contributor Oliver Oliveros, the 10 official candidates are:

• Alexa Kirby, an 18-year-old high school graduate from Romansville, Pennsylvania;

• Norella Nacis, 24-year-old Miss Earth Philippines-Miss Friendship 2011 from Passaic, New Jersey;

• Isabella Estella, 24-year-old internationally educated public relations and marketing practitioner and filmmaker;

• Misook Mendoca, 20-year-old nursing student at Rutgers University in New Jersey;

• Jenica Balmes, 24-year-old B.S. Psychology graduate from Holy Family University in Pennsylvania;

• Melissa Ocampo, 24-year-old CBS Sports’ production assistant from Levittown, New York;

• Erin Manansala, 19-year-old freshman at Fairleigh Dickinson University from Garfield, New York;

• Shina Lingat, 18-year-old upcoming criminal justice student at Farmingdale State University in Long Island, New York;

• Dominique Ivory, 22-year-old music and journalism student at Bergen Community College in New Jersey; and

• Danielle Savitsky, 19-year-old junior at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

The winner will win a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, plus a $1,000 allowance. She will also don a stunning evening gown, courtesy of One.10 Collection, during grand finals.

The July 12 event will be hosted by statuesque model-actress Bessie Badilla, with guest performers pop/rock artist Anthea Neri, pop/R&B singer Eric G. and dance guru Roberto Villanueva.

Izza Dungca of One.10 Collection is co-producer and creative director of the quest, with support from Mabel Sigmon MS Event Solutions. Exclusive media partner is GMA International (GMA Pinoy TV & GMA Life TV).

(For tickets, those in the East Coast may call 212-2061627 or 917-8582356 or e-mail [email protected])

The 10 bets for 2014 Miss World Phl East Coast

(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.)