Dr. Vicki Belo now legally Mrs. Hayden Kho

Curtain-raisers:

• The girlfriend of a sports celeb wanted to have her breasts reduced a bit and the boyfriend agreed with reluctance. Everything was set until the girlfriend belatedly learned that the doctor was the one who did the same procedure on the boyfriend’s ex-wife. You guessed it: The girlfriend backed out. “Why reduce them when those are what your boyfriend loves in you?”, friends told the girlfriend. Great natural resources retained.
• Let’s call this a April-October affair. A young actor, then barely 17, lived in an apartment in the US with his widowed mom and the mom’s co-worker who was past 40, married and had children. You’ve heard about familiarity (you know, the “nearness of you”) breeding romance, haven’t you? Well, co-worker seduced the boy and, against the wishes of his actor brothers, got pregnant. Ending? The co-worker divorced her Philippine-based husband and married the boy. They now have two kids.
• In the onelastthing section of a recent issue of People magazine, Morgan Freeman made this confession: Last bet I made: Serious bet? I won $1,000 on the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. It was just a bet between two guys. I don’t bet on anything but a sure thing.

* * *

Only seven people witnessed the exchange of vows between Dr. Vicki Belo and long-time home companion Dr. Hayden Kho at a civil ceremony held at Vicki’s house in Dasmariñas Village, Makati City, the other night — the couple’s close friend/confidante/adviser Joji Dingcong, Agnes Ballesteros Lopez and Eroica Mendoza.

The innocent witness was Scarlet Snow, the couple’s two-year-old daughter who is a trend-setter on social media, whose activities are religiously monitored by millions of followers.

“It was a very small and very private ceremony,” Vicki told Funfare, officiated by Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.

The big wedding is set for September in Paris. I suppose that only very few will be invited to what is predicted to be The Wedding of the Year. So far, Vicki has not sent out any invitations so the guessing game is…who is in, who is out? (Lolit Solis, are you in?) But for sure, Scarlet will be part of the entourage as Flower Girl.

I heard that a French VIP is invited.

Reigning Miss Global is showbiz material

The six media guys who met reigning Miss Global Angela Maritza Bonilla the other day noted that the Ecuadorian beauty (who previously competed in the Miss World-Ecuador contest) is a cross between G Tongi and one-time Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Joanne Quintas Santos. Told that she could be a movie star in the Philippines, Angela’s eyes lit up, “Really? I’m open to that!”

But Angela doesn’t have enough time to explore that possibility. Until she goes back to Ecuador on July 7, Angela’s schedule is airtight. She arrived a few days ago to sit as judge in the (fifth) 2017 Miss Global Philippines pageant set for tonight at the New Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila (aired as a TV special by GMA on July 9 at 10:30 p.m.), the first grand event to be held at the venue after that unfortunate incident three weeks ago. Then she will be accompanied by Miss Global Philippines executives Rizza Lao and Pauline Sofia Laping on a visit to Bohol, Boracay and Palawan.

“Last year was Ecuador’s first time to compete in the Miss Global pageant and my win has inspired other Latin beauties to join Miss Global,” said Angela who is taking up Journalism and English in school, hoping to be a teacher after graduation. In the meantime, she is busy with her advocacy — helping the aged in her hometown live a more comfortable life. “Since I won last year, I have visited some countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, USA and now the Philippines.”

Twenty-two hopefuls are after the crown held by Camille “CJ” Hirro. The Miss Global Philippines is the only beauty pageant that welcomes single moms.

“I’m glad that the Miss Global pageant gives single moms a second chance to prove themselves,” added Angela.

Last week, the 22 candidates were taken by Rizza and Pauline to Aklan where they distributed school supplies to the students of the Lamberto H. Tirol National High School in Boracay Batcave Beach Road in Malay. At La Carmela de Boracay Resort, the girls showcased their ramp skills in the Swimsuit Competition won by Mary Ann Mungcal, with Jacqueline Mayoralgo and Dianne Santiago as runners-up. The swimsuits were designed by Domz Ramos for DR Swim.

Asked what she would look for among the 22 Miss Global Philippines candidates, Angela disclosed, “I’ve been with the girls and they are really a good group. But it’s one thing to be just around and to be onstage. I’m looking for a girl who is honest, confident, relaxed and doesn’t pretend to be somebody else. It’s regardless whether she’s single or a single mom.” — With a report from Celso De Guzman Caparas

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)