Sarah is not, well, what wild rumor says she is

Because Sarah Geronimo has been granted by Viva big boss Vic del Rosario Jr. a two-month vacation, rumors are spreading that she is, that she could be, well, in an “interesting” stage.

That made Boss Vic laugh.

“How could she be pregnant,” he told the inquisitive movie reporters, “when she’s a virgin?” Loud and clear. Sarah is taking a much-deserved, long-delayed holiday due to “health reasons,” the reason given by Boss Vic.

The girl deserves a work-free two months after all, according to somebody very close to her, “Sarah has been working so hard since she was 14 and never, ever had a real holiday all by herself,” adding unapologetically, “she has been exploited to the max.”

The Funfare DPA asked if I saw Sarah and Billy Crawford’s dance number on ASAP two Sundays ago. When I answered no, she exclaimed, “It was unbelievable! Ang galing nila! The energy and talent proved that Sarah still has a lot to show, not the Sarah na napililitan lang mag-perform.”

Perhaps Sarah was looking forward to the two stress/work-free months ahead, finally enjoying her long-postponed freedom, away from her family and hopefully only with her boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli.

“After all,” added the DPA, “she will be turning 28 on July 25. Sarah has been repressed, not able to enjoy her growing up the way her contemporaries do, that’s why during her out-of-town concerts, she would break out in tears onstage.”

Matteo has found a good catch in Sarah and vice-versa. As Tempo’s Ronald Constantino once told Sarah, “Huwag mo nang pakawalan si Matteo, don’t let him go.” Unlike Sarah’s previous suitors (among them Rayver Cruz, Gerald Anderson and…John Lloyd Cruz?), Matteo has been patiently toeing the line set by Sarah’s strict parents (who are not as imposing on Sarah’s sisters), harangan man ng sibat, so to speak.

Anyway, we wish Sarah a grand vacation. Enjoy every moment of it.

Tall order for newly-crowned 2016 Miss Earth Philippines

2016 Miss Earth Philippines Imelda Schweighart (center) with Miss Earth winners Jamie Herrell (left, 2014) and Angelia Ong (right, 2015).

Recently-crowned 2016 Miss Philippines Earth Imelda Schweighart has some big shoes to fill, so to speak. Her two predecessors, Jamie Herrell and Angelia Ong, were Miss Earth winners in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Indeed a tough act to follow.  

This October, Imelda will compete against over 80 delegates worldwide in the 2016 Miss Earth pageant to be staged in Manila. The first Filipina Miss Earth titleholder was Karla Paula Henry in 2008.

Born in Limasol, Cyprus, to a German father, Gunther Schweighart, and Annabeth Bautista of Palawan on May 29, 1995, Imelda was raised and schooled in Puerto Princesa. Currently a Theater Arts student at the Meridian International College in Taguig City, she sings and plays the piano. A Gemini, Imelda loves to swim and dreams of meeting up close and personal some celebrities namely Shia LaBeouf, Britney Spears, Chris Brown and Ashlee Simpson. She stands 5’6” and measures 34-24-35.

Known in showbiz as Imee Hart, she was only 15 (in 2011) when she was a co-host of Willie Revillame on TV5’s Wil Time, Bigtime!, just a few days after she joined in one of the show’s games. Sometime in 2013, she was rumored as the girlfriend of Rayver Cruz. Imee had modeled for a fashion brand, appeared in some MTVs and teleseryes, and a TV commercial of a top-selling soda.

Like most titleholders, national or international, Imelda had competed in other pageants. She was Binibini No. 45 in the 2013 Bb. Pilipinas pageant and landed in the Top 15 semi-finalists (the year Pia Wurtzbach first joined and emerged first runner-up to Bb. Pilipinas Universe Ariella Arida). She’s the reigning Miss Puerto Princesa, was 2015 Mutya ng Palawan first runner-up and crowned Miss Silka Philippines 2010 winner (her third runner-up was Catherine Almirante, later crowned Miss Global Philippines 2014.) She auditioned in the 2015 Miss World Philippines but withdrew the last minute. — Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas

Starry NYC parade

Among the stars at the New York City Philippine Independence Day Parade (above, from left): James Yap, KC Concepcion, Ogie Alcasid, Apl.de.Ap and (below, also from left) Joey Albert, Yassi Pressman and Nanette Inventor.

Despite the downpour, thousands trooped to Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, to witness the Philippine Independence Day Parade.

Philippine Airlines flew in KC Concepcion while TV5 brought Ogie Alcasid, Yassi Pressman and James Yap. A reunion of Music and Magic and Something Special happened onstage when Jet Montelibano, Fe delos Reyes, Jessica Casas and Louanne Cuenco performed together after 30 years. Joey Albert, Nanette Inventor and Giselle Sanchez were also spotted during the event.

Black Eyed Peas’ apl.de.ap brought the house down during the finale of the cultural show which followed the parade. He is also responsible for bringing a jeepney during the parade which drew admiration from Fil-Ams and foreigners alike. apl gladly informed everyone that he is deeply involved with the Department of Tourism to further promote the Philippines. Fifteen of his scholars have also graduated this month and he hopes to send more deserving scholars to school this year. — Reported by Felix Manuel

(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.)