High hopes for Ariella; Megan coming for charity

Curtain-raisers:

More fun on the beach? BC and CG were spotted by a Funfare DPA having “the time of their lives” at a beach somewhere in Palawan as guests of a lawmaker who owns the resort. “They were sweet and they were swimming together, away from their group,” said the DPA who is from that place. “That night, CG was tipsy and she was very noisy.” CG is said to be the cause of BC and NG’s break-up that dragged into the issue AE who vehemently denied it. CG used to be romantically linked to EG and GV.

Proceeds from the concert of The Lettermen in Manila Hotel on Nov. 12 will be donated to the victims of the killer quake in Bohol. Although the group has been here several times, it’s the first time they’re doing a Christmas concert. The Lettermen will also perform at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at the Resorts World Manila on Nov. 11, in Butuan City on Nov. 15 and in Iloilo City on Nov. 16.

Could it be true that Paulo Avelino wanted to patch things up with LJ Reyes and reconcile with her but LJ politely turned him down? That was before Paulo admitted dating (but not exclusively) KC Concepcion who’s for the second time being linked to an unwed father (Paulo has a love child with LJ). The first time was with Piolo Pascual.

****

After the two recent victories of Johanna Datul (2013 Miss Supranational) and Megan Young (2013 Miss World), Filipinos are keeping their fingers crossed that Dame Luck will strike three. They come in three’s, so they say.

Breaking news: Megan is coming home on Oct. 27 to grace a fund-raising luncheon at the Shangri-La Makati for the Philippine General Hospital in keeping with the Miss World “Beauty With a Purpose” objective. She will stay until Dec. 3.

“She’s the epitome of poise and grace,” said George Sison who relayed to Funfare the news about Megan’s homecoming. “When the orphanage in Haiti collapsed, Megan and the kids went down as if just taking an elevator. She landed on her feet holding her crown with one hand and the kids with the other hand. Talagang a paradigm of grace under pressure.”

Chosen Ice Princess (photographers’ choice) Ariella Arida must be somewhat pressured at least to finish a finalist, if not the winner, at the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant.

Reported Felix Manuel (one of Funfare’s “beauty experts”), “Ariella got the loudest cheer during the preliminary competition.” (The 16 semi-finalists were chosen the other night but the names will be revealed only during the grand finals in Moscow on Saturday, Nov. 9 [Manila Time Nov. 10, telecast at 2 a.m.]) During the swimsuit round, Ariella’s firm and toned-down body was showcased by her amazing turns and poised ‘hairflips.’ “During the evening-gown competition, she showed class and elegance in her simple but stunning bright-yellow gown. Filipinos in Moscow are supporting her all-out.”

“We are so happy that she is here in Moscow,” Philippine Ambassador to Russia Alejandro B. Mosquera was quoted as saying when Ariella met with him at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. “She is the cause of joy for a lot of Filipinos here.”

Meanwhile, Aces & Queens, the team of professionals who trained Megan and other world beauty finalists (Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon and Gwendoline Ruais, among them), have high hopes for Ariella.

“She’s expected to have a strong presence during the finals,” said A&Q member Gerry Diaz.

A&Q had its public launch last Oct. 25. The team is now choosing who to field in the 2014 searches for Bb. Pilipinas and Miss World Philippines.

Meet me at Urth Caffe

It never fails.

Every time I am in L.A. for a Hollywood junket (like now, for a one-on-one with Jennifer Lawrence for Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire, showing in the Philippines on Nov. 21), my friends and I always remind one another, “See you at Urth Caffe.” That’s our favorite way of unwinding after my work for the junket and during the friends’ off-duty hours.

We always meet at Urth Caffe in Melrose which is managed by kababayan Renato Soriano who has interesting stories to tell about the celebrities who are among Urth’s habitués — and Renato has pictures as “proofs.”

“They are very accommodating,” said Renato who is the perfect host, bringing to Urth the fabled Filipino hospitality. “They always oblige when I ask to have my picture taken with them.”

It is at Urth that my friends (Tim Evans, Jemela Nettles, STAR LA correspondent Raymond de Asis Lo, et al) “accidentally” (well, actually intentionally, hehehe!) rub elbows with the celebs.  It was also there where we met US-based Filipino stars like Krista Ranillo and her father Mat Ranillo III whom Tim and I bumped into by chance, and pinned down for an ambush interview.

This time, I wonder who we’re going to rub elbows with…hopefully!

(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.)