In the service of his fellow OFWs

Curtain-raisers:

Is Pauleen Luna (photo) expecting her and husband Vic “Bossing” Sotto’s first baby? Well, about time, after all they have been married for more than one year and they have been “honeymooning” around the world, the latest having been in Kenya and other African countries (with Vic’s brother Maru and wife). Followers of Eat, Bulaga! have been wondering because they notice a “certain bump” in Pauleen. Asked for comment, Pauleen’s manager Lolit Solis cast a wet blanket on the very welcome rumor. “Mataba lang si Pauleen,” said Lolit. “Di ba tabain siya?” Vic’s daughter Paulina (with Angela Luz) was married last year. “Baka maunahan pa ni Paulina si Pauleen maging Nanay.” And so will Pauleen’s Bulaga co-host Pia Guanio (42) who is heavy with her and husband Steve Mago’s second child.

A loveteam is in danger of being “dumped” by its mother company because they have been showing symptoms of swell-headedness ­— pretending to be sick to avoid attending events, disappointing fans during meet-and-greets, and always “cannot be reached” when contacted on  their celfones. Don’t be surprised if the company is now focusing on building up a new young loveteam (younger, prettier and definitely more talented).

A friend called up Funfare to inquire if a currently popular TV actor is, according to rumors, separated from his non-showbiz wife. As far as “reliable” sources claimed, the actor is still happily married and living with his wife and children. “Really?” the Funfare friend wondered. “But how come he is hitting on my friend who is very pretty and very much single?” Yes, how come?

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Because he himself was once an OFW (who worked as an auditor in Saipan, Guam and Hawaii), accountant Juancho Robles knows the plight of OFWs...how lonely can they be and homesick, helplessly missing their families back home while pursuing the greenbacks.

“I know OFWs by heart,” confessed Juancho over lunch at his and wife Pinky Tobiano’s well-appointed home at a posh subdivision in Quezon City. “I know how eager they are to hear word from home.”

To help connect OFWs with loved ones that they leave behind, Juancho has created Pinas.com which provides OFWs everything that they need — answers to questions they have been asking, legal assistance (Itanong Mo Kay Attorney segment), outlet for stories they have been wanting to tell (Napakasakit, Kuya Rudy segment), tips on homecoming and to better plan their vacation (Balik Pinas Tayo segment) and even showbiz tsismis which most Filipinos (not just OFWs) abroad hunger for.

“They can also do many other things,” assured Juancho, “such as paying bills, grocery shopping, sending gifts or flowers and much more. All they have to do is click Kabayan Box, Regalo Padala, Service Ni Juan and VIP Hatid Sundo according to what services they need.”

After lunch, Juancho demonstrated to us how it works. Yes, easy does it: just log on to Pinas.com.

Family springs surprise on June Torrejon-Rufino

The barkada was gorging on potluck goodies spread out on a big table at the condo unit of Lawrence Tan when the door opened and the “unexpected” visitors started singing Happy Birthday. The salu-salo was a double blowout for Lawrence and Viva executive June Torrejon-Rufino whom the group composed of her children, in-laws and grandchildren was serenading.

“I didn’t expect this,” as she gathered them for a family picture. “Nagulat talaga ako.”

As you must have noticed in this section, the barkada is faithfully featured when they meet every now and then for food tripping to celebrate a member’s birthday and other special occasions (Christmas, Valentine’s, etc.).

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