A 'Mr. T.' in Geneva's (love) life

Some stars have a casual and clever way of diverting the attention of the public, especially the press, to suit their purpose (or to hide the truth). They go out on a dinner date in a group or with somebody they call "a friend" (or, to be truthful about it, a "shield").

Ask Geneva Cruz, estranged wife of Paco Arespacochaga, and she'll insist that KC Montero is just "a friend" despite persistent rumor that they're going steady, foursoming it with KC's brother Troy and his actress-girlfriend (your guess is as good as anybody's).

Funfare could believe Geneva when she said that there's nothing "more than friendship" between her and KC, or between her and Manila Councilor Kim Atienza, in the light of the latest development reported by Funfare's roving "high-society" DPA.

"The true guy in Geneva's (love) life is, well, shall we call him 'Mr. T.?' He's a businessman, charming in his own quiet way, very self-effacing. He has a lot of 'O's' and I don't mean only money ('O' is a money sign, isn't it?) He has an 'O' in his first name and another 'O' in his surname."

A little hitch, though: "Mr. T." has an actress-girlfriend but he's a bachelor and therefore very eligible.

Now, since "Mr. T." will surely be celebrating Valentine's Day on Feb. 14, will he sneak out and celebrate it, too, with Geneva maybe the day before (Feb. 13) or the day after (Feb. 15)?

If you see somebody who looks like Geneva Cruz having dinner with a businessman-looking date, then they must be "it."

No less than President Erap Estrada has come to the defense of the unstoppable, controversial Korina Sanchez (DZMM's Failon at Sanchez and ABS-CBN's Balitang K/Pulso) against allegations that she allowed herself to be the "mouthpiece of Malacañang" for a fee.

Korina may be a, as some detractors put it, a "loudmouth" but, as far as those who know her well are concerned, she's "incorruptible."

The accusation against Korina also tagged her as "a model of envelopmental commentaries -- the AC/DC kind (as in attack-collect/defend-collect)."

Over the weekly program Jeep ni Erap, Korina sort of "exonerated" herself by asking the unprepared question regarding the matter over nationwide broadcast and President Erap came to Korina's defense, relating the story of how, during the holidays, he had sent a wrist watch to Korina as a sign of "admiration and gratitude" for her occasional hosting of Jeep in Erap (host is Ted Failon). Korina returned the wristwatch to Malacañang, with a personal letter to President Erap explaining that she felt "it was the appropriate thing to do" (return the gift, that is).

"Lalo akong humahanga sa iyo kaya walang saysay 'yung mga akusasyon sa'yo sapagkat you are one of the most respected broadcasters at ako ay saludo sa'yo," President Erap told Korina. "Kahit na nagmamagandang loob lang ako ay ipinasauli mo pa and you wrote me a long letter explaining why you have to return it. Kaya, I salute you!"

Korina told Funfare: "I felt I had to have everyone hear it from the President himself. I had been continuously pictured by some quarter as pro-Erap and biased ever since I started my commentaries against what I assess as irresponsible reporting. "But I am not afraid of my detractor(s), so I will continue to editorialize against them when it is necessary in the same way that anybody can criticize me or my station. But an accusation is different from mere opinion.

"I was thankful to the President on-air for having cited my having returned to him a gift. It was unnecessary and unexpected. Between me and the President, I already explained to him in my letter that I will continue to support his programs and policies if I believe they are for the good of the country. I also made clear that I know he understands when I criticize what I think is not to the best interest of the majority. I am not pro-Erap; I am pro-truth."

Does the issue end there?

Not what you think!

Brace yourselves...

* Birthday greetings to Wyngard Tracy who's turning a year wiser today.

* Golden Dragon International Cinema's Closer to Home, already shown in filmfests abroad and directed by an American, has been endorsed by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) in recognition of the crucial Philippine realities and social consciousness that the film brings to our society on the issue of poverty (film is about a young Filipina who decides to migrate to America at all costs in search of a greener pasture, only to realize that she can't really be far away from home). Closer to Home will be screened at the UP Films Center on Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. and at 6 p.m. (Page 141-217013 for tickets.)

Ricky Lee is inviting all his past workshop participants to the Writers Studio's First General Assembly on Feb. 13, 1 to 6 p.m., at the UP Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman. Writers Studio is a non-stock, non-profit organization which helps aspiring screenwriters by honing their craft through intensive workshops, creating opportunities in the film-and-television industry, and protecting their professional rights. Aside from recognizing the significant contribution of the scriptwriter in the entertainment industry, the Writers Studio also aims to uplift the quality of storytelling in Philippine mass entertainment. For confirmation or further inquiries, call A.A. Alaan or Jaybee Balili at 426-6229 or 928-9557.