Goodbye, MTB? Hello, B.A.W.?

Curtain-raisers:

• A correction from The STAR Lifestyle writer Susan de Guzman: "The song Reflection, mentioned in your Conversation with Ara Mina yesterday, is not from Pocahontas but from Mulan (the theme song of which was sung by our very own Lea Salonga)." Thanks for the correction, Susan!

• A popular couple will soon announce their engagement slated for Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, with their fabulous wedding three or four months later. Watch for details in Funfare.

• The celebration of the 75th foundation anniversary of the Tayabas Western Academy is now in full swing, starting with a welcome dinner last Saturday at the Casa Patricia Resort in Candelaria, Quezon. A kick-off float parade will be held today to usher in the activities lined up by the different decade groups of the alumni association. The grand alumni reunion will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, at the TWA campus. For particulars, call Rico Limjuico at 042-585-7377 or Melinda dela Rosa at 02-801-6015.

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As showbiz-watchers (this one included) have been predicting, there will be major changes in TV programming this year, with heads bound to roll in the process. Sorry, folks, but that’s how things go in television’s cutthroat competition. Here today, gone tomorrow. That fast. The ax falls where it should and woe to those caught in its path. That relentless!

The first major revamp for 2003 will take place in the ABS-CBN noontime show MTB, according to Funfare’s roving DPA from Bohol Avenue. MTB (Magandang Tanghali Bayan), which underwent radical reformatting only late last year, might have to be junked in favor of a new show to be hosted by, brace yourselves, Aga Muhlach, Cesar Montano and Willie Revillame (who was dropped as MTB co-host barely two years ago). The new show will be called B.A.W. – B for Buboy (Cesar), A for Aga and W for Willie.

B.A.W. wow, wow?

Too soon to celebrate, my friends!

The DPA added that there’s going to be a meeting among the prospective B.A.W. hosts and ABS-CBN bigwigs today. By later this evening, everything should be final.

"They’ll discuss the show’s format and all the nitty-gritty," added the DPA who’s in on the negotiation. "Will keep you and Funfare readers posted."

If and when, it will be the first time for the three guys, friends in real life, to host a show, but not for Cesar and Willie who co-starred in an IBC Channel 13 sitcom called For D’Boys several years ago. (Remember that funny "brownies" incident where Cesar played a joke on the barkada by letting them eat, yes, brownies? It was one of the high moments in that short-lived sitcom).

All three guys have their respective shows on ABS-CBN – Aga with, among others, the versatile Bayani Agbayani in Ok, Fine Whatever; Cesar with Maricel Soriano in Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis; and Willie in Willingly Yours.

MTB is hosted by Amy Perez, Roderick Paulate, Bayani Agbayani, Randy Santiago, John Estrada, Marvin Agustin, Dominic Ochoa and Ai-Ai delas Alas, among others. Who among them will be retained (on B.A.W.)? Who will be, sob, axed?

Stay tuned.

Once B.A.W. starts rolling, Aga will have to radically change his lifestyle. He’ll have to wake up early and rush through traffic from his home in Ayala Alabang to ABS-CBN to be on time for the show’s opening spiels. No problem with Cesar and Willie who live just nearby.

Inspiring verse

During the holidays, I dug up old files of Funfare and I came upon the following "words of wisdom" contributed by Jo San Diego who said that "they work for Susan Roces and my other friends and it should for you." Jo added, "If you love God, send (the verse) to 10 people and back to the person who sent it to you."

It’s worth reprinting, so here it is:

Food for thought, grains of wisdom

• I asked God to take away my pain. God said, "No. It is not for me to take away but for you to give up".

• I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, "No. His/her spirit is whole; the body is only temporary".

• I asked God to grant me patience. God said, "No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is earned".

• I asked God to give me happiness. God said, "No. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you".

• I asked God to spare me pain. God said, "No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me".

• I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, "No. You must grow on your own; but I will prune you to make you fruitful".

• I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, "No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things".

• I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as He loves me. God said, "Ahhh, finally you have the idea".