Janet at 30: Nothing nipped nor tucked

When Janet Basco (Mrs. Johnny Revilla) mounts the stage of the Captain’s Bar of Mandarin Oriental tomorrow night, her audience will for sure wonder how she keeps herself so fit and trim — and, yes, so sexy and seductive —despite the fact that she and Johnny have four children: Jantu Paula, 22; Marco Jose, 19; Juliana Roberta, 14; and Juan Franco, 13. (Johnny has a 25-year-old son, Paul Mark, from a previous marriage; he’s based in New York.)

“I’m lucky to have good genes,” said Janet who packs 102 lbs. into her petite 5’2" frame. “I don’t gain weight easily even if I eat anything. I follow a diet. I know what people will probably think: ‘Has she had a lipo?’ No, I haven’t. Everything is original. Nothing is nipped nor tucked. Besides good genes and a good diet, I work out in the gym three times a week.”

And then, her fans might ask, “Where has Janet been all the while?”
Simple, Janet would tell them. “I decided to take a break from showbiz and enjoy being a wife and mother.”

So, it’s not true that the Revillas have migrated to the US.

“There’s nothing like home,” added Janet. “I haven’t been active because I choose what shows to do. But I still do corporate shows and special concerts. Sometimes, I do shows abroad.”

Because she’s celebrating her 30th anniversary in showbiz, Janet is coming out of her comfort zone and doing a series of shows aptly titled Janet at 30 at Captain’s Bar on three successive Friday nights, with Bituin Escalante as guest tomorrow night, AKA and John Nieto on Oct. 5, and Sitti and Christian Bautista on Oct. 12. In November, she will be back in Australia for another show, her 10th.

“I can’t believe that I’ve been in the business for 30 years,” Janet told Funfare, recalling how she started on Student Canteen (hosted by the late Helen Vela and Bobby Ledesma, Coney Reyes and former Sen. Eddie Ilarde who is back on radio with his enduring program Kahapon Lamang, aired 1:30 to 2 p.m., Saturdays over dzBB) along with talents like Marco Sison. “The first song I sang for Student Canteen was You Made Me Live Again. After that, my career took off.”

It must also be noted that Janet was the first singer to perform at Captain’s Bar.

“I’m proud of that because after my show, the management decided to go on with the Captain’s Bar as a venue for all shows at Mandarin,” added Janet whose repertoire includes bossa nova, jazz, ballads, etc. “Doing this concert series is my way of thanking those who have made showbiz a rewarding profession for me.”

Miss Earth back to relinquish crown

Here’s a report from Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib:

Reigning Miss Earth, Hil Yesenia Hernandez Escobar of Chile, arrived recently to formally herald the start of the 2007 Miss Earth Pageant to be held at the UP Theater in November. The statuesque 23-year-old Latina charmed everyone during the welcome party at the Intramuros Golf Club hosted by the Philippine Tourism Authority headed by general manager and CEO, Robert Dean Barbers.

She said that she’s so happy to be back in the country after promoting environmental concerns in several countries and thanks everyone, especially Carousel Productions, for all their warm support. She also hinted that she wants to follow in the footsteps of 2004 Miss Earth Priscilla Meirelles who has showbiz and the modeling field in Manila.

Earlier that day, Hil was a guest of honor at the Third Annual Kalesa Festival at the DOT grounds, together with 2006 Miss Earth-Water/Miss Earth Foundation project director Cathy Untalan; 2007 Miss Philippines-Earth Jeanne Harn; and 2006 Miss Earth Canada 2006 and PTA Ambassador of Tourism and Goodwill Riza Raquel Santos, a Filipina based in Canada. Although she won the most number of special awards, Riza failed to make it to the finals and she landed instead in showbiz as a Viva contract star.

The Fil-Canadian beauty, who wants to concentrate on singing, denied that she and Mark Bautista are an item, saying, “he is a very good friend; I don’t know where that rumor came from.”

Diether Ocampo’s ‘Trek to remember’

You didn’t know that Diether Ocampo would climb mountains to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate, did you?

Let’s hear it from Diether:

Hi, Tito Ricky,

How are you?  I’m very glad to share with you the success of the latest project of K.I.D.S. Foundation, A Trek to Remember. This is the K.I.D.S. Foundation’s second time to go to Naswak, Bokod, Benguet to bring school supplies, clothes, food and medical supplies to the indigenous kids.

I was excited because I was joined by my generous friends from the business sector who volunteered to endure a 14-kilometer trek (28 back and forth) to meet and greet the kids. We were mentally prepared to cross four mountains and go through the thick rainforest with a breath-taking view of the Mountain Province, but we were physically challenged by exhaustion and fatigue. But we were relieved when we met the kids who welcomed us with warmth and genuine smile on their faces. We spent two days in Naswak. The kids sent us off with a song; it was a very emotional farewell. We look forward to going back and spending time with those wonderful kids again.

Big thanks to the three mountaineers who volunteered to accompany us and secured our expedition. And hats off to Vernon Go who made it first to the location —  and back.

He’s so elated with the experience. 

See you in Benguet,

— DIET

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