Papin-Manchester concert in RP set

The word from Funfare’s Las Vegas DPA is that the concert of Imelda Papin and Melissa Manchester at the showroom of the Orleans Hotel Casino last July 31 to Aug. 2 was a success — “Despite the competition from shows of Beyoncé, Rod Stewart, Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears, and Donny and Marie Osmond.”

Still holding to her Sentimental Songstress title, Imelda, aside from preparations for the concert, is also busy promoting her latest CD, Voice Of The Heart, which was recorded under 618 International Records, a division of 618 International Entertainment, Inc. and distributed in the US and Canada by Warner Music Group (ADA). She also hosts the TV show Imelda Papin in America, aired every second Saturday of the month from 4 to 4:30 p.m. on LA 18 and the radio program The Imelda Papin Voice of the Heart aired every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. on KLAV 1230 AM radio.

Of course, mid-life fans know Melissa as the Grammy-award winning singer and composer of such hits as Looking Through The Eyes Of Love (the theme song of the movie Ice Castles), Don’t Cry Out Loud, Midnight Blue and If This Is Love, among others.

“Haping-hapi ako,” Imelda told Funfare in a brief phone chat. “The audience gave Melissa and me two standing ovations. They cheered when we did duets of her songs Don’t Cry Out Loud and Looking Through The Eyes Of Love.”

The good news is that Viva Concerts & Events, Inc. is mounting Imelda and Melissa’s show in the Philippines next month, first at the PICC on Sept. 18 and then at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City on Sept. 20. It will be Melissa’s first time to perform in the Philippines.

More feel-good news about Pinoy celebs in the US

1. Mutya beauty happily settled in US

Remember Bong Dimayacyac, the 1983 Mutya ng Pilipinas/Miss Asia-Pacific who starred in the sitcom Chicks to Chicks in the ’80s before she got married and quit showbiz?

Funfare’s New York-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel updates us on Bong:

Thanks to Facebook, I recently met with Bong in New York and she is still stunning even sans make-up in the “Best in Swimsuit” figure that catapulted her to the top of the Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss Asia tilts. She and her husband, Victor Allen Nuguid, were in the Big Apple to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.

Bong admitted that she misses showbiz, especially her Chicks to Chicks co-stars Lorraine Schuck, Carmi Martin and Nova Villa.  

“Our taping days didn’t feel like work at all,” recalled Bong. “We bonded so beautifully that we looked forward to the tapings. We are in touch up to now.”

She has also starred with the country’s biggest stars including Fernando Poe Jr. (No Retreat, No Surrender...Si Kumander, 1987), Ramon Revilla Sr. (Hitman, 1987), Dolphy and Panchito (Kalabog en Bosyo Strike Again, 1985) and Lito Lapid (Kamagong, 1986).

In L.A. where the Nuguids are based, Bong is a most-sought-after beauty-contest judge and a pageant coach.

“A thorough preparation for any contest is a must,” she said. “And that’s what I always remind contestants. I had been modeling for a while before I joined the Mutya contest so I knew how to put on my make-up and do quick costume-changes in impromptu events. I won in the Triumph of Court of Fashion contest, with a brand-new car as prize, and the Triumph experience made me confident in wearing and modeling swimwear.”

The Nuguids have three teenage boys.

“My priorities changed when I became a mother. Now, I focus on raising my children. Vic and I instill in them Filipino values.”

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2. Oliver Tolentino opens shop in L.A.
     Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino recently opened his boutique on fashionable Melrose Avenue in L.A. in the company of close friends and clients, among them immigration lawyer Jemela Nettles, concert producer Rogel Aragon, and singers Mon David and Lani Misalucha.

According to Funfare contributor James Payawal Saspa, Lani went to L.A. from Las Vegas (where her family is based) with her husband and two kids and performed a couple of songs to the delight of the 200-plus people who dropped by.

Oliver has been dressing up such beautiful people as Imelda Marcos, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Lani Misalucha, Kuh Ledesma, Marjorie Bach (wife of The Eagles’ Joe Walsh), and KTLA TV news anchor Cher Calvin, to name a few.

“Last year,” recalled James, “Oliver made heads turn at the Bali Fashion Week with a Maria Makiling-inspired creation. Recently, he was invited by EcoChic, a Greenpeace affiliate, to show his piña collection in October at the UN headquarters in Geneva, joining an elite club of über designers Diane Von Furstenberg, Thakoon and John Rocha.”

Oliver and business advisor Andrew Caruthers decided to pursue Oliver’s dream of opening an L.A. boutique. A friend referred them to Nettles who has made a name for herself helping artists like (Mon David, Miguel Vera, Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado, Jolina Magdangal and Marco Sison, among many others) get extra-ordinary-ability visas and eventually US green cards.

Added James, “Oliver’s boutique sits right at home at the storied Melrose district where star sightings are common (Madonna and Lindsay Lohan, the Kardashian sisters). The classy neighbors include Dolce & Gabbana, Philip Lim, Casi Armani, Maxfield’s, and the old Morton’s restaurant where Vanity Fair holds its annual after-Oscar party.”

(Note: You may contact Oliver Tolentino at tel. no. [310] 858-0555 or [email protected] or www.olivertolentino.com. Lawyer Jemela Nettles can be reached at [213] 234-9591, [email protected] or www.attyjemelanettles.com.)

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