For the love of Mom

If you want something, ask for it. It takes courage and humility to do this. It was not easy for Francine Prieto to ask for financial help from anyone in the entertainment industry who cared. And a lot do care. Kris Aquino, Angel Locsin, along with many others — friends and acquaintances alike sent help that amounted to close to a million pesos.

After Francine’s interview in The Buzz, I got calls from friends asking how and where they can send help for Francine. Coming out to The Buzz must have been a torturous journey. It’s humbling to cry out, “I want to work.” Even if she gained a few pounds, Francine remains a beautiful girl. But tough times are here not just for Francine but for many people. “Despair not about your woes,” someone once wrote, “because the next person you meet may be carrying a heavier cross.”

I admire Francine’s forthrightness. I pray to God that she gets the jobs she badly needs. The entertainment business is made up of egos — big and small, blue, yellow and green. It’s fiercely competitive. It’s a cutthroat business but you don’t see blades flying around — just smiles. And strangely, in this same business, when one is in bad shape, and is in need of help, almost everyone comes to his rescue. I have come across some of the kindest, most compassionate people in showbiz. You can trust people in this business. People should not mistake celfon affectations for impertinence. The business of show is a pertinent, relevant industry but often trivialized and mocked by people who do not understand the business.

Back to Francine. Yes, she is trying to sell some of her properties but even this is not an immediate solution. It’s not as if you’re selling banana in the talipapa. It takes time to negotiate for a good sale of let’s say a house or a car. She also debunked rumors about her getting into the escort service. “Hindi po totoo yan,” she muttered.

Francine’s love for her mother Amelia Falcon will always be bigger than any rumor. And she’s not going to stop until her mom gets the best medical service available. Francine has actually nothing but love! And that makes this girl truly wealthy.

Bravo, Francine!

Altars of Love

Chin-Chin Gutierrez’s Altars of Love, a collection of 30 of her most recent artworks, is on exhibit until March 31 at Enchante restaurant-bar in Ortigas Center. Her fourth solo exhibition, Altars of Love reflects Chin-Chin’s deep spirituality and continuous celebration of a grace-?lled life.

Chin-Chin, a staunch ecological advocate, is a 2003 Time Magazine Asian Hero for the environment and was named among the Top 20 most trusted Filipinos in a recent poll by Reader’s Digest.

Chin-Chin started painting early under the guidance of her mother, Cecilia, an artist and former Franciscan nun. Unfortunately, all of her previous works perished in a dawn fire that ravaged their family home in 2006 and caused her mother’s demise three weeks later. It was only in 2008 that Chin-Chin began painting again, with those first pieces comprising part of the current exhibit.

“Just as an altar invokes a covenant or a love offering, Altars of Love is hoped to be encountered as visual reflections of our collective journey — a Eucharistic one — gathered in He who is our origin, our unifying presence and our destiny,” said Chin-Chin.

Proceeds from the exhibit will go to the ecological projects of Alaga LAHAT Foundation. Owned by acclaimed chef and art enthusiast Jessie Sincioco, Enchante restaurant and bar is at the third floor, Joy-Nostalg Building, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

An object of desire

Monogramme Shop X from La Bagagerie is every fashionista’s object of desire. Monogramme Shop X is on top of every girl’s must-have list. This fancy, canvas bag boasts of superbly-crafted details like its classy latch and its snazzy yet sturdy leather handles. With its two-tone jacquard weaving and black metallic reflects, you know you just won’t be able to resist its beauty. Go ahead, visit La Bagagerie boutiques now at SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall Atrium.