Annabelle back to managing talents

Until a few years ago when she quit the stressful job, Annabelle Rama was managing more than two dozen stars that included established ones and wannabes (some of them didn’t make it).

“Ang babait nila kapag mga bago,” said Annabelle without mincing words. “Kapag sumisikat na, lumalabas na ang mga sungay. Mga walang utang na loob.”

So she decided to focus on managing her children (Ruffa, Richard, Raymond and the rest) especially when the family signed up with E! Channel for the reality-TV show It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez (ITGTBAG) which is now on its (if memory serves) fifth season, on extended run due to televiewers’ demand. Aired around Asia, the show catches the Gutierrezes at their unguarded moments such as when Annabelle and Ruffa were having a fight over Ruffa’s foreigner boyfriend (of whom Annabelle disapproves).

“But Ruffa and I are ‘peace’ at the moment,” Annabelle clarified during a recent presscon in which she introduced new Viva Artists Agency (VAA) talent Kara Mitzi whom she’s managing. “She’s the reason why I decided to resume managing talents. May potential siya, eh.”

If Kara looks familiar, it’s because she’s the 2017 calendar girl of a top liquor brand.

Like Annabelle, Kara is brutally frank. Asked how she compared with Ellen Adarna, Kara told the movie writers, “I am more sexy. Besides, every part of me is original.”

“Besides,” added Annabelle, “Kara can sing, dance and act.”

On April 8 at the Music Museum, Kara will headline the 56K concert with Michael Pangilinan, with the special participation of Vice Ganda.

From Annabelle, we learned that Kara was born in the Philippines but raised in Sydney, Australia. Her mom is Filipino-Japanese, while her dad is part Filipino, Spanish and Greek, hence her very foreign-sounding last name.

She got more than her family name from her dad. “I was born into a family of musicians on my dad’s side,” Kara said. “I started singing and dancing when I was around three years old.”

Kara had her first taste of showbiz in 2010 when she did some TV commercials, print ads and TV guestings. But she quit after one year to finish her studies and help in the family business.

Since she belongs to the same agency, Kara will surely realize her dream of working with VAA artists like Sarah Geronimo, James Reid and Nadine Lustre.

Incidentally, the day after the presscon, Annabelle flew to Switzerland to join husband Eddie Gutierrez and the rest of the family for the shoot of ITGTBAG’s new season. Son Richard and girlfriend Sarah Lahbati (who was raised in Switzerland), with their son Zion, went ahead of the family.

Frazzled is VP Leni’s favorite resto

Have you ever wondered why a cozy restaurant nestled on Scout Gandia (off Tomas Morato Ave.), Quezon City, was called Frazzled?

Our group (Lolit Solis, Gorgy Rula and Dody Arcaya, VP for sales and marketing of Dickies) learned that the Chengs (who own and manage the resto) were so preoccupied with renovating the former residential house (to the tune of P7M) that they couldn‘t think of a name. Thus, Frazzled.

So if you are “frazzled,” you know where to unwind. Serving goodies calculated to please not just the palates of millennials but hungry souls of all ages, the resto creates a “family-feel” ambience with mismatched furniture, dim lighting, quirky decors collected from around the world and artworks on the wall.

No wonder Vice Pres. Leni Robredo and her children often go to Frazzled for a leisurely lunch or dinner.

The Frazzled Cook is founded by LeeChoaChengCo, Inc., a group of four young ladies who have partnered to bring life to the quaint little restaurant.

“The concept was simply to create a place that provides a different dining experience that stands out among all the restaurants in the area,” said Jerrinah Cheng, one of the girls. “You know, a home away from home where you can relax while enjoying a meal.”

(Frazzled Cook is located at #78 Scout Gandia near corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City. For inquiries, call landline 374-6879 or celfone +63917-6333352.)

Over lunch, Dody Arcaya happily announced that Dickies continues to attract more customers, most of whom are from sports and showbiz (including Slapshock, the brand’s endorser for 22 years now). Popular both here and in the US, Dickies products (shirts, pants, underwear, etc.) feel like second skin.

“That’s why people love Dickies,” assured Dody.

Fr. Joey in Australia for healing Masses

Healing priest Fr. Joey Faller is in Australia (Sydney, Parramatta, Melbourne and Perth) to say healing Masses, scheduled as follows:

• Sunday, March 26, at St. Joseph’s Parish Church, Rockdale, NSW (phone numbers 0433-455114 and 0416-464221);

• Tuesday, March 28, St. Aidan’s Parish Church, Rooty Hill, NSW (0406-587717);

• Wednesday, March 29, Mary Queen of the Family Parish Church, Blacktown, NSW (0404-093118);

• Thursday, March 30, Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill, NSW (0410-292047 and 0430-671918);

• Sunday, April 2, St. Peter Channel Parish, Deer Park, Victoria (0401-677193 and 0425-804951);

• Thursday, April 6, Holy Family Parish Church, Como, WA (0405-693940); and

• Friday, April 7, Holy Family Parish Church, Como, WA (0405-693940).

(For more information, call Jesus, Light of the World Communities, sponsor of the healing mission, at 02-89647034 or mobile 0433-455114.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)