2020: Mga Halo-Halong Hula-Hula

On the third day of 2020, Year of the Metal Rat, Funfare is making a big “reveal” of what’s in store for earth-bound stars in the next 12 months. As in the past four decades-plus, Your Funfarer based the following Halo-Halong Hula-Hula not on a deck of tarot cards or upon a crystal ball but on a stack of tabs and juicy snippets on social media.

Now, more about the Metal Rat: It kicks off the Lunar Year on Jan. 25 during the Chinese New Year and ends on Feb. 11, 2021. The Rat is the first sign among the 12 animals cycle of the Chinese astrology so it’s considered a year of new beginnings and renewals.

Rats are those born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008.

Those born in the Year of the Metal Rat are said to be strong, prosperous and lucky…they will show determination regarding their goals, aspirations and even in their hobbies, a great year for founding and evolving. According to the Chinese astrology, Rats “who plan to buy real estate, to start a business or to invest money in a long-term project have great chances of being satisfied in the future.” (That is, of course, if you have money, otherwise…)

Without much ado, let’s see what the stars can look forward to, or avoid as the case may be. (Again, these are all hula-hula and Your Funfarer can’t/won’t tell who are those in the “blind items,” so please refrain from asking.) The “blind items” (italicized) are mixed with the “wide-awake” items.

• Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli will get married during the first quarter of  the year either in Cebu or in Italy (where Matteo’s dad hails from). The stars will align for Matteo and Sarah’s parents Divine and Delfin, and they will dissolve into a tight embrace of mutual forgiveness.

• Iñigo Pascual will continue to make a name on the international music scene. Right on, Iñigo!

• A popular actor will make an important announcement (something to do with his planned retirement), unless prevailed upon by those close to him to hang on.

• If ever the ABS-CBN franchise expires in March (but let’s hope and pray that “a miracle on Bohol Avenue” will happen), some heads would roll but contract talents needed not worry.

• The appeal of Ang Probinsyano, starring Coco Martin, will be diminished  but the rating will remain satisfactory.

• A young actress will say “Hello!” to the stork but she will not “force” her actor-boyfriend to marry her.

• Heart Evangelista (and husband Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero) can expect a welcome call from the stork, and Heart should be extra careful this second time around, if ever. (Pauleen Luna might get her wish to have a new baby but, so sorry, Ai-Ai delas Alas can’t bear a child even for one last time no matter how hard she tries. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.)

•  Currently fancy-free, Misses Universe Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray will enjoy their single-blessedness before they entertain any suitor. (Catriona has categorically denied that Sam Milby and Alden Richards are courting her. Better luck next time, boys!)

• The stars of Viva hunks Marco Gumabao, Tony Labrusca and Marco Gallo will shine brighter but sadly, that of former Viva talent James Reid will lack luster.

• Unless they take maximum caution, some actors and actresses will be caught in drug busts.

• There will be several “repeaters” (Patricia Magtanong who placed among the Top 6 in the 2019 Miss International pageant, among others) in the 2020 Miss Universe-Philippines but, don’t raise your hopes too high, the country won’t have its fifth Miss Universe just yet. The 2020 Miss UP search is the first under new management (with Shamcey Supsup and Jonas Gaffud after 55 fruitful years with Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta’s Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) and the fierce eyes of beauty-watchers are on them.

• Hindi masyadong magiging maganda ang taong 2020 para sa mga taong may vice. Nakaka-umay na ang PDA (Public Display of Affection) at dapat bawas-bawasan din ang mga offensive jokes.

• Sorry but there won’t be any lasting peace for the Barrettos.

• Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto will finally have the guts  to reveal the truth about them, and nothing but. As The STAR’s blurb says, Truth Shall Prevail. (The truth will set them free.)

• Coco Martin will toe the “honesty is the best policy” line and?at last, at last!...admit or reveal whatever he has to admit or reveal. What's the real score between him and Julia Montes, between him and Probinsyano leading lady Yassi Pressman, between him and a non-showbiz woman (who is helping him run his career)?

• The never-ending “musical chairs” will go on merrily revolving, with some Kapamilya jumping ober da bakod to the Kapuso network, but not vice-versa.

• Named MMFF Best Actress (for Mindanao, which also won her the same honor at the Cairo International Film Festival), Judy Ann Santos stands a good chance to pull a grand-slam feat in the dozens of award-giving bodies. One thank-you speech is good enough, Juday!

• Although empty-handed during the MMFF’s Gabi Ng Parangal, Aga Muhlach will feel like a big winner at the end of the MMFF on Jan. 7, with his heart full of gratitude to the SRO crowds that flooded the theaters (with copious tears!) where his starrer Miracle in Cell No. 7 is showing (for sure, on extended run).

• A popular TV host will be advised…nay, “ordered”…by his doctor to slow down and take it easy due to health concerns. Remember, health is wealth; money can’t buy everything, especially not happiness.

Oldest reader of STAR

I got the following rejoinder from reader James Figueras:

Hi Ricky,

We are not certain if the photo caption of 'Mommy Geling' was a sub-part of your column in the Dec. 20, 2019 issue of The Philippine Star wherein she was referred to as 'Maybe the Oldest Reader of STAR.'

My mother, Dr. Emmanuela T. Figueras (ret., photo), who celebrated her 95th birthday last Dec. 24, 2019, reads all the sections of our favorite newspaper, from cover to cover without the aid of eyeglasses.

When she is done and after she has rested, she starts reading it all over again. She has been reading the STAR since its maiden issue.

Thank you and we, the Figueras Family, wishes you the best in the coming New Year, and sustained power in your column!

James T. Figueras

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