NEWSFLASH

WHY ANNABELLE RAMA IS LOSING WEIGHT?

Manila, December 10,  2002 (STAR) FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo - Curtain-raisers:

• It’s confirmed: The pretty TV-movie actress took a leave of absence not for a much-needed rest but to give birth to her love child by a dashing sportsman who, like the actress, is estranged from his spouse. The actress’ husband is somebody with showbiz affinity. She should be back in a popular sitcom soon, minus her post-natal avoirdupois.

• Meanwhile, both families of another estranged couple (a TV host and former model) are trying their best to iron things out between them (the couple), not only in the spirit of Christmas (give love on Christmas Day, according to Michael Jackson) but more so for the couple’s fast-growing kids. But first, maybe the TV host should promise his aggrieved wife to mend his ways–and not to invite another woman, no matter how "innocently" to their home especially when the missus is away... not even to entertain any female guest (especially if pretty) in the den.

• A sexy actress is said to be "fast with men" because she hates men. Confusing, isn’t it? You see, the actress’ foreigner father left her mom and to get back at the father and other men, she "loves" ’em (one-night stand, if you please!) and then leaves them. "There’s no second round for her," said the Funfare DPA.

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Friends are wondering – nay, worried! – why Annabelle Rama is losing weight these days. They swear it’s not because of the pressures (and mounting tension) brought about by the holidays.

Could it be because:

1. Yilmaz Bektas, who was here for a visit, is insisting that he and Annabelle’s daughter Ruffa get married soon?

2. Girls have been clogging the Gutierrezes’ phone lines looking for Richard Gutierrez, the Click star dubbed as "the new Crush ng Bayan?"

3. Or, she and husband Eddie Gutierrez are having one of their regular spats?

Those close to Annabelle said that the answer to "all the above" is a resounding no.

Sleuthing around a bit, Funfare discovered that Annabelle was swindled by a producer (not clear if she’s a movie producer or a concert producer, or whether she’s based here or abroad) to the tune of, brace yourselves, P5.3 million worth of assorted jewelry.

"Annabelle has been hounding the ‘culprit’ to no avail," said the Funfare DPA. "She was paid with a check but it bounced. Imagine how mad Annabelle was when the ‘culprit’ sent her the receipts from the pawnshop where the ‘culprit’ pawned the jewelry! That’s Annabelle’s problem now. Na-swindle na siya, siya pa ang tutubos ng mga alahas."

For once, Annabelle is mum. Asked by Funfare about the incident, she said, "No comment." Maybe she has "something" up her sleeve? Elephant parade launches Spirit Warriors

There’s going to be a starry parade on Dec. 24 to launch the 2002 Metro Filmfest, right?

But a week before that, Regal Films’ indefatigable matriarch, Mother Lily, will hold her own parade at the Araneta Center, Quezon City, featuring not only human stars (of the movie Spirit Warriors 2: The Shortcut) but also four-legged stars – elephants (from the Elephant World Show, also at Araneta Center), no less!

The participants include Spirit Warriors stars Danilo Barrios, Spencer Reyes, Chris Cruz, Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario, collectively known as The Streetboys; and various creatures featured in Spirit Warriors such as 27 tropical fish-inspired mermaids, 20 aswangs, 10 tiyanaks and a seven-foot tikbalang, together with, that’s it, elephants.

After the parade (which kicks off at 1p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15) will be followed by a free show to be hosted by Allan K, featuring The Sex Bomb Girls, Richard Gutierrez, Ruffa Gutierrez, Aubrey Miles, Cogie Domingo, Maxene Magalona, other Regal babies and Bb. Pilipinas beauties.

The same stars – minus the elephants, of course – will distribute gifts to the kids present, with a grand party as culminating activity.

The unique parade (which only a Mother Lily could ever think of) is a joint project between Regal Films and the Araneta Center to usher in the Christmas season. Everybody, kids and kids-at-heart, are invited.