PAYBACK  TIME  FOR  MARTIN


MANILA, APRIL 23, 2008 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - When Gary Valenciano mounts his shows in LA (June 7), Stockton (California, June 13) and Seattle (Washington DC, June 15), Martin Nievera is performing with him.

“But no,” said Martin (who arrived last Saturday from the States nursing a fever), “it’s not going to be a back-to-back show as some people might think; I’m just a guest performer. Maybe I’ll sing one or two songs, and a duet with Gary.”

It’s payback time.

A few weeks ago when he had his 25th-anniversary show at the Araneta Coliseum, Martin invited 13 colleagues as unbilled “guests” and they all said yes right away, namely: Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go, Erik Santos, Mark Bautista, Jed Madela, the Sabado Boys, Jimmy Bondoc, Top Suzara, Paolo Santos, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Piolo Pascual, Regine Velasquez and, yes, Gary V.

As a gesture of gratitude, Martin said that if any of them held a concert, he or she could put Martin’s name in the posters as “guest performer” without even telling him about it.

First to take the “bait” is Gary V. who actually opened Martin’s Big Dome show, doing a passable vocal imitation of Martin before he stepped into the spotlight.

At his presscon Monday night, the irrepressible Martin was unusually mum about his over-dissected private life, making a “zipper” sign across his lips when asked about a new rumor linking him to, well, another woman.

All he discussed was his series of shows (which is what he came back for) called Martin Nievera XXV, which is part of his continuing 25th-year celebration, slated April 30 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom and on May 10 at the Corpus Christi Gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro.

After that, Martin will fly back to Las Vegas to resume his never-say-die pursuit of his so far elusive American Dream.

(Note: For ticket inquiries, call Waterfront at 032-232-6888 and 90.7 Crossover Cebu 032-412-5043.)

It’s a deal!

Howie Mandel, host of the hit US game show Deal Or No Deal (DOND), flew in from Hong Kong yesterday to, as Funfare reported last week, do a special episode as part of the show’s world tour. To be co-hosted by Kris Aquino (host of DOND Philippine version which folded up early this year), the special will show American audiences how the game is played in the Philippines.

“I’ve watched the show and it’s done differently here,” said Howie upon his arrival. “We don’t have dancing girls; you have a wonderful female host. I’m thrilled; I can’t wait to get to the set and play the game. We are playing for a $1-M (roughly P41-M) but we are not yet giving away the prize, although it would be nice if somebody from here would get it.”

The two-hour around-the-world episode of DOND, airing on May 7, will have two American contestants playing according to the rules of the Philippine franchise produced by ABS-CBN and called Kapamilya, Deal Or No Deal. It features the 26K Girls and our very own banker, and the briefcases will contain prizes in US currency.

From the Philippines, Howie will fly to other parts of Asia, Europe and Africa which are included in the DOND Around-the-World episodes.

But first, Howie will stay for three days to see the country’s scenic spots.

Reader’s reaction

Hi Ricky,

Greetings! Before anything else, if you decide to print my letter, please refrain from printing my real name and e-mail as I have yet to inform my family and friends about a very important decision that I am about to make.

Thank you so much for printing The Awakening by Sonny Carroll. I am a mother of four young kids and married for 14 years. I am presently at a very difficult and painful stage in my married life. I am contemplating on leaving my husband who has cheated on me three times already in the past 13 years and is on his fourth mistress.

I am at a loss on what to do as my kids are all young. I am staying because of them. I don’t think my husband will ever change his ways. From womanizing to gambling, you name it and he has done it or still doing it. We were high school sweethearts and were parents to our eldest at the age of 16.

Now that my eldest is also 16 and going to college, I’ve decided to end my marriage and to stop torturing myself and our kids. Though he is a wonderful father to our kids, he treats me like crap and treats the driver and maids with more respect. After reading The Awakening, I have finally come to my senses and all my fears and questions were answered. I feel so peaceful now and have never felt this way in a long time. Again, thank you very much. —MOTHER OF 4

Briefly Noted

• From Diether Ocampo:

I am very happy to share with you that we were able to meet the need for more books in public schools with a joint project of K.I.D.S. Foundation and Victoria Court which is also keen on improving the quality of life of the Filipino youth by focusing on education. The turn-over at the Rosauro Elementary School in Tondo was the first stop-over of the 10 that Victoria Court has lined up for this campaign. Atticus King, managing director of Victoria Court, believes that “every page a child reads brings him one step closer to a brighter future.” We are hoping to create higher public awareness to inspire others to support a similar advocacy.

• From Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib: 2007 Miss Philippines-Air Krystle Ann Dizon finished first runner-up in the 2008 Miss Tourism Queen International held a few days ago in Henan, China, with 113 gorgeous girls from around the world competing. The contestants were taken on a tour of major cities and tourist spots in China before the grand finals held in Zhengzhou City. Grand winner was Miss Peru while Miss Thailand was named Miss Tourism Queen of Asia.

• Dr. Hayden Kho, the beloved one of Dr. Vicki Belo, is on “indefinite leave” from “doctoring” and devoting full time to “actoring,” a passion no doubt sparked by his joining the GMA reality-TV “singing” contest Celebrity Duets. After guesting on Marimar, Hayden proceeded without fanfare to Singapore where he shot a TV series. He’s now in the cast of Kim Sam Soon, the first Pinoy-version of the Koreanovela on GMA, as one of the three leading men of Regine Velasquez (in the title role). The two others are Mark Anthony Fernandez and Wendell Ramos.