PILITA  TO  JACKIE:  DON'T  LEAVE  HOME

[PHOTO AT LEFT - Pilita Corrales denies rumors that her daughter Jackie Lou Blanco and husband Ricky Davao (below) have separated]

MANILA, NOVEMBER 4, 2009 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo -  Curtain-raisers:

• Now that Susan Roces has accepted the GMA offer to do a Christmas special, it means that she has said no to the new ABS-CBN soap Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo which stars Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson and Gabby Concepcion. “Susan regrets not being able to work with Kris again,” said the Funfare DPA. They were together in one of Regal’s Mano Po series. In the five-episode teledrama directed by Eric Quizon (who’s taking a leave from his job in Hong Kong), Susan plays a woman afflicted with dementia. Also included in a powerhouse cast is Christopher de Leon.

• Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos celebrated her 56th birthday yesterday. Asked if she’s “tempted” to be Gibo Teodoro’s running-mate in 2010, Vilma said (for the nth time) that she is not. “I have made a decision to run for reelection and that’s it,” said Vilma. “It’s final, it’s definite!” Asked what her birthday wish was, Vilma said, “Nothing more. I just want to count my blessings and thank God for everything!”

•Our condolences to Roderick Paulate (photo) whose mother, Paz M. Paulate, passed away Sunday night, The wake is at Arlington Memorial Chapels on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

• Trivia: The last typhoon to hit the Philippines is Santi and a new one (hope it doesn’t hit land) is named Tino. Put them together and what do you get? Yes, Santino!...Sign at a shoe-repair shop: I WILL HEEL YOU. I WILL SAVE YOUR SOLE. I WILL EVEN DYE FOR YOU.

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Does the mother always know best?

Maybe yes, maybe no.

Ask Pilita Corrales about the persistent rumor (circulating for years now with nobody ever able to produce a “proof”) that her daughter Jackie Lou and husband Ricky Davao’s marriage is on the rocks and she is candid in her answer.

“Basta they are still in the same house, okey lang ‘yon,” says Pilita when pressed for the truth and nothing but during the presscon for D’Diva and D’Debonair, her first back-to-back concert with Rico J. Puno slated for Nov. 13 at the Music Museum. “As long as they are fine together, I think it’s okay. One of them has to make a decision sooner or later.”

Like showbiz-watchers, Pilita admits that she has been hearing the rumor about Jackie and Ricky, the former being linked to a “handsome gym trainer” and the latter to glossy fashion-magazine editor. Both are mum on the matter — you know, the less said, the better. They have four children, the eldest is graduating from college and the youngest is 10.

“But everytime I ask Jackie, she would say, ‘No, Mommy, that’s not true.’ When I ask Ricky naman, he would say the same thing, ‘Mamita, tsismis lang ‘yan.’ I never see either of them with somebody else. And if ever I do, ano ba ang pakialam ko? I wouldn’t say anything. That’s their life. I have done enough. Tama na ‘yon.”

Neither would Pilita give a definite answer about Lotlot de Leon, ex-wife of her son Ramon Christopher (the couple’s marriage has been annulled), who is rumored to be pregnant (by her new love) and abroad waiting for the stork’s visit.

Pilita has only one piece of advice for Jackie: “Whatever happens, do not leave your house.” That, adds Pilita, was the big mistake Lotlot ever committed. “When she left the house, she lost all her rights. So I told Jackie, ‘Don’t ever do that.’ That’s your house. Your children grew up there, so you stay. You know, Jackie and Ricky are very close to their children, and neither of them will leave the house. Ricky is a very good provider. Ang bait-bait niya!”

A survivor of several relationships (and happy with Carlos Lopez, her latest and probably her last love, a divorcee with children of his own), Pilita has always been devoted to her other love — singing.

“Through it all, I never let my personal life affect my career.”

She and Rico have guested in a few shows but it’s the first time they are doing a concert together, just the two of them. Rico is noted (notorious?) for cracking green jokes during a show and he’ll surely find a good match (as in makakakita ng katapat) in Pilita who can deliver a joke as cleanly as she “bends” through the high notes of a song.

“It’s going to be a fun show, promise,” says Pilita.

She gives a “sample” when asked what her beauty secret is.

“Sex,” she says without batting an eyelash. “It’s best in the morning before breakfast.”

I guess Rico will blush — for once, for once! — when Pilita surprises him with jokes like that during their Music Museum show which marks the “showdown” of Asia’s Queen of Song and The Total Entertainer. All of us better be there as witnesses.

(Note: For ticket inquiries, call the Twin Towers and Company office at 719-0136, Ticketworld outlets at 891-9999 or the Music Museum at 721-6726/721-0635.)

Chin-Chin: So sorry!

Reacting to yesterday’s banner story about Chin-Chin Gutiierez (photo) having been too “realistic” in a confrontation scene with Lorna Tolentino in the ABS-CBN soap Dahil May Isang Ikaw, leaving Lorna with bruised lips and a cut near her eye, Chin-Chin’s manager Angie Ureta said that the incident was “unintentional” and that Chin-Chin did apologize to Lorna right after and even offered to accompany her to her (Chin-Chin’s dermatologist) for treatment. “Somebody should have shouted ‘Cut!’ but that’s not what happened, kaya itinuloy nilang dalawa ang eksena. Again, Chin-Chin is saying ‘So sorry’ to Lorna publicly.”

But then, the harm has been done and on Lorna’s face at that! You know how overly careful and protective stars (male or female and that includes Chin-Chin) are with their looks, especially their faces so you can imagine how Lorna feels.

The bottom line?

Lorna doesn’t want to have any scene with Chin-Chin again.