Trivia:
One year and five months from now, I’ll turn 80 on my birthday. I can’t help but remenisce some awesome memories of the Alip clan. My father the late Mauricio Alip and his sibling Dr. Eufronio Alip were both professors at the University of Santo Thomas and San Beda College.
My uncle served as presidential adviser for education during the term of the deceased Elipidio Quirino and Diosdado Macapagal. He was also the author of the text books Philippine History, Philippine Government and Balarila. Then he wrote another Our Rich Heritage, with my dad as his co-author.
At the time both were teaching history and English at U.S.T. one of their students was the award winning Sampaguita Pictures actress the lateRita Gomez of Maldita, Reyna Bandida and Talipandas fame. At that when this writer turned movie scribe, Rita cajoled me in front of the scribes.
“Did you know I was the favorite of Nap’s dad and his uncle kasi that time I was already very sexy.” This made my colleagues broke into laughter. When Rita graced my wedding with my wife Mer, she recounted anew her experiences under the tutelage of the two, much to the delight of my relatives.
Curiously, when my father was the curator of Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago, some movie producers approached me for assistance. They wanted me to get them permit to shoot inside Fort Santiago for my dad was strict.. As it was, he would hand me the permit if the producers promised he wouldn’t leave the place messy as done before by other film makers.
Expectedly, the said producers elucidated special treatment to me which led some of my co-writers to throw joke that I had that pa-importante image. Much more so, during the press confab of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her senatorial race, she mentioned to the movie press in attendance.
“I asked Nap if he’s related to Eufronio Alip. You see, for years he served as personal adviser to my father, aside from Presidential adviser for Education.” The media men were caught by surprise, especially when I told them Gloria’s father came during my uncle’s wake and burial.
It’s funny to recall that in the subsequent showbiz events if the discussion boiled down on historical facts and personal matters, the emcee would blurt out. “Why not ask Nap? He’s more knowledgeable.” Honestly, it left me quite embarrassed at the same time flattered.
For the record, when I was a kid my father made me aware that his mom Petronila Melo who grew up in Santo Tomas Batangas was a cousin of hero Miguel Malvar, the last Filipino general to surrender at the height of Fil-Spanish war and learned unknown things about him. In this light as a high school student, I voiced out the said topic upon the mention of our teacher to narrate it in the class.
In the case of my late mom Albina Candenas Alip, she informed me that her Mercado kin from Calamba, Laguna belonged to the Jose Rizal clan. Once, my mom tagged me along in a reunion event of the Marcados which paved a way to meet the living Rizal’s relatives and to see the ancestral house of Rizal, an unforgettable memory indeed about our national hero.
Subsequently, my brother Atty. Bert Alip prodded me to join group of students to support the late Gerry Roxas who ran for senator. In fact, when Gerry won, kuya Bert became part of his legal counsel. Later, Gerry’s senator son Mar Roxas had a gathering. His wife Korina Sanchez invited me. She was quite stunned on what her mother in law Judy Araneta Roxas divulged that I was the sibling of Gerry’s lawyer. The truth, I never told Korina about my brother’s job.
Coco Runs for Senator or Mayor in 2022 Election?
Talks reach new height of late that Coco Martin will enter politics come 2022 election either as mayor or senator. At this writing, Coco has neither confirmed nor denied if it’s true or what his preference would be. However, countless people far and wide have expressed their support for Coco whatever position he decides.
My informant from Senator Lito Lapid’s office relayed that Lito advised him to choose the Senate seat for Coco can serve more Pinoys and an easier job. Lito served as mayor for several years. He knows Coco fits better as a senator. On the other side, another source did hush-hush Coco’s main priority still remains on his full assistance to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal.
Sharon Compares the Tulfo Brothers
Out of the negative criticisms of veteran broadcaster Ben Tulfo against Sharon Cuneta’s daughter Frankie Pangilinan at his social media accounts, Sharon couldn’t help compare Ben to his sibling Raffy Tulfo. Unlike Ben she believes Raffy has a broader, fairer sense of judgment, The root of it ignited when Mon told Frankie not to fully blame rapists for girls’ sexy attires seduced them to that sexual assault.
This reminds me of my encounter with the other Tulfo brothers. Decades back, newscaster Mon dragged my name in the misdeed of a tenant at the apartment owned by my wife in Caloocan City. Mon claimed I tolerated the criminal act of that person. But his brother Erwin Tulfo didn’t take in against me. In truth, for years my family migrated to Canada when that incident occurred.
Ah, but understandably so, perhaps Mon had grudge on me for the item I wrote on his affair with a showbiz girl. It could be a retaliation for what I did.
Angel, Pokwang Victims of Bashers
ABS-CBN actresses Angel Locsin and Pokwang have been the victims of bashers lately. Some make fun of Angel’s overweight looks with the tag Ang Pinakamatabang Darna. Others threw sarcastic remarks implying Angel no longer deserves a film lead role. In the case of Pokwang,, it was an aftermath of her appearance in the segment Bawal Judgmental of GMA-7’s Eat Bulaga.
Bashers echo it’s a sign Pokwang would transfer to the Kapuso network, for she has no loyalty to the Kapamilya firm. Her camp contravened for Pokwang has no restriction to guest in other TV stations and would never leave ABS-CBN, no matter what. While Angel publicly declared she concentrates on her new boob tube show Iba Yan, plus her charitable assistance to those infected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As it is, she’s unmindful of the rants against her.
Cesar Gives Credit to Zsa Zsa
Actor-model Cesar Marquez who’s based in Canada and dubbed Coco Martin of Toronto is now a part of the rising Pinoy TV Vibes Toronto. Conceptualized by DJ Ryan Orlanda and Phy Hector German, the show started with comic videos. But now gives chance to vloggers to display music videos and vital events. Its website: http/pinoyvibestoronto.ca./index/pho/home/history.
Through the group Maraja Con Jalo, Cesar became a part of Pinoy TV Vibes which also includes game contest with cash prizes via the program’s sponsors. To this day, Cesar gives credit to Zsa Zsa Padilla who ignited his tag Coco Martin of Toronto. Her music video was recently viewed too at Pinoy TV Vibes,
Blind Item:
A male showbiz celebrity was allegedly banned from a TV network out of the report that he disrespected its management. A source reported someone with the video of the celeb degrading the station showed it to its bigwigs. Despite his apology, still under contract, he’s kicked out,, so they say.
Spicy Tidbits:
A colleague did hush-hush that Luis Manzano has no comment about the solo live video of his half -brother Enzo. This was shot in front of the U.N. headquarters in New York City. Enzo held the placard with messages that Duterte, Philippine government are taking away Pinoys basic rights But their dad Edu expressed he’s proud of Enzo for his stand. Does it mean Edu is anti-Duterte?
Admirers of Bea Alonzo and Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto admit their idea that hopefully the two would end up lovers in offing. The photos of the sweet moments of the duo when Bea met Vico to hand the donations of her group for the COVID victims have thrilled them. Reportedly, queried about it , Vico’s ma Coney Reyes grinned, recalled being attached to bea, having worked together in a pic, TV projects.
After BB Gandang Hari (AKA Rustum Padilla) the latest vctim of fake death news is veteran actor Rez Cortez.. Rez clarified he didn’t die of serious ailment. In contrast, his good health makes him active as the current head of the MOWELFUND), the SSS counterpart of showbiz. He accepts too acting roles.
Speaking of BB Gandang Hari, he does not scruple to say if she turns man anew, ex-wife Carmina Villaroel would be her choice to court again.
Who says Ai-Ai de las Alas on the verge to bid adieu to showbiz world? In contrast, she inked a 5 year contract under GMA Artist Center. Ai-Ai vivifies the fact that her heart belongs to GMA-7 to the hilt.