Trivia:
With the melancholic birthday and death anniversary of well loved publisher-editor of Balita Toronto newspaper Ruben Cusipag observed this July, this writer can’t help but reminisce a flashback in his life before the Martial Law years. Even then I had always admired his brand of writing: truthful, fearless and thought-provoking.
Albeit I had not met him personally then, I regularly read his columns, articles in the newspapers he wrote. Ruben’s frankness about the Marcos administration impressed, amazed me. Out of it, I wasn’t surprised that after the declaration of Martial Law, Ruben was among the severe critics of ex-president Ferdinand Marcos jailed by him that time.
From some of his ex-officemates, chums, I had affirmed Ruben was well loved as could be ascribed by his good-natured, helpfulness and humility. Then for some time I had heard nothing on Ruben Until I chanced upon his brother June Cusipag whose advertising expertise brought him closer to siblings Cheng, Alex Muhlach (dads of Aga, Nino, respectively). That transpired in a bash tendered by the Muhlachs.
In an exchange of pleasantries with June, I asked him if he was related to Ruben. Through June, I learned that after his release, Ruben went to Canada, eventually founded Balita newspaper there. And before I left for Canada, June mentioned too that Balita’s top Filipino newspaper in Canada.
Out of my penchant for writing showbiz news, I didn’t waste time to contact Ruben’s wife Tess who gave me a break to be a movie columnist. In the gathering held at the Cusipags, I finally met Ruben as Tess introduced me to him. I told Ruben that June was a friend of mine. At this juncture, misty-eyed Ruben recounted that June passed away. He sobbed that bed-ridden and handicapped, he wasn’t able to enplane to the Philippines to be at his sibling’s wake.
Sadly, in Ruben’s demise I happened to visit my son in Calgary , unable to pay a last homage to him. Yet deep inside me, I couldn’t forget the words he told me when I cajoled him. Good thing,pinansin mo ako eh tuta ako ni Marcos kasi I worked for his Daily Express publications for several years noong Martial Law years.
“Trabaho lang yun. What’s in your heart and mind would really count most. Alam kong sensible na tao ka, based on your write ups.” Ruben uttered which truly touched me. showing to the fullest a big-hearted man that he was
Robin, Aljur’s Rift Looms
Being buzzed around lately by gossip-mongers is the current intrigue between Robin Padilla and his daughter Kylie’s ex lover Aljur Abrenica. It was an aftermath of Robin’s slip-shod comment when asked by a scribe about Aljur and his advice on Kylie.
“Huwag nating pag-usapan ang bakla. Ang payo ko kay Kylie, next time hanapin niya ang bf na tunay na lalaki.” Obviously insinuating that Aljur’s not a real man.
The said remark enraged Aljur’s followers. One of his supporters did a rebuttal by saying, “siguro di pa maka-move on si Robin that he has an open gay-brother (BB Gandanghari), homophobic that he is. Besides, it’s his daughter Kylie who initiated the break up. Di ba una siyang na-link kay Geoff Eigenmann which irked Aljur.”
Albeit at this writing Aljur remains tight-lipped on the issue, how would he take it in case Robin does not stop putting him down dastardly? Will Aljur cleave to his no talk actuation?
Nora’s Lawyer Refutes Pnoy’s Claim
Nora Aunor’s lawyer in U.S. Atty. Claire Navarro Espina refuted the reason President Noynoy Aquino explained that drug conviction made Nora not deserving to be included as National Artist 2014. In contrast, the lawyer countered she has proofs to show that Nora was never convicted in U.S. court nor underwent drug rehabilitation
Meanwhile, a reliable source related to me the abrupt response of many showbiz people in support of Nora Aunor. This transpired after she’s dropped from the list of eight National Artists 2014 by Malacanang. Reportedly, the shirts with these words printed ‘proud to be a Filipino, ashamed of the government’ are in common sight as worn by Nora’s colleagues, followers in and out of showbiz.
An overwhelmed Nora expressed gratefulness for the unexpected reaction of not a few. “I’m sad dahil natanggal ako pero sobra ang tuwa ko sa mga sumusuporta sa akin . I’m thankful to all of them.” She voiced out teary-eyed.
In passing, heard that the said shirt was originally displayed by Nora’s co-stars in the indie pic Dementia, led by Gardo Versoza.
Ai-Ai Befriends Herbert’s Partner to spite Kris?
What do you know? The somewhat broken friendship of Kris Aquino and Ai-Ai delas Alas reaches a new height with these words running fast. Allegedly, Ai-Ai has befriended Mayor Herbert Bautista’s long time partner Tates Gana. Remember that Kris and Herbert had a whirlwind romance as both did not squash off.. Could it be to spite Kris?
Recounting back, Kris’s failure to show at the wake of A-Ai’s mom early this year ignited the reported coldness between them, avoiding each other’s company. However, a colleague did hush-hush to me. That as of this writing Ai-Ai has yet to meet Tates. Though she’s interested to see Tates.
“I don’t want to say something on Kris. But I still believe real friendship goes forever.” My source quoted Ai-Ai as saying.
A Wake Up Call for Sen. Bong
Since Sen. Bong Revilla has been detained, his close friends show no apathetic feelings bur rather all out in supporting him and his family. I’ve talked to some of them in the Philippines and abroad who seem to stand by his side. Yet the meaningful words came from long time chum former writer-movie line producer Lita Santos Francisco who’s based in Vancouver for years now.
In a chat with Lita, she mentioned that she knew Bong from his teen years, being attached to his dad ex-Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. “ Bong has inherent goodness in him, humility and compassion for others. Not surprising he turned a successful politician. I do believe he might be innocent on the charges against him.” Says Lita whose last movie she line produced for Star Cinema prior to her departure for Canada was the starrer of the deceased Nida Blanca which she did with Jolina Magdangal titled Kung Ikaw ay Isang Panaginip.
Nevertheless, Lita expressed her best advice she could give to bong in case she chances upon him, a sort of a wakeup call for him. “Granting na nagkasala nga siya I’d tell Bong to ask for a public apology at kung totoo man isoli niya ang involved money. In so doing, he will get the sympathy of majority, could regain back the people’s trust on him.”
Spicy Items: Could it be true that Daniel Padilla seems appall of the news that another popular young actor is an ardent suitor of Kathryn Bernardo? It’s not specified if he’s from the Kapamilya or Kapuso networks. Allegedly, Kathryn neither confirmed nor denied it when queried by Daniel.
With candor, James Yap didn’t negate the fact that previously he has a child by another non-showbiz girl and older than his son Bimby by Kris Aquino. James shrugged off if that was one of the causes of his split then with Kris. Nonetheless, his current GF-foreigner treats the kid well like what she does to Bimby.
Megastar Sharon Cuneta chortled that she’s no longer affected by current rumor that her husband ex-Sen. Kiko Pangilinan has a child by his mistress. With grin, Shawie recalled that before the political camp scattered Kiko’s gay, followed by having an affair with another woman.
“I really don’t mind what next they will vilify about Kiko is. I’ve already realized that politics is dirtier than showbiz. Basta ako happy naman with my family. You see, 18 years na kaming nagsasama ni Kiko. Despite intrigues, we’re getting sweeter, understanding to each other, not pugnacious whatsoever.” Shawie divulged to her writher-friends.