GOSSIP GIRL: Stars born in February and birthday wishes

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Feb 11, 2025 08:59 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• A study by some students at the University of Arkansas published in Science Publications found that more celebrities are born in February than any other month.

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Giselle Sanchez and Martin Nievera

We Filipinos joke that people born in February are “kulang-kulang” (born with a deficiency) because February lacks several days to complete the month. 

I disagree because some of the brightest stars in Hollywood and the Philippines celebrate their birthdays in February – Heart Evangelista, Anne Curtis, Lea Salonga, Kris Aquino, Shakira, and Michael Jordan. 

It seems like a lot of stars are born in February. A study by some students at the University of Arkansas published in Science Publications found that more celebrities are born in February than any other month.  

With Parokya ni Edgar lead vocalist Chito Miranda

For my column today, I asked three of our brightest stars their birthday wishes. Concert King Martin Nievera, born Feb. 5, recently celebrated his 62nd birthday last Feb. 2 on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show ASAP. I asked him for his birthday wish, and he gladly told Gossip Girl, “My birthday wish is that I could live long enough to give back to all those who have blessed me with a full beautiful life and career. I want to keep singing and performing for audiences worldwide until I can’t sing a note anymore—so good health would be at the top of that wish list. Also, I still feel I still have so many shows to do. So I pray that the people are still willing to listen to my songs and that I am entertaining and interesting enough for people to hear my music.” 

Actress Katya Santos whose birthday falls on Feb. 2 is praying for a baby with her non-showbiz fiancée Paolo Pilar. The celebrity got engaged last month when Paolo proposed to her at Lake Ashi in Hakone, Japan. The 43-year-old actress knows in her heart that God will give an answered prayer.

“Conceiving in your 40s is difficult, so Paolo and I have been going to fertility doctors, and we are even contemplating on IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). Of course, we will get married first, but work-ups need time to prepare. I also need to finish all my projects and shows by the end of year. So to answer your question, my birthday wish is to give Paolo a child that we will raise together as husband and wife.” 

Katya Santos (Ross Paris Photography)

Parokya ni Edgar’s lead vocalist Chito Miranda (Feb. 7) got his birthday wish last Dec. 5 when his wife Neri Naig Miranda was released after spending almost two weeks in prison.  

I randomly saw them walking together on a beach with their kids a few days ago, and I told Neri that I would continue to pray that justice would be served and that she would finally be exonerated from all charges filed against her. 

Neri is currently facing 14 counts of violation of the Securities Regulation Code and Estafa. The reinvestigation of all cases will allow Neri to respond to the allegations against her.

GOSSIP GIRL: Celebrity experience at Sinulog 2025

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Jan 28, 2025 10:06 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Cebuanos are pretty territorial, and knowing that Kim, Derek, and I played with our own Cebuano friends in the streets of Cebu while growing up had a lot of bearing. 

Giselle Sanchez holds an image of Señor Santo Niño during the Sinulog parade in Cebu.

As a devotee of the Señor Santo Niño, He answered my prayers when HomeMaker Furniture chose me to be their celebrity on their float. 

To become a celebrity in the grand Sinulog parade is not easy. Corporate sponsors hold polls and surveys about who the Cebuanos’ favorite celebrities are, and the winners were Coco Martin, Kim Chiu, Ian Veneracion, Sofronio Vasquez (The Voice USA 2024 grand champion), Derek Ramsey, and myself, who were all in our respective floats.

Cebuanos are pretty territorial, and knowing that Kim, Derek, and I played with our own Cebuano friends in the streets of Cebu while growing up had a lot of bearing. I am 50 percent Visayan and 50 percent Ilongga. I was born in Manila but spent my summer vacations in Cebu, so I learned to speak Cebuano fluently. So, talking to Bisaya in the float on a microphone was second nature to me. It’s just so fascinating that every year, one million people get added to the parade due to the popularity of the experience. People dance in the streets with their respective Sto. Niños. They paint each other’s faces blue and share drinks and food in the sun's heat until it sets, and more partying happens at night in the streets.   

With Noam Allouche, furniture designer of HomeMaker Furniture. Behind us is the Cebu City grandstand filled with thousands of devotees.

 The celebrity experience

If you were watching the parade, you would think that the celebrity-in-a-float is the grandest experience of all time. I'm going to tell you how we celebrities work. We wake up at 4 a.m. to take a bath, have our hair and make-up done, and get picked up at 5 a.m. because the parade grounds will be closed to vehicles between 530 and 6 a.m. We hurriedly eat breakfast in the car and pee as much as possible in nearby toilets before we step on our floats at 730 a.m. since the grand parade starts at 8 a.m. This grand parade will tour you to the entire Cebu City with thousands of people watching you and taking your pictures in a 360 view of people. So when you step on the float at  730 a.m., it is non-stop waving and smiling for photos for you in the sun's heat (floats have no roofs ). Finding a toilet will be nearly impossible because of the sea of people watching you.  By noon, in the scorching heat, you are in the grand stadium to be presented to thousands of people, so you talk in your microphone in your float and wave your Sto. Niño shouting Pit Senyor! (As a devotee, proclaiming my faith was the best part of my job despite the blistering sun). Your job does not end there after the grand parade (And so I thought); you will now be paraded to other parts of Cebu City, where thousands of people await your entry. I was in the float from 730 a.m. to 730 p.m. Some celebrities even stayed till 1 a.m. I was blessed that the HomeMaker management felt happy and satisfied with me promoting their brand for 12 hours, and I did not have to stay on the float till 1 a.m. There were moments I wanted to stop because of the heat, fatigue, hunger, and the need to relieve myself in the toilet. But everywhere the float went, I could hear screams of people calling my name, taking pictures on their camera phones, and waving at me. How can you stop when the love is so evident? And so I didn’t. I kept raising Señor Sto Niño and shouting Pit Senyor, to which all the devotees would shout back Pit Senyor! My dad asked me if I wanted to repeat such an experience, and I told my dad, “Dad, since 1995, I have been doing this. Dancing with my Santo Niño on floats whenever God gave me a chance. Do you think a little sun, fatigue, hunger, and bladder problems will stop me? Every year, I will pray that a corporate float gets me again. And I know Señor Santo Niño will grant the desires of my heart."

GOSSIP GIRL: New Year countdown concerts all over the Philippines, including Bini at Newport World Resorts

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Dec 31, 2024 07:57 AM 

AT A GLANCE

• Checking out the schedule in Manila, singers and stars will be very busy entertaining hotel guests as they say hello to 2025 in grandeur.

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BINI

I have made Henann Bohol my home every New Year, where I host their New Year’s Countdown and, at the same time, hold a New Year’s Eve concert for their guests. Checking out the schedule in Manila, singers and stars will be very busy entertaining hotel guests as they say hello to 2025 in grandeur. All dinner concerts below will be on Dec. 31 at 7 pm. 

The much-celebrated P-pop girl group Bini will perform at Newport World Resorts with Bamboo, Jed Madela, and Angeline Quinto. SVIP dinner concert tickets are at P25,000 per person; other dinner tickets are at P23,000, P20,000, P18,000, and P15,000. Children below 7 years old have a special rate of 3,500 per dinner concert ticket. 

Lani Misalucha, ZsaZsa Padilla, Christian Bautista, and Mitoy Yonting serenade the ballroom guests of Okada Manila. The buffet dinner concert tickets start at P12,000. In the same hotel, Darren Espanto and Jona hold a free concert in the fountain of Okada Manila for all its guests. 

Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, and  Bituin Escalante will be performing for the New Year’s Eve dinner guests of Solaire Resort Entertainment City. Dinner concert tickets are at P13, 8888. 

For my Henann Bohol Countdown dinner concert at the beach of Henann Bohol, tickets are at 4,000 per person, and priority sale of dinner concert tickets will be given to Henann hotel guests.

GOSSIP GIRL: Filipino indie actress Althea Vega joins judges' panel at 2024 Swimsuit USA International Model Search World Finals in Mexico

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Dec 3, 2024 12:22 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• With over 44 films on her resume as an actress, Vega’s top three most memorable films are General Commander, Metro Manila, and No Way Out

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WINNERS: From left: Caroline Jacquis, of Sacramento, California, 2nd runner-up; Krissy Mccarthy, Toronto, Canada, 4th runner-up; Swimsuit USA International Dr. Angel Bathal, Edmonton, Canada; actress-judge Althea Vega; Lauren Denton, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1st runner-up; and Delaney Pricilla, Panama City, Panama, 3rd runner-up.

One of the biggest annual events in Mexico is the Swimsuit USA International Model Search World Finals. Last year, Althea Vega received the Director’s Choice Award at the 2023 Swimsuit USA International Model Search.

This year, I got an overseas call from the award-winning indie actress, and she told me the good news that the competition directors chose her to judge this year’s event, the now New York-based actress and model told Gossip Girl.  

“As a candidate last year, I did my best despite the pressure and challenges. At the same time, I saw it as an opportunity to push myself to greatness to the best of my capabilities and to thrive even more. I was grateful for the support I got from fans, family, and friends; though they were not with me physically, their support and encouragement helped me keep going. But now that I am a judge, it is much different as a judge when tasked with choosing and contributing. People rely on their extensive experience and expertise in worldwide modeling, beauty pageants, fitness, and the show business industry. I feel honored to have been invited to serve as one of the esteemed Judges for the 2024 World Finals of Swimsuit USA International. It is flattering when people recognize my characteristics of being responsible, punctual, helpful, and always having a positive attitude, demonstrating my keen eye and ability to evaluate.”   

I asked the female star of the award-winning indie film Metro Manila what the criteria for judging and what quality she was looking for from candidates. 

“Joining beauty pageants and judging beauty pageants is not new to me. I am looking for the whole package: stage presence, charisma, intelligence, personality, and advocacy. Still, I also follow, apply, and respect whatever rules the beauty pageant organization gives. Most candidates who join the Swimsuit USA International competitions are aspiring models, women who want to enhance their confidence, or those who want to experience sisterhood. But among these women, there will always be someone who will excel above the rest. I have an eye to spot that queen.”

With over 44 films on her resume as an actress, Vega’s top three most memorable films are General Commander, Metro Manila, and No Way Out. You can check the rest on imdb.com.

Catch up with the stars at Illo’s Home Buffet on Shaw Boulevard

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Nov 19, 2024 03:10 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• I could play catch-up with the stars that graced the fast-rising buffet restaurant chain opening in Metro Manila. 

From left: Ryza Cenon, Giselle Sanchez, Andrea del Rosario, and Regine Tolentino
 

Ryza Cenon, Rocco Nacino, Regine Tolentino, Andrea del Rosario, Enzo Pineda, Michelle Vito, and I grace the opening of Illo’s Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong. 

Located at Lancaster Hotel, the legendary Chef Niño Rodillos of Illo’s Party Trays opened three huge halls providing an events place for up to 200 guests plus delicious food. 

I could play catch-up with the stars that graced the fast-rising buffet restaurant chain opening in Metro Manila. 

Rocco Nacino, Melissa Gohing, Giselle Sanchez, Chef N, Cong Gus Tambunting, and Maq Agapito

Ryza Cenon

I was particularly impressed with Ryza’s semi-bald look. Only Ryza Cenon can pull off such a hairstyle and still look stunning.

The TV5 actress tells Gossip Girl why she is sporting that look, “My character Christine Maceda in Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa demands such a hairstyle. She’s a bad-ass. You should watch her Mondays thru Fridays at 7:30 pm on TV5.” 

Regine Tolentino

I recently visited Regine Tolentino Atelier to rent a sexy casino-royale-inspired dress and hosted an event with that theme. I was surprised to see beautiful gowns and event dresses aside from the usual costumes she rents for themed parties. I was in awe and told Regine how significant the expansion of her business was. The actress-businesswoman told me a secret, “Never stop innovating, never stop expanding. Resting on your laurels will stagnate any business. Continue working hard to excite your customers so they will always return.” 

Andrea del Rosario 

When Andrea was a councilor in Calatagan, Batangas, I heard from constituents that she did a fantastic job with her projects to help the people's economic livelihood. I was surprised she did not run again with her impeccable work for the town: "I have to be a mom first. My daughter will undergo her third surgery. Please pray for her.” 

Beatrice Anne is the daughter of the award-winning actress. Bea is currently suffering from a rare congenital disease called Jejunal Atresia, which is a rare type of obstruction of the small bowel. 

From left: Regine Tolentino, Cong Gus Tambunting, Enzo Pineda, Chef Nino Rodillos, Michelle Vito, Maq Agapito, and Lancaster Hotel owner Ronald Lim

 Illo’s Home Buffet Shaw

And finally, the main star of the night – Illo’s Shaw. The New Illo’s Home Buffet is at Lancaster Hotel, 622 Shaw Blvd. You can check out their website, www.illoshome.com. They have three event venues for weddings, corporate parties, and baptisms. Illo’s party trays still deliver food to your doorstep, especially this Christmas; you can check out their menu on their website www.illospartytrays.com, and for larger catering needs, there is Illo’s prive (www.illosprive.com)   

GOSSIP GIRL: Bayang Barrios stages Bagong Umaga concert at Music Museum on Oct. 26

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Oct 8, 2024 07:28 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Bayang Barrios is one of the Philippines’ most iconic folk musicians. She is known for her commitment to preserving indigenous culture and giving a voice to the Lumad, a collective term for indigenous groups in Mindanao.

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Bayang Barrios

Ateneo de Davao University recently recognized singer Bayang Barrios as its 2024 recipient of the Fr. Theodore Daigler Award for Culture and Arts for her music and advocacies. 

Gossip Girl was able to talk to Bayang, a Manobo Triber from Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, “It was a real surprise for me, and it’s an honor I’ll take with me forever. Mindanao Culture is in everything that I do. Our rights, particularly those of the indigenous tribespeople in the south, have always informed my craft.” 

Bayang Barrios is one of the Philippines’ most iconic folk musicians. She is known for her commitment to preserving indigenous culture and giving a voice to the Lumad, a collective term for indigenous groups in Mindanao. Her music, which blends modern folk with traditional Indigenous sounds, is a celebration of the country’s diverse cultural heritage and a call for justice and recognition for marginalized communities. Bayang grew up in a region where traditions were deeply rooted in the daily lives of her people; she was immersed in the rich oral and musical traditions of the Manobo tribe. These early influences and her exposure to mainstream Filipino music would shape her distinct sound as an artist. Her family’s experience as part of a marginalized indigenous group deeply affected her worldview, and it became a defining force behind her music. She sought to create music that entertained and educated people about indigenous Filipinos' struggles and contributions. From my interview with Bayang, I was particularly struck with these powerful words from the arad-winning singer, “I am so lucky to have these opportunities, as they allow me to share not just my music, but the music of our Indigenous Peoples, their cultures and their significance to our national fabric, through my songs. I fervently hope that a New Morning dawns on every one of us, regardless of how dire a situation we may find ourselves in. We need to realize that the sun rises every day, and it is a gift of renewal that should never be taken for granted.”

This major opportunity she is mentioning is not only her new award but also that she is back in the concert arena as she stages her second solo show, “Bagong Umaga,” at the Music Museum on Oct. 26. 

Bayang Barrios tells me that she is so blessed to be able to feature her brand of music in the 2024 concert scene, “World Music and especially Filipino music has its place in pop culture, and I am so happy to see many new bands and artists infuse their music with elements that are 'sariling atin'! I hope many of your readers of the Manila Bulletin will come to see the show. Mike and I are very proud of the music we have prepared for it, some re-imaginings of my songs, also of classic OPM, and new material  we wrote for a new album we’re releasing later this year.” Mike Villegas is the better half of Bayang Barrios. The Rizal Underground guitarist who popularized the songs 'Sabado Nights' and 'Bilanggo' has married Bayang Barrios for 22 years, “Mike and I have known each other for so long. We were boyfriend and girlfriend off and on for 11 years before tying the knot back in 2002. Bandmates, we wrote many songs together, such as 'Bagong Umaga,' which made it to the 1996 Metropop. Although it didn’t place, it has shone like a beacon all these years for us, with its many shared triumphs in chorale competitions worldwide. When we got married in 2002, it was the same year I won the 2002 Metropop with my entry, “Malayo Man Malapit Din”, while Mike placed 2nd with 'Pretend That I Don’t Love You!' We’ve co-produced many albums since, under my record label, which incidentally bears the name of our one and only child, our daughter Mayumi. She was diagnosed with mild autism, but she’s coping, and she was blessed with perfect pitch! She is a real blessing, a beautiful symbol of God’s love for Mike and myself.” 

Throughout her career, Bayang Barrios has used her platform to advocate for indigenous people's rights and raise awareness of their plight. The Lumad, in particular, have faced displacement and violence due to ongoing conflicts over land in Mindanao. Through her music, Bayang Barrios has highlighted their struggles, often singing in her native dialect to emphasize the importance of cultural preservation. Truly, Bayang Barrios is a champion of the indigenous rights of Mindanao tribes and environmental activism. 

GOSSIP GIRL: Catch up with Janine Desiderio

BY GISELLE SANCHEZ

Oct 1, 2024 01:32 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• I was fortunate to break bread with Jenine over a birthday lunch for our friend Evie Berroya. I have always been a fan of Jenine since she got the role of Kim in Miss Saigon.

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Jude, Janella, Jenine and Russel

Suppose you have tinnitus or ringing of the ears, vertigo, or hearing crickets when you wake up and sleep while nobody else hears it. In that case, this is all part of a nasty virus going around, and I am glad to say that it will all go away after a few weeks. 

Sultry singer and actress Jenine Desiderio recently had one but was scheduled to play the celebrity game show Rainbow Rumble hosted by Rumble Master Luis Manzano.

Gossip Girl Giselle Sanchez, Birthday Girl Evie Berroya, and Jenine Desiderio

I was fortunate to break bread with Jenine over a birthday lunch for our friend Evie Berroya. I have always been a fan of Jenine since she got the role of Kim in Miss Saigon. 

Fun fact: did you know that she played Kim 700 times in London’s West End? Thank you, Jenine, for bringing honor to our country. The international singer-actress shared the deets of her experience playing Rainbow Rumble while under the nasty virus. 

“I was struggling during the game. First, the tension to be pitted against my fellow actors of Miss Saigon - Jamie Rivera, Franco Laurel, Isay Alvarez, and Bituin Escalante. To top it all,  half of my senses were not functioning. I could only see through my right eye because my friend Jamie accidentally lent me the wrong eye drops. Instead of a contact lens lubricant, she lent me a sticky antibiotic so my left eye was cloudy. My ears were ringing because of tinnitus; I was dizzy because of vertigo. Luis Manzano even asked me if I was okay because he saw me struggling during the Rally to the Top elimination round. Jamie, Bituin, Isay, Franco, and I  had to battle to outwit each other and answer the questions of the Rumble Master. 

Jenine Desiderio wins Rainbow Rumble Round with half of her senses out of commission due to a virus that gives you vertigo and tinnitus (ringing of the ears)

"The goal is to reach the tri-colored tile first. In spite of all that, I emerged as the lucky rumbler because I reached the top first and proceeded to the jackpot round called Rainbow Reveal. I did not win the 1 million pesos jackpot because that requires a lot of luck already. I must get all six different dice colors in six die roller machines in 60 seconds to win the P1 million.” 

Those who missed her episode in Rainbow Rumbler may watch it on YouTube. Rainbow Rumbler is shown every Saturday, 7:15 p.m., and Sunday, 8:15 p.m. on the Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5. 

Of course, my interview would not be complete without asking about Janella Salvador. “We're very okay. I celebrated my birthday with Janella, my apo Jude and my son Russel. Now that Janella is a mother, she understands why rules should be observed in a home. Janella now gets my being over-protective. It is a mother’s instinct. When you are a kid, you will not understand these things, but when you mature as a mother, everything is put in the proper places. I had to go through hell getting bashed by her fans while disciplining her. But what is important for a mother like me is to see my children in a good place …and now she is," Jenine tells Gossip Girl. 

Currently, Jenine is busy doing singing gigs and working with her halo-halo business, MatTeau’s,  located in Greenhills V-mall. Should you wish to order her delicious halo-halo, MatTeau’s halo-halo V-mall Greenhills is available in Food Panda and Grab Food. You can follow her on her Instagram account @j9desire.