HOW IT FEELS TO BE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL 'SEAT'
[PHOTO - Pres. Noynoy 'P-Noy' Aquino being ushered into the Government House by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday, May 26, after the arrival honor for P-Noy's two-day state visit to the Kingdom of Thailand]
MANILA, MAY 28, 2011 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - On board PR731 from Bangkok — Seat No. O1K felt still a bit warm when I settled into it. My friend Raoul Tidalgo (seated on 01H) and I were on the Philippine Airlines (PR731) flight back to Manila last Thursday (May 26) after, among other business in Bangkok (it's election time for the city was abloom with posters of the candidates), and exclusive interview with Rachel Alejandro who was visiting her brand-new husband, Spanish journalist Carlos Santamaria (of Agencia efe, the Spanish International News Agency) who's based there.
As soon as the plane took off, I learned that Pres. Noynoy "P-Noy" Aquino and his 28-strong entourage took the same plane on the PR730 flight from Manila and he was seated on 01K. No wonder it felt "hot."
The PAL crew was all praises for P-Noy and company.
"He was well-behaved," said a crew member. "Mabait si Pres. Noynoy. He really leads by example. His companions were well-behaved, too."
Except when he had to go to the comfort room, first before he took a nap and then after he woke up, P-Noy kept his seatbelt fastened during the turbulence-free three-hour flight as per aviation requirement.
Raoul and I learned that P-Noy brought along his own packed lunch consisting of pork barbecue with a little rice. When asked by a flight attendant if he wanted his left-over wrapped, P-Noy politely said no and left it on the plane. Then he munched on chips, downed by Coke in can.
Before he dozed off, P-Noy conferred with his staff.
"He's down-to-earth," commented a flight attendant, "an ideal passenger."
At least for three hours, 37,000 feet up in the air, I felt how it was on the "hot" presidential seat.
P-Noy and company flew back from Bangkok last night, I guess also on PR731.
Lovi and Ronald still very much on
[Lovi Poe and ex-Rep. Ronald Singson. — VER PAULINO]
Contrary to rumors that Lovi Poe and Ex-Rep. Ronald Singson (now serving term in Hong Kong) have called it quits, Ronald's father, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, told a Startalk staffer that the two are still very much "on."
"Nagkakaigihan 'yung dalawa," said Gov. Chavit during the victory party he hosted for Manny Pacquiao last Sunday night at the Green Meadows Clubhouse. "Nagkakaintindihan naman sila. Very supportive naman si Lovi; maski busy siya, tumatawag naman siya (kay Ronald)."
Gov. Chavit also confirmed reports that he would let Lovi use his helicopter while Lovi was shooting Regal Films/GMA Films' Temptation Island in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
Asked if Lovi and Ronald would get married as soon as Ronald finished his sentence (early next year), Gov. Chavit said, "Baka malapit na. Wala naman kaming objection d'un."
(Note: For more on Lovi Poe and Ronald Singson and other explosive showbiz stories, tune in to Startalk before 3 o'clock this afternoon on GMA, after Eat, Bulaga!)
All set for Bong-Lani silver wedding
[Sen. Bong Revilla and wife Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado beside the chapel at the Forest Lawn Memorial park in Glendale, California, where they recently re-enacted their March 28, 1986 secret wedding]
As The STAR reported in a "scoop" on last Sunday's Conversations with Ricky Lo, the silver-wedding of Sen. Bong Revilla and Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado this afternoon at 3 o'clock will bring together celebrities from showbiz, business and politics who make up the set of principal sponsors that include three past presidents — Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The ceremony will be held at the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City; and the reception will be at Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
The couple was first secretly married on May 28, 1986, in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, and then at the Imus Cathedral in 1998.
They have six children (plus Bong's one love son) and two grandchildren who will serve as secondary sponsors.
Riza Santos is Miss World-Canada
2011 Miss World-Canada Riza Santos should be familiar to Filipino fans. The 23-year-old, 5'7"
Calgary native was an ex-housemate and second-placer in the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition. Also a former Miss Earth-Canada, Riza was with Dolphy and Vic Sotto in the movie Dobol Trobol.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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