High-ranking politico now eyeing sultry singer

BEA Alonzo and Zanjoe Marudo

His staffers know about Top Politico’s two weaknesses: He’s equally passionate about easy-listening music and beautiful women. Lately, he’s been able to combine the two pursuits in one pert package.

Sultry Singer is the new “apple” of TP’s eyes (and ears). Insiders insist that TP constantly listens to SS’ CDs these days.

A “chance” encounter between the two wouldn’t be far-fetched, especially because some of TP’s underlings are more than willing and eager to please their master’s every whim.

Close encounter

Speaking of chance encounters… Jennylyn Mercado recently went malling at the Podium with frequent escort, Luis Manzano.

By coincidence, Regal’s “My Neighbor’s Wife” was shooting at the same place. One of the drama flick’s stars is Dennis Trillo, Jennylyn’s ex-BF.

According to an eyewitness, Jennylyn spotted Dennis from a distance and scampered away, dragging Luis down the escalator. Minutes later, a clueless Dennis was seen on that same escalator.

Now, that was close.

House-hunting non-couple

NORA Aunor

They’ve been denying a widely gossiped-about torrid affair for so long, it has become tepid.

But it seems Gorgeous Babe and Hunky Guy are about to “out” themselves as a couple.

A mole insists that GB and HG are house-hunting! They were spotted checking out a property that was for sale, in an exclusive village in the Pasig-Mandaluyong area.

How sweet.

Perhaps they’ve also overcome nasty rumors about their gender preferences.

Two faces of Eve

JAKE Cuenca

Lovely Starlets are both being groomed for the big time in their home studio.

LS1, however, seems envious of LS2 and has been bad-mouthing her every chance she gets.

Unknown to LS1, most of their co-workers know the real score. While LS2 is generally well-loved, LS1 is universally loathed in the workplace.

While LS2 is perceived as an “angel,” LS1 is known as a “witch.”

Fake windfall

According to the grapevine, Acclaimed Actress received a hefty pay hike for her latest project – a windfall for the usually cash-strapped star.

Turns out, the salary increase was just a rumor started by AA’s supporters to increase her premium in the biz.

LOVI Poe is said to be avoiding men.

That’s devotion.

Wahlberg burger

ROCHESTER, New York – Actor brothers Donnie and Mark Wahlberg have licensed the name of a hamburger from a western New York chain of drive-in-style restaurants and plan to use it for their new eatery in Boston.

Tom Wahl’s execs tell the Democrat and Chronicle newspapers that the brothers have licensed the Wahlburger name from the company so they can use it when they and another sibling, Paul, open a burger joint named Wahlburgers Restaurant in their hometown. Tom Wahl’s serves a cheeseburger called a Wahlburger and owns the federal trademark rights to the name.

Tom Wahl opened the first Tom Wahl’s restaurant in 1955 in Avon, south of Rochester. He sold it in 1986. The chain now operates eight restaurants. The company hasn’t disclosed the amount of the licensing agreement. AP

PARIS Hilton’s driver used a wang-wang? photo by RAFFY LERMA

Q&A with Nirvana

NEW YORK – Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart will host a Q&A session with the surviving members of rock band Nirvana to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its album “Nevermind.”

Stewart will host the event on SiriusXM for two hours on Sept. 24. It will feature fans, Nirvana band members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, and Butch Vig, the producer behind “Nevermind.” Kurt Cobain, the band’s lead singer, committed suicide in 1994.

“Nevermind” was the band’s second album and has sold 10 million units in the United States. It features Nirvana’s biggest hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Grohl is now the lead singer of the Foo Fighters.

SiriusXM will also launch the all-Nirvana channel, Nevermind Radio, from Sept. 23 to 28. AP

Top of the Tabloids

The top show biz news in the Inquirer tabloid Bandera (and why we are moved if we are moved):

Ano kayang mase-say ni P-noy? Driver ni Paris Hilton, nagwang-wang? (Sagutin ’yan, now na!)

Ate Guy patayan na ang trabaho. (That’s not what we heard.)

‘Ate Guy hinding hindi malalaos.’ (Kuya Germs, is that you?)

Sa mga patuloy na naninira kay John Rendez, Nora: Bakit nila inaapi yung tao? (Oo nga. Kumita na ’yan.)

Ian super happy sa pagbabalikan nina Ate Guy at Boyet. (Alam naman niyang onscreen lang ’yan, ano?)

Zanjoe ayaw pakasalan si Bea. (What’s love got to do with that?)

Jolo na-stress sa show biz! (We doubt it.)

Rachelle Ann Go kay John Pratts: Tama na. Tapos na! (Fine.)

Boobs ni Lovi Poe nagmumura. (May audio?)

Dennis Trillo walang paki kina Jen Mercado at Luis Manzano. (Uh, dapat lang?)

JM de Guzman bagong papa ng mga bading. (Appear!)

Jake Cuenca nagpakita ng pwet sa “My Neighbor’s Wife” (Si Mark Gil din, sa “Amok.” At si Brad Pitt sa “Troy.” About time men were objectified!)

Carmina enjoy na enjoy sa pag-iyak. (Why does this sound funny?)

Gerald out, Jolo-Kim in na in. (Ganyan naman kayo.)

Nakaka-iyak ang pagtulong ni Aljur kay Joseph Bitangcol. (Good boy.)

Kung patitigilin daw magmotocross, Sam Milby iiwanan ang dyowa. (Ang tawag diyan, prioritizing.)

James Yap game na game sa tsismisan (noong birthday ni Mother Lily). (Of course—Regal projects at stake!)

Jake Cuenca kay Lovi Poe: Ang sarap  niyang kagatin. (Careful.)

Lovi umiiwas sa mga lalake. (Baka naman meron na kasi?)

Dennis Trillo: Oo, nagtaksil ako! (Why does this sound… wala lang!)

Kim walang planong dyowain si Jolo. (Pinaplano ba ’yan?)

Willie Revillame: Sobrang swerte ko talaga! (Mas maswerte si Pacman.)

Katrina Halili naisahan si Hayden Kho. (Parang hindi.)

Uge: Wedding na wedding na ako. (Kung adjective na ito, ano kaya ang superlative form?)

Jake: Type ko yung magaling sa kama! (Mag-design? Mag-pinta? Mag-varnish?)

Hindi ako bakla – Marcelito Pomoy. (Kami rin! And stop bugging him!)

Wendell Ramos ang kinis-kinis. (Agree. Spin a win!)

May umiiral bang diskriminasyon? Kiray ’di imbitado sa Star Magic Ball. (Tsk, tsk. With matching head shake.)

Toni nahawa ng kabaklaan kay Uge. (Impossible. Uge should protest.)

Pakiusap ni Claudine sa mga tao, “’Wag naman nilang tawaging ampon ang anak ko, please!” (Adopted, pwede?)

Kaya raw umalis ng bahay at nagsarili, Isabelle Daza nagrebelde kay Gloria Diaz. (Guys, she’s not 14, okay?)

Jolens game na game sa halikan nila ni Marvin. (Prewedding jitters?)

Maja: Hindi ko inahas ang boyfriend ni Toni Gonzaga! (And can we blame anyone – anyone at all – for trying?)