Partying with James, Mic, Marc and Ai-Ai

JAMES Yap (left) and Marc Pingris flank their guest Ai-Ai de las Alas.

James Yap was in his element as he entertained guests at his post-birthday party and victory party for San Mig Coffee Mixers.

His fab Italian girlfriend Michela “Mic” Cazzola helped the PBA star welcome well-wishers at the Skye Lounge at The Fort.

Mic’s birthday gift to James was a Louis Vuitton bracelet to match his watch.

“It’s my happiest birthday,” James said, “since my ex (Kris Aquino) and I have made peace. No more bitterness. Hope tuloy-tuloy na maging maayos ang lahat for the sake of our son, Bimby. I can now spend time with him once a week. It will depend on Bimby if he wants to extend his stay with me. Halos maiyak  ako when he asked me about a video game on my phone which I taught him to play some years ago. It means tumatak din pala sa kaniya ang bonding moments namin.”

The hard court sensation is such a softie off it, especially when it comes to his unico hijo.

Mic, too, is happy that things have been ironed out. “I’m glad they have settled matters,” she said. “It’s best for the kid. His dad loves him very much.”

Is she ready to become Mrs. James Yap? “What we have right now is what we are enjoying,” she  said. “We discover something new about each other every day, the most important of which is to respect the natural timing of relationships.”

Mic is truly an asset to James. For the love of him, she has adapted well to the Pinoy way of life. She can even speak a little Tagalog, which endears her to every Pinoy she meets.

Family guys

Marc Pingris was the picture of an ulirang asawa at ama because he was in a hurry to go home.

“I promised Danica that I’d be home by 1 a.m.,” Marc explained. “I never want to break any promise to her. We have to wake up early to go jogging around our village.”

San Mig heartthrob PJ Simon told me that, as soon as the championship series ended, he flew to his hometown, Davao. “Manila life can get so draining,” PJ said. “I go home every chance I get.”

It’s good to know that there are still PBA cagers like these guys, who don’t lose sight of their humble beginnings, no matter how famous they’ve become.

Ai-Ai’s smile

JR Cawaling had left when Ai-Ai de las Alas turned up, but that did not stop some guests from teasing her—which prompted the comedienne to jest, “Too bad! I brought pa naman my Porsche.”

After her tumultuous relationship with ex-husband Jed Salang, it’s great to see Ai find her smile again.

What a blast we all had! It was a well-deserved  celebration for James and the whole San Mig team. After they all enjoyed shots after shots of booze, it’s time to shoot and shoot that ball again as the new PBA season begins.

Funny man

Ogie Alcasid certainly has a knack for comedy.

He’s so good at it that, sometimes, I forget he’s a singer/songwriter, first and foremost.

Ogs is out to tickle our funny bone and touch our hearts in all the right places via TV5’s newest rom-com, “Confessions of a Torpe” (weeknights, 7:30). But he was no torpe as he gamely answered all my questions:

What’s your advice to torpe guys?

Don’t fear rejection. You’ll never know. Better to try than to regret.

Have you ever been turned down by a girl you were courting?

Of course! I just wrote a song about it to release my angst.

Did you ever have any  torpe moments?

Yes, with my wife, Reg (Regine Velasquez). She looks intimidating if you don’t know her. Natameme ako. That’s how my song “Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka” came about. Part of the lyrics go: “Tuwing ikaw ay nariyan, sabay kong nadarama ang kaba at ligaya.”

What will you teach Nate about girls when he grows up?

I will tell him to pray for a partner.

What can viewers learn from your show?

The show teaches the values of family, friendship and hope.

Personal

Super thanks to my wonderful colleague Wilson Lee Flores for the yummy goodies from the famous Kamuning Bakery (43 Judge Jimenez St. cor K-1st Street QC), which has been a favorite of celebs and foodies since 1939. (The late President Cory Aquino and food critic Doreen Fernandez used to buy loads of pan de suelo.) The bakery boasts of the oldest pugon (wood-fired oven) in the country, which was featured on AXN Channel. Breadelicious!