I AM OVERWHELMED that my column about Vandolph’s sentiments regarding Karen Davila’s interview with his mom,Alma Moreno, on ANC garnered 114,000 shares (as of press time). Ahh! That infamous Al-Dav (Alma-Davila) one-on-one. Thanks to all my readers who reposted the Inquirer.net link to my column (Nov. 25) many times over.
My piece elicited ambivalent reactions. My good friend/singer Wency Cornejo said: “Karen’s interview was an eye-opener. It showed how little Alma knows about what she’s getting into. Alma should have leveled up to Karen, since she’s running for a higher position.” A follower of mine commented that Alma must understand that show biz and politics are two different ball games. “It’s good for voters that Karen’s interview exposed Alma’s inadequacies early on.” A former colleague of Karen posted this comment in my Facebook account: “Karen bullied me when we were working in GMA 7. I will never forget that. I don’t think I have really forgiven her. What she did to Alma was wrong. But I hope Alma will be prepared to answer questions next time.”
And a media colleague of mine sent me this message on FB: “I noticed that Karen is always condescending to guests whom she feels are beneath her, and she’s patronizing to those she likes.”
Being apolitical ever since, my defending Alma has nothing to do with the election. I just felt so sorry for her while Karen was bombarding her with jargons she could hardly comprehend. It seemed like a scene in a classroom where a terror teacher was cross-examining a student who did not review her lessons. I salute Karen for being a multiawarded broadcast journalist, but she could have been a little kinder to Alma.
Ms “LoveliNess” turned into Ms “AwkwardNess” (Ness is Alma’s nickname).
I admire Ness for having no pretensions. Even if Karen was firing away in English, she answered in Filipino, which is the language she is fluent in. Her way of answering may have been wrong, but she remained real. It was a case of being sincerely wrong.
Baby Z
I congratulated brand-new daddy, Dingdong Dantes via text. His reply: “Thanks, my amiga. I’m collecting photos of Baby Zia. I take one every hour!”
Even if he’s already a dad, Dong remains “Papable” as ever.
Bimby’s first communion
I checked on James Yap, my migo (friend in his native lingo, Hiligaynon), after he attended the First Communion of his son, Bimby. He said: “All is well, and I’m amazed how grown-up Bimby already is.”
Due to the rigorous practices and crucial games of his PBA team, Purefoods Star Hotshots, these days, James might not be able to spend as much time with Bimby as he wants to. But I’m sure that the genuinely kind-hearted Ilonggo in James will make up for it when the PBA season is over.
True Faith concert
To all my readers in the United Arab Emirates, don’t miss the concert of Cueshe and my fave band, True Faith, “A Band-erful Christmas” on Dec. 4, at the Al Nasr Pool Area, Oud Metha Road in Dubai. I will be part of their entourage.
Endless thanks to my Dubai angel, Jonathan Gulmatico, and my amiga, Cath Realizan, for making my nth Arabian adventure possible.
It’s a three-in-one fun event: pool party, Filipino bazaar and concert (tickets 050-8330644). Gate opens at 3 p.m., so you can go Christmas shopping at the Awashi Accessories booths. Party and show start at 8 p.m. Top DJ Martin Porta from Manila will be spinning cool hits of the 1980s and ’90s. What better way to ease your homesickness than by merrymaking, Pinoy-style?