FROM left: Maria Isabel Lopez, Pinky Amador and Jaclyn Jose
Since I’m a Parisienne trapped in a Pinay’s body, I immensely enjoyed being at the fab opening night of the 21st French Film Festival at the Bonifacio High Street Cinemas. Merci beaucoup to mon ami from the Embassy of France, Martin Macalintal, for the invite.
This year’s fest was extra special because of the presence of Cannes best actress, Jaclyn Jose. After the French honored a Filipino in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, it was our turn to celebrate French cinema.
Also at the fete were Pinky Amador, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Maria Isabel Lopez, who wore the same green gown that wowed the crowd in Cannes.
The highlight of the night for me was my “making peace” with Jaclyn (or Jane, from her real name Mary Jane Guck). Many controversies ago, we were at odds with each other.
I made the first move. I was quite apprehensive, but I didn’t want to let the chance pass by. So I inched my way through the paparazzi swarming around Jane.
When she finally looked my way, I said: “Bati na tayo, ha?(Let’s be friends again, OK?)” I was so touched when she hugged me tight, patted my cheeks and told me in Filipino: “Let’s move on. I would not have made it to Cannes if not for the help of your mom (Inday Badiday) when I was still starting out in show biz. And I have never forgotten the opportunity you gave me to be a calendar girl. And our kids (Andi Eigenmann and IC Mendoza) are close, so let’s forget about our misunderstanding.”
Talk about being magnanimous in victory. Thank you, Jane, for letting bygones be bygones. I am more than happy that we have saved our friendship.
After our “peacemaking moment,” I am in awe of you all the more. You are not only an award-winning actress, but also a winner off-cam.
Celeb moms unite
I had so much fun bonding with my fellow mommies at The Asian Parent Philippines’ “Mom’s Day Out” at Nail Spa. Among the “Superwomoms” present were Pops Fernandez, Tintin Bersola-Babao, Connie Sison, Sahlee Quizon, Cheska Kramer (with her adorable kids, Kendra and Scarlett), Rica Peralejo and Rissa Mananquil.
We felt like queens for a day. Kudos to Ameetess Dira, Dazzle Ng Sy and the Tickled Media team for a successful event.
The proud mom in Pops raved that her son, Robin Nievera, has more singing engagements than she does. “I get surprised when he tells me he’s off to Kuwait or wherever, for a gig,” Pops said. “Kuya (her pet name for Robin) will be a guest in my concert in Las Vegas, because he happens to have a show, too, in the area. Even if Robin and Ram are grownups, they will forever be my babies.”
Tintin is thrilled to be called “Ninang Dub” by ‘AlDub’ diehards. “I am willing to be a real ninang to Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza if and when they get hitched,” she beamed. “Hopefully, their love story will be like Julius (Babao) and mine. We started as partners on TV and ended up together.”
Sahlee is raring to make a show biz comeback. She’s still got the looks. It’s her dad’s (Tito Dolphy’s) birth and death anniversary month in July.
Sahlee told me that the Quizons might sell some of Pidol’s hats, suits and other stuff, so fans of the King of Comedy can have a piece of him.
Connie is hoping to finally meet her “lookalike,” Aiko Melendez.
Cheska and Rica are excited about their new show, “Mommy Manual,” which premieres on June 20 on GMA News TV.
Rissa is ecstatic that her cosmetics line, Happy Skin, is making waves.