Is Baste the next Kris?

Baste Duterte

What a pleasant surprise to receive a text message from Heather Chen of BBC News Asia Bureau in Singapore. She wants to interview me about why Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is popular in the local entertainment industry.

Her colleague (and my good friend), Rico Hizon, recommended me to Heather (thank you, Rico). Baste has piqued the curiosity of foreign media, as well. Will he be the Duterte era’s male version of Kris Aquino? Let’s brace ourselves for that.

Pietro sizzles and dazzles

Pietro Boselli

Will Pietro Boselli, the world’s “hottest math teacher,” go forth and multiply? Pietro sizzles and dazzles as clothing brand Bench’s latest endorser.

Joshua serenades Julia

My son, IC Mendoza, could not contain his giddiness when he got home from Julia Barretto’s birthday party, held at the garden of her home. Unlike Julia’s grandiose debut, her special bash as she turned 20 was a laid-back one.

IC and other celebrity guests were thrilled when Joshua Garcia suddenly danced with Julia as an acoustic band played “Beauty and the Beast.”

The kilig level rose even more when the duo performed a duet of Jason Mraz’s “Lucky.” Although they aren’t officially a couple yet, Julia’s family and friends approve of Joshua. The actor said “I love you, Julia” on the microphone after serenading the birthday girl. OMJ! (Oh My Julia/Josh!)

Joshua Garcia

Liezl lovingly remembered

Pops Fernandez, Arlene Muhlach, Yayo Aguila and I, along with our other “Sissies,” Rachel Mercado, Karen Martinez and Nona Clemente, commemorated the second death anniversary of our beloved Liezl Martinez last March 14.

We had dinner at Kettle, one of Liezl’s preferred restaurants, and ordered her fave buttermilk chicken. Liezl was definitely with us in spirit. We wondered if Liezl’s hubby, Albert Martinez, already has a girlfriend. But having a love life isn’t Albert’s priority.

For now, he is enjoying a hiatus from TV after his long stint in “Ang Probinsyano.” According to Arlene, Albert has gained weight because he’s making the most of his vacation before he goes back to the teleserye grind.

Potential hit for True Faith

Kudos to True Faith for its successful New Zealand and Australia tour.

My all-time fave band has a busy year ahead: The group recently signed up with JB Music Philippines and has a new album in the works.

Its latest single, “Consolation for a Fool,” written by frontman Medwin Marfil, is a potential hit.

The cool ballad is for hearts stuck in limbo and is meant for “almost but not quite lovers.” Very apt for today’s preferred “no labels” kind of relationships.