From left: Mic Cazzola, Baby MJ and James Yap
What a blast I had at the birthday bash of my “Migo,” James Yap, in his bar District 8 at the G-Strip in Greenhills. It was an intimate gathering of James and his girlfriend Mic Cazzola’s closest friends.
The fab couple are raring to make a “special revelation” soon, but I’m not at liberty to divulge it just yet. The PBA superstar just turned 36. In his dialect (Hiligaynon, which I speak like a native), he told me, “Tigulang na ko (I’m old already).” But his athleticism belies his age.
James still has some good years left before he retires from the pro league at 39 or 40. I asked him, does he have plans to join show biz after retirement? He said he’s too shy to do so. I chided him, “What if the talent fee was too tempting to resist?” He shot back, “Ambot gani” (I don’t know). We both had a good laugh about it.
Since the PBA All-Filipino Cup is in full swing, it was a welcome breather for James, his teammates from Rain or Shine, and other cagers to unwind before they resume rigorous practice and intense games. As James put it, “Bilog nga lawas ko kapoy guid. Buhok ko lang inde.” (My whole body is so tired. Only my hair isn’t.)
I kidded James about the flashy red Gucci sweater he was wearing: “Pabite ka, Migo” (You’re showing off, friend). He replied in jest, “Dira lang sa dalom na tiangge ko binakal.” (I just bought it in the flea market downstairs.)
Birthday cheers, Migo. May your life with Mic and baby MJ always be a ball.
Luigi’s chill-out place
I immensely enjoyed the grand launch of LUMU Beerhouse (Greenbelt 3), owned by chef Luigi Muhlach. Since the Muhlachs are like family to me, I hardly miss any of their events. The newest chill-out place in Makati has such a cool ambience.
It was so cute to watch the proud parents of Luigi, Aga Muhlach and Janice de Belen, as they took videos of their son while he was singing. Aga’s wife, Charlene Gonzalez, and their twins, Andres and Atasha, were also present, and so were Janice’s other kids (with John Estrada, who was not around).
Ogie Alcasid, his daughter Leila, and Gelli de Belen joined the fête, too.
I teased Janice, “Remember the scoop interview of my mom (Inday Badiday) with you when you revealed you were pregnant with Luigi? And you said, “God was with Aga and me when we did it.”’ She laughed like crazy. “OMG! I’m embarrassed,” she retorted.
I asked Aga if he and Charlene would allow their twins to join show biz, since both are star material. “They will still study abroad,” said Aga. “After they graduate, what they want to do is all up to them.”
Congrats, Luigi. You got all the right ingredients—and perfect recipe for success.