What delusional diva learned from a flop

Appearances can be deceiving. The next time your fave singer Aging Rabble-rouser (AR) announces that her recent concert series abroad was a hit, don’t accept the pronouncement as gospel truth.

To dispute the increasing perception that AR’s popularity and once-prodigious pipes have seen better days, her manager Manipulative Collaborator (MC) makes sure it looks as if her ward still possessed the drawing power that once enabled AR to charge seven-figure fees, as proven by footage of concerts showing a lot of Pinoy expats in attendance.

Lately, however, MC has been using smoke and mirrors to make things look better than they really were.

After one embarrassing flop, MC has learned her lesson. These days, when promoters want AR to grace their shows abroad, they’re required to accomplish a strict stipulation in the contract—the venue has to be at least 80-percent full if you want AR to sing for you.

That’s really a tip for cash-strapped Pinoy immigrants and OFWs: If AR is scheduled to perform in your community, be alert. You and your whole community just might get freebies, giveaways and complimentary tickets to see AR in the flesh. Malay n’yo.

If that isn’t maabilidad, we don’t know what is.

TOP OF THE TABLOIDS

This week’s top show biz news in the Inquirer tabloid Bandera (and why we are moved, if we are moved):

Piolo Pascual (left) and KC Concepcion

Piolo Pascual isinubo ang papel kung saan nakasulat ang pangalan ni KC Concepcion; type jowain sina Bea Alonzo at Arci Muñoz? (Ane be nemen.)

Anne Curtis (left) and Gong Yoo

Anne Curtis natupad na ang matagal na pangarap  maka-selfie si Gong Yoo, kilig na kilig: Hindi na siya fake! (Go, gurl.)

Nadine Lustre (left) and James Reid

Nadine Lustre at James Reid 4 na taon nang magkalive-in pero walang balak magkaanak… (That’s a lot of savings.)

Mommy ni Derek Ramsay botong-boto kay Andrea Torres. (You mean she didn’t like the ones before Andrea?)

Hindi raw “pera-pera” lang ang relasyon. Hashtag Kid bilib kay Ion Perez: Hindi ko nakikitang lolokohin lang n’ya si Vice Ganda. (Pera o bayong?)

Yul Servo: Inspirasyon ko si Yorme Isko… Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ako nasa show biz at politika… (May future ‘tong isang ‘to…)

Claudine Barretto sa kapatid na si Marjorie: Isinusumpa ko, hinding-hindi mo na masasaktan si Mommy! (These Barretto women just love their Scarlett O’Hara moments, ‘no?)

Sagot ni Marjorie: Tama na, ayoko nang sumali sa dirty tricks nila! (Tit for tat.)

Pacman (Manny Pacquiao) at Jinkee binanatan ng bashers: Nagpapakaligaya daw sa Korea habang nililindol ang Mindanao. (Well, did you expect Pacman and his PacWoman to predict the quake?)

Lovi Poe

Long distance love affair epektibo sa love life ni Lovi Poe: Malaking tulong ang internet at social media. (They probably like and bash each other…?)

Sa ilang dekada sa show biz ni Maricel Soriano never niya naisip mag-retire! (What will she do if she does?)

Angel Locsin personal na namili at namigay ng relief goods sa Mindanao. (Mahirap namang i-LBC or JRS ang relief goods, ‘di ba?)

Billy Crawford sa sobrang pagpapayat: Hindi po ako nagda-drugs, wala akong malalang sakit! (Malalang diet lang…?)

Indie actress na anak ni Angel Aquino pumatol din sa tomboy: Open ako kahit kanino basta mabait. (Cool mom.)

Sunshine Cruz binantaan ang basher na tumawag na “malandi,” “boldstar” sa anak… (Lagot! She’s Cesar-trained…)

Maine Mendoza bumalik ang pagiging fan girl kay Jerry Yan: Nabuhay ang pagmamamahal ko sa’yo! (True love never dies. Hehe.)

“Babs” ang tawagan nina Maine Mendoza at Arjo Atayde; posible din magtambal sa pelikula. (Title: “Si Bagman at Ang Kanyang Yaya (Dub)”)

Toni Gonzaga ayaw makasama ng ibang artista sa dressing room? (Why are we not surprised? Why, oh, why?)

Ruffa Gutierrez: OK ako sa lahat, wala akong kaaway… (‘Di nga?)