June Keithley a woman we cannot love enough

JUNE Keithley (right) with close friend Tina Monzon-Palma INQUIRER PHOTO

What a remarkable woman of strength and substance Tita June Keithley is. She never fails to spread her joie de vivre around her.

I was unaware that she is battling the Big C because every time I’d see her at our Cinema Evaluation Board screenings, she was always so cheerful. She would holler, “Dear, who was that blind item in your column?” Or if she happened to like my get-up or my bag, she’d compliment me like a doting mother.

Whenever I asked her to pose for a snapshot with me, she’d say, “Please don’t print it in your column because I have no makeup on!”

And her hilarious comments after screening local films never failed to crack us up!

After watching her interview on ANC’s “Talk Back” with Tina Monzon-Palma, my admiration for her has increased. Through the trying ordeal of the loss of her husband Angelo Castro Jr. she has kept her faith in God and her spirits up.

Miracles do happen, and they should for Tita June, who was instrumental in helping make the original Edsa People Power revolt in 1986 succeed.

I truly love you like a second mom, Tita June. Thank you for all the laughter, warmth, and fun during our CEB screenings. You don’t belong in that hospital bed. You’ve still got so much fire in you.

Allow me to share the sentiments of some of our co-CEB members about Tita June—the woman we cannot love enough.

CHRISTINE DAYRIT:  “Tita June is a gem of a lady. Her passion for whatever she devotes herself to is inspiring. I remember what Father James Reuter, her spiritual adviser, said when she asked him how best she could be of service to God. He told her that God gave her a voice and she used this to deliver the Good News and spread God’s love and light. Tita June is a gregarious and animated storyteller and I always looked forward to being with her at our CEB screenings. How courageous of her to continue joining us even if she had the illness we didn’t know about.”

TOMMY ABUEL: “I was surprised and saddened when I heard about her condition. Then came the news about the death of her husband Angelo. I could not believe all these things happening to her. One can only imagine what she must be going through during this difficult time. But with her religious faith I am sure she can handle all this. I will keep praying that the Lord and Mama Mary give her the strength, courage, and miracle she needs.

BUM TENORIO: Tita June is a funny, loving woman who never runs out of good words to say about the pleasant things she sees or the beautiful articles she reads. But she can also be a no-nonsense critic of Filipino films. I know this because we would always compare notes at our CEB screenings. She’s a trouper because despite her ailment, she continued to attend our screenings until she entered hospital. She never mentioned to us that she was sick. She did her job sans complaints. I’m pretty sure her jolly disposition will see her through. More than that, her unflinching faith in God and her unquestionable devotion to the Virgin Mary will make her well. Tita June, I will storm the gates of heaven for you!

Waiting for Kuh

I got a text message from Kuh Ledesma asking if she could ring me up. Unfortunately I was in the middle of something important so I couldn’t take a call at that time. Apparently Kuh

KUH Ledesma: Dollywood is waiting.

wanted to give me her side over my column last Tuesday entitled, “Kuh lends sour note to “Vagina Monologues.”

Before I submitted that piece, I did send Kuh’s daughter Isabella, a private message on Facebook to get her mom’s side of the story but Kuh never responded. But in the spirit of fairness, I will print Kuh’s clarification, if and when she issues one.

Sitti at 7th High

What do many local celebs have in common with Bruno Mars, apl.d.ap, and Dashboard Confessional? If you’re lucky you might find them at the fun boutique club called 7th High at Global City, Taguig.

The club prioritizes safety and enforces the rule of no alcoholic drinks for minors.

This fave after-party venue for celebs who fly in from abroad is getting more surprise visitors this year and will launch a “first” in the country very soon.

Catch bossa nova singer Sitti Navarro every Wednesday at Seventh High until May. Her opening night gig pulled in a diverse crowd. The Cab, an acclaimed American rock band, came to see her show. True to its name, 7th High keeps its growing clientele caught up in the rapture of fun!

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