Shaina overprotective of Ate Vina

Author: Ethel Ramos
Column: Studio Whispers

MAYOR Toby Tiangco will accompany his dad to Las Vegas for the Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton fight in May.

"It will be my first time," said Mayor Toby, "to see Manny in action. Both me and my dad, naturally, want him to win. We will be there to root for him."

They will be in a lower box, he said. "Ang mahal ng ringside," he said.

Mayor Toby would have wanted his 12-year-old son, Tommy, a boxing enthusiast, to be with them. "Pero nang malaman niyang $1,000 ang tiket na gagamitin namin ni Dad ko, sabi niya mag-pay per view na lang daw siya.

"But he wants me to give him $800. Nakatawad na raw ako ng$200," he added with a laugh.

Mayor Toby had a tsikahan with some members of the entertainment press. He is close to a number of them. He took the opportunity to introduce his equally good-looking younger brother, John Rey, who, he said, will run for mayor of Navotas City.

"Naka-three terms na rin kasi ako," he explained. "Kaya di na ako puwedeng tumakbo for the position. Marami pa akong projects for the city na gustong naming i-implement. And I know that if John Rey becomes mayor of Navotas, magkakaroon ito ng katuparan lahat."

Mayor Toby is now eyeing the position of representative for the lone district of Navotas.

***

Currently in the US where he is obviously looking for greener pastures is Michael de Mesa, one of local showbiz better actors. He has several acting awards to his name.

He left showbiz feeling frustrated, as he still wants to give his best to a profession he still loves so much, he said.

"Ang problema lang," he sighed, "there is not enough room for us, especially actors of my age, in the industry.

"Nabibigyan nga kami ng assignment, yes, on tv and in the movies, but the roles assigned to us are no longer fulfilling.

"Yet, you have no choice but to accept them. All because you have to. Dahil acting happens to be the only hanapbuhay na alam mo and the only one available."

In the US, he will try any job available. He is willing to start from the bottom. Yes, without fear that he will be looked down.

"Naranasan ko na ito noong unang sumabak ako sa US, after I got my immigrant visa. Napasok ako bilang marketing man.

"Mahirap, pero kinaya ko. Dahil noon di pa kasing taghirap sa Pilipinas tulad ngayon, I decided to go back," Michael recalled.

He is both happy and grateful that all his and ex-wife Gina Alajars children are grown up and are working. All three of them. Ryan, the eldest, is doing character roles in showbiz. Geoff (who, like Ryan, uses Michaels real surname, Eigenmann) is assigned lead roles. Their youngest, AJ, works in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Geoff, who was formerly under ABS-CBN, is now with GMA 7. His first assignment as a Kapuso is the series "Ganti."

The three boys and their parents are US immigrants.

Michaels parents, former actors Eddie Mesa and Rosemari Gil, are US residents.

Eddie is a pastor of a community in California.

***

Vina Morales is always accompanied by her youngest sister, Shaina Magdayao, now that her due date is near. She will give birth in April.

"Overprotective siya sa akin," Vina revealed with a smile. "Excited siya sa magiging pamangkin niya."

Vinas first baby will be a girl.

Source: Malaya