US version of DOND won't be aired in RP?

Column: Funfare Update
Author: Ricky Lo

Curtain-raiser:

• Better late than never. Funfare congratulates the following stars who have recently graduated: Miriam Quiambao with a degree in Venture Into Entrepreneurship at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM); Elizabeth Oropeza with a Phd (M. A. ) in Oriental Medical Science, with honors; and former Barbara Benitez a B. S. Nursing degree from the St. Dominic Savio College. I heard that Paula Peralejo, Rica's sister, also graduated magna cum laude (school not mentioned).

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Yes, Kris Aquino will have her "debut" in US television as co-host of Howie Mandel in the US version of Deal or No Deal (DOND) when the episode Howie came to shoot two weeks ago is finally aired tonight (US time), instead of Wednesday, May 7, as originally scheduled. Two players are competing for the $1-M plum at stake.

Unfortunately, according to Funfare sources, the episode won't be shown on Philippine television. Sob and sigh.

For the full report, here's Funfare's Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (news editor of the New York-based The Filipino Reporter):

Fil-Ams here are excited how Kris Aquino will fare with Howie Mandel, what she's wearing and how she carries herself, kung mabungisngis ba or prim and proper. You know Kris, anything goes. What you see is what you get.

Here's what one report says:

"The series takes an international twist as Howie Mandel hosts three, two-hour Around the World episodes broadcast on May 5, 7 and 14 where US contestants travel abroad to play the game according to the international country's rules. Estonia is the first stop on Monday, May 5 (8 to 10 p. m. Eastern Time).

The contestants hit the Philippines Monday (8 to 10 p. m. ET), and then it's on to South Africa on Wednesday, May 14 (8 to 10 p. m. ET), where two contestants play the South African version of Deal or No Deal and hopefully walk away with the top prize of $1 million. "

Here's what the TV Guide says (in a story headlined "Howie Mandel Packs Suitcases for Big Deal Tour"):

"Deal, n'est-ce pas?" For a May-sweeps stunt, NBC's Deal or No Deal is taking the show on the road, into the air and maybe even on a catamaran or two, taping shows in some of the foreign locales that produce their own sometimes "tweaked" versions of the hit program.

Setting up shop on Deal sets in Estonia, the Philippines and South Africa, Howie Mandel will guide American contestants through any special foreign rules, while a bevy of indigenous suitcase models fill the stage. "It's been a fun internal thing when we watch clips from the foreign versions," executive producer Scott St. John says, "so we decided we're going to explore the way they do it. "

(Postscript: According to Kane Choa of the ABS-CBN PR department, the company is making arrangements with the US producer of Deal Or No Deal for the airing in the Philippines of the show's Around the World episode. "Soon," assured Kane. )

Charice will grace RP Independence Day parade in NY

Here's another interesting report, also from Edmund Silvestre:

Charice (yes, the former Charice Pempengco) will grace the 2008 Philippine Independence Day grand parade and street fair in New York City, the biggest Philippine Freedom Day event outside the Philippines, on June 1 along Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

Charice, who will be seen in Oprah this month (May 12 in the US, according to reports), will also topbill the musical extravaganza following the two-hour parade. She will be joined on stage by Randy Santiago, Fe delos Reyes and Dancing With the Stars Fil-Am kid dancers Jaryd Farcon and Cara Abaya Campos.

The stars will be flown to New York City by TFC/ABS-CBN International, according to Raul Estrellado, president of the Philippine Independence Day Committee, Inc. (PIDCI).

"Everybody is so excited to see and hear Charice in person," said Estrellado. "Every Filipino is so proud of her. Randy is a music icon back home, while Fe is a superb comedian who is known to all Filipinos in the US, kaya sila talaga ang perfect guests in this celebration. "

Princess Punzalan (now a housewife and nursing student in Connecticut) will host the cultural show, while CBS New York anchorwoman Kristine Johnson and CBS New York reporter Hazel Sanchez, both Fil-Ams, will emcee the parade competition at the reviewing stand.

According to PIDCI officers Ner Martinez (brother of comedian Leo Martinez) and Vivian Velasco, members of the PBA Legends USA (formerly of the Philippine Basketball Association) are marching in the parade. Confirmed to march are former PBA superstars Francis Arnaiz, Abe King, Abet Guidaben, Danny Florencio, Estoy Estrada, Bernie Fabiosa, Marte Saldana, Tim Colloso, Yoyoy Villamin, Atoy Co and Mon Fernandez.

Leading the parade are New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa, New York Consul General Cecilia Rebong, Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Hilaro Davide, Deputy Consul General Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek and this year's grand marshal, Monsignor Oscar Aquino, and the Diwa ng Kalayaan court of beauties.

The annual parade draws thousands of spectators from various states in the US East Coast. Among those who have graced this major event in the past include US Senator Hillary Clinton, City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former City Mayors Rudolph Giuliani and David Dinkins, Philippine Senator Loren Legarda, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, former Vice President Joseph Estrada, former Vice President Gloria Arroyo, former Senator Tito Sotto, businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis, Gloria Diaz, Miriam Quiambao, Lea Salonga, Diether Ocampo, Ricky Davao, Patricia Javier, Ronnie Ricketts and wife Mariz.

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar. net. ph or at entphilstar@yahoo. com)

Source: The Philippine Star