The recently concluded Wowowee Olympics held at the Araneta Coliseum no less was a huge success. The sports event conceptualized by Willie Revillame drew almost 14,000 wildly cheering and enthusiastic spectators composed of fans, friends and families of "Wowowee’s" staff and crew. Special guests were Senator Mar Roxas and his fiancée, Ms. Korina Sanchez, who found time to grace the occasion despite her busy schedule preparing for Sen. Mar’s pamanhikan the following day.

Ticket sales amounted to P763,490 which is intended to finance Wowowee’s project for street children.

I’m not really a sports fan (unlike my 89-year-old mom, Juliana V. Martinez, who reads only the sports pages of the newspapers and knows everything about the Yankees – their personal lives, their income, their family backgrounds, everything; ask her anything and you’ll be amazed to know what she knows about them and other sports icons).

Anyway, at the Big Dome I found the enthusiasm of my two granddaughters so contagious that I became an instant fan of basketball. But maybe because the players were movie stars.

Playing against each other were the Star Magic team and the Wowowee team (led by Willie of course). Johnny Manahan (Mr. M to most) was Star Magic’s leader but he didn’t play.

In the Star Magic team were Gerald Anderson (who played well, we were happy to note), Diether Ocampo, Rayver and Rodjun Cruz, Ejay Falcon, Jason Abalos, Matt Evans, Carlo Guevarra, Zanjoe Marudo, Xian Lim, Ram Sagad, Jose Sarasola, RJ Calipus and Jai Reyes.

The Wowowee team on the other hand had aside from Willie, Cesar Montano (he made the team won but only by one point!), Jhong Hilario who wasn’t only a good shooter but an entertainer as well with his impressive and funny antics, Jon Hall, Vhong Navarro, Gab Valenciano, Derek Ramsay, Alvin Patriminio, Bonel Balingit, and Bentong who provided the comic relief.

The Wowowee volleyball team (made up of Luningning, RR Enriquez, Valerie Concepcion, and staff of Wowowee) also won over the Star Magic team composed by Kim Chiu, Angelica Panganiban, Cherrylou, Nicole Uysiueseng, Nene Tamayo, Paw Diaz, Dionne Monsanto, Janna Dominguez, Bettina Carlos and Erica Padilla.

The crowd was entertained by Pokwang who even spoofed Manny Pacquiao’s popular mom, Mommy Dionisia’s dancing prowess while casting innuendoes about her DI (Dance Instructor). We only hope that Mommy Dionisia won’t be slighted by this impersonation by Pokwang.

By the way, a little game was also played for some lucky spectators who were picked up by Willie himself.

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John Lloyd is Ruffa’s daughters’ favorite actor

It’s an issue that everyone in local showbiz knew that (as of June 15 when we were invited to be at the advance taping of “Ruffa & Ai”) Ruffa Gutierrez was still at odds with her mom Annabelle Rama who she hasn’t spoken to for more than a week she said.

Annabelle became angry at her when rumors spread that she and John Lloyd Cruz who she worked with in “I Love Betty La Fea” were getting “sweet” but that the actor was denying it. Annabelle wanted so much to voice out her feelings in a TV show but she was prevented by her apos, Lorin and Venice.

Anyway, last Monday night, mother and daughter saw each other at the wake of talent manager Douglas Quijano at the Heritage Memorial Park, and they finally settled their differences. “Bati na kami ng mommy ko,” Ruffa revealed on “Ruffa & Ai” the following day.

At the taping for the June 22 episode of “Ruffa & Ai,” Lorin and Venice sang two songs for their mom, “A Whole New World” and “You Changed my Life.” When asked why they chose to sing these songs, Lorin said because the first is her favorite and the second because he likes John Lloyd Cruz. The song was the theme song of John Lloyd and Sarah Geronimo’s blockbuster movie of the same title.

When asked by Ai Ai delas Alas who their favorite actors are, the girls said Richard Gutierrez, Eddie Gutierrez and John Lloyd who they fondly call Armando (JLC’s character in “I Love Betty La Fea”).

“Walang malice yan,” Ruffa said later. “Fan sila talaga ni Armando.” When asked to tell the press the real score between her and John Lloyd, Ruffa said “there is nothing to admit. We were in a getting to know each other stage, but whatever friendship we could have developed, naudlot.” As to why they were being linked, “maybe because people are curious to know if I have someone already in my lovelife… we are two big names, so maybe people are excited to know if there’s something between us…”

Ruffa stressed: “Hindi pa umabot sa love and relasyon namin ni John Lloyd. Besides, I’m not really ready for a deep commitment. Yong pag-iingay ng Mommy ko, hindi na bago. Ginawa rin niya noon kina Aga, Zoren at iba pa. Akala kasi ng Mommy ko, bata pa ako. Hello Mom, mother na ako,” she laughed but with fondness.

Ruffa and John Lloyd share the same birthday, June 24.

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Benj – the Rock Balladeer

Benj (Cruz), the rock balladeer from Baguio City, is literally flying high! He flies six times a week on Philippine Airlines which he serves as a flight steward.

As a recording artist, Benj is also flying high, overwhelmed by the beautiful experience of coming out with his first album!

His self-titled album, “Benj” features four original songs he wrote, has as its carrier song, “Let It Begin.” The other songs are “I Don’t Wanna Talk About It” (By Rod Stewart), “Ride On,” “Don’t Cry,” and “Sana Ako Na Lang.”

The album also features minus ones for all the songs.

Benji has been flying with PAL for six years now. Asked if he would give up his job and concentrate on singing, he said.

“I love both my job and my singing career! I check in with PAL in the morning and return to Manila in the evening, giving me enough time to catch up with my gig.”

Benj started with country music, influenced by his environment in Baguio City where he grew up. He later adjusted his voice as he shifted to rock music.

“I studied under Ryan Cayabyab,” Benj said. “I also tried acting with ABS-CBN. I even played extra in their ‘teleserye.’ But I decided to concentrate on my singing.”

“I am not without a lovelife,” Benj confessed. “We have been dating for six years now!” Any clue? Benj just smiled, indicating that his love affair is a private affair.

Benj took up AB Mass Communications at the Saint Louis University. This further strengthened his love for music. He joined choirs and singing contests and guested in various events in Baguio City. What he earlier thought as simply fondness for music turned into a passion.

He also joined pageants in school and in the city.

After three and a half years at SLU he finished his degree at the former Baguio Colleges Foundation (now the University of the Cordilleras). He majored in AB Photojournalism.

He left for Manila and joined a band called “Appalooza” for a year. He auditioned for an ABS-CBN contest at A.S.A.P. and won, taking the lead vocal of “Red Circle” that lasted for almost a year on television.

On June 26 at the SM in Baguio City, Benj will relaunch his debut album.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for June 19, Marinduque Gov. Bong Carrion, actor Joel Torre, Bing Davao, US-based singer-actress Rachel Anne Wolf, former beauty queen Jo Canonizado, former newshen Jo D. Quiambao, Engr. Jess Luciano, Rosie Pineda, Pamela P. Mendame, Nena Borromeo, Dr. Ping Duran, Ms. Julie Amargo, Maria Clara “Love” O. Sarolina, Bebs and KC Hollmann of Star Magic, and MB photog Pinggot Zulueta…