SEN. MANNY VILLAR with five of the six NP spokesmen: Adel Tamano, Timmy Chipeco and Rimpy Bondoc. Standing with the Senator are Peter Alan Cayetano and Gilbert Remulla. Not in photo is Rep. TG Guingona III.

Senator Manny Villar recently introduced to his friends in the entertainment press the six spokesmen of the Nacionalista Party of which he is the standard bearer. During lunch at the Laurel Mansion along Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong City, the former Senate President and strong presidential contender presented Sen. Alan Cayetano, Reps. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III (who was not present because he was in General Santos City for an NP event) and Justin Marc “Timmy” Chipeco, former Reps. Gilbert Remulla and Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc, and Atty. Adel Tamano as the newly named members of the NP’s speakers bureau.

In representing the ideals of the party, they shall elucidate on the issues and advocacies pushed by NP for the national’s highest interest, Senator Villar said. He added: “Each of them has his own forte and specialization that deepen the NP bench and strengthen our communication with our people in the grassroots level.”

The NP stalwarts will be going, with Senator Villar, around the country to consult with the citizens and tackle their respective issues: Cayetano on national interest matters; Guingona III on budget and Mindanao issues; Chipeco on local governance; Remulla on political affairs; Bondoc on finance and economies; and Tamano on education, legal and Mindanao issues.

Cayetano, a senator and lawyer, was likewise a Representative of the Lone District of Taguig-Pateros who earned his degree from the Ateneo School of Law.

TG Guingona III is on his second term as Congressman of the 2nd District of Bukidnon. He earned his degrees in Economics and Law from the Ateneo de Manila.

Chipeco, a Congressman, represents the second district of Laguna. Also a lawyer, he took up law in San Beda College and Arellano Law School.

Remulla, a former Representative of the Second District of Cavite and a noted broadcast journalist, has been a spokesman of NP since 2007. He earned his masters in International Affairs from the Columbia University in New York.

Bondoc, who earned his masters degree in public administration from the Harvard University, was a member of the House of Representatives the fourth district of Pampanga.

Tamano, eighth son of the late Sen. Mamintal Tamano and civic leader Hadja Putri Zorayda Abbas, and erstwhile spokesman of the United Opposition, is the first Filipino Muslim to have graduated from the Harvard Law School with a masters degree in law.

NP has produced six presidents, namely, Ramon Magsaysay, Ferdinand Marcos, Sergio Osmena, Carlos Garcia, Jose Laurel, and Manuel Quezon.

The party’s battlecry is “Ang Bayan higit sa lahat.”

Handsome enough to be stars

The young and handsome political stalwarts impressed us with their looks, wit and intelligence. And we told them they were also handsome enough to be movie stars. In fact, one of them, Atty. Tamano (currently the president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila) has had a stint in acting for the movies.

Formerly the spokesperson for the Opposition, Adel appeared in the Jinggoy Estrada starrer “Katas ng Saudi,” an official entry (and co-winner of the Best Picture award) in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Adel played the role of a barangay captain. Adel also appeared in another movie where he had more speaking lines.

With his handsome looks, Adel could really make it in showbiz, especially so since he has gained media mileage ever since he became the Opposition’s spokesperson and when he became the legal counsel to Dr. Victoria “Vicki” Belo. He could have also joined the third edition of GMA-7’s “Celebrity Duets” if not for the forthcoming elections where he is set to seek a senatorial seat, under the Nacionalista Party of course.

“Sayang nga, kasi I really love to sing,” he said. But of course his political aspiration is greater than his interest in singing. To prepare himself for the campaign, he will also have to resign very soon as president of PLM of which he has been president for two years.

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Fans, supporters rally for the return of Willie

Fans and supporters of Willie Revillame and his show “Wowowee” have been picketing in front of the old ABS-CBN building along Sct. Esguerra for the past several days now (ever since Willie took leave as host of the popular daily game show). Reports say there had been more than 200,000 fans who’ve joined the rally in favor of the well-love TV host, seeking his return as soon as possible to host “Wowowee.”

They say “Wowowee” isn’t the same without Willie, a sentiment echoed by many through email and text messages reaching us. Not only one said, “kung di babalik si Willie, di na kami manonood ng ‘Wowowee.’ Kasi siya ang buhay ng show, iba talaga kung nandun siya.”

Even Willie’s co-hosts like Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguesz, and Valerie Concepcion are anxious to have him back. Because the pressure that’s on their shoulders now while Willie is on leave is so great it could be felt by everyone especially the audience in and outside of the studio.

Many are wondering what’s keeping Willie from going back to his show? Was he suspended? Or was it a self-imposed decision to go on leave on account of the most recent controversy he has gotten himself into. But the Aquino family has accepted his apology and this should be enough, his fans and supporters say.

Well, let’s just wait and see.

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Christian moves to UR

Universal Records has a new exclusive artist in the person of Asia’s Pop Idol Christian Bautista. And his much-awaited debut album under the company will be released in the country and other foreign territories Christian’s international recording career has its auspicious start with the release of the phenomenal single “The Way You Look At Me,” from his quadruple-platinum self-titled album, which was also released in Indonesia and other Asian countries.

His fourth album, “Captured,” with the single of the same title with Sitti, is his last release from his former record label.

“I will always be grateful to Warner Music Philippines for building me up and taking care of me,” says Christian. “They believed in me and made me what I am now. But there comes a time in every artist’s career when he can’t resist the urge to reinvent himself.”

When Universal Records offered a new concept album, Christian got excited. “I was challenged and felt that the change I have longed for has finally come. It was an offer I cannot refuse.”

Christian Bautista plunged into the “big move” and he now feels he has made just the right decision. People will surely agree with him upon hearing his debut Universal Records album.

Universal Records is also home to leading artists like Jose Mari Chan, Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Lani Misalucha, Billy Crawford, Jed Madela, Jay-R, Kris Aquino, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Mark Herras, Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Sponge Cola, Ronnie Liang, Sam Concepcion, Shamrock, Silent Sanctuary, Kenyo and Paraluman.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 21, go to Sen. Lito Lapid, Jeanne Margaret Goulbourn, Hector R. Villanueva, Mutya C. Laxa, Chit Picache Vizconde, Jay Valenciano-Glorioso, Flordeluz B. Niedo, Charlie Uy, Eva Gonzalez, Francis Zamora, Noemi B. Reyes, Nia Diane Galvan, Canada-based George del Rosario, Carmelita “Baby” Millado, Mayor Manny Ilumba, Evangeline Florence Gay” Lozano, Carol Yap, Pinky Martinez-Anudon, Nina Teves and Miguel “Mikki” Mendoza… Happy wedding anniversary to Col. and Mrs. Clemente Lobusta…