Andrew E.

Famous rapper and comedian Andrew Espiritu (a.k.a. Andrew E.) is one of the most sought-after performers for political rallies and he always gets wild applause from the crowds. He usually performs furing campaign sorties of Senators Manny Villar and Loren Legarda.

Andrew E. maintains he’s not endorsing any candidate.

“I only entertain the crowd.”

Andrew E. is promoting micro entrepreneurship in the country so that even the poorest of the poor may have an opportunity to engage in business.

This is the advocacy of Kasangga, the party-list he is endorsing for the forthcoming elections. “I am not a nominee of the party-list but I agree with its advocacy to help common people get financial help to start a business,” he said.

Movie workers, he added, who have been long out of job because of the now comatose local movie industry, will be provided with micro-business capital by Kasangga. To receive the same business privilege, those interested must register as member of the Kasangga.

• • •

Meet the multi-talented Rep. Risa Hontiveros

It’s interesting to note that Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros (who’s running for senator as guest candidate of Liberal Party) is multi-talented. She can act, sing and host. When she was young, Risa shared the stage with theater talents Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson, Raymond and Menchu Lauchengco when they played Von Trapp siblings in Repertory Philippines presentation of “Sound of Music.”

When she was in still in college, Risa became a newscaster. She was later seen on Channel 5 (“Street Pulse”), then GMA-7 (“Firing Line”), and ABS-CBN (“Magandang Umaga Po” with Korina Sanchez). In 1994, Risa won the KBP Golden Dove Award for Best Female Newscaster.

During a recent gathering with entertainment writers, Risa obliged a request for her to sing her audition piece in “Sound of Music.” She also sang “Sana Maulit Muli.”

In 2005, when Risa was 39 (she’s now 44) she became a widow with the death of her husband Frank Baraquel. They have four children, Kiko, Issa, Ianna and Sinta.

• • •

AMS Party-List holds parade/concert Friday

Dr. Manny Calayan told us AMS (Alyansa ng Media at Showbiz) Party-List of which he is a nominee (being a recording artist and participant of “Celebrity Duet,” he considers himself showbiz) will hold its miting de avance and parade-concert on Friday at the SB Plaza in Batasan Rd., across Batasang Pambansa in QC.

Showbiz personalities and celebrities will join the event. The parade starts at 4 p.m. while the concert begins at 7 p.m.

Among AMS objectives, Dr. Calayan said, is “kalayaan sa pamamahayag, to be sumbungan ng media, to provide medical care, scholarship grants, livelihood and housing benefits to its members.” The other nominees are NPC VP Rolly “Lajay” Gonzalo, and Leo Martinez, head of the Film Academy of the Philippines.

• • •

MPO realizes dream of having own school

Manila Philharmonic Orchestra has finally fulfilled its long-time vision of training new generations of musicians via a school of music. For the past decade, MPO founder Rodel Colmenar has dedicated himself to sharing the gifts of music to others.

Top balladeer Bo Cerrudo partners with Rodel in this venture. At the MPO School of Music, students learn individually and as part of the band. It is open to almost all ages – from two years old and up – on any skill level.

For details, visit www. manilaphilharmonicorchestra. com.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on May 7 go to former SSS chief Gilberto Teodoro, Mrs. Helen Gamboa-Sotto, Mrs. Nena Jacinto of D’Swan Bakeshop, Corazon Gonzalez, Princess del Rosario-Bata, Ivy Lily “Mae” F. Mendoza, Mary Anne Gutierrez, Helen B. Martinez, Baby Valencia. Mrs. Doring Quirino, Noli Yamsuan, and Carlo Tadiar. Happy wedding anniversary to Drs. Dodo and Nellie Acosta, and Louie and Mila Limjoco.