Regal Films’ latest offering, “White House,” a horror-suspense movie directed by Topel Lee, opens today, Oct. 20, in theaters nationwide.

Expectedly, moviegoers will troop to the theaters not only because of the scare factor (which is of course the main element of the movie) but also because of the lead actor, Gabby Concepcion who till now has remained charming and appealing to movie fans.

Actually, fans found Gabby even more exciting and sexy on his second bid for stardom. Even the executive producer, Mother Lily, found herself “kilig” to the bones when she watched the shooting of Gabby’s scenes at the haunted White House in Baguio City.

Gabby’s shooting in Baguio City drew multitude of fans who didn’t mind being pushed and elbowed in their intense desire to get a glimpse of their favorite actor. This just proved that Gabby’s charisma and appeal have not waned through the years. His absence has only enchanced his fans’ longing to see him once more on the big screen.

“White House” is Gabby’s third movie since he came back two years ago. He was in Star Cinema’s 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “I Love You Goodbye.”

“White House” also stars Iza Calzado, Lovi Poe, Maricar Reyes, Joem Bascon, Janus del Prado, Jairus Aquino, and Mo Twister.

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Annie Brazil makes another show at Merk’s

Ms. Annie Brazil, the undisputed “Asian Queen of Jazz,” makes another show tonight at Merk’s before going back to New York where she has been based for many years. Annie came over for a series of gigs at Merk’s, the first on Oct. 6 to coincide with her 77th birth anniversary.

It came naturally for Annie’s son Richard to take after her in his choice of music genre – jazz – and he has been deservedly dubbed the “Prince of Jazz.” Richard claims and rightly so that he is a huge fan of his mother. Tonight, Annie shares the center stage with Merk and Friends in their Wednesday Jazz Festival Night.

Richard is of course very proud of his mother, who at her age still sings with a passion, and is still sexy in her own way. We remember meeting her in the Big Apple several years ago, and while we were in casual, comfortable pair of shoes, Annie was walking towards me in high heels, and with a mink coat to boot.

Looking at her, frail-looking and diminutive as she is, you will never think that Annie bore eight children, five of whom died in infancy, during her busy performing years that took her to many countries including Hong Kong and Thailand. She has four surviving children – Richard, Rachel Anne, Ronnel, and Ralph.

If she sings with great passion, credit that to Annie’s influences – Duke Ellington, Ellis Marsalis and Sarah Vaughn with whom she has jammed in the past.

For the last 12 years, Annie has been performing at an Italian restaurant and jazz joint called Stagionale in Greenwich Village. Among the songs in her repertoire are “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” “It Could Happen To You,” ‘It Had To Be You” (a duet with Richard), “All The Things You Are,” “Satin Doll.”

When she performs in the country, she usually sings “Buhat” and “Ikaw” which she renders in a jazzy fashion.

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Milestones held at Café de Malate

Two milestones were recently held at the famous Café de Malate of Bobby Velasco.

Last Sept. 25, Bobby celebrated his birth anniversary and as usual it was marked with food galore and beautiful music rendered by the nightly performers of the watering place. Bobby’s friends from the government, business and media were among his well-wishers.

A week before, Bobby and Liza Freking’s daughter, Angel Gabrielle turned seven and of course her doting parents tendered a special birthday bash for her. Angel is currently in Grade 2 and she aspires to be her older sister Princess who is sought-after commercial model and TV child star. Angel herself has been seen in commercial and print ads for Jollibee, A(H1N1) Vaccine, Avon, SM and Nido among others.

Princess, on the other hand, endorses many products for TV, print, brochures, flyers and product packaging some of them released in Malaysia, Thailand and the Middle East.

Princess has seen appearing in GMA-7 shows, such as “Basahang Ginto,” where she played the young Carla Abellana; “Pilyang Kerubin,” where she played the young daughter of Maricel Soriano; “Kaya ng Powers,” as the young Rhian Ramos; and in the telefantasya “Grazilda” as the young Cinderella.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Oct. 20, go to Gina Pareño, Gloria Cabrera of New York, Ms. Chona Trinidad, Dr. Raul Guanzon, Chit Guerrero, Rudy Genaskey, Aida Sevilla Mendoza, Irene Cortes, Bong Pizarro, Nadine Teves, Che Serrano, Michael Raleigh, Lynne Romero, Thermina Akram, Leticia Clariño, Meg Cruz Hatol, Gunther Grupp, Raul and Sharmaine Castillo, Dory Simio and Reynald Zabala of California, Ghie Espiritu, Annie Chong, Raul Chee Kee, Anna Teresa S. Velasco, Rina A. Concepcion, Eric Matthew G. Martinez, Tim Aaron Zach B. Patanao, Joseph Gregory M. Arriola, Mauren Geese and Thara Jordana of Star Magic, and Consul General of Kazakstan Edward Fereira…