Dolphy and Vilma Santos were honored Dec. 28 by the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) and the Department of Education (DepEd). The King of Comedy and the Star for All Seasons received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 1st Lingkod TV Awards held at the Rajah Sulayman Theater in First Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.

NCCT Executive Director Frank Rivera said the award is in recognition of the valuable contributions of Dolphy and Vi in the TV industry, as well as for the programs they have implemented in their respective capacities that benefited thousands of Filipino children. It is recalled that Dolphy started his TV career via “Dance-O-Rama” on ABC now TV5. He holds the record of having the two longest running and most watched primetime comedy sitcoms in the country, “John en Marsha” (aired on RPN from 1973 to 1990) and “Home Along Da Riles” (shown on ABS-CBN from 1992-2003) and which Star Cinema made into a movie in 1993 and 1997. Dolphy’s other shows in ABS-CBN include “Tang-Tarang-Tang,” “Buhay Artista” and “John en Shirley.”

President Noynoy Aquino conferred on Dolphy the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart. And during his 80th birthday in 2008, a book entitled “Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa” and the Dolphy Aid Para sa Pinoy Foundation were launched.

Gov. Vilma was recognized for her effective implementation of the H.E.A.R.T.S. (Health, Education and Environment, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism and Security) program that ensures good future for the Batangueño children. In 1963, Vi started her showbiz career via the movie “Trudis Liit” which won her the FAMAS Best Child Actress award. From then on, she starred in about 300 movies. She was four times Grand Slam Best Actress, and among her most unforgettable movies include “Burlesk Queen,” “Relasyon,” “Sister Stella L.,” “Alyas Baby Tsina,” “Dekada 70,” “Bata-Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?” and the most recent “In My Life.”

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Venus Raj: No love life yet

Venus Raj, Bb. Pilipinas 2010 and 4th runner-up in the 2010 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, frankly admitted she has no love life yet. “I have no suitors yet, nor has anyone made a proposal,” the towering Philippine beauty said. She made the revelation during the recent dinner party of the Mercator Artist & Model Management.

But with a smile, she hastened to add: “But I know that somewhere there must be one or two who must be so in love with me!” As Bb. Pilipinas 2010, her reign ends in September 2011 which will also be the expiry of her contract with Binibining Pilipinas Charity Foundation. By that time, she will already have more freedom to plan a career roadmap.

She also expressed her desire to join showbiz, “if that is where opportunities will take me. Perhaps TV hosting or acting,” she said. Asked whom she would prefer as her leading man, Venus came with a very diplomatic answer: “I think that’s for the producer and the director to decide!”

Quite frank, Venus said: “You know where I came from, and my parents and I were just living in a small house in the province!” One big reason why Venus has so much to celebrate is that she has finally built a house for her parents.

“I bought the lot in front of our house and built on it a two-bedroom house,” Venus said with joy, and smiling as well.
She financed the construction of the house out from her prize as Binibining Pilipinas 2010 and as 4th runner-up in the 2010 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. “One thing I learned is that poverty is no hindrance to becoming a beauty queen,” Venus stressed.

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Talk ’N Text celebrates holidays

Talk ‘N Text recently held “Pamaskong Regalo Krismasayahan” at the biggest barangay in the country, Barangay 176, Caloocan City, to share Yuletide cheers with its subscribers and their families.

The whole-day event saw some 1,500 Talk ‘N Text subscribers enjoying games such as Todo Todo Regalo, Sasaya O Sasayad, Kalabog Pasabog, and Hamon ng Kampeon, as well as performances by celebrities Marian Rivera, Francine Prieto, and Coco Martin.

According to Barangay 176 residents and Talk ‘N Text subscribers Anacleta Espinola and Jhune de Leon, “nakakataba ng puso na nagpunta sa lugar namin ang Talk ‘N Text upang bigyan kami ng masayang Pasko.”

At the event, many Talk ‘N Text subscribers won raffle items such as call and text cards, brand new handsets, bigasan showcase, grocery showcase, and appliance showcase, and as much as P50,000 in cash.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Dec. 30, go to former DENR Sec. Lito Atienza, Msgr. Nico Bautista, Deborah Sun, Alegria R. Sibal, Jessa Jacomina-Ablaza, realtor Gregoria Baterna, Bobby Tating, Rizaldy Tañedo, Roseann C. Villegas, Lisa Anson-Moya, Charmaine Ligon-Tabora, Tempo columnist Ronald K. Constantino, Toots Tolentino, Joanne S. Matschuck, Baby de Guzman, Rizalina Cardenas, Rizalinda A. Dimalanta, MB’s Eugene Santos and actor Jake Cuenca... Back from an album promo tour in Singapore and Thailand is Lou Bonnevie who has joined other celebrities who have ventured into the food business. She now co-owns a fast food franchise called Obento Express located at the 3rd floor of St. Francis Square in Ortigas Center. Lou said Obento Express specializes in very affordable “Jap-Pinoy” food. Lou also said she is set to release her next music video from her “Only Human” Viva album...