Vice Ganda

MANILA, Philippines -- Money changes everything for ’80 pop icon Cyndi Lauper but for our very own stand-up comic, Vice Ganda, everything remains the same. Whether he has more money now or not, he still has problems.

The host of ABS-CBN’s “Showtime” and “Magandang Gabi Vice” realized that even if he’s been earning more than what he used to get from gigs at Laffline or Punchline comedy bars, problems still hound him. The irony is his problems are sometimes still about money.

“I don’t think life will be normal without problems,” he said in Filipino. “Problems are part of life. I may have less problems because I have more money but I still have problems.”

Having money doesn’t mean his fears in life have diminished. Vice admitted that what he fears most is being in an accident and becoming an invalid. If that happens, he said that the money he now has won’t last two years.

He still complains about life’s problems, but realized that he has nothing to complain about compared to other people, especially the poor.

According to him. problems are all part of life and being human. If he is irritated or tired, he vents it out on his manager Ogie Diaz.

“But I don’t let fame or popularity to strip me off my being a human. If I feel tired, I’m tired. If I’m irritated, let it be. I’m just human and I get tired too from working hard,” expressed Vice.

One thing he doesn’t get tired of though is entertaining and making people happy. He presents another major concert at the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow, July 1, “Vice Ganda, Todo Sampol Sa Araneta!”

His second time at the Big Dome, Vice confessed that he is more pressured this time. Audiences may compare his new show with his first, which was a huge success. He promises this new show would be different.

Vice Ganda’s guests performers are Toni Gonzaga, Billy Crawford, Xian Lim and Enchong Dee among others.

“Vice Ganda, Todo Sampol Sa Araneta” is produced by Viva Concerts and Showtime Events Production with director GB Sampedro at the helm.

Club Mwah marks 7th anniversary

Club Mwah is now seven years old.

Noted for presenting world-class stage acts and shows like “Follies de Mwah” during the weekends, Club Mwah – set to stage “Bedazzled II” – received its third Asia-Pacific Excellence Award for Theater Entertainment.

According to Pocholo Malillin, VP and producer, “This (‘Bedazzled II’) is an entirely different and new show with fabulous production numbers, including excerpts from the Christina Aguilera musical film ‘Burlesque.’ The show has earned rave reviews like ‘spellbinding!’ ‘jaw-dropping!’ ‘magical!’ ‘truly a feast for the eyes!’ You really have to watch it to believe!”

Audiences also liked the medley of three “Dreamgirls’s” songs – “Move,” “Dreamgirls” and “I Am Changing.” Truly dramatic is the “Amadeus” suite complete with chandelier-bearing (not on their hands, but on their heads, worn like crowns!) models parading up and down the stage in slow motion while Amadeus, perched on a swing, comes down in his flowing robe.

Other applauded segments of “Bedazzled II” include “Saranggani,” an Italian romantic vignette, with a life-size gondola to boot, Madonna’s “Shanti Shanti,” which has very detailed Indian production design, and Patti LaBelle’s impersonation of the deeply-moving “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Cris Nicolas.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Thursday, June 30, go to Director Lucina Alday, Oscar T. Maliuanag, Celeste V. Garcia, Peregrina Ang, Manuel Hista, Inday Novales, Conrad Mallari, Carlota G. Antonio, Lenita S. Gumatay-Ramos, Joey Uy, Pablo Salangsang, Zeny Flores, Nycie Lachica, Alfred Labatos of Star Magic, Malou Bascara, and DLSU Communications Prof. Manny Geslani…