Philippine Showbiz Today 17
September 22 - October 7 , 2018
Philippine Showbiz Today 17
‘ New chapter ’ for Sunshine as marriage with Cesar finally annulled
Sunshine Cruz “ will never forget this day ,” September 18 , as it marks a new chapter in her life after getting news of the annulment of her marriage to Cesar Montano .
On Instagram , the 41-yearold actress shared a religious quote about gratitude , but did not give further explanation as to its context .
The comments on the post , however , were a stream of congratulatory messages , many of which were related to annulment .
A separate Instagram update from Cruz ’ s manager , Arnold Vegafria , — posted at around the same time — shed light as to
what the former “ Wildflower ” star is thankful for .
Vegafria wrote : “ My dear Sunshine , Your prayers have finally been answered . I ’ m very happy to know that after years of waiting , your annulment has finally been granted .
“ All the hardships and sacrifices have made you a stronger and better person . May you continue to be an inspiration to your daughters , and may you finally write a new chapter in your personal life . Cheers to new beginnings !”
Montano and Cruz were married in 2000 , and have three daughters — Angelina Isabelle ,
Samantha Angeline , and Angel Franchesca .
Cruz petitioned for the annulment of her marriage to Montano in May 2014 , a year after she separated from the 56-year-old actor following allegations of infidel- ity involving model Krista Miller .
“ I know that I did everything to save the marriage ,” Cruz said in a November 2017 interview . “ It took me 13 years to save it , but na-realize kong talagang walang pupuntahan and we are both miserable already . So I guess it ’ s time to move on .”
Cruz , who remains estranged from Montano , has been open about her 2-year relationship with businessman Macky Mathay . Early this week , they sparked rumors of an engagement after Mathay shared a photo of them together , notably with a sparkling ring worn by Cruz prominently on display . ●
‘ One of my favorite things about myself is being half-Filipino ’: Darren Criss and his roots
The Filipino runs in his blood .
Born to a mother from Cebu who loves music and performing , Darren Criss has lived a life dedicated to the spotlight , swaying to the rhythms that would eventually earn him an Emmy -- the first Filipino-American to do so .
His “ drive ” to become a star , he attributed to his mom who , along with his “ sneak attack musician ” ( a person who has musical talent but refuses to play instruments , he explained ) dad , made sure that he grew up surrounded by singing and dancing .
This upbringing meant that pursuing a career in Hollywood was inevitable ; in fact , he is still best known for his role in the award-winning musical series “ Glee .”
Volunteers and donors , including Henry Omaga Diaz , Karylle , Sarah Geronimo , Richard Gutierrez , Dingdong Dantes , Marian Rivera , Anne Curtis , Luis Manznao , Ogie Diaz , Iza Calzado , Gloria Romero , Daniel Padilla , Karla Estrada , Tates Gana , Divine Lee , Nadine Lustre , Elisse Joson , and even salon clients of Ricky Reyes who many not realize that a portion of their payment goes to CHILD Haus , have been helping the center and its residents get shelter and supplies while they undergo treatment .
Child Haus Manila is the only home of its kind in the Philippines with a playground , play and learn
Now , Criss holds the distinction of becoming the first actor with Pinoy roots to win an Emmy .
He won for his role in “ The Assassination of Gianni Versace ” as Andrew Cunanan , the half- Filipino serial killer notorious for murdering five men , including famous fashion designer Gianni Versace , in 1997 .
In an interview back when was promoting the drama , he revealed that he celebrated getting the part with a trip to his favorite Filipino restaurant in Los Angeles -- an example of just how proud Criss is of his connection to the Philippines .
However , this association faced scrutiny last March , when he was perceived to have renounced his Pinoy roots .
Speaking with Vulture , he said that it would “ be unfair ” to have identify himself as Asian- American , likening it to “ reaching for the minority card on a college application .”
The story of CHILD Haus
He did clarify this by writing on Twitter : “ One of my favorite things about myself is that I ’ m half Filipino . PERIOD .”
“ I happen to not look like it , but that face is not what I like . I like the fact that most people don ’ t know it ’ s an ace up my sleeve , an ace I ’ m very proud of , regardless of what I look like .”
That love for his Pinoy side shone through when he helped raise funds for survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in 2013 .
Recently , he also took the time out to send his love for those affected by typhoon Ompong .
“ Stay safe . My thoughts are with you . There ’ s only so much we could do for this side except send love and as many good vibes I can . Look out for each other out there ,” he said . ● - ABS-CBN News room , entertainment area , social hall , library , dispensary , milk feeding , dining area , laundry room , viewing deck , garden , and isolation rooms for delicate patients .
The idea for CHILD Haus started fifteen years ago , during a visit of Reyes to the PGH Cancer Institute . Reyes got help from then PCSO Chair Honey Girl Singson , who provided one of their empty buildings behind PCSO to house the center . For years , PCSO gave a yearly grant of P1 million to CHILD Haus , with donors also contributing food .
The patients also receive subsidized cost of their medicines , lab tests and other items , like clothes and toiletries . However , the PCSO compound had been sold to a real estate developer , so CHILD Haus had to move .
What Reyes did not know was that Hans Sy was also looking for a house for the center . Sy found a reasonably priced house on Mapang-akit Street in Quezon City as his own contribution to the endeavor . It housed the center for more than three years . But the place got flooded during rains , risking the health of the patients
Sy later found a property in Paco , which is near Philippine General Hospital where Reyes originally had his Munting Paraiso at the Cancer Institute . At its inauguration , Sy explained the reason for his support for CHILD Haus .
“ In the past years , I would reward myself with something special on my birthday . It could be an expensive watch or a painting . Then it hit me ,” he said .
The material things made him feel better , but they did not make him a better person . Putting up this new home is Hans Sy ’ s way of extending his love and understanding to these brave children who don ’ t even know why they are sick and who continue to fight for their lives everyday .
“ Now , I feel so much better ,” he continued .
The work of helping cancer-stricken children undergoing treatment continues , with the help of generous donors , volunteers , hotels , restaurants , and other establishments . Of the more than 15,000 children who stayed at the center , only one percent succumbed to cancer , usually for coming in too late for their treatment . The rest are now healthy and going on with their productive lives , forever grateful to those known and unknown philanthropists who have been blessed more . A list of all these patients and donors are kept in the files of Child Haus since day one , 15 years ago . ● - Malaya