HOW’S AMALIA? – At the recent lunch at Sampaguita Garden Events place celebrating the congressional victory of first cousins Edward Maceda and Toff de Venecia, this columnist shared the table with Manay Ichu Maceda, Pempe Rodrigo, Lollie Mara, and Gloria Sevilla and daughter Suzette Ranillo.
Asked Pempe how her neighbor (New Manila, QC) Amalia Fuentes is. She said, “Ang ganda pa rin ng mukha ni Nena.” But added that Nena (as Amalia is more familiarly called) remains bed-ridden as half of her body is paralyzed. And that she could hardly talk, although she recognizes visitors.
Pempe disclosed that Nena’s grandson, Alonzo Martinez, is taking good care of the former Sampaguita actress along with caregivers and physical therapists.
(Nena suffered a massive stroke while touring South Korea months back.)
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CHONA’S GONE – Lollie announced that former LVN actress Chona Sandoval died recently at St. Lukes Medical Center QC.
The sad news was relayed by Marita Zobel, Chona’s contemporary.
Marita told Lollie in a text message that Chona was billed the “Pier Angeli of the Philippines,” Consuelo Salvador in real life. She was the daughter of the legendary showman Lou Salvador, Jr., one of his many children who include Leroy, Phillip, Jojo, Chi-Chi (Ross Rival, father of Maja Salvador), Mina Aragon (del Rosario), Alona Alegre,
If this columnist members it right, Chona had a son who briefly appeared in movies, Emil Sandoval.
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EDWARD AND TOFF – Back to Edward Maceda and Toff de Venecia, incoming congressman of Manila and Pangasinan, respectively.
Edwards’s parents are former Senate President and Ambassador (to the US) Ernie Maceda and Marichu Vera-Perez. Toff’s parents are former Speaker Joe de Venecia and outgoing Pangasinan Congresswoman Manay Gina Vera-Perez.
The lunch in their honor was attended by political leaders, and supporters, family and friends, among them Deedee Siytangco, Millet Martinez-Mananquil, Jarius Bondoc, Mandy Navasero, Gypsy Baldovino, Beny Tarnate.
As in other Sampaguita events, good food and drinks were overflowing, catered and home-cooked.