It’s not true naman pala that just because Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao asked Fil-Am American Idol finalist Thia Megia to sing sa araw ng kanyang pakikipaglaban kay Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 ay itsa-puwera na ang Fil-Canadian YouTube sensation na si Maria Aragon.

Unang in-approve ni Manny ang pag-awit ni Maria ng Philippine national anthem sa boxing bout.

Paliwanag ng Pound-for-Pound King, ang matotoka kay Thia ay ang national anthem ng America, kung saan magaganap ang Pacquiao-Marquez fight.

Meaning, si Maria pa rin daw ang aawit ng Lupang Hinirang.

Thia guested sa show ni Manny, ang Manny Many Prizes, on GMA-7 last Saturday.

She was with two fellow former American Idol finalists (11 of them came to the Philippines for a two-night concert) Pia Toscano and Stefano Langone, and AI winner Scotty McCreery.

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September 30 na pala ang turnover ng ipinatatayong bahay ng mga Pacquiao sa North Forbes Park.

Designed by ace interior designer Anton Mendoza, predominantly made of glass and wood daw ang three-storey house.

No wonder, proud na proud ang misis ni Manny na si Jinkee, who fell in love with the 1,200-square meter property, the first time nasulyapan niya ito.

The Pacquiaos were reportedly able to buy the property from a banker, who got P388 million for it.

Guess kung sino ang equally famous celebrity neighbors ng mga Pacquiao, Ian F.

Richard Gomez and family at Senator Loren Legarda and family.

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ANG saya-saya ng joint birthday party nina Dondon Sermino at Jun Nardo, Abante entertainment editor at columnist, which Mother Lily Monteverde tendered for them at the Penthouse of the Imperial Palace Suites.

Ang dami-raming bisita. Lalong higit na marami ang food.

Sayang, we had to leave early. Early bird kami sa party and we seated ourself with Mother Lily, entertainment columnist Mario Bautista at sina Cris Belen at Nestor Cuartero, both of the Manila Bulletin.

Later, we were joined by Peachy Guioguio, TV5 PR department head. One of her assistants, Judy, was with her.

TV5 exec Perci Intalan arrived with Direk Jun Lana, na naging center of attention dahil ipinagmamalaki ni Mother Lily na ibalita sa members ng showbiz press  that Regal Entertainment’s My Neighbor’s Wife, na idinirek ni Jun, is still showing in 85 theaters nationwide.

The movie, starring Dennis Trillo, Carla Abellana, Jake Cuenca and Lovi Poe, is on its third week.

Direk Jun’s next directorial assignment is Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, one of the entries ng Regal ni Mother Lily sa upcoming Metro Manila filmfest.

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Personal: Happy birthday to entertainment editor Salve Asis, our good friend and yours, Ian F., who is turning a year older today (Happy birthday, Salve! — IFF).