But before the contest, we got to interview Ate Vi at the new NDN Hotel in Sto. Tomas, the venue of this year’s festival, along with some of her celebrity guests: Billy Crawford, Vhong Navarro, Christian Bautista, Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado. Billy says he’s just pinchhitting for Ate Vi’s son, Luis Manzano, who’s taping a show. “It’s my first time to join Ala Eh Festival at ang saya pala,” he adds.
“Si Gov. Vi, ever since, hindi nagbabago, kaya isang tawag lang niya sa akin, darating ako,” says Vhong, who came with his manager, Direk Chito Rono.
Christian has nothing but good words for Ate Vi. “People speak highly of her leadership and she’s a good example to all showbiz people who join politics,” he says. “She should be emulated.”
We’re really proud of our dear Ate Vi. She first served Lipa City as mayor for nine years. And now, her last term as Batangas governor is ending. She was offered to run for vice president of the country but she begged off. How come?
“Maraming salamat sa mga nagtitiwala sa akin, kaya lang, si Sen. Ralph, nasa national government na at kung tatakbo kong VP, buong bansa na rin yun,” she says. “E, hindi ko makakaya kasi first priority ko pa rin ang family ko. I still manage our house, hindi puedeng wala nang tatao sa bahay namin. Kaya tama na sa national si Ralph. Ako, I choose to run as representative of the lone district of Lipa. At least, nasa Batangas pa rin ako, which I love so much, at may time pa rin ako para sa family ko.”
The movie she’s shooting now with Angel Locsin is said to be Star Cinema’s first salvo for 2016. Has she completed filming it? “No, six shooting days pa kami. Natigil kasi naging busy ako rito sa Ala Eh Festival at tapos, heto pa ang holiday season. Naospital si Angel pero nakabalik na siya from her operation sa Singapore. Noon, kapag nagsu-shooting kami, kung lumakad siya, paika-ika, kasi masakit ang likod niya. Kawawa nga. So malabo sigurong matapos kami before January.”
The Vilmanians headed by their president for life, Jojo Lim, came in full force to support Ate Vi’s Ala Eh Festival which she hopes will be continued yearly by her successor, most probably her current vice governor, Mark Leviste. The contestants in the VSR singing contest are:
Junior Division (for teeners): Lucas Nikko Garcia, Pauline Agapitan, Keon Patrick Driz, Marion Joyce Elefante, Hera Helen Macalalad, Monica Andrea Rosales and Victor Jake Villanueva. Senior Division: Audrey Malaiba, Joel Alcaraz, Roel Riel, Melvin Rimas, Venus Pelobello, Jenimay Mabini and Ma. Michelle Adajar.
The Ala Eh Festival ended yesterday with a mass for the Immaculada Concepcion and with a grand mardi gras parade participated in by costumed dancers from various barangays.To Ate Vi, congratulations for a successful Ala Eh Festival on your last year as Governor. And after this, Ate Vi goes to congress!
