“Anim na beses ko nang napanood yung pelikula,” she proudly tells us at the Christmas Party of Malou Choa Fagar for the talents she’s managing, which include Joey Marquez, Rita Avila, Boy2 Quizon, Maila Gumila, Roderick Paulate, Ralph and Renz Fernandez. “Hindi ako nagsasawa. Kahit ilang beses ko nang napanood, tawa pa rin ako ng tawa. Balak ko pang magpa-block screening. Comeback movie yan ni Richard and I’m glad na topgrosser sa takilya."
She says Mother Lily Monteverde called her up to congratulate her. "Tinawagan ako ni Mother Lily, panoorin ko naman din daw yung pelikula niyang ‘One Great Love’. Sabi ko, Mother, wala akong ibang movie na pinapanood, ‘Fantastica’ lang. Ikaw na lang ang ililibre ko, watch tayo ng ‘Fantastica’. Malungkot siya kasi mahina yung movie nila."
She's glad that her apo, Zion, also gets positive comments for "Fantastica". "Kasama rin sa movie ang anak ni Richard, si Zion, na may guest appearance sa ending at sabi niya sa’kin, this year, gusto na niya talagang mag-artista. Pati ang mother ni Zion, si Sarah Lahbati, kasama rin sa movie, kaya ang sabi sa’kin ni Vice Ganda, dapat daw, sa entry niya next filmfest, kasali na rin ako.”Annabelle is so thankful that Sarah’s mom, Ester Lahbati, has recovered after she nearly drowned in Siargao recently. “Nasa mababaw na part lang daw siya ng beach pero tinangay siya ng sobrang lakas na undercurrent kaya nawalan siya ng malay, lumubog at nakainom ng maraming tubig. Tapos nagsuka siya ng dugo. Buti na lang at nandun ang mister niyang si Abdel at nahabol pa siya’t naiahon from the water. Nang dalawin ko siya sa ospital, iyak ako nang iyak. Awang-awa ako kay Sarah kasi only child siya and very close sa mother niya. Ngayon, ayaw na raw ni Ester na mag-swimming, kahit sa swimming pool. Naka-recover na siya at nasa Japan naman sila ngayon ng husband niya.”
Annabelle says Richard will soon start taping for his new soap for ABS-CBN, “Project Iron Heart”. “Pero tentative pa lang yung title. Si Bea Alonzo ang makakapareha niya. So habang si Chard, nasa ABS, si Eduardo naman (Eddie Gutierrez), nasa Kapuso taping for ‘Cain at Abel’ almost every other day. Tuwang-tuwa siya pag may taping siya kasi yung tuhod niyang inoperahan at nilagyan ng titanium, nae-exercise niya kaysa kung nasa bahay lang siya. Mas mabilis na rin siyang lumakad ngayon.”Annabelle is also a concert-producer for her Royale Artist Management Company and she has a pre-Valentine show called “Valentine Extravaganza” on February 12, Tuesday, at the Grand Marriott Ballroom in Resort World.
“Big concert ito at maraming singers na kakanta, both veteran and younger performers,” she adds. “This is led by Pilita Corrales, Eddie Mesa and Mitch Valdez, with Sunshine Cruz, Sarah Lahbati, plus Mitoy Yonting and Sal Panelo. Siempre kasama, rin si Eddie Gutierrez who’ll do his Elvis Presley numbers. Si Gerry Matias ang musical director, to be hosted by our own kids, sina Ruffa and Raymond Gutierrrez. This is for the benefit of the children who are victims of the Marawi war. You can get your tickets now at Ilyn, 0918-807-3340.”
