Weddings, funerals and a queer: Showbiz buzz in ‘09

As we welcome the year 2010, let's flip through the showbiz events of 2009 and relive all the juiciest scandals, remember the most romantic weddings, and bid our last goodbyes to those who passed. The year was off to a queer start with one of the once-hottest matinee idols in showbiz industry coming out of the closet, and how. Rustom Padilla, action star Robin Padilla's older brother and actress Carmina Villaroel's ex-hubby, announced in January that "Rustom is dead." After three months of studying modeling in New York, Rustom flew back to the Philippines to announce that he was now a woman named Bebe Gandanghari. Asked if he would consider a sex change, Bebe could only say, "No comment." The death of Master Rapper Francis Magalona cast a pall over that one day in March when comedian and TV host Vic Sotto announced on the noontime show Eat Bulaga that their co-host and beloved friend had lost his battle with leukemia. Also known as Francis M, the singer/songwriter/actor had been hailed as the king of Philippine rap music and was one of the most influential voices of his generation. He was 44.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Celebrity couple Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos traded "I do's" in a private ceremony in San Juan, Batangas, last April after being engaged for almost one year. Wanting to keep the details of their wedding under wraps, the pair only invited a hundred of their closest friends and family members, and mailed the invitations just a few weeks before the big day. The couple started dating each other four years ago after meeting on the set of a TV fantasy series. One incident that practically sent cyberspace traffic to a grinding halt was the Hayden Kho-Katrina Halili sex video scandal that broke out this May. Katrina, a StarStruck alumna-turned-sexy-actress, admitted to having an affair with Hayden—celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dra. Vicki Belo's then-beau—at the time the videos were taken without her knowledge. Through Sen Ramon “Bong" Revilla’s privilege speech, the Senate conducted an investigation on the video scandal. Katrina filed charges against Hayden, with the result that the latter's medical license was revoked by the Profession Regulation Commission (PRC) late last month. Granted, Michael Jackson isn't a local celebrity, but news of his sudden death last June sent shockwaves throughout the world and remains to be one of this year's most-remembered entertainment stories. The 50 year-old King of Pop was scheduled to go on a worldwide comeback concert tour next year when he died from cardiac arrest after a reported accidental overdose from a deadly cocktail of painkillers and other prescription drugs. Carlo J. Caparas, comic strip writer-turned-director and producer, was proclaimed in July as one of several National Artists for this year under the new category "Visual Arts and Film." Controversy arose when the selection committee for the award disclosed that Caparas's nomination had been rejected twice, and that he was named National Artist only because President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo exercised her presidential prerogative. Protesters also claimed that Caparas's work as writer and director of both comic strips and films were second-rate and that he did not deserve to be bestowed upon such prestige. Another notable celebrity wedding this year was that of broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez and Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II. The lovebirds were engaged for five years before exchanging vows in October at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. The plan was to have a grand reception at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, but with typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng having just recently hit the country, the couple decided to do away with the extravagance and donate the funds to victims of the calamities instead. The Manny Pacquiao - Miguel Cotto fight last November was unarguably the most-awaited boxing event of the year. But while Pacman once again beat his opponent fair and square, did he, as gossip had it, stray from the rules of marriage and end up committing a foul against his wife Jinkee? Right after his victory over Cotto, word spread like wildfire that Manny was having an affair with actress Krista Ranillo, said to have been present during his fight in Las Vegas. But Manny was reported to have immediately made amends with his wife, and now it seems all is well. For now, that is. Also in November, veteran actor Johnny Delgado succumbed to cancer at 61. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2008 and went through eight rounds of chemotherapy. In the end, he was too weak to do another round and asked to be sent home from the hospital. Juan Marasigan Feleo in real life, Johnny passed away in the company of his loved ones in his Quezon City home. He was known not only for his comedic talent, but for being a gifted dramatic actor as well. Johnny was also a member of the "Bad Bananas," a group he formed with some of his closest friends in showbiz. – - GMANews.TV