At the victory party of Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson for Saranggani Congressman Manny Pacquiao, some celebrities inadvertently became scene stealers.
There's neither an issue nor controversy about them, but they brought one thing that evening of May 22, 2011, that piqued the curiosity of the invited reporters and photographers: A Date.
More than a year since her breakup with Jomari Yllana, has Pops Fernandez found a new beau?
A latecomer at the party, the Concert Queen was spotted beside a non-showbiz guy. There's nothing striking about it at first because she also chatted with a few friends.
It was when she left at around 12:30 a.m. that the questions began to surface. Why were they holding hands when they left the clubhouse of the Corinthian Gardens? At one point, the guy wrapped his arm around Pipay's (Pops' nickname) shoulders. Are they an item or not?
UPDATE. A day after the photos were published, the guy was identified as Wency Lagumbay, a councilor in the third district of Quezon City.
He is also good friends with ex-couple Bulacan mayor Patrick Meneses and Aiko Melendez.
A source told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that they're not an item.
Likewise, Ogie Diaz wrote in his tabloid column:
"Kahit hindi namin itanong kay Wency at kay Pops ay alam namin ang totoo. Hindi sila mag-on. Wala silang relasyon. Magkaibigan lang sila nang bonggang-bongga.
"Nagkataon lang na nakunan silang magka-holding hands. Siyempre, iisipin mo nga naman, since wala na sila ni Jom, eh, baka nga dyowa na ‘yon ni Pops, ‘di ba?"
THE NEW COUPLE ON THE BLOCK. At first glance, it would seem like Jinkee Pacquiao was having an extramarital affair. But Mrs. Pacman has twin named Janet Jamora.
She used to be known as Jinkee's sister or Manny's sister-in-law, but of late, the tittle-tattle is: she's the present squeeze of Duncan Ramos.
Initially, there was some noticeable distance between the two. But as the night deepened, Janet and Duncan became extra sweet.
A tabloid initially speculated on their romance. Are the pictures gathered by PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) a confirmation?