Lance Raymundo loses money in spa

By Isah V. Red

What do you say? The little brother of singer Rannie Raymundo is going places. We?ve seen him in an episode of a horror series for a Singaporean television channel, now he is starring in Forgotten War, a film about Filipino soldiers who fought alongside American soldiers in the now infamous Korean War that divided the peninsula into North Korea (Communist) and South Korea (Democratic under the sponsorship of the United States) in the mid-?50s.

Raymundo plays Boni Serrano (yes, a street in Quezon City has been named after him) in the Korean production that also stars Baron Geisler, Yul Servo, and several other Filipinos.

Lance was very excited to tell us about it, but seemed unable to assure us that the movie would be shown in the Philippines at all.

?If a local distributor buys the right to its theatrical exhibition, then we?d probably see it,? he said.

Meanwhile, he is back on the set of the afternoon series Pieta on ABS-CBN. Lance Raymundo, as we all know, plays Turko?a gang leader who gave Rigor (Ryan Agoncillo) his first taste of violence. Turko, the character he plays, has been eased out of the series many months ago, but the production team brought him back as a more evil guy. Being the sidekick of Jake (Jeffrey Santos), he does a lot of terrible things to people.

He may be playing the aggressor on TV, but in real life, Lance is a kind soul. In fact, he recently fell victim to a thief.

According to Lance, he went to an exclusive, expensive spa at Bonifacio Global City to relax. He?s been working hard lately and a little massage would be good. In the change and locker room, he put his personal things like wallet, car keys, clothes and mobile phone inside the assigned locker to him.

?There were about two or three of us there and one guy in his 50s asked me if I wanted to take a shower. He said, ?just go ahead? but I was hesitant to go straight to the shower.?

Lance said he waited for the middle-aged man to go first before taking his shower. He showered fast and for some strange reason, went back to his locker again. The guy was there again, but Lance thought maybe it was just nothing. And so he got his phone, locked his locker and went to get his massage. When he was about to pay, he got his wallet and learned that his money was gone.

?Well, not all. I lost more than P15,000, but whoever took my money had the decency to leave P300,? he said.

The actor immediately informed the management about what happened and he was told that they would take care of it, adding they will coordinate with the police. They also promised to call up Lance but they never did.

?It may be a small amount but theft is serious. I told the management that they have to tighten their security to protect their clients. I mean I don?t mind paying a high price for spa as long as I am safe and well taken care of.?

The rampant theft in the Bonifacio area is alarming. What?s even more disturbing is that you wouldn?t know that the next time you sit in a posh restaurant?you might be sitting opposite to a charming but professional con artist, just waiting to rip you off.

Alex Santos?s new challenge

Charming Umagang Kay Ganda host Alex Santos is now in XXX, joining Pinky Webb and Julius Babao in the weekly show featuring investigative stories of crime and punishment, solved or unsolved.

He moved in to complete the triumvirate of investigative team that aims to shed light on illegal activities taking place in the dark, hidden alleys and in high places of society.

?People must learn to take heed of the problems surrounding them. The moment these complaints reach us we will definitely investigate the matter and take the necessary action,? said Alex who is dubbed as the ?Bantay ng Bayan.?

Alex takes over the slot of XXX anchor Henry Omaga-Diaz who will now produce in-depth news stories for late-night newscast Bandila. Apart from XXX and Umagang Kay Ganda, Alex is also in the weekend primetime newscast TV Patrol Weekend. He has been with the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs for 15 years.

?As the ?bantay ng bayan,? I will get to the bottom of things and recommend solutions to address the problem,? he added.

Kuya Kim Atienza now has books

Kim Atienza?s exciting adventures will be the hightlight of a month-long first anniversary celebration of Matanglawin for the whole month of March.

Take a look back on some of the most memorable and most intense episodes of Matanglawin and find out how its dynamic production team came up with this multi-awarded educational program.

Discover a land on the southern part of the Philippines that has amazing pink sand on March 8 and explore an island even farther than Batanes?the Y?Ami island?on March 15. From being a Trivia King, Kuya Kim tries his luck on being an action star on March 22 as he learns how various breath-taking stunts such as exploding cars are being done in the movies. Watch Kuya Kim as he pushes himself to the limits as he gets lost in an abandoned island all by himself on March 29.

In less than a year, Matanglawin has already bagged eight prestigious recognitions from various award-giving bodies such as the Golden Dove Awards, PMPC Star Awards, Anak TV Seal, Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union, among others.

The show has also launched a book version. The Matanglawin books are filled with information from Kuya Kim?s first 10 adventures on television. The first 10 volumes of Matanglawin will be available in all National Bookstore and Powerbooks nationwide. The show is highly commended by the Department of Education, which is encouraging elementary and high school students to watch the info-adventure program.

Matanglawin has created a strong following among parents and young children who regularly follow Kuya Kim?s weekly adventures. The show is currently conducting the Matanglawin School Tours where they give away application forms to students who want to join the recently launched Matanglawin Club.

Don?t miss all these exciting first anniversary offerings from Kuya Kim in Matanglawin, all Sundays of March, 11 a.m. on ABS-CBN.

Mitch U! tonight

She will make you laugh, and she will sing her heart out. Tonight, March 6, at 9 p.m., the Divine Mitch Valdes returns at the Captain?s Bar of Mandarin Oriental in show aptly titled Mitch U!

The show will feature new funny sketches and musical numbers that only Mitch Valdes can pull off with so much ease. Her comeback at the Captain?s Bar is much awaited after a year of absence and again she will definitely keep her audience in stitches. Musical director for the show is Soc Mina.

Mitch U! is produced by No2Limits Events and Production in cooperation with Music Museum. Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets and at the Music Museum Ticketron. For details and other inquiries, call 721-6726 or 721-0635.