The civil rites took place at a friend’s condo “somewhere in Ayala Avenue” with TV hosts Boy Abunda and Cristy Fermin, and stage actress Pinky Amador as witnesses.

Snookys’ mother, the ex-actress Mila Ocampo, who’s been with her through thick and thin, was not present at the wedding. Neither was any member of the groom’s family.

On the bride’s side, only her elder daughter Samantha was around. The girl scowled throughout the ceremony, said a kibitzer. Even Snooky’s manager, the fearsome Annabelle Rama, would have nothing to do with her client’s fooly (most of Snooky’s friends seem disapproving of the union). She was conveniently in Cebu on some business kuno.

Snooky left her husband, character actor Ricardo Cepeda, last year. A few weeks ago, their marriage was voided by the courts after more than a decade of togetherness during which she bore two daughters, Samantha and Sachi, who are now in their subteens.

Lost in translation: Giselle’s story of Rodman’s indecent proposal

We hope something was just lost in translation in the newspaper accounts of how comic Giselle Sanchez turned down Dennis Rodman, who she claims propositioned her during a night out with mutual friends during the hoop star’s recent Manila visit.

In a account written by Giselle herself in a broadsheet, she wrote that she told the bad boy of basketball: “No I can’t. My kingdom is too small for a Trojan horse” (referring to Dennis’ purported monstrous endowment) to which Dennis countered with amused laughter, claimed Giselle.

In a vernacular tabloid, however, a columnist quoted Giselle as having said that she turned down Dennis exactly with these words: “No, thank you. My vagina is too small for you. And besides I am a married woman.” How crass is that?

Why is Giselle so proud of being propositioned by Dennis? She gave interviews about the incident in practically all of Manila’s dailies. In each interview, she told of how “touched” she was that Dennis picked her from among several younger and prettier girls in his company.

Giselle also said that she was at first ignored and later rebuffed by Dennis when she asked for a photo op. If that was how she was treated why did she not assert her Pinay pride and leave Dennis’ company posthaste?

Also, if her married status was really important to her, what business had she going to dinner and drinking with Dennis and his posse of eager local beauties. Lastly, why did Giselle’s husband allow his wife to socialize with a visiting colorful sports figure known for his bad behavior?

Ai Ai boy toying with
23-year-old sports coach

Ai Ai de las Alas and her new beau Alfredo “Jun” Hinahon have a 19-year age gap, but that is not a hindrance to their relationship, says the comedienne.

The two planned a wedding on April 22 but called it off when a daily announced it preemptively. Another is in the works, this time so hushed hushed not even Ai Ai’s kids from a previous wedlock, know.

Private person

“We wanted a quiet wedding. Jun is a very private person — he freaks when he reads his name in the papers — he is not star struck and doesn’t want to be made a big deal of so I’ve taken pains to keep everything in secret, mahirap na, baka hindi na ako pakasalan ni Jun pagna bwisit ito with all the publicity,” says Ai Ai.

The funny girl confirms that her fiance’s mother is a close friend of hers, her barkada in fact whom she calls “mare.”

“It’s a little weird having a ka-barkada for a mother-in-law. I mean, what am I going to call her, kumareng nanay?” wonders Ai Ai.

But she’s not one to argue with destiny, says Ai Ai. Jun is 23 and makes a good living as a badminton coach, the reason perhaps he didn’t hesitate signing a pre-nup.

“That really touched me,” said Ai Ai, who owns sizable choice real estate and bank accounts. “That only means he truly loves me for who I am, not for what I have. He’s a good man and will make a fine husband,” rhapsodizes the 40- something comic.

Indie film a tribute to mom

“Nina” is an independent film by writer/director Luis del Rosario Jr. It is the official selection at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. Last week, the film had its New York premiere at the Village East Cinema on Second Avenue.

The film was made by Rosario films which Luis describes as “a small Filipino family-based film company that stands behind the meaning of true independent filmmaking.”

The outfit is named after the director’s mother, Rosario del Rosario, a film actress known as Rosario del Pilar in the early 50s and 60s. Among the films of Ms. Del Pilar were “Il Robo,” “Kidlat sa Baril” and “Blood of the Vampire.” She passed away in 1992 in New York where she had immigrated after retiring from acting.

When “Nina” screened last March in L.A. it won the Feature Film Genre Award. Fox News Channel said of the film: “This is how real art gets made...”

“Nina” features the original music of Stand, an Irish alternative rock band.

Gloria launching new CD
in Sacramento concert

Fans of Gloria Papin hereabouts will de dismayed to know that the talented singer has left our coast and is now based in Sacramento, California.

However, it should please them that the plucky Bicolana is doing well in her new surroundings. In fact, she has a concert on June 2 at the Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento. Glo is fully booked throughout the summer with shows in L.A., San Diego, Las Vegas, Houston, Chicago, New York, Florida and, later this year, in Manila.

At this Sacramento show, Glo will also launch her new CD entitled “Imagine This.” The album is produced by singer/songwriter and arranger Dave Terry. The two have worked together previously on a project in Hollywood with HB Barnum who, Gloria says, has conducted, arranged and produced for Aretha Franklin and other artists of Capitol, Motown, RCA, WB and Atlantic Records.

Another special treat at Glo’s show is the guesting of her sister Imelda Papin, the Philippines’ first and only “Judebox Queen” who has sold over 30 million records during her heyday as the country’s “Sentimental Singer.” Imelda was a two-term vice governor of her native Camarines Sur.

Ribbed that henceforth Imelda will now just be known as “the sister of Gloria Papin,” Glo quickly pointed out that the Papin siblings have always been supportive of each other’s career. The Papin Sisters is a separate act and still going strong. Imelda, Gloria and Aileen have toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, Asia and the Middle East.

Gloria will be backed up by the Dave Terry Orchestra. The show will partly benefit victims of the Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte landslide.

For tickets and other details of Glo’s concert, call (916) 832-6243 or check out the website: www.gloriapapin.com