Vi impressed by Maja

It will be recalled that Lani left with her family a few years back "to start all over again" in the US. She is quick to explain that their sad experience in a pyramid scam years ago had nothing to do with their decision to leave. They had already decided to leave, even if they were not swindled of the amount of P10 million, which, they now confess, did not belong to them alone. Some friends were also victims of the scam.

"Part na actually ng plano naming mag-asawa ang makipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa, once the children (two girls), were older. It was just coincidence that I had an offer to try my luck as a singer in Las Vegas," related Lani.

For more than two years now, Lani, with the internationally-renowned Society of Seven, has been vowing audiences in the Flamingo in Las Vegas.

Lani is in town for only one month. First in her agenda is to promote her eponymous album, which has been on top of the charts and has sold more than P10,000 copies.

She sings regularly in "ASAP ‘07," a Sunday musical show on ABS CBN. On weekdays, Lani has hands full with TV appearances on ABS CBN. She has also gone on mall tours, which is always followed by autograph-signing sessions.

Lani’s much-publicized homecoming will be capped by a concert, titled "Lani Misalucha, Missing You," on March 17 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Vilma Santos is obviously so impressed with Maja Salvador that in a conversation with some movie writers, she said that if "Burlesk Queen," one of her favorite and controversial movies, will be remade, she would suggest that the young actress play the title role. Last year Vilma and Maja appeared as mother and daughter in an episode of "Maalaala Mo Kaya."

The two have similar physical traits. They are both petite, but Maja is only a few inches taller than Vilma. Like Vilma, Maja’s face is heart-shaped. They both have expressive eyes. Besides being a good actress like Vilma, Maja is also as good a dancer as the Lipa mayor.

"I’ve also seen Maja dance," said Vilma. "Talaga namang she shines on the dance floor. Kaya nga I predict a bright future for her in showbiz."

Maja’s expertise as a dancer is again put to a test in "Love Spell’s" March attraction, titled "Shoes Ko Po, Shoes Ko Day." She is joined here by the other three members of the UD4 (Ultimate Dance 4), Shaina Magdayao, Rayver Cruz and John Prats. "Shoes Ko Po, Shoes Ko Day," directed by Erik Salud, will start airing on March 4 on ABS CBN, right after "Your Song."

The four young stars will dance to the tune of "Kembot," which is considered the newest dance craze.

Also in the cast are Cheena, Pokwang, Amy Perez, Jason Gainza, Isabel Blaesi and Tess Antonio.

Kris seems to have had a change of heart. Less than three weeks after her pronouncement that she will make a go of her marriage with James Yap, no matter what, the actress has announced that she has asked James to give her space.

In an interview with several movie writers for a new product she is endorsing with Ai Ai de las Alas, Kris said that she and her 12-year-old son Joshua would be moving back to her Mom Cory Aquino’s house on Times Street.

Before this controversial and much-talked about marital rift between Kris and James, the couple and Joshua were renting a unit at Oakwood in Makati. The trouble between the couple worsened after the girl named Hope Centeno came out on TV and confirmed her romantic ties with James.

In last Sunday’s episode of Korina Sanchez’ "Rated K," James vehemently denied Hope’s allegations.