GMA lines up TV projects for ‘Filipino Flash’

Two interesting pieces of information were added to my already overflowing storehouse of knowledge yesterday during the victory luncheon hosted by GMA-7 for Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who successfully defended his WBA super flyweight title via an 8th-round TKO of Mexican Hernan Marquez in Puerto Rico recently.

Before yesterday, I didn’t know that Nonito and fellow-Filipino Brian Viloria had slugged it out years ago in the 2000 Olympic trials for a slot in the US Olympic boxing team. Brian won, ousting Nonito and he proceeded to fight in the Sydney Olympics.

Before yesterday, I also didn’t know that Nonito’s bombshell wife Rachel had been voted to FHM Magazine’s 100 Sexiest. No. 85, according to our informant at the press luncheon, who made the announcement.

Rachel wore a white tube blouse which revealed a deep cleavage and a bloomer-type pair of shorts which looked like a tiny skirt.

I asked GMA PR Barbette Atienza about the shorts but said she was so busy she didn’t notice. However, she added that “if she was wearing shorts that look like a skirt, it’s called ‘skort.’”

At any rate, Rachel looked really sexy yesterday, validating the choice of the FHM judges.

Nonito said he is very proud of Rachel, whom he calls “The Goddess of my life,” and was in fact the first to encourage her to flaunt what she’s got.

He was so proud that he posted Rachel’s winning FHM photo all over their house in Los Angeles.

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Since Nonito’s next fight won’t be until November of this year, he and Rachel are staying in the country for six weeks, mostly to do a long list of shows for the Kapuso channel.

“We have a long list of projects lined up for him,” said Ida Henares, GMA VP for talent management and development.

Even Rachel won’t be idle. She will be starring with her hubby in some of the shows, but she will also have her own.

“I hope it’s not drama. I’d rather do action since I’m a taekwondo blackbelter,” said Rachel who is here with her parents.

While Nonito’s opponent in November remains unnamed, he is hoping it would be Mexican Fernando Montiel for the world bantamweight title.

The Donaires have set a church wedding date which Rachel said will be held in Manila. The date chosen is Nov. 11, 2011 or 11-11-11, which is probably an auspicious feng shui date.

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Where Krista Ranillo is concerned, Jinkee Pacquiao should now have some peace of mind.

If reports coming my way are accurate, Krista and beau Jeff “Niño” Lim of California have set their wedding date in the United States for Aug. 8 of this year, which is just around the corner.

According to a colleague, the California wedding will be a small affair, with only close relatives and friends invited. There will be a second wedding here in Manila, which will be much bigger and more pompous.

My colleague, who often covers Pacquiao fights, said Lim is fixture at the Pacquiao camp in the US.

“Either he’s a good friend or an avid fan of Manny. We always see him in the fights, or just hanging around where the champ is.”

The scribe said Lim is a carbon copy of a fellow-scribe who also covers boxing.

“Natatawa kami everytime we see him because he looks so much like this broadsheet writer.

Krista’s beau was once engaged to former PBA courtside reporter Janelle So.

He and Janelle had already made wedding plans, but as fate would have it, he will now be married to another woman.

Niño owns a chain of grocery stores in California.