Just a thought: A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love. – Stendhal

MANILA, Philippines — Lovi Incommunicado: We spoke on a Friday, the eve of her boyfriend, former Ilocos Sur Congressman Ronald Singson’s arrival after 18 months of detention in a Hong Kong jail.

Lovi Poe said she was aware of the date after having corrected us. We had mistaken he was scheduled to arrive that same afternoon that we were sipping coffee in a Cebu restaurant, awaiting her cue to perform at a GMA Network Sinulog-inspired free show at the Ayala Terraces mall in the city.

While admitting that she was aware of the latest news concerning his newly regained freedom mainly through what she gets in the news, the singer-actress said she had no plans of meeting him at the airport. She added that they have not communicated in a long time but maintained an open stance. Yes, she said, she will remain as his friend but refused to elaborate.

Singson was jailed for drug possession in Hong Kong in 2010. His family has said he will focus on family businesses and quit politics altogether upon his return.

GMA Tribute To Sinulog: Lovi led a line-up of GMA artists who entertained a big, big crowd at the Ayala mall in celebration of the Sinulog Festival, Cebu’s most enduring and endearing fiesta that pays tribute to the Santo Niño. The show was preceded by torrents of rain, which according to locals like balikbayan from Manila Nathalie Tomada usually mark every celebration of the Sinulog.

The correct term is actually sinug, according to the chair of The Freeman Jose “Dodong” Gullas in an article entitled “Not Sinulog But Sinug for True-Blue Cebuanos.” Gulas said that natives of the island had been dancing the sinug since 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan came to Cebu. The sinug steps, he said, consisted of one step forward, two steps backward while holding candles that are not lighted. Much has changed since the commercialization of the sinug, which later became more popularly known as the sinulog.

Other artists who performed with Lovi were Mark Herras, male lead of “Hiram Na Puso” which kicks off on March 5 yet. Lovi herself is one of three female leads in GMA’s big-budgeted high-fashion teleserye, “Legacy.” She joins Heart Evangelista and Alessandra de Rossi in forming a dramatic triumvirate of competitive women.

Also spotted at the free show were Jay-R, Rachelle Ann Go, Krista Kleiner, Isabel Daza, Isabel Oli, Diva Montelaba and Steven Silva. All seven are regular performers on “Party Pilipinas.”

(nescuar@yahoo.com)