FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
EJAY FALCON is king of ABS-CBN's 6 PM slot. His first show in it was "Katorse", then "Tanging Yaman", both with Erich Gonzales. Now, he's also in "Momay" but Erich is out and he's retained with a new leading lady, Queenie Padilla. How does it feel to be the first screen partner of Robin Padilla's eldest daughter? "Siempre, masaya po ako pero kabado rin ng konti," he smiles. "Idol na idol ko talaga ang father niya maliit pa ko. Noong mag-guest ako sa 'Wowowee' na siya ang host, tinanong ko siya kung paano ba mapigilang ma-in love sa ka-love team mo. Alam niya ako ang makakapareha ni Queenie at natawa siya. Sabi niya, basta, alagaan mo ng husto ang ka-love team mo. Pag magkasama kayo, kailangan, siya lang yung nakikita mo. Sinusunod ko naman siya."
How does he find Queenie? "Akala ko nung una, suplada. Kasi hindi siya nagsasalita. Tahimik lang sa isang sulok. So ako ng kumausap sa kanya. Mahiyain lang pala siya at saka, lumaki siya sa Australia, di pa siya ganun kasanay mag-Tagalog. Pero ngayon, comfortable na kami sa isa't isa."
Will he fall for her or will he get scared of her dad? "Kasisimula pa lang namin mag-taping. Di pa natin masabi. Pero maganda siya talaga kaya madaling ma-attract sa kanya. Bahala na."
He's very lucky to have one project after another. "Opo nga, kasi di pa ito tapos, bida rin ako sa 'Agimat Presents Pepeng Kuryente'. Ang tagal ko namang naghintay bago ko nabigyan ng break."
After winning PBB Teens in 2008, he waited for almost a year before he was given his first show. "Noong una, okay lang, pero after five months na wala pa rin, nainip na ko. Pero ngayon, iniisip ko, buti ring naghintay kasi kung isinalang ako agad noon, hindi pa ko ready. Pinag-workshop muna nila ko, nagkaroon ako ng self confidence, at ngayon, heto sunod-sunod na ang trabaho ko. Dahil dito, napa-renovate ko na yung bahay namin sa Pola in Mindoro. Ako rin ang nagpapaaral sa mga kapatid ko. Nakabili ko ng kotse and I'm now renting a condo sa Mindanao Ave. Kasama ko run yung sister kong sumunod sa akin na pinag-aaral ko sa college dito."
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ANGELIKA DE LA Cruz plays her first mother role as Barbie Forteza's mom in "Pilyang Kerubin" that starts airing tomorrow after "24 Oras". She's now 27 and Barbie is 12, so that means she gave birth when she was 15. But in real life, her son with husband Orion Casareo, Gabby, is only 1 year old. "Okay lang for me to play mother roles kasi mommy na naman talaga ako," she says. "Actually, maganda ang role ko kasi mabait ako this time after playing contravida roles. Also, sa story, pinag-aagawan nina Raymart Santiago at Paolo Contis and beauty ko."
So how is it to be a mom? "Masarap. Kung nalaman ko lang ganito kasarap magka-baby, sana noon pa ako nag-anak. Wala akong yaya kaya hands on mom ako at tulong kami ng husband in taking care of Gabby. Buti nga right after I gave birth, hindi muna ko nagtrabaho kasi at least, na-enjoy ko nang husto yung first year niya. Now, my husband takes over when I have a taping. Hindi na mahirap alagaan kasi he sleeps straight na sa gabi. Actually, puede na ko di mag-work kasi Orion can provide for both of us kaya lang, ayoko namang maging totally dependent sa kanya. I want to have my own income at ayoko ring iwanan ang showbiz."
And how's married life so far? "Okay kami kasi si Orion, magaling na husband and daddy. I feel so blessed. I'm confident kaya kong balansehin ang family life ko with my showbiz work."
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JOSHUA DIONISIO and Barbie Forteza are happy to be working with Direk Andoy Ranay again in "Pilyang Kerubin". Do they miss Jake Vargas? "Siempre kasi kasama namin siya sa 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'First Time'," says Joshua.
Jake was reportedly embarrassed on the set by Direk Andoy who screamed at him. Have they experienced this too? "Hindi po, mabait si Direk, e," says Barbie.
"Wala kaming naranasang ganoon sa kanya," adds Joshua. "At hindi rin namin nakita ang sinasabing nangyaring yun kasi wala kami sa set that time."
"When we heard about it, hindi kami makapaniwala kasi di ganun si direk," says Barbie.
But have they asked Jake about it? "Hindi po, wala kaming napag-usapan tungkol dun," says Joshua.
But as far as GMA management is concerned, here's their official statement sent by Angel Javier:
"All's well that ends well. Nag-usap na kahapon sina Kuya Germs, Jake Vargas, ang ama niyang si Mr. Miguel Vargas at Direk Andoy Ranay. Maayos na ang lahat sa kanila. Nag explain at nag apologize ang director sa batang actor, sa ama nito at kay Kuya Germs at maluwag naman nila itong tinanggap.
Nais ng parehong panig na tapusin na ang isyung namamagitan sa kanila lalo na at iisa lamang ang kanilang tahanang pinagtatrabahuhan, kaya't agad itong pinag-usapan at naresolba naman ng matiwasay kahapon. Kung may pagkakataon, nais din daw nilang magkasamang muli at makapagtrabaho sa future projects ng Kapuso Network. Wala ring katotohanan ang mga balita na tinanggal si Jake sa programang "Pilyang Kerubin", kunsaan si Direk Andoy ang director, dahil sa nangyari. Sa simula pa lang ay talagang hindi na siya kasama dito dahil may ibang project na nakalinya ang GMA para sa batang actor."
**********
CHARLIE GREEN was only 10 years old when he gained fame singing Frank Sinatra's "Summer Wind" in "Britain's Got Talent", capturing the admiration even of Simon Cowell. He turned 13 on Feb. 16 and has all the makings of a teen heartthrob ala-Justin Bieber. Viva Records gives him the chance to do his own album, "A Friend Like You", containing songs popularized by the likes of Nat King Cole, Neil Sedaka, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Presley and even our own APO Hiking Society and the Hot Dog. He also gets the chance to be part of a concert with icons of Original Pilipino Music like Basil Valdez, Verni Varga, Joey Albert, Gino Padilla, and The Company in "OPM Through the Years". Produced by Viva Concerts and presented by Mang Inasal, it'll be held on Saturday, July 17, at the SMX Mall of Asia.
"I've heard a lot of their classic songs and I'm thrilled and proud to be performing with them," he says.
Basil is glad to be part of the show. "I've sung with some of them but this is the first time we're all assembled together," he says. Basil's career started with his breakthrough recording of George Canseco's "Ngayon at Kailanman" in 1978. Other hits he'd do in the show are "You", "Let the Pain Remain", "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan", "Lift Up Your Hands" and more. Vernie will sing her original hits "Kahit Na" and "You'll Always Be My Number One". Joey is best known for "Iisa Pa Lamang", "Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin", "Tell Me". Gino will sing "Let the Love Begin" and "Gusto Kita". The Company will do "Everlasting Love", ""Now That I Have You", "Muntik na Kitang Minahal". A celebration of Filipino music, "OPM Through the Years" promises to be a great show with delightful OPM tunes. Tickets are now available at P2750 for gold, P2000 for silver, P1000 for bronze.
EJAY FALCON is king of ABS-CBN's 6 PM slot. His first show in it was "Katorse", then "Tanging Yaman", both with Erich Gonzales. Now, he's also in "Momay" but Erich is out and he's retained with a new leading lady, Queenie Padilla. How does it feel to be the first screen partner of Robin Padilla's eldest daughter? "Siempre, masaya po ako pero kabado rin ng konti," he smiles. "Idol na idol ko talaga ang father niya maliit pa ko. Noong mag-guest ako sa 'Wowowee' na siya ang host, tinanong ko siya kung paano ba mapigilang ma-in love sa ka-love team mo. Alam niya ako ang makakapareha ni Queenie at natawa siya. Sabi niya, basta, alagaan mo ng husto ang ka-love team mo. Pag magkasama kayo, kailangan, siya lang yung nakikita mo. Sinusunod ko naman siya."
How does he find Queenie? "Akala ko nung una, suplada. Kasi hindi siya nagsasalita. Tahimik lang sa isang sulok. So ako ng kumausap sa kanya. Mahiyain lang pala siya at saka, lumaki siya sa Australia, di pa siya ganun kasanay mag-Tagalog. Pero ngayon, comfortable na kami sa isa't isa."
Will he fall for her or will he get scared of her dad? "Kasisimula pa lang namin mag-taping. Di pa natin masabi. Pero maganda siya talaga kaya madaling ma-attract sa kanya. Bahala na."
He's very lucky to have one project after another. "Opo nga, kasi di pa ito tapos, bida rin ako sa 'Agimat Presents Pepeng Kuryente'. Ang tagal ko namang naghintay bago ko nabigyan ng break."
After winning PBB Teens in 2008, he waited for almost a year before he was given his first show. "Noong una, okay lang, pero after five months na wala pa rin, nainip na ko. Pero ngayon, iniisip ko, buti ring naghintay kasi kung isinalang ako agad noon, hindi pa ko ready. Pinag-workshop muna nila ko, nagkaroon ako ng self confidence, at ngayon, heto sunod-sunod na ang trabaho ko. Dahil dito, napa-renovate ko na yung bahay namin sa Pola in Mindoro. Ako rin ang nagpapaaral sa mga kapatid ko. Nakabili ko ng kotse and I'm now renting a condo sa Mindanao Ave. Kasama ko run yung sister kong sumunod sa akin na pinag-aaral ko sa college dito."
**********
ANGELIKA DE LA Cruz plays her first mother role as Barbie Forteza's mom in "Pilyang Kerubin" that starts airing tomorrow after "24 Oras". She's now 27 and Barbie is 12, so that means she gave birth when she was 15. But in real life, her son with husband Orion Casareo, Gabby, is only 1 year old. "Okay lang for me to play mother roles kasi mommy na naman talaga ako," she says. "Actually, maganda ang role ko kasi mabait ako this time after playing contravida roles. Also, sa story, pinag-aagawan nina Raymart Santiago at Paolo Contis and beauty ko."
So how is it to be a mom? "Masarap. Kung nalaman ko lang ganito kasarap magka-baby, sana noon pa ako nag-anak. Wala akong yaya kaya hands on mom ako at tulong kami ng husband in taking care of Gabby. Buti nga right after I gave birth, hindi muna ko nagtrabaho kasi at least, na-enjoy ko nang husto yung first year niya. Now, my husband takes over when I have a taping. Hindi na mahirap alagaan kasi he sleeps straight na sa gabi. Actually, puede na ko di mag-work kasi Orion can provide for both of us kaya lang, ayoko namang maging totally dependent sa kanya. I want to have my own income at ayoko ring iwanan ang showbiz."
And how's married life so far? "Okay kami kasi si Orion, magaling na husband and daddy. I feel so blessed. I'm confident kaya kong balansehin ang family life ko with my showbiz work."
**********
JOSHUA DIONISIO and Barbie Forteza are happy to be working with Direk Andoy Ranay again in "Pilyang Kerubin". Do they miss Jake Vargas? "Siempre kasi kasama namin siya sa 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'First Time'," says Joshua.
Jake was reportedly embarrassed on the set by Direk Andoy who screamed at him. Have they experienced this too? "Hindi po, mabait si Direk, e," says Barbie.
"Wala kaming naranasang ganoon sa kanya," adds Joshua. "At hindi rin namin nakita ang sinasabing nangyaring yun kasi wala kami sa set that time."
"When we heard about it, hindi kami makapaniwala kasi di ganun si direk," says Barbie.
But have they asked Jake about it? "Hindi po, wala kaming napag-usapan tungkol dun," says Joshua.
But as far as GMA management is concerned, here's their official statement sent by Angel Javier:
"All's well that ends well. Nag-usap na kahapon sina Kuya Germs, Jake Vargas, ang ama niyang si Mr. Miguel Vargas at Direk Andoy Ranay. Maayos na ang lahat sa kanila. Nag explain at nag apologize ang director sa batang actor, sa ama nito at kay Kuya Germs at maluwag naman nila itong tinanggap.
Nais ng parehong panig na tapusin na ang isyung namamagitan sa kanila lalo na at iisa lamang ang kanilang tahanang pinagtatrabahuhan, kaya't agad itong pinag-usapan at naresolba naman ng matiwasay kahapon. Kung may pagkakataon, nais din daw nilang magkasamang muli at makapagtrabaho sa future projects ng Kapuso Network. Wala ring katotohanan ang mga balita na tinanggal si Jake sa programang "Pilyang Kerubin", kunsaan si Direk Andoy ang director, dahil sa nangyari. Sa simula pa lang ay talagang hindi na siya kasama dito dahil may ibang project na nakalinya ang GMA para sa batang actor."
**********
CHARLIE GREEN was only 10 years old when he gained fame singing Frank Sinatra's "Summer Wind" in "Britain's Got Talent", capturing the admiration even of Simon Cowell. He turned 13 on Feb. 16 and has all the makings of a teen heartthrob ala-Justin Bieber. Viva Records gives him the chance to do his own album, "A Friend Like You", containing songs popularized by the likes of Nat King Cole, Neil Sedaka, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Presley and even our own APO Hiking Society and the Hot Dog. He also gets the chance to be part of a concert with icons of Original Pilipino Music like Basil Valdez, Verni Varga, Joey Albert, Gino Padilla, and The Company in "OPM Through the Years". Produced by Viva Concerts and presented by Mang Inasal, it'll be held on Saturday, July 17, at the SMX Mall of Asia.
"I've heard a lot of their classic songs and I'm thrilled and proud to be performing with them," he says.
Basil is glad to be part of the show. "I've sung with some of them but this is the first time we're all assembled together," he says. Basil's career started with his breakthrough recording of George Canseco's "Ngayon at Kailanman" in 1978. Other hits he'd do in the show are "You", "Let the Pain Remain", "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan", "Lift Up Your Hands" and more. Vernie will sing her original hits "Kahit Na" and "You'll Always Be My Number One". Joey is best known for "Iisa Pa Lamang", "Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin", "Tell Me". Gino will sing "Let the Love Begin" and "Gusto Kita". The Company will do "Everlasting Love", ""Now That I Have You", "Muntik na Kitang Minahal". A celebration of Filipino music, "OPM Through the Years" promises to be a great show with delightful OPM tunes. Tickets are now available at P2750 for gold, P2000 for silver, P1000 for bronze.
