FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
ALJUR ABRENICA is called the Denial Prince for saying he was never on with Rich Asuncion and Bianca King. "Talagang ganun," he says at the thanksgiving party of "The Last Prince" which is on its last two weeks. "You can't expect to please everyone. Mismong sina Rich at Bianca, sinasabing hindi kami nag-on and yet no one would believe us. Let's just people believe what they want to believe."
Aljur says he's looking forward to resting for a while before starting his new show with Rhian Ramos and Jackie Rice, tentatively titled "Romana Santa", which is about witchcraft. "Gusto kong makapag-work out muna ng husto to prepare for the Bench fashion show in July kasi tiyak na pagandahan ng katawan lahat ng rarampa sa roon."
He now plays the role of an 8-year old girl, Ayesha, in "Last Prince". How did he portray his first father role? "Sinunod lang namin ni Kris Bernal ang script kasi 20 lang kami, so ibig sabihin, 12 lang kami nang mapanganak siya. Pero maganda talaga ang tatakbuhin ng story na full of sacrifice for the one you love."
Ayesha is played by Margaret Lipnitz, born on Dec. 17, 2002. Her mom is Pinay from Calamba, Laguna (where they live) and dad is an American German based in New Jersey. She was discovered when she joined Little Miss Earth and became a runnerup. "I first appeared on GMA as the young Jackie Rice in 'Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin'," she says. "Kinukuha na po ako ng father ko sa U.S., kaya lang enjoy na kong mag-artista rito sa Pilipinas. Tuwang-tuwa akong mapasama sa 'Last Prince' kasi pinapanood ko talaga ito gabi-gabi."
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ERICH GONZALES has gone solo in "Katorse" and "Tanging Yaman". How come she now supports Gretchen Barretto and Bea Alonzo in "Magkaribal"? "It's no big deal," she says as Silka Papaya Soap launches her as their new endorser. "I mean, Gretchen and Bea yan, I know I can learn a lot working with them. Isa pa, this is a big project. First time may ganitong ambitious project about the fashion industry so there's no hesitation on my part when it was offered to me. I play Chloe, anak ng isang famous designer, Angel Aquino, but later, it will be revealed sister ko pala sina Gretchen and Bea."
She came to the launch in a plunging neckline that reveals her ample bosom. Is it the product of "retoke"? "No. When you first saw me winning sa SCQ, I was just 14. Wala pa yan. But I'm now turning 20 on September 20, so nag-mature ako, nag-mature din yan, but not because of retoke."
Is Erich replacing Yia Villania as Silka endorser? "No," says Silka ad exec Mags Melendrez. "Erich is mainly for our soap while Yia is for all our products. Sa ad nila, Erich says 'Tama si Yia' in endorsing Silka. We chose her as she has a good image and reputation. Silka is like Erich who started with humble beginnings but is now successful. Silka also started small but now has a very big market share."
"Natuwa ako when Silka was offered to me kasi sa Davao pa lang, my mom and sister were using it na at nakikigamit din ako," says Erich. "I didn't know magiging endorser pala ko nito balang araw."
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ARNOLD VEGAFRIA'S new ward, the alluring Xaviera Iglesias, is introduced in "Pendong", a road comedy written and directed by Sean Lim, as the lone leading lady of Alwyn Uytingco, Will Devaughn and Felix Roco. Loraine Schuck, her aunt, introduced her to Arnold. "I've done several TV ads since I was a child. Noon ko pa gusto mag-artista but my parents were against it. Sa commercials lang sila pumapayag. They wanted me to finish college first so pinagbigyan ko sila. I'm a nursing graduate from Jose Rizal University and I've passed the board so registered nurse na ako. But I still want to try showbiz at pag walang nangyari, at least, I have a fall back. Empress Schuck is my cousin sa mother's side. But I'm older than her kasi I'm turning 23 na on June 21."
Is she willing to go sexy? "Why not? I already posed for FHM in the January, 2010 issue with Jackie Rice on the cover. Tinopak kasi ako noon. I got depressed over an ex-boyfriend. Pero hindi na ngayon. I'm now exclusively dating a musician na member ng isang hiphop band."
What's her role in "Pendong"? "I play a hitchhiker na gugulo sa buhay nina Alwyn, Will and Felix. I enjoyed acting and I already took acting workshops to prepare for this career. I want to be a serious actress."
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THE TAPING of GMA-7's new show, "Trudis Liit", started this week, with new tot star Jillian Ward in the title role and Redgyn Alba as program manager. Eugene Domingo introduced her to us in the taping of "Wachamakulit" and she's really cute and precocious. We're sure she'll bring out the inner "tito" and "tita" in most viewers who'll easily care for her. It takes the place of "Bakit Kay Tagal ng Sandali" whose lead stars are now in "Trudis Liit", led by Maxene Magalona as Trudis' benefactor, Pauleen Luna as her cruel stepmom, Maricel Morales as her real mom from whom she's separated as a baby, Cris Villanueva as her long lost dad, and Mike Tan as Maxene's love interest. "Trudis Liit" will replace "Gumapang Ka sa Lusak" that ends tomorrow in GMA-7's Dramarama sa Hapon.
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GUJI LORENZANA is one of the four members of VoizBoys but he also has his own solo career as he's now appearing as one of the men in Nikki Gil's life in the Atlantis Productions' staging of the hit Broadway musical, "Legally Blonde." He plays Warner Huntington III, the student lawyer who becomes the reason why Elle Woods (Nikki Gil) goes to Harvard U to study law.
About his lovelife, he admits he's wooing Kaye Abad who he got to know when they were paired in "Precious Hearts Romances" some months ago. Kaye has just broken up that time with singer Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar who's now wooing Angel Locsin. What are his chances with Kaye? "I don't know. Matagal na rin ako nanliligaw pero di pa ko sinasagot."
What does he like in her? "She's a simple person, also down to earth and a bit shy. I like that. I like her wanting to be very private. She's not even in Facebook or Twitter to preserve her privacy."
Now 27, he grew up in Union City, California and came to Manila only three years ago. How come he didn't cultivate a showbiz career when he was younger? "I finished college first. I have a degree in theatre and communications from the University of California in Davis. Then I got engaged to be married but my bride left me for someone else. I got broken hearted and decided to come to Manila. So far, happy naman ako with the way my career is going. I've done 'Precious Hearts', 'Maalaala Mo Kaya', 'Magkano ang Iyong Dangal', and two films, 'Paano Na Kaya' and 'Babe, I Love You'. I'm also into threatre and was also in 'West Side Story'. I play a bigger and much more demanding role in 'Legally Blonde' that opens at the Meralco Theatre on June 25 and will run till July 18."
How is it to be part of a boy group like Voizboys? "I enjoyed doing the album and it's a good stepping stone for other projects. I have a solo song in it, 'Anghel Ka', and enjoy kami nina Nico Antonio, Jay-R Siaboc and Tom Rodriguez promoting our album in various mall tours."
For tickets to "Legally Blonde," call Atlantis at 892-7078.
ALJUR ABRENICA is called the Denial Prince for saying he was never on with Rich Asuncion and Bianca King. "Talagang ganun," he says at the thanksgiving party of "The Last Prince" which is on its last two weeks. "You can't expect to please everyone. Mismong sina Rich at Bianca, sinasabing hindi kami nag-on and yet no one would believe us. Let's just people believe what they want to believe."
Aljur says he's looking forward to resting for a while before starting his new show with Rhian Ramos and Jackie Rice, tentatively titled "Romana Santa", which is about witchcraft. "Gusto kong makapag-work out muna ng husto to prepare for the Bench fashion show in July kasi tiyak na pagandahan ng katawan lahat ng rarampa sa roon."
He now plays the role of an 8-year old girl, Ayesha, in "Last Prince". How did he portray his first father role? "Sinunod lang namin ni Kris Bernal ang script kasi 20 lang kami, so ibig sabihin, 12 lang kami nang mapanganak siya. Pero maganda talaga ang tatakbuhin ng story na full of sacrifice for the one you love."
Ayesha is played by Margaret Lipnitz, born on Dec. 17, 2002. Her mom is Pinay from Calamba, Laguna (where they live) and dad is an American German based in New Jersey. She was discovered when she joined Little Miss Earth and became a runnerup. "I first appeared on GMA as the young Jackie Rice in 'Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin'," she says. "Kinukuha na po ako ng father ko sa U.S., kaya lang enjoy na kong mag-artista rito sa Pilipinas. Tuwang-tuwa akong mapasama sa 'Last Prince' kasi pinapanood ko talaga ito gabi-gabi."
**********
ERICH GONZALES has gone solo in "Katorse" and "Tanging Yaman". How come she now supports Gretchen Barretto and Bea Alonzo in "Magkaribal"? "It's no big deal," she says as Silka Papaya Soap launches her as their new endorser. "I mean, Gretchen and Bea yan, I know I can learn a lot working with them. Isa pa, this is a big project. First time may ganitong ambitious project about the fashion industry so there's no hesitation on my part when it was offered to me. I play Chloe, anak ng isang famous designer, Angel Aquino, but later, it will be revealed sister ko pala sina Gretchen and Bea."
She came to the launch in a plunging neckline that reveals her ample bosom. Is it the product of "retoke"? "No. When you first saw me winning sa SCQ, I was just 14. Wala pa yan. But I'm now turning 20 on September 20, so nag-mature ako, nag-mature din yan, but not because of retoke."
Is Erich replacing Yia Villania as Silka endorser? "No," says Silka ad exec Mags Melendrez. "Erich is mainly for our soap while Yia is for all our products. Sa ad nila, Erich says 'Tama si Yia' in endorsing Silka. We chose her as she has a good image and reputation. Silka is like Erich who started with humble beginnings but is now successful. Silka also started small but now has a very big market share."
"Natuwa ako when Silka was offered to me kasi sa Davao pa lang, my mom and sister were using it na at nakikigamit din ako," says Erich. "I didn't know magiging endorser pala ko nito balang araw."
**********
ARNOLD VEGAFRIA'S new ward, the alluring Xaviera Iglesias, is introduced in "Pendong", a road comedy written and directed by Sean Lim, as the lone leading lady of Alwyn Uytingco, Will Devaughn and Felix Roco. Loraine Schuck, her aunt, introduced her to Arnold. "I've done several TV ads since I was a child. Noon ko pa gusto mag-artista but my parents were against it. Sa commercials lang sila pumapayag. They wanted me to finish college first so pinagbigyan ko sila. I'm a nursing graduate from Jose Rizal University and I've passed the board so registered nurse na ako. But I still want to try showbiz at pag walang nangyari, at least, I have a fall back. Empress Schuck is my cousin sa mother's side. But I'm older than her kasi I'm turning 23 na on June 21."
Is she willing to go sexy? "Why not? I already posed for FHM in the January, 2010 issue with Jackie Rice on the cover. Tinopak kasi ako noon. I got depressed over an ex-boyfriend. Pero hindi na ngayon. I'm now exclusively dating a musician na member ng isang hiphop band."
What's her role in "Pendong"? "I play a hitchhiker na gugulo sa buhay nina Alwyn, Will and Felix. I enjoyed acting and I already took acting workshops to prepare for this career. I want to be a serious actress."
**********
THE TAPING of GMA-7's new show, "Trudis Liit", started this week, with new tot star Jillian Ward in the title role and Redgyn Alba as program manager. Eugene Domingo introduced her to us in the taping of "Wachamakulit" and she's really cute and precocious. We're sure she'll bring out the inner "tito" and "tita" in most viewers who'll easily care for her. It takes the place of "Bakit Kay Tagal ng Sandali" whose lead stars are now in "Trudis Liit", led by Maxene Magalona as Trudis' benefactor, Pauleen Luna as her cruel stepmom, Maricel Morales as her real mom from whom she's separated as a baby, Cris Villanueva as her long lost dad, and Mike Tan as Maxene's love interest. "Trudis Liit" will replace "Gumapang Ka sa Lusak" that ends tomorrow in GMA-7's Dramarama sa Hapon.
**********
GUJI LORENZANA is one of the four members of VoizBoys but he also has his own solo career as he's now appearing as one of the men in Nikki Gil's life in the Atlantis Productions' staging of the hit Broadway musical, "Legally Blonde." He plays Warner Huntington III, the student lawyer who becomes the reason why Elle Woods (Nikki Gil) goes to Harvard U to study law.
About his lovelife, he admits he's wooing Kaye Abad who he got to know when they were paired in "Precious Hearts Romances" some months ago. Kaye has just broken up that time with singer Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar who's now wooing Angel Locsin. What are his chances with Kaye? "I don't know. Matagal na rin ako nanliligaw pero di pa ko sinasagot."
What does he like in her? "She's a simple person, also down to earth and a bit shy. I like that. I like her wanting to be very private. She's not even in Facebook or Twitter to preserve her privacy."
Now 27, he grew up in Union City, California and came to Manila only three years ago. How come he didn't cultivate a showbiz career when he was younger? "I finished college first. I have a degree in theatre and communications from the University of California in Davis. Then I got engaged to be married but my bride left me for someone else. I got broken hearted and decided to come to Manila. So far, happy naman ako with the way my career is going. I've done 'Precious Hearts', 'Maalaala Mo Kaya', 'Magkano ang Iyong Dangal', and two films, 'Paano Na Kaya' and 'Babe, I Love You'. I'm also into threatre and was also in 'West Side Story'. I play a bigger and much more demanding role in 'Legally Blonde' that opens at the Meralco Theatre on June 25 and will run till July 18."
How is it to be part of a boy group like Voizboys? "I enjoyed doing the album and it's a good stepping stone for other projects. I have a solo song in it, 'Anghel Ka', and enjoy kami nina Nico Antonio, Jay-R Siaboc and Tom Rodriguez promoting our album in various mall tours."
For tickets to "Legally Blonde," call Atlantis at 892-7078.
