FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
MANAY ICHU VERA PEREZ hosted a birthday lunch for Lolit Solis last Friday. Among those present were Susan Roces and daughter Grace Llamanzares, Sen. Bong Revilla, Cong. Lani Mercado, son Jolo, Benjie Paras and his beautiful wife who looks like a young Chin Chin Gutierrez. Sen. Bong and Cong. Lani were also celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary that day.
"Second wedding anniversary rin ng anak naming si Inah at husband niyang si Vince," says Lani.
"Wedding anniversary rin today ni Aga (Muhlach) at ni Charlene (Gonzales)," says Manay Ethel.
The coming new congress will definitely be star-studded with Lani and Lucy Torres in it. It has a former president, GMA, and a former first lady, Imeldific. It also has Manay Gina de Venecia (sister of Manay Ichu and wife of JDV who's former speaker of the house), boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, and actor Dan Fernandez.
About Sen. Bong, he's back in "Kap's Amazing Stories" on GMA-7and is part of their new 60th anniversary station ID to prove that he's still a Kapuso. How about Lani? Will she act again in teleseryes? "Ay, hindi na muna," she says. "May offer nga ako to be in the new soap of Angel Locsin, 'Imortal', but I begged off. Mag-aaral pa ko ng legislation and my first project is to work for Bacoor to be a city."
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LOLIT SOLIS warned Susan Roces that her niece, Sheryl Cruz, will be the subject of a report in Startalk. A woman from Bacolod allegedly contacted them and denounced Sheryl for stealing her husband. The woman's name is Crix and her husband is Charles. Crix said Sheryl came to Bacolod with Drew Arellano a few months ago and her husband (it turns out they're not really married but they have two kids) acted as driver to Sheryl. Soon after that, her husband became cold to her and she learned he's been texting Sheryl. Then her husband left her and went to Manila and she suspects he's now with Sheryl. Susan Roces said Sheryl is in California finalizing her divorce with ex-hubby Norman Bustos and also fetching their daughter Ashlee who had a vacation with her dad. It appears the woman's suspicion that her husband is with Sheryl is not true. Startalk was able to get Sheryl's side and she said she knew Charles and Crix but she hasn't seen Charles at all. After her failed marriage, she said she doesn't want to get in any relationship as of now as she doesn't want to complicate her life.
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DUE TO THE huge success of "Momay" starring child actress Xyriel Manabat, GMA-7 is shelving the mature drama "Bakit Kay Tagal ng Sandali" with Maxene Magalona and replacing it with the remake of the movie that introduced Vilma Santos as a child star in 1963, "Trudis Liit". Too bad for Maxene as she's excited with her new project that's supposed to have some location taping in Malaysia and will also be the big break of Starstruck 2 winner Mike Tan as a leading man. This project is really hounded by bad vibes from the start, what with Maxene's mom demanding that she be paired with another actor at not JC Tiuseco and then there's the reported rift between Maxene and Pauleen Luna who's also in the cast. "Trudis Liit" had Gloria Romero and Lolita Rodriguez in the cast then. Will Maxene and Pauleen be given the Gloria and Lolita roles now to compensate for the shelving of "Bakit Ka Tagal"? Let's see what happens next. Meantime, JC Tiuseco must be thankful he was not cast in "Bakit Kay Tagal" but in "Langit sa Piling Mo". Otherwise, he won't have a new show.
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PAOLO CONTIS was the guest host in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday to plug his shows "Wipeout" and "Pilyang Kerubin". He was also grilled in Behind the Wall segment. The questions of the three secret informants are: Paano mo sinusuyo si Lian (Paz, his live in partner) kapag nagtatampo siya sa'yo? "Sinusuyo ko siya hanggang kaya ko." Pangarap mo pa bang maging presidente ng Pilipinas? "Hindi pa ko puede tumakbo, 26 lang ako, but I love helping people." Now that you have a child, when is the wedding with Lian? "We don't want to pressure ourselves. Pag puede ng mag-flower girl si Xonia (their baby), game na kami. I want her to be a part of the wedding."
He correctly guested that the informants are Lian, his brother Carlo and friend Benjie Paras, but he still answered the ultimate question even if he could opt not to: Marami ka nga bang kaibigang nawala dahil naging kayo ni Lian? "Kung ganun sila, hindi ko sila kaibigan. Kung ayaw nila kay Lian, manigas sila. Two years na kami, masaya kami, if they can't get over that, bahala sila."
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KRIS BERNAL took the lie detector test in Don't Lie to Me to promote her new episode with Daniel Matsunaga in "Love Bug" shot in Singapore and the last week of "The Last Prince" where she just had a torrid kissing scene with Aljur Abrenica. Did you get carried away in your kissing scene with Aljur? She said yes and it's true. "We're just in character na in love na in love kami sa isa't isa." Can you say na mas type mo si Daniel kaysa kay Aljur? She said no and it's a lie. "Malungkot kasi ako dahil magkakahiwalay kami ni Aljur after 3 years, but mas nagiging close kami ngayon ni Daniel dahil sa 'Love Bug'." May pina-enhance ka ba sa iyong mukha? She said no and it's true.
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THERE WERE reports on stars who now live in the U.S. The only ones shown were interviews with Ella V (now married to physician's assistant Shane Manalang and pregnant with their 3rd child, with the first two ending in miscarriages) and Krista Kleiner (she sports a beautiful ring but she denies it's an engagement ring from Jay-R, just a promise ring that they'll be faithful to each other.) Not shown anymore were reports on Amanda Page and Nora Aunor that they were plugging thoughout the show. This is because the show once again went overtime. The problem with Showbiz Central is that their segments extend for so long until they drag and become boring, unlike in other talk shows that are brief but concise. Someone should monitor ongoing segments and tell them right away "kung lumalaylay na dahil sa sobrang haba."
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QC VICE Mayor elect Joy Belmonte hosted a thanksgiving lunch for the press with her Kuya Miguel of the Philippine Star. So how does her U.S. based husband feel about her winning in the last election? "He came home before the election and helped me campaign," she says. "The day after the election, he left back for Seattle where he works for Amazon.com. My husband is a medical doctor but now concentrates on business. Eventually, he'll settle back here with me and our child."
Two days after our lunch, Joy flew to the U.S. to spend two weeks with her hubby. It's good their long distance relationship is working for them. "Siempre, he wants to be accomplished din naman in his own career kasi we don't want to be accused na umaasa lang kami sa politics."
What can she say about Aiko Melendez' statements against her? "Ayoko na lang sagutin. Tinawag ko raw siyang bobo at yung anak niya, bastardo. Wala akong sinabing ganun. Siguro may nagbalita ng mali sa kanya. Basta ako, kapag nakita ko siya, I'm ready to approach her and offer peace kasi she's very close to my father before. Sayang nga na humantong sa ganito. Let's reconcile. Kung nanghihinayang siyang she didn't win kasi marami siyang magandang plans, we can still work together for the good of the people of Quezon City."
Joy especially wants to thank the Joy Belmonte Volunteers Movement who helped her a lot during the campaign. "Sana mas tumulong sila ngayon as volunteers para mapaglingkuran naming lahat ang Quezon City."
MANAY ICHU VERA PEREZ hosted a birthday lunch for Lolit Solis last Friday. Among those present were Susan Roces and daughter Grace Llamanzares, Sen. Bong Revilla, Cong. Lani Mercado, son Jolo, Benjie Paras and his beautiful wife who looks like a young Chin Chin Gutierrez. Sen. Bong and Cong. Lani were also celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary that day.
"Second wedding anniversary rin ng anak naming si Inah at husband niyang si Vince," says Lani.
"Wedding anniversary rin today ni Aga (Muhlach) at ni Charlene (Gonzales)," says Manay Ethel.
The coming new congress will definitely be star-studded with Lani and Lucy Torres in it. It has a former president, GMA, and a former first lady, Imeldific. It also has Manay Gina de Venecia (sister of Manay Ichu and wife of JDV who's former speaker of the house), boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, and actor Dan Fernandez.
About Sen. Bong, he's back in "Kap's Amazing Stories" on GMA-7and is part of their new 60th anniversary station ID to prove that he's still a Kapuso. How about Lani? Will she act again in teleseryes? "Ay, hindi na muna," she says. "May offer nga ako to be in the new soap of Angel Locsin, 'Imortal', but I begged off. Mag-aaral pa ko ng legislation and my first project is to work for Bacoor to be a city."
**********
LOLIT SOLIS warned Susan Roces that her niece, Sheryl Cruz, will be the subject of a report in Startalk. A woman from Bacolod allegedly contacted them and denounced Sheryl for stealing her husband. The woman's name is Crix and her husband is Charles. Crix said Sheryl came to Bacolod with Drew Arellano a few months ago and her husband (it turns out they're not really married but they have two kids) acted as driver to Sheryl. Soon after that, her husband became cold to her and she learned he's been texting Sheryl. Then her husband left her and went to Manila and she suspects he's now with Sheryl. Susan Roces said Sheryl is in California finalizing her divorce with ex-hubby Norman Bustos and also fetching their daughter Ashlee who had a vacation with her dad. It appears the woman's suspicion that her husband is with Sheryl is not true. Startalk was able to get Sheryl's side and she said she knew Charles and Crix but she hasn't seen Charles at all. After her failed marriage, she said she doesn't want to get in any relationship as of now as she doesn't want to complicate her life.
**********
DUE TO THE huge success of "Momay" starring child actress Xyriel Manabat, GMA-7 is shelving the mature drama "Bakit Kay Tagal ng Sandali" with Maxene Magalona and replacing it with the remake of the movie that introduced Vilma Santos as a child star in 1963, "Trudis Liit". Too bad for Maxene as she's excited with her new project that's supposed to have some location taping in Malaysia and will also be the big break of Starstruck 2 winner Mike Tan as a leading man. This project is really hounded by bad vibes from the start, what with Maxene's mom demanding that she be paired with another actor at not JC Tiuseco and then there's the reported rift between Maxene and Pauleen Luna who's also in the cast. "Trudis Liit" had Gloria Romero and Lolita Rodriguez in the cast then. Will Maxene and Pauleen be given the Gloria and Lolita roles now to compensate for the shelving of "Bakit Ka Tagal"? Let's see what happens next. Meantime, JC Tiuseco must be thankful he was not cast in "Bakit Kay Tagal" but in "Langit sa Piling Mo". Otherwise, he won't have a new show.
**********
PAOLO CONTIS was the guest host in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday to plug his shows "Wipeout" and "Pilyang Kerubin". He was also grilled in Behind the Wall segment. The questions of the three secret informants are: Paano mo sinusuyo si Lian (Paz, his live in partner) kapag nagtatampo siya sa'yo? "Sinusuyo ko siya hanggang kaya ko." Pangarap mo pa bang maging presidente ng Pilipinas? "Hindi pa ko puede tumakbo, 26 lang ako, but I love helping people." Now that you have a child, when is the wedding with Lian? "We don't want to pressure ourselves. Pag puede ng mag-flower girl si Xonia (their baby), game na kami. I want her to be a part of the wedding."
He correctly guested that the informants are Lian, his brother Carlo and friend Benjie Paras, but he still answered the ultimate question even if he could opt not to: Marami ka nga bang kaibigang nawala dahil naging kayo ni Lian? "Kung ganun sila, hindi ko sila kaibigan. Kung ayaw nila kay Lian, manigas sila. Two years na kami, masaya kami, if they can't get over that, bahala sila."
**********
KRIS BERNAL took the lie detector test in Don't Lie to Me to promote her new episode with Daniel Matsunaga in "Love Bug" shot in Singapore and the last week of "The Last Prince" where she just had a torrid kissing scene with Aljur Abrenica. Did you get carried away in your kissing scene with Aljur? She said yes and it's true. "We're just in character na in love na in love kami sa isa't isa." Can you say na mas type mo si Daniel kaysa kay Aljur? She said no and it's a lie. "Malungkot kasi ako dahil magkakahiwalay kami ni Aljur after 3 years, but mas nagiging close kami ngayon ni Daniel dahil sa 'Love Bug'." May pina-enhance ka ba sa iyong mukha? She said no and it's true.
**********
THERE WERE reports on stars who now live in the U.S. The only ones shown were interviews with Ella V (now married to physician's assistant Shane Manalang and pregnant with their 3rd child, with the first two ending in miscarriages) and Krista Kleiner (she sports a beautiful ring but she denies it's an engagement ring from Jay-R, just a promise ring that they'll be faithful to each other.) Not shown anymore were reports on Amanda Page and Nora Aunor that they were plugging thoughout the show. This is because the show once again went overtime. The problem with Showbiz Central is that their segments extend for so long until they drag and become boring, unlike in other talk shows that are brief but concise. Someone should monitor ongoing segments and tell them right away "kung lumalaylay na dahil sa sobrang haba."
**********
QC VICE Mayor elect Joy Belmonte hosted a thanksgiving lunch for the press with her Kuya Miguel of the Philippine Star. So how does her U.S. based husband feel about her winning in the last election? "He came home before the election and helped me campaign," she says. "The day after the election, he left back for Seattle where he works for Amazon.com. My husband is a medical doctor but now concentrates on business. Eventually, he'll settle back here with me and our child."
Two days after our lunch, Joy flew to the U.S. to spend two weeks with her hubby. It's good their long distance relationship is working for them. "Siempre, he wants to be accomplished din naman in his own career kasi we don't want to be accused na umaasa lang kami sa politics."
What can she say about Aiko Melendez' statements against her? "Ayoko na lang sagutin. Tinawag ko raw siyang bobo at yung anak niya, bastardo. Wala akong sinabing ganun. Siguro may nagbalita ng mali sa kanya. Basta ako, kapag nakita ko siya, I'm ready to approach her and offer peace kasi she's very close to my father before. Sayang nga na humantong sa ganito. Let's reconcile. Kung nanghihinayang siyang she didn't win kasi marami siyang magandang plans, we can still work together for the good of the people of Quezon City."
Joy especially wants to thank the Joy Belmonte Volunteers Movement who helped her a lot during the campaign. "Sana mas tumulong sila ngayon as volunteers para mapaglingkuran naming lahat ang Quezon City."
