FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
ROBIN PADILLA's eldest daughter, Queenie, was formally introduced by ABS-CBN to the press at the presscon of "Momay". She plays the role of a schoolgirl who becomes a fake fortuneteller in the story. "Tawag nga nila sa'kin sa set, Madame Auring," she says.
She sounds so nervous as she talks. "Kinakabahan po ako kasi first time ko humarap sa press."
Queenie is turning 19 on July 17. Her first acting job was in her dad's "Totoy Bato" on GMA-7. "Now that Papa has moved to ABS, kung nasaan siya, doon din ako."
She used to be managed by her dad's manager, Bechay Vidanes, but she's now managed by People's columnist Joey Aquino who also manages her suitor, PJ Valerio. What's her dad's view about PJ? "Honestly, ayaw niya. Hindi rin naman ako ganun kaseryoso. Papa naman trusts me and Tito Joey."
In "Momay", she's paired with Ejay Falcon. So it's from PJ to Ejay. How does she find Ejay, her first leading man? "Mabait siya. A gentleman. Nung first shooting day, he noticed I didn't have a comfortable chair so the next day, dinalhan niya ko ng sarili kong chair."
How does her dad feel about her going into acting? "Kinakabahan siya kasi baka yung mga ginagawa niya noon..." she didn't continue, but she obviously refers to Robin's well known womanizing ways in his younger days. "But now, mas open na siya sa mga bagay na dati, nahihirapan siyang tanggapin."
Is she open to kissing scenes? "Sa'kin okay lang, pero kay dad, hindi okay sa kanya. Sa mom ko, no problem. Ang request lang niya is for me to finish my college studies."
How did she feel about the separation of her parents? "Tanggap ko ng hiwalay sila. Problema nila yun. Kunsaan sila masaya, dun sila."
What can she say about her dad now being linked to Mariel Rodriguez? Okay lang, kunsaan masaya si papa, doon din ako."
What does she want to accomplish in showbiz? "I want to establish my own identity, not just as Robin Padilla's daughter."
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ABS CHILD wonder Xyriel Manabat gained fame as the young Agua Bendita. Now, she's "Momay". She turned 6 on January 27 and will be in grade one at Full House Learning Center in Pasig this June. She's the only of child of Michael John and Diane Manabat. Her parents manage a small eatery, Michelle's, at Ortigas Ext. in Rosario, Pasig. She was discovered by ABS when she joined Star Circle Quest Kids. "Third runner up lang po ako dun," she says. "Tapos nag-audition po ako for 'Agua Bendita'. Tapos nung first audition, pinabalik ako para makita ng direktor, tapos pinabalik uli ako para makita naman ako ng executive producer, tapos sinabi ako nakuha."
Is it difficult to direct her? "No," says "Momay" director Manny Palo. "She picks up instructions easily at kahit mahahabang linya, namememorya niya agad. She's very intuitive."
"Bata pa siya, sobrang matalino na talaga," says her mom. "At 2, kanta na ng kanta. At 4, nakakabasa na siya. Lahat ng bagay, tinatanong, gustong malaman."
Does she really want to be a child actress? "Opo, kasi ang mommy ko, gusto ring mag-artista."
What does she do with the money she earns? "Nilalagay po ni Mommy sa banko at yung
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WHEN 16-year old high school grad Elmo Magalona first appeared in "Party Pilipinas", a lot of folks quickly noticed his star potential as he was warmly received by viewers. Now, he's not just rapping but also acting in "Pilyang Kerubin" as Joshua Dionisio's rival over Barbie Forteza. On the net, teen girls openly declare their crush for him. How will he explain his sudden fame? "I think my dad has a lot to do with it," he humbly says. "Siguro, tingin nila, parang young Francis M ako. I really want to thank those who support me sa magagandang feedback nila sa'kin. I myself, nagulat sa opportunities na dumating sa'kin. Kasi akala ko, I'll just do guestings. E, heto, may regular show na ako. I'm so happy about it."
Now that he's active in showbiz, will he still go to college? "I plan to. I want to take up either information technology or theatre arts. Performing is something I really love kasi nasa dugo namin from my grandparents pa (the late Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.)"
He has yet to have a girlfriend. Does he have any showbiz crush? "Si Rhian Ramos. She's so talented kahit sa acting, hosting, singing and dancing. Nakikita ko siya sa 'Party Pilipinas'."
Isn't he worried the fans of the Joshua-Barbie love team might look at him as a villain? "Hindi naman siguro. Alam naman nila we're all just playing our respective roles. Hindi naman sila nagalit noon kay Jake Vargas so I suppose hindi rin sila maiinis sa akin dito sa 'Pilyang Kerubin' that starts airing on Monday after '24 Oras'."
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MARCO ALCARAZ is in the gay film "Muli" but he won't be playing a gay role. "I'll be the head of the rebel movement that Sid Lucero joins in the story at galit ako sa mga bakla," he says.
It's common knowledge that he just came from a long vacation with former Miss International Lara Precious Quigaman in Canada. Is it true his former manager, Arnold Vegafria, does not approve of his relationship with Lara so he's now with Noel Ferrer? "No, tapos na ang contract with Arnold and for a change, nag-iba ako ng manager," he says.
Arnold says he still owes him money. "That's true. Yun yung commissions niya for my past work. Babayaran ko naman yun at hindi ko tatakbuhan."
What about rumors that he secretly tied the knot with Lara in Canada? "We won't do such a thing. Bago pa lang kami. We're still getting to know each other better. It'd be very foolish to rush into marriage."
