FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
EUGENE DOMINGO can’t understand why the press keeps on asking about her lovelife. “Feeling ko, para kong teen star, kailangang pag-usapan ang lovelife,” she laughs. “At this point in my life na 40 na ko, nabigyan ako ng chance na gumanda ang career ko, lalaki pa bang uunahin ko? Yang career, pana-panahon yan, e nagkataong panahon ngayon na sunod-sunod ang projects ko, di ito muna ang samantalahin ko bago bawiin uli sa akin. Hindi mo masabi, e. Ngayon, sunod-sunod ang movies at TV shows ko, e kung magluka-lukahan ako’t bigyan ko ng priority ang pag-ibig, ano sa tingin nyong mangyayari sa’kin? The Lord knows best at naniniwala akong kapag kailangan ng dumating ni Mr. Right sa buhay ko, darating din siya. But as of now, sabi Niya, masiyahan ka muna sa sunod-sunod na blessings. So, ba’t naman maghahanap pa ko ng lovelife?”
In her new movie, “Mamarazzi”, Regal’s 50th anniversary offering, she plays Violy, a spinster funeral parlor make up artist who wants to have a child. She tried making it with her gay best friend, John Lapus, but they both can’t stomach it so John suggests she beds her boyfriend, Diether Ocampo, who later goes abroad. This results to her having triplets: two girls both played by Andi Eigenmann and one boy, AJ Perez. The three kids have their own problems that boil down to their search for their real dad. Also in the cast are Carla Abellana as the niece of John Lapus with whom AJ is in love, JC Tiuseco as Carla’s boyfriend, Carl Guevarra as Andi’s boyfriend, Arron Villaflor as John’s gay son and Xian Lim as Arron’s lover.
“I’m thankful to Mother Lily as it’s an honor na akong bida sa 50th anniversary presentation ng Regal,” adds Eugene. “Dito naman talaga ako nagsimula in 1991 as a housemaid in ‘Emma Salazar Case’ ni Joey Reyes. UP student akong kinuha para gumawa ng first movie ko. Sa Regal din ako unang nagka-award in the 2007 Metro filmfest for ‘Bahay Kubo’ as best supporting actress, na si Direk Joel Lamangan ang director at siya ring nagdirek ngayon ng ‘Mamarazzi’.”
Will she ever consider being an other woman? “”Ayoko, malas yan. Diyos ko, nakalagay sa 10 commandments, huwag kang makiapid! Handa akong maghintay ng walang sabit.”
How about buying one? “Hindi rin. Di kaya ng budget ko. May monthly amortization ako sa condo, kotse, ang daming gastusin. Pero ayoko magsalita ng tapos. Malay natin, magbago isip ko. But as of now, sa mga kapareha ko lang na nakahalikan ko: Dingdong Dantes, Wendell Ramos, Ricky Davao, Tom Rodriguez, at Diether Ocampo rito sa ‘Mamarazzi’, maghahanap pa ba ko?”
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SARAH GERONIMO had a truly happy birthday last Sunday since her film with Judy Ann Santos, “Hating Kapatid”, is a box office hit. “Nakakatuwa talaga kasi kahit maulan, marami pa ring nanood sa amin,” she says.
She said earlier that she wants more independence now that she’s 22. Does that mean she’d be more attentive to affairs of the heart? “Naku, love life na naman, puede ba, let’s just set that aside? When I say I want more freedom, it’s in terms of decision-making when it comes to my career. Mas gusto kong matutunan kung paano dadalhin ang sarili kong career. Balak kong bumili ng Grandia which is a bigger vehicle para naman I’d be more comfortable when I do out of town shows. Kasi ang luxury ko in life is sleeping kaya at least makakatulog ako ng maayos kahit na nagbibiyahe ako for my next job.”
The guy touted to have broken her heart, Rayver Cruz, also turned a year older on July 20, any message for him? “Naku, tama na yang ganyang message-message. No comment na lang.”
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LJ REYES is supposed to deliver her baby boy, Ethan Akio, on July 31 yet but her son opted to come out one week ahead of schedule on July 24. The boy is big at 7.4 lbs. Dad Paulo Avelino was not able to follow LJ to the U.S. as his applications for a visa were all denied. At any rate, he also could not leave now since he’s taping for the new Rhian Ramos-Aljur Abrenica telefantasya, “ILumina”. When interviewed in “Showbiz Central”, Paulo says he’s overwhelmed by the feeling that he’s now a father and he’s looking forward to the day when he’d be able to carry his son. Well, he’ll have to wait for a while since LJ wants the baby to grow a bit bigger before he travels to Manila. They’ll probably be home in September. The boy came via normal delivery so LJ is confident she’ll be able to recover fast from her bout with the stork. She considers her son a lucky charm as she won best supporting actress in Cinemalaya for the movie “The Leaving”, that she shot without telling anyone she’s already preggy.
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REGINE VELASQUEZ was grilled by secret informants in “Showbiz Central’s” Behind the Wall segment last Sunday. The questions: Sinubukan mo ba maging isang Lea Salonga? “I auditioned in New York kay Cameron MacKintosh for Miss Saigon but it’s not really for me kasi ako pang-teatro. It’s a different kind of training. I’m a pop singer, a balladeer.” Who do you think will be the next Regine? “Marami. Sina Kyla. Sarah Geronimo. Rachelle Ann Go.” Kailan mo gusto magka-baby? “Mamaya. We’re planning it this year but we’re still waiting for something (presumably Ogie Alcasid’s church annulment.) If ever, I have to rest, take a leave, kasi di na ko masyadong bata, I’ll just stay at home.” How much are you willing to give up for the love of your life? “Everything. Okay na ang family ko, so I’d be happy to give up my career.” An additional 4th informant appeared aRight now, I can’t say it.” Pia Guanio asks: “Katuparan ng dreams n’yo ni Ogie?” “Yes,” says Regine. “Everyone’s waiting for this.” Ogie butts in: “I really want to marry this woman. That is the desire of my heart. Should that be granted by God, I’ll be the happiest man on earth. That will be a great blessing and I promise I will make her the happiest woman on earth.” And Regine replies: “Sa buhay ko, wala naman akong ibang gusting mangyari kundi pakasalan si Ogie Alcasid.” This send all the studio audience swooning with delight.
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THOSE WHO watched the SONA are wondering why the First Girlfriend, Shalani Soledad, was nowhere to be seen. Reportedly, she is busy with her work as councilor in Valenzuela City that’s why she’s absent. But someone told us that they’re broken up. “No matter how busy she is in Valenzuela, kung wala silang problema, it’s so easy to excuse herself to show her support to her boyfriend in his first SONA as the country’s president,” says our source. “The fact na she’s not there is a confirmation na there’s really a kink in their relationship.” How true?
EUGENE DOMINGO can’t understand why the press keeps on asking about her lovelife. “Feeling ko, para kong teen star, kailangang pag-usapan ang lovelife,” she laughs. “At this point in my life na 40 na ko, nabigyan ako ng chance na gumanda ang career ko, lalaki pa bang uunahin ko? Yang career, pana-panahon yan, e nagkataong panahon ngayon na sunod-sunod ang projects ko, di ito muna ang samantalahin ko bago bawiin uli sa akin. Hindi mo masabi, e. Ngayon, sunod-sunod ang movies at TV shows ko, e kung magluka-lukahan ako’t bigyan ko ng priority ang pag-ibig, ano sa tingin nyong mangyayari sa’kin? The Lord knows best at naniniwala akong kapag kailangan ng dumating ni Mr. Right sa buhay ko, darating din siya. But as of now, sabi Niya, masiyahan ka muna sa sunod-sunod na blessings. So, ba’t naman maghahanap pa ko ng lovelife?”
In her new movie, “Mamarazzi”, Regal’s 50th anniversary offering, she plays Violy, a spinster funeral parlor make up artist who wants to have a child. She tried making it with her gay best friend, John Lapus, but they both can’t stomach it so John suggests she beds her boyfriend, Diether Ocampo, who later goes abroad. This results to her having triplets: two girls both played by Andi Eigenmann and one boy, AJ Perez. The three kids have their own problems that boil down to their search for their real dad. Also in the cast are Carla Abellana as the niece of John Lapus with whom AJ is in love, JC Tiuseco as Carla’s boyfriend, Carl Guevarra as Andi’s boyfriend, Arron Villaflor as John’s gay son and Xian Lim as Arron’s lover.
“I’m thankful to Mother Lily as it’s an honor na akong bida sa 50th anniversary presentation ng Regal,” adds Eugene. “Dito naman talaga ako nagsimula in 1991 as a housemaid in ‘Emma Salazar Case’ ni Joey Reyes. UP student akong kinuha para gumawa ng first movie ko. Sa Regal din ako unang nagka-award in the 2007 Metro filmfest for ‘Bahay Kubo’ as best supporting actress, na si Direk Joel Lamangan ang director at siya ring nagdirek ngayon ng ‘Mamarazzi’.”
Will she ever consider being an other woman? “”Ayoko, malas yan. Diyos ko, nakalagay sa 10 commandments, huwag kang makiapid! Handa akong maghintay ng walang sabit.”
How about buying one? “Hindi rin. Di kaya ng budget ko. May monthly amortization ako sa condo, kotse, ang daming gastusin. Pero ayoko magsalita ng tapos. Malay natin, magbago isip ko. But as of now, sa mga kapareha ko lang na nakahalikan ko: Dingdong Dantes, Wendell Ramos, Ricky Davao, Tom Rodriguez, at Diether Ocampo rito sa ‘Mamarazzi’, maghahanap pa ba ko?”
**********
SARAH GERONIMO had a truly happy birthday last Sunday since her film with Judy Ann Santos, “Hating Kapatid”, is a box office hit. “Nakakatuwa talaga kasi kahit maulan, marami pa ring nanood sa amin,” she says.
She said earlier that she wants more independence now that she’s 22. Does that mean she’d be more attentive to affairs of the heart? “Naku, love life na naman, puede ba, let’s just set that aside? When I say I want more freedom, it’s in terms of decision-making when it comes to my career. Mas gusto kong matutunan kung paano dadalhin ang sarili kong career. Balak kong bumili ng Grandia which is a bigger vehicle para naman I’d be more comfortable when I do out of town shows. Kasi ang luxury ko in life is sleeping kaya at least makakatulog ako ng maayos kahit na nagbibiyahe ako for my next job.”
The guy touted to have broken her heart, Rayver Cruz, also turned a year older on July 20, any message for him? “Naku, tama na yang ganyang message-message. No comment na lang.”
**********
LJ REYES is supposed to deliver her baby boy, Ethan Akio, on July 31 yet but her son opted to come out one week ahead of schedule on July 24. The boy is big at 7.4 lbs. Dad Paulo Avelino was not able to follow LJ to the U.S. as his applications for a visa were all denied. At any rate, he also could not leave now since he’s taping for the new Rhian Ramos-Aljur Abrenica telefantasya, “ILumina”. When interviewed in “Showbiz Central”, Paulo says he’s overwhelmed by the feeling that he’s now a father and he’s looking forward to the day when he’d be able to carry his son. Well, he’ll have to wait for a while since LJ wants the baby to grow a bit bigger before he travels to Manila. They’ll probably be home in September. The boy came via normal delivery so LJ is confident she’ll be able to recover fast from her bout with the stork. She considers her son a lucky charm as she won best supporting actress in Cinemalaya for the movie “The Leaving”, that she shot without telling anyone she’s already preggy.
**********
REGINE VELASQUEZ was grilled by secret informants in “Showbiz Central’s” Behind the Wall segment last Sunday. The questions: Sinubukan mo ba maging isang Lea Salonga? “I auditioned in New York kay Cameron MacKintosh for Miss Saigon but it’s not really for me kasi ako pang-teatro. It’s a different kind of training. I’m a pop singer, a balladeer.” Who do you think will be the next Regine? “Marami. Sina Kyla. Sarah Geronimo. Rachelle Ann Go.” Kailan mo gusto magka-baby? “Mamaya. We’re planning it this year but we’re still waiting for something (presumably Ogie Alcasid’s church annulment.) If ever, I have to rest, take a leave, kasi di na ko masyadong bata, I’ll just stay at home.” How much are you willing to give up for the love of your life? “Everything. Okay na ang family ko, so I’d be happy to give up my career.” An additional 4th informant appeared aRight now, I can’t say it.” Pia Guanio asks: “Katuparan ng dreams n’yo ni Ogie?” “Yes,” says Regine. “Everyone’s waiting for this.” Ogie butts in: “I really want to marry this woman. That is the desire of my heart. Should that be granted by God, I’ll be the happiest man on earth. That will be a great blessing and I promise I will make her the happiest woman on earth.” And Regine replies: “Sa buhay ko, wala naman akong ibang gusting mangyari kundi pakasalan si Ogie Alcasid.” This send all the studio audience swooning with delight.
**********
THOSE WHO watched the SONA are wondering why the First Girlfriend, Shalani Soledad, was nowhere to be seen. Reportedly, she is busy with her work as councilor in Valenzuela City that’s why she’s absent. But someone told us that they’re broken up. “No matter how busy she is in Valenzuela, kung wala silang problema, it’s so easy to excuse herself to show her support to her boyfriend in his first SONA as the country’s president,” says our source. “The fact na she’s not there is a confirmation na there’s really a kink in their relationship.” How true?
