Well, all’s well that ends well, we hope. After all, “Endless Love” is yet about to end and they’ll still all meet each other on the set during taping.
NOW THAT Jennylyn Mercado and Patrick Garcia are in good terms and see each other regularly because of their son Alex Jazz, it’s but natural for some writers to create a new intrigue saying Jen’s current, Dennis Trillo, is getting jealous of their closeness to each other. “I just hope that tigilan na nila yang ganyang pang-iintriga,” says Dennis on the set of “Endless Love”. “Ako nga ang nagsabi kay Jen na magbati na sila for their son para wala ng problema, ngayon, kami naman ang ginagawaan ng issue. It’s nice to see them na magkakasama na at maayos na ang lahat. Wala ng samaan ng loob at happy naman ang baby nila. So bakit kailangang gumawa ng bagong issue? Kaya ayoko ng patulan yang mga intrigang nagseselos daw ako dahil hindi naman totoo.”
Even Jen says that although she and Patrick are in better terms, they’re not really that close like before. “Happy lang akong magkasama na sila ng anak niya at hinahanap na nga siya ng bata. He’s a responsible dad, pero wag naman pati si Dennis, intrigahin pa.”
Jen and Dennis are together in the P50-million period film, “Rosario”, the first entry in the December filmfest that has completed principal photography. After this, Jen will be doing a new telenovela for GMA-7, “Paano Maging Isang Ina”, with Lovi Poe that is an original story by Agnes Gagelonia and not a remake of an old film
LOOKS LIKE AUBREY Miles and Marian Rivera’s ex, Ervic Vijandre, really got close to each other while together in an island for “Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition”, the toprating show on primetime today. We’ve seen them always comforting and practically canoodling with each other in several episodes. We’re not surprised that Aubrey’s partner, Troy Montero, reportedly got jealous because of this. But Aubrey quickly tells people they should not put any malice into her friendship with Ervic.
“In looks and even in the way he talks, he reminds me of my brother kaya naging close kami,” she says. “Pero parang magkapatid lang talaga kami doon and naging ate niya ko kaya wag na kami intrigahin. I assured Troy na naging good girl ako and I’m glad he gave me his full trust.”
Ervic says he’s a fan of Aubrey. “Natuwa nga ako when I learned kasama siya kasi tagahanga niya talaga ko. Nagulat nga siya nang sabihin ko sa kanya ang title ng movies niya na napanood ko kaya madaling napalagay ang loob namin sa isa’t isa. Walang dapat ipagselos si Troy.”
CURRENTLY SHOWING at the UP Diliman Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero Theatre is the revival of the acclaimed hit musical satire on TV and showbiz we first saw four years ago, “Shock Value”. Writer Floy Quintos has updated the material and it now has references to youtube, Facebook and the raging network wars. When we first saw it, the lead role of Kuya Matt, the gay TV host whose successful career was ruined by a sex scandal set up by a rival network, was played with understanding and so much flair by TV director Andoy Ranay. This time, performing the role is character actor Jojit Lorenzo (who’s so good as an obnoxious character in the indie film “Last Supper No.3”) and he’s a tad too hysterical in his interpretation. The one who impressed us is Mylene Dizon as the TV producer who’s Kuya Matt’s best friend. This is her first stage work and Mylene really shines as an actress whether it be in film, TV or theatre. Alex Cortez directs the revival like it’s a musical revue, with more rousing song and dance numbers bursting with energy and exuberance, particularly the finale where the whole cast gets to show superior ensemble performance.
The night we watched, Director Maryo de los Reyes was there to give support to his talent, Orlando Sol, who plays the pivotal role of Jason, the callboy who becomes Kuya Matt’s boyfriend and is used by his enemies against him. Orlando gives an unabashedly uninihibited performance in his nude scene. In the second act, he is shirtless all throughout and even has a lingering lips-to-lips kissing scene with Kuya Matt on stage. The finale shows him stripping into skimpy leather trunks. A member of the Masculados Dos, Direk Maryo says Orlando is really one of his most hardworking and diligent wards. His constant workouts gave him a hunky physique that he displays to advantage in the play and he also acquits himself in that long aria at the end of the first act where he speaks in front of a TV camera to reveal that he has just been used by John Lapus (Kuya Matt’s rival) to ruin his erstwhile lover, Kuya Matt, and he tearfully admits that he now regrets it very much. Orlando is not the only talent of Direk Maryo’s Productions 56 but also newcomers Ken Suarez (who plays the dance champ Elbert who later turned out to be a cross-dresser) and Stephan Villa (the understudy of Orlando as Jason and is also an expert dancer). “I want them to train in theatre as it makes them more disciplined actors,” says Direk Maryo. “Sa ganyan nagsimula noon si Yul Servo and when he started doing films, he won several best actor awards agad.”
“It’s really an honor for me to be acting with seasoned stage performers,” says Orlando who has also done the indie film “Halik sa Tubig” and will soon start shooting “Taliwas, Macho Dancer 3”. The plays runs Thursday to Sunday until October 3. Orlando’s scheduled performances are on September 18, 10 AM and 3 PM; September 19, 3 PM; September 24, 7 PM (with Andoy Ranay as Matt), September 25, 10 AM; September 30, 7 PM; October 2, 3 PM; and October 3, 10 AM.
YOU CAN NOW access our past columns and other articles we’ve written through the years like yearenders, list of best films and performances, the most memorable local films, and other showbiz items at our blogsite, www.showbiz-portal.blogspot.com. Check it out.
