The Daughter Of Lotlot & Monching Finally Gets A Launching Soap On GMA-7

JANINE GUTIERREZ once cried when asked by the press why she hasn’t been given a launching soap by GMA-7. It was then bruited about that she’ll be launched in “Pyra, Babaeng Apoy” but the role went to Thea Tolentino. Well, Janine has no more reason to be sad as she’s finally getting her launching vehicle, the remake of “Villa Quintana”, the hit GMA soap that then starred Donna Cruz and Keempee de Leon.

This time, she will be paired with Elmo Magalona, so Elmo fans who’ve been wondering why he doesn’t have a show also don’t have to wonder anymore as he has accepted to do this soap that is directed by Gina Alajar. “Villa Quintana” will be replacing the hit afternoon prime soap, “Mga Basang Sisiw”. It is definitely a bigger series than “Pyra”, with them to be supported by Raymart Santiago, Sunshine Dizon and Paolo Contis.

Janine and Elmo have something in common. They both come from showbiz families. Janine’s parents are Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher and her grandparents are Nora Aunor and Pilita Corrales no less. Elmo’s dad is the late Francis Magalona, whose parents were the well loved love team of the 50s, Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.

Aren’t they afraid the Julie Anne San Jose-Elmo Magalona’s fans will be up against them? “Huwag naman sana,” says Janine. “Kung natanggap nila ang pakikipagpareha ni Julie Anne kay Kristoffer Martin sa ‘Kahit Nasaan Ka Man’, sana matanggap din nila ang pairing sa amin ni Elmo in ‘Villa Quintana’. Nagtatrabaho lang naman kami. Nag-acting workshop na kami under Direk Gina Alajar at okay naman daw ang chemistry naming dalawa.”