WHAT MARIAN WANTS FROM DINGDONG
[PHOTO - MARIAN RIVERA]
MANILA, AUGUST 9, 2011 (MALAYA) MARIO BAUTISTA ('Nothing material. Basta gusto ko, huwag na lang siya magbabago sa akin. – Marian Rivera')
PATRICK Garcia was last seen in "Full House" with Richard Gutierrez and Heart Evangelista two years ago. "Ang tagal na rin," he says. "GMA was then asking me to do 'Little Star' with Jennylyn Mercado but I decided not to accept it as we just reconciled and I don't want people accusing us of using each other. Kaya nga I'm glad to be back before the cameras in GMA's new telefantasya, 'Iglot.' My co-stars Claudine Barretto, Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin, dati ko ng mga kasama sa ABS-CBN pa. Ako manggugulo sa buhay ni Claudine dito."
What if GMA would ask him again to do a show with Jennylyn?
"Okay na kasi we're really good friends again. Pumayag na rin siyang ang official family name na gamitin ng anak naming si Alex Jazz is 'yung sa akin, Garcia. I was so happy when she informed me about kasi my son will now carry my name."
Does he still have feelings for Jen?
"Sa ngayon, I think we're better off as friends para wala na kami noong rollercoaster relationship like we had before."
***
Marian Rivera's decision not to answer Heart Evangelista anymore is working to her advantage. Looks like the issue has died a natural death with her not adding fuel to the fire. She got busy with the birthday bash of her boyfriend Dingdong Dantes last Aug. 2 held in a ranch in Batangas. On August 12, it'll be her turn to celebrate her birthday. What are her plans?
"Nothing grand. Basta kasama ko ang family ko at si Dong, happy na ako. Pero nagpaalam na ako para hindi mag-taping for 'Amaya.' I want to devote the whole day sa loved ones ko."
If she'd request a birthday gift from Dong, what'll it be?
"Nothing material. Basta gusto ko, huwag na lang siya magbabago sa akin. 'Yun lang, okay na ko."
What can she say that her fans are accused of threatening to throw acid on Heart Evangelista's face in twitter?
"Hindi sila violent. Tigilan na natin 'yan. Wala akong time sa intriga sa dami ng trabaho ko. By next month, I'll have a new sitcom kapalit ng 'Show Me Da Manny.' In 'Amaya,' abangan nyo dahil from being a babaylan, I'll soon be a warrior. Nag-fit na ako ng warrior costume ko and I'm training now for my fight scenes."
***
Albie Casino's loss is Enrique Gil's gain as the new leading man of Kathryn Bernardo in the movie "Way Back Home."
"It's management's decision," says director Jerry Sineneng. "And Enrique is a very good replacement."
This is certainly a big break for Enrique after his lead role in the TV show "Good Vibes." "I couldn't believe it when I was informed na ako na ang makakapareha ni Kathryn," he says. "Siguro po, destiny talagang sa'kin napunta ang role and I'm very thankful."
The other leading man, Sam Concepcion, is also a replacement. Originally, it was the late AJ Perez who was meant to be Julia Montes' partner. How does Sam feel about this?
"My name in the film is also AJ, as a tribute to him," says Sam. "AJ was very hardworking and capable, so I did my best to do it the way he'd do it as I don't want to let him down."
"In all fairness to them, we're very happy with our replacement leading men," adds Direk Jerry. "I'm satisfied na sa dami ng young actors sa ABS, sila ang napili."
***
After hits like "Next to Normal" and "Aida," Atlantis Productions is now staging the new Broadway musical, "In the Heights," winner of four Tony Awards for best musical, best score, best choreography and best orchestration. Set in a Latino community in Upper Manhattan's Washington Heights, it has several endearing characters and one of them is played by Jackielou Blanco. "I play Camilla, wife of Calvin Millado, daughter namin si K-La Rivera of 'Star Power' who's now a MYX VJ," she says. "I've done theater before but mostly local plays sa UP and CCP. My last was a play on Rizal with me as Josephine Bracken in 1995. 'In the Heights' is my first Broadway musical. I took voice lessons with Sweet Plantado of The Company for better projection at para hindi ako mapagod agad. I'm glad that I'm doing this ngayong nasa last week na kami ng 'Blusang Itim' at nag-last taping day na kami. Now, I can focus on our daily rehearsals for the play."
Does she watch her hubby Ricky Davao's work as a director in "Sisid"?
"Yes, even before it was aired, he made me and our kids watch the first few episodes and we were very impressed kasi parang pelikula ang treatment niya. I'm so happy for him as he really loves directing. We're all proud of him."
Do their kids intend to join showbiz as well?
"May hilig sila but I'm glad they all want to finish college first, just like Monching and Lotlot's daughter, Janine, na graduate na before she joined showbiz. She's now taking workshops with GMA to prepare her."
What can she say about Nora Aunor's return?
"It's Kuya Germs who told me sa 'Walang Tulugan' that she's coming home and I'm glad may trabaho agad siya."
Would she like to work with her?
"I've worked with her before in films like 'I Love You, Mama' and 'Can't Stop Loving You.' It'd be nice to work with her again, given the chance."
How did she become part of "In the Heights"? "Director Bobby Garcia asked me to audition. I'm glad nakuha ako as I love his past plays. I have a solo song here, 'Enough,' and the rest are with the ensemble. I can relate to my role kasi I really speak Spanish."
"In the Heights" is on at the RCBC Plaza Theatre in Makati from September 2 to 18 with special licensing arrangement with Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatricals and Broadway Asia. For tickets, call Atlantis, 892-7078 and 840-1187.
***
There's a scene in "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank" where JM de Guzman and Kean Cipriano visit Eugene Domingo in her home and she is shown looking like someone really rich living in a huge and lavish mansion. Is that really where she lives?
"Naku, hindi po," she says. "Upgraded nga ako doon, pati sa getup ko dahil hindi naman ako ganun manamit sa loob ng bahay ko at wala akong ganun karaming assistants. They made me larger than life, but it's a challenge to play another Eugene Domingo na malayo sa'kin sa tunay na buhay, ha."
The film's producer, Atty. Joji Alonso, said she didn't accept any talent fee for the movie. "Kasi kung sisingil siya, we'll exceed the P3 million ceiling sa budget ng Cinemalaya. And to think she met an accident sa shooting dahil nahulog talaga siya sa septic tank."
"Binigyan naman nila ako ng magandang silya for my dining room. But lahat ng hirap ko, it's all worth it," says Uge. "Ang daming awards na napanalunan, naka-best actress uli after 'Kimmy Dora,' kumita siya, heto't for nationwide theatrical release kami agad ng Star Cinema. Siempre, strike while the iron is hot, 'di ba? Pinag-uusapan pa ang movie, so dapat ipalabas agad sa mas maraming sinehan."
The movie coincided with her 40th birthday. "Perfect birthday gift nga sa'kin, pati 'yung bago kong award."
What else is her birthday wish?
"Good health. Kasi, marami ka ngang pera, wala ka namang good health, how will you enjoy it. At siempre, lovelife. Sana, magkaroon na."
***
Iwa Moto left for Japan recently allegedly to turn over a new leaf, which is just as well since GMA-7 has no new show for her after her tumultuous love affair with Mickey Ablan who has since replaced her with Janna Dominguez. Do we hear Janna saying "good riddance" since they reportedly snubbed each other at the recent FHM affair at World Trade Center?
Iwa's younger sister now lives in Japan after their Japanese dad passed away there about two years ago. Iwa is hoping that, like her sister, she can also obtain Japanese citizenship. The trip away from Manila will surely do her a lot of good so she can sort out her thoughts and feelings about her recent love affair gone wrong.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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