A showbiz couple like no other

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Rachelle Ann Go?s relationship with boyfriend Christian Bautista is totally wholesome. Unlike other young people who easily indulge in premarital sex, they?d rather wait until they?re married before hopping into bed. They don?t even indulge in PDA (public display of affection). "We go to church together every Sunday and this helps enlighten us about the things we have to do in life, like cultivating the right moral values together as a couple," she says.

It took Christian one year to woo her before she gave her nod, unlike easy girls who are courted for only a few days or weeks. Some people might say they?re too conservative and that their relationship is boring, but in our book, they?re good role models compared to teens who become unwed moms and dads at an early age without even finishing their studies.

"You can still be romantic naman without getting physical," adds Rachelle. "Christian and I exchange love letters and gifts, which is a great way of expressing your feelings for one another. Christian gives me CDs of love songs that best express his love for me and I sing them back to him in return during our moments together.

Rachelle gained fame as "Search for a Star" champion and has since released two hit albums. Viva Records now releases her third one, "Obsession," recorded in Milan, Los Angeles and Manila, and produced by Christian de Walden of Hollywood who has nothing but praises for her. "She?s terrific to work with," says De Walden. "She has a great work ethic and very energetic. She won?t stop until she has given a song her all."

"Obsessions" has 12 original songs from songwriters in Europe, the US, and Manila. Its goal is to present Rachelle as a mature and accomplished artist so they created a mixture of sounds for her set against Latin and Euro-influenced dance tracks and ballads. The carrier single, "Don?t Say Goodbye," has great recall and is a potential hit. Other great cuts are "Come One Day," "Walk into My Life," "You are My Obsession," "Alam ng Ating mga Puso" and "Iyong-Iyo." The album was launched at Mugen Bar along with Star In A Million runnerup Jimmy Marquez? CD-lite that has five songs.

* * *

Regine Tolentino happily reports that she and hubby Lander Vera Perez have fully reconciled. "Our marriage is now going strong and we really take the effort to make it work this time," she says. "We went through hard times but nag-mature na kami pareho and it?s a great blessing. Our two daughters, now 8 and 6, are so happy about it. They always urge us to hold hands and be more malambing to each other."

But Regine now faces a new problem. Her mom has been diagnosed with bone cancer. "Stage 4 na when it was detected but she?s now having chemotherapy. Please pray for her. We used to go to the US each December to visit my three siblings there but last Christmas, sila ang nagpunta rito kasi our mom can?t travel anymore as she?s in pain."

Regine continues to work hard for her mom and her family. She wakes up at 3 every morning to host her two segments in GMA-7?s "Unang Hirit." She also designs bridal gowns and formal wear. "I?ve dressed up many celebrities like Lucy Torres, Regine Velasquez and the stars of SOP. They?re all happy with my creations."

Now, after her hit dance videos, "Sensual Dancing" and "Belly Dancing," she has come up with a new video, "Dance Latina: Shape Up." "We feature three ballroom dances: rumba, samba and cha-cha. We have different costumes for each number. We can teach you these dances through step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow, right in your own home. Each lesson ends with a hot music video with me and DanceSport superstar Edna Ledesma and four more dance experts. For the DVD edition, there are bonus features on professional Latin dance tips on how to win in competitions and behind-the-scenes footages from the shooting of our video that was directed by hotshot commercial director Paul Basinillo."

"Dance Latina: Shape Up" is sold for only P299 on DVD and P199 on VCD.

* * *

Child star Celine Lim, who turned 8 on January 10 and played the young Kim Chiu in the hit soap, "Sana Maulit Muli," had the writers interviewing her at the Star Magic birthday presscon laughing because of her hilarious answers to their questions. She was discovered when she joined Star Circle Kids. "Crush ko si Nash Aguas pero si Basty Alcanses po ang may crush sa ?kin kasi partner ko siya sa "Little Miss Philippines" noong 2003," she says.

What?s her dad?s work? "He?s an architect." So they?re rich? "May kaya lang po kami."

She played the young Bea Alonzo in "Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin" and the young Anne Curtis in "Wag Kang Lilingon." She now plays the young Judy Ann Santos in "Ysabella."

* * *

Juddha Paolo was a promising boxer when he was discovered and did a soft drink commercial. He then tried acting in "Tabing Ilog" and "Mr. Suave" but he found out he?s more at home in TV hosting. A resident VJ of Studio 23, he also host the environmental show "Bantay Kalikasan." "But I?m acting again in ?Rounin? as one of the pioneer rounins," he says.

He?s going back to boxing and put up his own Everlast Fitness and Boxing Gym at the Fort. He?s now training to represent the country as a welterweight in amateur boxing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He turned 26 on January 20 and treated himself to a vacation in Singapore.

* * *

How does Mikee Lee feel now that his big crush inside "Pinoy Big Brother," Kim Chiu, hit it big as the partner of Gerald Anderson? "I?m honestly happy for them since housemates ko sila," he says. "I admit pumorma ako noon kay Kim sa PBB pero hindi natuloy kasi natorpe ako as she was paired with Gerald."

He went back to Ateneo High School where he?s now a junior but he?s glad ABS-CBN has not neglected him and cast him as one of the regulars in "Y Speak" and the youth show "Abt Ur Luv" where he is Aldred Gatchalian?s rival over Valeen Montenegro, seen Saturdays at 5 p.m. Mikee turned 17 on January 14.

* * *

A number of Oscar-nominated films are currently being shown so be sure to watch them. One is "Little Children" by Director Todd Field who made his directorial debut in "In the Bedroom" (a film about grief and revenge starring Sissy Spacek) and got several Oscar nominations. "Little Children" is now similarly honored. Based on the book by Tom Perotta (who co-wrote the script with Field), this dark story is not a feel good film as it?s about adults behaving badly is presented with well defined characters.

Set in suburbia like "American Beauty", the film starts with a wholesome portrait of innocence as little children have fun in their playground, being watched over by their moms who get excited when they see Brad (Patrick Wilson), a hunky young dad. But they don?t have enough guts to talk to him. It?s the free-spirited Sarah (Kate Winslet) who gets to strike a conversation with Brad. They are soon having regular dates at the swimming pool with their respective kids. Sarah is married to Richard (Gregg Edelman), who enjoys watching internet porn so much. Brad is a stay-at-home husband who has finished law but flunked the bar exams twice. His wife, Kathy (Jennifer Connelly), is the breadwinner as a docu filmmaker. Sarah and Brad end up having a passionate affair.

Also connected to the story are Ronnie McGorvey (Jackie Earle Haley), a convicted sex offender who?s been released and has moved back to the neigHBOrhood, and Larry Hedges (Noah Emmerich), a former cop who harrasses Ronnie. Ronnie is fiercely protected by his mother, May (Phillis Somerville).

No wonder he?s got arrested sexual development. The exposition is done with the help of a narrator (Will Lyman) whose smooth baritone voice makes pertinent comments and witty observations about what?s going on. The viewers can depend on him as the conscience of the characters who, like little children, often refuse to acknowledge their real feelings.

Just like in "In the Bedroom" where he elicited marvelous work from his actors, Field once again gets wonderful turns from his main cast. Kate Winslet is brilliant in her finely nuanced portrayal of Sarah, the housewife who?s trapped in an unhappy marriage and the one character who?s fully aware of the possible consequences of her behavior but cannot resist lustful temptation. Patrick Wilson ("Phantom of the Opera," "Angels in America") is also terrific as the handsome but dimwitted husband who acts like a little boy in love with skateboarding. Kate and Patrick have terrific on-screen chemistry, particularly in their hot nude love scenes.

Jackie Earle Haley gives wonderful support as the tormented sex offender who has to continually fight his basic instincts. Both Winslet and Haley are now nominated in the Oscars.

Source: Malaya