Angelica: I don't expect much from Derek

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Angelica Panganiban looks radiant at her launching, along with Anne Curtis, as the newest endorsers of Swatch for their Original Skin campaign. She thanks her boyfriend Derek Ramsey for introducing her to Swatch boss Virgie Ramos. "He's the first one to endorse Swatch then he took me to a party at the home of Tita Virgie who liked me well enough to give me some watches," she says. "Ang gaganda kaya pinag-aagawan namin ni Derek. I didn't know kukunin din pala nila akong endorser. They made the offer last December. Derek got envious nga kasi, ako, may launching pa with Anne, siya noon, wala. "

Why is the new Swatch called Original Skin? "Because it's so thin at 3. 9 mm. that you don't feel na you're wearing it, parang part ng skin mo lang. "

She and Derek have been on for more than two years and she says that's because they give each other enough space. "Hindi kami demanding na, kailangang magkita tayo araw-araw. That way, we don't feel na sinasakal namin ang isa't isa and we even miss each other. Kahit sinong tao naman, pag masyadong confining ang relationship, feeling niya, kinukulong siya. Sa amin, the important thing is we trust each other. Nagkakaroon din kami ng LQ but we just keep it to ourselves at di na pinalalaki. But now, more mature na kami kaya kung maliliit na bagay rin lang, we just let it pass. "

They will star in the Valentine presentation of "Your Song" for all Sundays of February. "This is our second time in 'Your Song' at may love scene kami, hindi na puro pa-cute lang. Hindi naman grabe dahil it's for TV, pero kinabahan pa rin kami kasi first time naming gumawa ng ganito na magkapareha kami. Maraming nagandahan kaya bibigyan daw kami ng movie to be shot in March or April. "

Has she considered Derek to be her lifetime partner? "Of course, when you're in a serious relationship, di ba 'yun naman ang iniisip mong mangyari. But I don't want to expect too much kasi ayoko ring masaktan. Basta happy lang ako with the way things are going on between us now, so I'd rather not rush things. "

What will they do on Valentine's Day? "This will be our third. Noong 2007, we went outing sa Calatagan at naglakad kami sa gubat doon. Kaming dalawa lang. Last year, we were working pero noong gabi we had dinner sa bahay lang at nilutuan ko siya ng steak with mashed potatoes. Mas gusto niya 'yung ganun, mga simpleng celebration lang than going to a fancy restaurant.

NO MORE ISABEL TALK FOR PAOLO
Paolo Contis has proven his worth as an all-around actor who can do both lead and supporting roles, drama and comedy, with equal ease. He has tried hosting a magazine show before but now, he tries his hand at hosting a game show in "My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad" which is derived from a hit U. S. show. We watched the pilot episode and Paolo has the energy and comic drive to sustain such a fun-filled game show.

Each episode consists of four pairs of dads with their respective son or daughter (aged 8 to 10 years old). There will be four distinct segments that will require physical as well as mental skills. In "Ang Daddy Kong Fast," each team of dad and child will have to hurdle various obstacle courses within a time limit. In "Ang Daddy Kong Strong," Dad will have to use his muscles in games of brute but calculated force to get high points in challenges that require brawn. In "Ang Daddy Kong Smart," dads will have to rely on their brains. In "Ang Daddy Kong Brave," dad's guts will be put to an ultimate test as he is subjected to something hair-raising or gooey to prove his determination.

"The show is aimed to provide the ultimate bonding experience for families as mommies and other siblings will be invited to be part of the studio audience and cheer on the dads and kids," says Paolo. "Kung bata-bata pa ako, sumali na sana kami ng daddy ko rito kasi each winning pair of dad and kid takes home P100,000. "

"My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad" will start airing on February 8 after "Kap's Amazing Stories" replacing "Family Feud" on Sundays. Paolo is really one of the busiest stars on GMA as he also makes people laugh in "Bubble Gang" and plays villain to Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes in "Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" that starts airing this Monday. "I'm glad iba-ibang talent ang napapakita ko in each show. In 'Babaeng Hinugot', the viewers will hate me once again in my role as Rado, a thug who's so in love with Proserfina, played by Marian. The one who's so in love with me here is Francine Prieto, pero hindi ko siya pinapansin at ipipilit ko ang sarili ko kay Marian. "

One last question to Paolo: does he see himself being a good dad when he and Lian Paz start having kids of their own? "Of course, I'll be the best dad I can be, kahit na sino pang girl ang maging mommy ng magiging anak ko," he says.

We heard that Paolo didn't really have a formal breakup with Isabel Oli. He even gave her a ring for their engagement but Isabel returned it later as she felt their relationship wasn't really okay, saying Paolo can give the ring back to her when he feels that they're already okay. But Paolo never got back to her and she soon just heard that he has already hooked up with Lian. But Paolo doesn't want to talk about this anymore. For him, past is past and he has already moved on.

ANNABELLE LOVES EDDIE
Annabelle Rama must really love hubby Eddie Gutierrez that much. As Eddie turns a year older on February 6, she stages a pre-Valentine Concert specially dedicated to him at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom on February 7.

"Lahat ng songs na kakantahin nina Pops Fernandez, Vernie Varga, Pokwang, Iya Villania at Rochelle Pangilinan, dedicated ko kay Eduardo," she says. "At suwerte siya kasi ang lakas ng benta ng tickets, huh. Suportado pa ng both GMA-7 and ABS-CBN ang show.

Her son Raymond will be hosting the show. Raymond showed he's also a good singer in "S. O. P. " last Sunday where he sang for the first time. Will she ask her son to also do a song number in the concert? "Why not? I'm really proud of him kaya dapat kantahan niya ang daddy niya dahil birthday nito. "

If you want tickets for the show, call 727-3536 and ask for Ilyn.

'TATAPATAN KO ANG POWERS NIYA'
THIS will be a special night on ABS-CBN's "Komiks Presents" as Shaina Magdayao accomplishes her last mission as Dragonna to give way to Flash Bomba, the Superhero for All Seasons portrayed by Luis Manzano. "Dragonna will have a fiery and spectacular finish viewers will not soon forget," says Shaina. "I now welcome Luis to the club of Superheroes created by Mars Ravelo. Later on, we will be assembled together in Sanlakas that will also feature Kapitan Boom, Tiny Tony, Lastikman and Varga. "

"Dragonna and the fire she exudes would be one tough act to follow but I promise the viewers that Flash Bomba will be a fitting successor in 'Komiks Presents'," says Luis. "Tatapatan ko kung anuman ang special powers niya. "

"Flash Bomba" starts tonight after Cinema FPJ at 6 p. m.

STAR MAGIC'S WORKSHOP AND BIRTHDAYS
STAR MAGIC's Rikka Dylim is back after a grand vacation in the U. S. and she announces that they're offering a series of public workshops again this coming March. The basic acting workshop will be handled by award winning directors and actors like Bodjie Pascua, Director Maryo J. Delos Reyes, Director Mel Chionglo, Vangie Labalan, Cirque de Soleil Acting Coach Director Phil Noble and Ricky Lee. Heading the group is Director Rahyan Carlos. Aside from the acting workshop for teens and adults, there will be acting workshop for kids, dance workshop and film and TV production workshops. No professional experience is necessary. This will be on a first come, first served basis.

Registration is on February 28 and March 1. Limited slots only. For inquiries, call ABS-CBN Star Magic 415-3828 or 415-2272 local 5142.

Star Magic also held it's party for their stars born in January and four of them are recruits from Pinoy Dream Academy : Jay-R Siaboc, Gemma Fitzgerald, Panky Trinidad and Ronnie Liang. Gemma is the Fil-Aussie girl who's now part of Koolchx. She turned 23 on Jan. 1 and says she gained a lot of weight lately, so she's determined to lose the excess pounds. How is she and AJ Dee after their breakup? "Oh, that was a year ago. He was the one who broke up with me and later, bumabalik sa'kin, ayoko na. I found another boyfriend, Jimmy Alapag, pero hindi rin nagtagal. We broke up four months ago and as of now, career muna ako. Mga kasama ko sa Koolchx, aside from our singing stints in 'ASAP' and 'Wowowee', may dramas din sila, like Nina Dolino in Pieta and Princess Ryan in 'Eva Fonda'. Us girls who don't know how to speak Tagalog, like Michelle Murenec and Malaya Lewandowski, walang ibang show so I got myself a tutor as I want to be serious with my acting. "

Jay-R turned 22 on Jan. 21. He also gained weight. "30 lbs. ang nadagdag. For more than a year kasi, I was so busy doing one show after another, like 'Pangarap Na Bituin', 'Palos', 'Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara' and 'Kapitan Boom'. Late last year, napahinga ako sa I just ate and slept. Dun ako lumaki. Now, they say magpapayat muna ako before they give me a new show. " How's he and girlfriend Irish Fullerton? "We were together in the U. S. last Christmas and New Year but she stayed behind as her mom got sick. She's returning here on February 18. I will have shows in Metropolis Alabang on February 8 and in San Mateo , Rizal on February 20. "

Panky is the punk rocker in their batch. She was chosen to sing the theme song of Dragonna and now does a lot of gigs with her own band. She turned 23 on Jan. 21. Ronnie Liang is the balladeer who popularized the hit song "Ngiti. " He now plays a meaty role in "I Love Betty La Fea" as the former seminarian who becomes an executive in Ecomoda. He will be doing a Hong Kong charity show on February 22 and US show in June. He celebrated his birthday by sharing his blessings with the old folks at Golden Acres. He finds this charity work more fulfilling than having a big party. He wants to continue this good deed every year. Ronnie turns 24 today.

LT STILL GRIEVES

Lolit Solis says she feels that her ward Lorna Tolentino still hasn't gotten over her grief in losing husband Rudy Fernandez. "Up to now, ayaw pa ring magtrabaho," she says. "ABS-CBN has already sent her scripts for 'Maalaala Mo Kaya' and also for two teleseryes. In-offer din sa kanya 'yung isang morning talk show, pero wala pa ring magustuhan and she turned down everything. Gusto ko sana , mag-work na siya to keep her occupied. Kaso, noong Christmas, ayaw magtrabaho dahil malungkot daw siya at naaalala pa niya si Daboy. This time, Valentine naman at naaaalala uli si Daboy. Sa March, birthday naman ni Daboy kaya maalala rin niya. Sabi ko nga, buti pa si Amy Austria noon. After Jay Ilagan passed away, two weeks later, nag-work na kasi walang datung. E, si LT, hindi kasi kailangan ng datung kaya can afford na malungkot. "

Our unsolicited advice to LT is to go back to the swing of things to get over her grief. The pain won't go away, it will always stay there, but then, you'll have your work to take your mind off things. We're speaking from experience. Today is the first anniversary of the day my wife Victoria collapsed after delivering a lecture in UP Los Baños, a day after her birthday on January 30. She went into coma and never recovered. February 3 is her first death anniversary. For two weeks after she went, we didn't do anything but wallow in our grief as she left us so suddenly. But with the help of our son, daughter, their spouses and our apos, we were able to recover slowly. Last January 22nd, the first child of our son Mario Miguel and his wife Shirleen was born and they named her Victoria . So, the memory of my late wife lives on. To those who condoled with us during our entire year of bereavement, salamat po from our family.

Source: People's Journal