Ara abused by Aljur

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Aljur Abrenica is turning 19 on March 24 and he feels so blessed that good breaks in his showbiz career continue coming in. How does he feel being named as most promising new actor by a certain award-giving body, with KC Concepcion as his counterpart? "Siyempre nagulat ako, 'di ko talaga ine-expect," he says. "But it's really an honor and I want to thank GMA na nagbigay sa akin ng magagandang projects at ang press dahil sa naitulong nilang publicity sa akin. "

What can he say to Richard Gutierrez now that he's paired with KC in the coming awards night? "Okay na po kami. Nag-meet kami ng mag-taping kami sa GMA recording studio noong January. Nagbatian kami ng happy new year. So okay na 'yun. "

His afternoon soap with Kris Bernal, "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?" is rating very high. But some writers say "kulang pa ang acting ni Aljur. " What can he say about this? "I want to thank them dahil it means concerned sila sa performance ko. Parang paalala sa'kin yun na mag-aral pa ako't pagbutihan ko pa ang acting ko, na siya namang ginagawa ko. Next month, Kris and I will enroll in more acting workshops. "

But it's also said he's so hot even ABS wants to get him. "Narinig ko rin 'yan, pero wala namang formal offer sa'kin. If ever meron, I don't think maiiwan ko ang GMA dahil may utang na loob ako with them. "

In "Dapat Ka bang Mahalin", he does a lot of kissing scenes. Some people say such scenes are not fitting for their afternoon timeslot. "Actually, hindi lang kissing scenes ang ginagawa ko kundi love scenes din. And not just with one woman but with two, si Kris and Ms. Ara Mina who plays my mistress. All I can say is kailangan lahat ng 'yun sa story. Responsible naman si Direk Maryo de los Reyes at hindi niya isasama ang ganung scenes kung walang saysay. Sa totoo lang, maraming naiinggit sa posisyon ko ngayon lalo na sa love scenes ko with Ms. Ara. Kasi torrid talaga ang mga eksena namin, lalo na 'yung sa pool. In fairness to Ms. Ara, siya pa ang nagsasabi sa'kin na samantalahin ko na raw ang opportunity pag may ganung scenes. "

People predict he'll be one of GMA's top leading men soon like Dennis Trillo and JC de Vera. "Kaya ko namang makipagsabayan sa kanila dahil masaya ako sa ginagawa ko. Bata pa ako, naramdaman ko nang may talent na ibinigay sa akin si Lord kasi tuwing may program sa school, I'm always asked to sing and play the guitar. I feel na blessed talaga ako kasi I've always served the Lord. Religious kasi ako. "

So what is the status between him and Kris now? "She's very special to me. Pero hindi pa kami. Nanliligaw pa lang ako sa kanya. "

Is it true he went steady with Rich Asuncion so he was cheering for her at the Bb. Pilipinas pageant? "No, natsismis lang kami when we were paired in SOP as she also sings. I was cheering for her kasi ka-batch ko siya sa StarStruck and we're friends kaya gusto ko siyang manalo. "

Does he think Kris is the girl "na dapat ba niyang mahalin"? "Yes, dati ko na siyang mahal dahil ang dami na naming pinagsamahan. "

CONSUELO DE BOBO?
Sarah Geronimo has been officially proclaimed as Box Office Queen and, as "paconsuelo de bobo," Ai Ai de las Alas has been named Comedy Box Office Queen (now, THAT is really funny). No doubt Sarah is hot these days so we heard so many presidentiables and senatoriable are trying to get her this early to be their endorser in next year's election. (Last year, she endorsed Sen. Ed Angara and he won. ) It's said that she's being offered a multi-million peso deal for this but her camp is taking their sweet sweet time in choosing the candidate they'd like to endorse.

This is good as her decision will no doubt affect her career. In the last election, Kris Aquino was paid millions to endorse our current president but we're sure she later rued having done so as the killers of her own dad were all pardoned by the president she helped to win. Kris was seen being emotional on TV because of the release of her dad's killers from prison but, wittingly or unwittingly, she is a part of it.

JACKIE SWEARS TO REFORM
Jackie Rice is the female winner in StarStruck 3 and her career was on the way up when she was reprimanded by GMA-7 for being unprofessional. It's said she devoted more time to her boyfriend Biboy Ramirez than to her career. As such, StarStruck 4 winner Kris Bernal has left her behind as Kris now plays a lead role in her own soap, "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin".

"I don't take it against Kris kasi nagkulang din naman ako, pero wala na kami ni Biboy," she says. "Seven months na since we broke up. Wala naman akong masasabing hindi maganda sa kanya kasi mabait siya. Kaya lang, maraming areas kaming hindi nagkakaintindihan, nagkakaroon ng mga tampuhan na eventually, dumating sa desisyong maghiwalay. "

What are the sources of their conflicts or tampuhan? "Madalas, maliliit na bagay lang ang pinagtatalunan namin. Kaya lang, dumadalas na ang mga diskusyunan so we both felt we need space and it's time to call it quits muna bago pa lumala ang conflict namin. At least, we parted pa rin as friends at hindi kami naging magkaaway. "

There have been other suitors since then but she wants to be more serious with her career now. "Parang ayoko muna to entertain suitors. I want to remain single so I can focus more on my career, na talaga namang napabayaan ko noon. I want to make good this time that GMA-7 is giving me another chance to show na nagbago na talaga ako. "

Jackie plays an important role in "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" where she plays the role of Dingdong Dantes' younger sister. She rebelled against their controlling mom, Carmi Martin, so she chose to get married even if she's still very young. Her husband is played by Kiel Rodriguez. "I play a young wife and mother and it's a good role kasi maraming magandang dramatic scenes. Siguro naman, maipapakita ko na ritong may ibubuga talaga ako sa pag-aartista at nagpapasalamat ako sa GM-7 sa muli nilang pagtitiwala sa akin. "

MEMORABLE FINALE
THE final week of "Kapamilya Deal Or No Deal" starts tomorrow and big stars led by Gov. Vilma Santos are lined up to be guest contestants. Last week, the special guests were sweethearts Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay, and ace choreographer Maribeth Bichara.

"Siyempre, dahil end of our season na, we want to give our viewers a memorable finale," says host Kris Aquino. "We promise our viewers a final week that will be memorable for all of them. "

"KDOND" will be replaced by a Pinoy Bingo game show that will also be hosted by Kris.

NOT AN ASSURANCE FOR PACMAN TO WIN
GMA execs say they were surprised when they learned Manny Pacquiao moved back to ABS-CBN where he'll have his fight with British boxer Ricky Hatton aired. "We were all shocked," says Redgie Magno, senior program manager. "We didn't even know he's negotiating with the other network. Nag-chat pa kami last week sa Internet but he has not mentioned anything about his move. Bigla na lang in-announce sa 'TV Patrol'. But Solar Sports, our media partner with whom he has an existing contract until 2011, says he's not allowed to just sign up with Channel 2, so hindi pa tapos ang issue dahil they can ask for a restraining order sa showing ng Pacquiao-Hatton fight sa Dos. He also has a contract with GMA-7 as our talent until the end of 2009. Meron nga siyang two existing shows with us, 'Pinoy Records' and 'Totoy Bato'. "

No doubt the network wars will get hotter because of this. Did Manny get a bigger offer from ABS? "Ang yaman na ni Manny so hindi na siya basta masisilaw sa pera.

From what I heard, ABS promised to give him all out support when he runs for public office in next year's election. Malakas ang Dos sa Mindanao, so siguro gusto niya, mas malawak ang coverage niya, which is not really a guarantee that you'd win, di ba?"

Source: People's Journal