Ara ready to face Carlene

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Ara Mina has come to the rescue of her sister Cristine Reyes who was confronted by Carlene Aguilar because of Dennis Trillo. Ara takes up the cudgels for Cristine who doesn't want to talk at all about what happened.

"Mas palaban si Ara," says someone close to the sisters. "Siya raw, handang harapin si Carlene dahil wala itong karapatang pilipitin ang kamay ng kapatid niya. Dapat daw, awatin ito ni Dennis. "

A gay writer quips: "Para silang mga baklang nag-aaway dahil sa isang lalaki. "

It's good all this personal drama in Dennis' life is not hurting the ratings of "Zaido" that continues to rate high.

Meanwhile, Ara is now busy shooting again for "Anak ng Kumander," her movie with Manny Pacquiao which is an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival.

SECRET TAPING FOR MariMar

THE screen sizzled when Marian Rivera and Katrina Halili donned their sexy two-piece swimswuits in last Friday's episode of "MariMar. " When this was taped, the location had to be hush-hush as Direk Joyce Bernal didn't want on-lookers to be trooping to the place to watch Marian and Katrina strutting by the pool in their skimpy swimwear.

"Talagang itinago ito at mahirap na baka dayuhin ng mga miron at kukunan sila ng palihim sa cellphones tapos ikakalat pati sa Internet," one staffer tells us.

So will Marian be ready to pose for a men's magazine after this? "Noon pa maraming offers, but I'm not ready yet. Iba naman itong sa TV kasi ako ang bida rito. "

If you've seen "MariMar" last Friday, then you'd know that Marian has smooth flawless skin and a well-shaped body. "Talagang inaalagaan ko ang kutis ko para laging makinis," she adds. "As for my figure, balingkinitan na ako even then and for this important scene, nag-exercise din ako to make sure I'm in good shape. Ilang gabi rin akong hindi nakatulog thinking of that scene dahil ninenerbiyos talaga akong magbilad ng katawan ko. Pero inisip ko na lang ang consistent high ratings ng 'MariMar' na laging nasa mid-40s, so I have to do this para mas mapag-rate namin ang show at sana, umabot sa 50%. "

As for Dingdong Dantes, he says he had a good time feasting his eyes on the sexy bods of Marian and Katrina. "Nagulat ako sa pagka-daring nila at hindi ko alam kung sino ang mas tititigan ko nang matagal. Parang nilagnat ako while watching them. Don't ask me anymore who's sexier dahil pareho silang may kakaibang dating. Talagang kina-career nila ang pagpapaganda ng kanilang mga mukha at katawan. "

JODI: I DON'T NEGLECT MY SON

MARRIAGE has not prevented Jodi Sta. Maria from being the busiest "Tabing Ilog" alumna. Her colleagues Kaye Abad, Paula Peralejo and Desiree del Valle are definitely not as active as her.

She has just completed two new films: "Nars" and "Maling Akala". She's also in the cast of two TV shows: "Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara" and "Palos. " It's good her husband Pampi Lacson does not ask her to stop working.

"He's very supportive," Jodi says at the presscon of "Nars" held at Myrna's Bulalo. "Alam naman niya I don't neglect our son. Heto nga't kasama ko pa rito sa presscon. Also, as of now, 'Patayin' pa lang ang nagte-taping, twice a week. We have yet to start 'Palos'. The movies naman, promo na lang at pareho nang tapos. "

How does she feel doing a movie about nurses? "'Nars' is the most important film of the year kasi you know naman how many young people want to take up nursing so they can work abroad. Pero bago sila mag-nurse, panoorin muna nila itong movie namin as it's an eye-opener. Before, I thought I wanted to be a nurse to be of help to others. But we shot one scene of 'Nars' in the emergency room of a public hospital at meron talagang dinalang biktima ng saksakan who died while we were there. Hindi ko kaya. "

Jodi plays Adrinne, a girl whose dad works in Dubai and mom works as caregiver in Canada. "They give me material comfort, but I hunger for their presence and love. My dream is to finish nursing then work in Australia to spite my parents. "

CARLO'S REAL CALLING

HUNKY actor Carlo Maceda is the co-producer of "Nars" for Carl & Carl Productions. He's so happy with the positive feedback the film is getting from members of the nursing community who've seen its premiere at a nurses' convention in Cagayan de Oro City. "There's now a clamor from various nursing schools whose students want to see the film," he says. "Even nursing associations abroad want to see it as this is the first time na may local film devoted entirely to the nursing profession. "

Doesn't he miss acting? "It seems my calling is really on the business side of producing movies. Aside from this, our company is also producing a special album, 'I Dream', with various artists like Isay Alvarez, Jenine Desiderio, Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro, Jamie Rivera, Karylle, Luke Mejares, Robert Sena, and many more. I still act, pero sa stage na lang. I'm doing a play with Director Frank Rivera. "

MCOY QUITTING AGAIN?

SINGER Mcoy Fundales quit his band, Orange and Lemons. Now, will he also quit from "Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2?" In his confession with Kuya, Mcoy said he wanted to go out as he feels he has already served his purpose inside Kuya's house. This all began after a fun Uber game involving catapults. They were having a celebratory party of wine and pizza, a windfall from the catapult task, and Mcoy was comparing lives with Baron.

The vocalist told the Wild Child actor that he has realized who he is in Big Brother. He has proven himself as a family man, both to his real family and to his adoptive PBB family. He says he is content with what he has done for Kuya and the housemates. Mcoy also believes that it is now time to let the others shine and find who they really are. Despite his announcement, this doesn't mean that Mcoy is instantly going out. Like all housemates from previous PBB season and editions, Kuya is giving Mcoy time to think about his decision. Will he make a voluntary exit after Gaby de la Merced? Let's see.

NON-STOP IZA

THIS year ends with Iza Calzado working non-stop. She had to advance all her scenes for "Impostora" to shoot the Hollywood movie, "The Echo," in Canada. When she returned home, she flew straight to Batanes to shoot "Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" with Ken Zhu. While doing that, she had to return to Manila on weekends to shoot the filmfest entry, "Desperadas", with Ruffa Gutierrez, Rufa Mae Quinto and Marian Rivera where they play half-sisters. Now, she's about to start a new TV series, "Joaquin Bordado", that pairs her anew with Robin Padilla (they were together in the indie film, "Blackout"). The movie she shot in Singapore, "Mona," about Singapore Escort," is also about to be shown. We were are at her launching as the official image model of Manels Shoes and Bags at their newly renovated SM Megamall store and, despite her hectic sked, Iza looks as lovely and gorgeous as ever.

Manels prepared a detailed presentation for Iza. It's from them we learned that Iza's full name is Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado. Born on August 12, 1982, she was named after famous dancer Isadora Duncan ( played by Vanessa Redgrave in the film bio. ) So why did Manels get her as their endorser?

"She's one of the most beautiful and talented young actresses in our country today and, just like Manels that's going international, she's also world class and going international with her Hollywood movie and the movies she did with Ken Zhu and in Singapore," says Manels VP Noel Sigaoat whose parents, Manuel and Nelia, were the source of the Manels brand name 43 years ago when they put up their first store in Taft Ave. , Manila.

Manels now has stores in almost all SM and Robinson malls, Trinoma and Ayala Center. You can avail of their Score VIP Shop Card that offers rewards and discounts in their stores and other establishments. For details, call their marketing manager, Patricia Malay, at 637-1715 local 114 or email ay pdmalay@manels. com.

MEANINGFUL DOCUS

IF you're tired of inane TV shows, don't miss meaningful docus like tonight's "I-Witness" that features the people of Burgos, Ilocos Norte. At this time of year, it's harvest for "gamet", a rare and expensive black seaweed that grows on the rocks and coral reefs along the town's shorelines.

Sarah Aguinaldo documents the death-defying harvesting techniques that gatherers do to get the gamet. They have to face treacherous waves and climb sharp rocks to get the seaweed. One of the gatherers is Becca Trinidad, who have to get them to save her own life as she's got breast cancer and has to buy medicines. Another one is 42-year old Roland Navarro who started gathering when he was 10. He's now considered the bravest gamet harvester and sends his kids to school with his earnings. But last week, one gatherer died after being slammed by giant waves against the rocks. Because of its value, people call gamet black gold. Don't miss this breathtaking docu on "I Witness" tonight.

Meantime, in tomorrow's "The Correspondents," statistics show that six out of ten women die giving birth despite medical advances. In Holland, it is reported that 99% of women prefer natural child birth methods without anestheias or even the help of a doctor.

Join Correspondent Karen Davila as she investigates the different natural childbirth methods such as Lamaze, Bradley, and water birth. What is truth and what's myth about child birth that every Filipino women should know? Find out in "The Correspondents" tomorrow after "Bandila" on ABS-CBN.

Source: People's Journal