Bad joke

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Jennylyn Mercado took the Hot Seat in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday and was grilled by the Central Jury composed of DJ Mo and Raymond Gutierrez. How did she feel when a text message circulated last week saying she passed away and we should pray for the repose of her soul?

"I was in Boracay then for a vacation and I was having a massage when my road manager called me and informed me about it," she says.

"Then my mom also texted me. Wala, natawa na lang ako kasi buhay pa naman ako. I don't know what's the motive of whoever started that text message na pinatay agad ako. "

Another report about her says she has found a replacement for Patrick Garcia and this is a VJ named Drei Felix. "That's not true. Si Drei, nakasama ko sa isang movie, 'Tiyanaks', and we're friends. Ewan ko why we're being linked now. "

Is she still at odds with Patrick? "We communicate naman. He calls me up twice a week para kumustahin ako, kung okay ba ako at ang baby. Mas focused ang attention niya sa baby and may right naman siya to check on the baby kasi siya naman ang ama. "

Is it true she has a more regular communication with Mark Herras? "No. I haven't talked to Mark at all. Pero okay naman kami pag nagkikita kami. "

Will her baby be a boy or a girl? "I had an ultrasound last week pero nahiya raw yung baby at tinakpan ng legs niya ang picture niya kaya hindi namin ma-figure out kung ano ang sex. Maybe next month, when I have my next ultrasound, makita na namin. Mas gusto ko sana kung girl siya. Basta I pray na maging healthy siya. "

Jen gamely revealed her Killer Question: Did you undergo a breast enhancement procedure kaya lumaki ang boobs mo? Her answer: "No, nagpatanggal lang ako ng cyst noon sa dibdib ko, but I didn't have breast enhancement. "

RUFA MAE STANDS OUT IN NEW MOVIE

Rufa Mae Quinto proved to producer Mother Lily Monteverde how responsible and professional she is by returning from the shooting of her movie in Italy right on the day of the premiere night of her movie with Regal, "Manay Po 2: Overload," last Sunday. She's the only cast member who came home and the rest are still in Europe. Her fans cheered for her wildly when she entered SM Megamall's Cinema 6 for the "Manay Po 2" screening.

She arrived that morning at 6 a. m. , rested for a while, then went to host "S. O. P" at noontime. Then she went home. "Kasi ngarag pa ako from jetlag at antok talaga ako," she says. "Hindi na ako nakabalik sa GMA studio at 4 p. m. for 'Showbiz Central' para makapag-rest naman ako in time for the premiere night of 'Manay Po 2'. Nahihiya naman ako kay Mother Lily as she even hosted a solo presscon for me for this movie. Mahihiya rin ako kay Direk Joel Lamangan kung wala ako sa premiere as he gave me such a good role in 'Manay Po 2'. "

And it's true. The other cast members are good in their respective roles, but it's really Rufa Mae's performance as the wacky babymaker of gay couple Polo Ravales and Si Lucero that stands out as this crazy comedy's real centerpiece. She's much funnier here that in her past comedies and her nonstop hilarious antics alone will already be worth the price of admission. "Manay Po 2" opens in theaters today.

SEN. CHIZ LUCKY WITH WIFE

SEN. Chiz Escudero is so lucky to have a beautiful and talented wife like Christine Flores, a theater actress who majored in voice at the UST Conservatory of Music and now owns a music studio, Bel Canto, at Sct. Borromeo. Cristine was last seen and heard in Repertory's production of "The Wizard of Oz. " She's now the proud parents of their twins, Joaqui and Cecilia, turning six months old.

Aside from Annabelle Rama, Chiz and Christine are also new endorsers of Circulan. His job as a senator and as a lawyer who helps poor clients for free, Chiz is also a loving husband and doting dad.

"I have a very hectic sked, but with the help of Circulan that fosters good blood circulation and maintain good cholesterol and blood pressure levels, I'm able to meet all the challenges I face each day," he says.

Christine looks so lovely in their TV commercial, we won't be surprised if she'd get more offers after this.

"I've done commercials before but this is my first since I got married and had kids," she says.

RICHARD CONCERNED ABOUT MOTHER NATURE

Richard Gutierrez feels honored to be chosen by GMA-7 News and Public Affairs to host "Signos", a very timely TV special about global warming. Richard is active with Green Peace as an environmentalist so he can relate with the issues that are being discussed in this special.

"We should all be concerned about what happens to Mother Earth since it's the only one we got," says Richard. "I really took time off from taping 'Kamandag' to host 'Signos,' as I believe in its importance in imparting to viewers that we should all cooperate to prevent global warming. As of now, it's predicted that natural disasters are bound to get worse because of this. In Bicol and El Nido, the biodiversity of underwater life is affected by coral bleaching. In Cagayan, there's one area badly affected by snail fever. In Gen. Nakar, the natives continue to suffer from malaria. Super typhoons like last year's Milenyo and Reming are the results of climate change. In the future, coastal areas in our county might be submerged in water when the sea-level goes up as polar ice melts.

It's really scary so I hope you watch 'Signos: Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima' on Sunday after 'Fulhaus' on GMA-7. "

And how does Richard feel now that "Kamandag" is about to end? "Siyempre, I'm sad kasi the cast and I really enjoyed doing this show which rates very well up to now. 'Kamandag' gets even more thrilling as it reaches its climax. Alicia, my mom played by Eula Valdes is mad at Maxene Magalona as Lily as she allegedly killed my brother Adlak, played by Brian Revilla. We'll go to San Isidro and look for Adlak's remains. Marami pang twists and turns in the story. "

There's also a conflict between Lily and Jewel Mische as Jenny who feels Lily is really in love with Vergel/Kamandag (Richard. ) As for Ragona (Sunshine Dizon), she has recovered and now wants to take revenge on Gulag (Zoren Legaspi. ) Dinggol (Benjie Paras) will be her ally. The ambogs attack earth to mercilessly kill humans. Vergel has lost his power as Kamandag, so he's no longer in a position to help the people being killed by the ambogs.

"Viewers should see if I'd still regain my power," adds Richard. "After 'Kamandag', I'm looking forward to my new GMA show, 'Asero', which will be filmed partly in Dubai. "

'Fit & Fab' PREEMS TONIGHT

BEAUTYqueens Teresa Licaros and Maggie Wilson make being fit and fab seem easy. But the truth is, these head-turners work on it and yes, they confess, worry about some aspects of being fit and fabulous, just like every other woman.

"We have the same genuine concerns of women in our age group and beyond," Teresa Licaros, the statuesque former beauty queen and current law student confesses. "We have the same qualms about our body; we want to also fix our own imperfections. "

And this actually makes these beauty titlists, Maggie and Teresa, perfect for Q-11's newest public affairs program Fit & Fab - a health and wellness magazine program for women. From the latest physical activities and fashion trends as well as beauty treatments, and a guide to healthy recipes. Women can rely on Fit & Fab to nourish them with fresh and useful information on how to be the best they can be inside and out.

The holistic approach certainly appeals to Maggie and Teresa. "Being fit and fab is all about being healthy. It's about having a healthy outlook in life, as much as having a healthy body," adds Maggie, a stunning Filipino-British beauty who is also an actress, VJ, and model all at the same time.

Don't miss the show's first telecast tonight, Wednesday, 10 p. m. , on Q-11.

'EB' INVITES MASSCOM STUDENTS

INCOMING senior masscomm studes who want to learn TV production this summer, "Eat Bulaga" is inviting you to work with them this summer. You must be strongly motivated and very passionate about television. This is your chance to learn and also earn and be a part of the country's longest running noontime show. You'll be charged no fees, you won't read books or do lab work, but do actual work inside the studio to have a first hand experience in TV production. Send your resume to the TAPE office at 79 Xavierville Ave, Xavierville Subdivision, Loyala Hts. , Q. C.

Source: People's Journal