Bea denies involvement in Jake-Roxanne tiff

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

SHE was just a wisp of a girl at 14 when we first met her as Katrina in “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay” seven years ago. Now, she just turned 21 on October 17, a full woman as the lovable “Betty La Fea” where she’s reunited with perennial partner John Lloyd Cruz with whom also she did “It Might Be You,” “Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin” and “Maging Sino Ka Man 1 and 2” and movies like “My First Romance,” “Now that I Have You,” “Close to You,” “All About Love” and the mammoth hit “One More Chance. ”

Bea is also a sought-after celebrity endorser for Smart Money, Belo Essentials, Belo Medical Group, 4G, Clear and Kashieca. She also has sponsors such as Tips ‘N Toes, Freshlook Color Contact Lenses, KText, Chikka, Antonio Hairdressing and Converse. Aside from acting, Bea has ventured into the world of recording. This year, she released her first solo album entitled “The Real Me” under Star Records. Right now, the single being played on radio stations is “Kagandahan” used also as a theme song in “Betty La Fea. ”

How does she feel about the Jake Cuenca-Roxanne Guinoo “bugbugan” issue in Guam? “I think it’s unfair na isangkot ako diyan dahil una, ni wala naman akong kinalaman nang maghiwalay sila dahil may sarili akong boyfriend that time (Miko Palanca),” she says.

Did something bad really happen to Roxanne in Guam? “I don’t know kung may nangyari o wala. Nagsaya lang ako sa Guam. I went there a day ahead with Shaina Magdayao to tape our spiels. Tapos sina Luis (Manzano), Angel (Locsin), Angelica (Panganiban), Nikki (Gil) at ang iba pa came. Ang saya kasi parang isa kaming class of students on a field trip na magkakasama sa isang bus. Actually, magkasunod ang room namin ni Roxanne sa hotel. 147 siya, 148 ako. Si Angelica ang roommate niya at ako, si Shaina.

“That night na sinasabing may nangyari, wala naman akong narinig na unusual kasi walang mapuntahan ang grupo and I invited all na doon na lang sa kuwarto namin mag-party. Pero at that time, wala nga noon sina Jake at Roxanne with us. Para malaman nyo kung ano talaga ang nangyari, it’s better sila na mismo ang tanungin nyo. ”

But how come her name was dragged into it? “Kasi nga naging close kami ni Jake. But after I got busy with ‘Betty La Fea’ na araw-araw ang taping ko, we seldom see each other na kasi nag-focus na ko sa Betty. Since Guam nga, hindi na kami nagkita, except sa ASAP na ni hindi kami nakapagbatian dahil no chance. Kami ni Roxanne, we saw each other sa pictorial ng Star Studio last week. Nag-hi naman kami sa isa’t isa. We’re nice to each other, then she remained quiet. ”

What’s the impact of portraying Betty in her career? “It’s the best thing that happened to me this year kasi wala akong nagawang movie. It brought me closer to kids who call me Bettyful when they see me in public. Kasi ‘yung dramas and love stories I used to do, hindi naman type ng mga bata. But honestly, I felt nervous at the start kasi it’s a much coveted role, tapos akong napili, so may pressure on my part. Pero I feel okay now kasi maganda talaga ang reception ng viewers, kahit hirap na hirap ako with my braces kaya lagi akong may singaw sa gums ko. ”

She’ll start shooting “And I Love You So” with Sam Milby and Derek Ramsay on November 4, directed by Lauren Dyogi. “It’s a love story pero more of drama na may pagka-tragic, unlike the romantic comedies I did before. Kabado na nga ako kasi ang isang kasama ko, from the U. S. Yun isa, from London. Baka mag-nosebleed ako sa English. ”

Will it be a bigger hit than John Lloyd Cruz’s movie without her? “Ay, hindi ko iniisip ‘yun. Mahirap pantayan ‘yun, but I watched it at tawa ako nang tawa. Basta for our movie, I want to achieve its point which is to show a more mature Bea. After this, sana payagan nila rin ako to do ‘Rosaryo’ with Direk Maryo de los Reyes, which is an even more mature material as I’ll play an unfaithful wife. ”

MUSICAL DIRECTOR GETS P75

Kris Aquino had topnotch musical director Mel Villena of “The Singing Bee” as her special guest contestant in “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal” last Monday. The opening showed the 26K Girls doing a dance showdown with the Honeybees of “Singing Bee”, followed by a similar one-on-one between Mel and KDOND floor director Mel Feliciano. As a result of all this dancing, Kris too is seen dancing in her toprated primetime game show, something she’s not used to doing. The entire group of “Singing Bee” gave Mel full moral support, including his musicians and singers in Bandle Bee. We ask Mel what made him join KDOND.

“Because after ‘Singing Bee’, it’s one of the most fun shows in the world,” he says with a grin. “This is my first time to play in a game show and I really want to thank them for inviting me as a contestant. ”

Will he also care to join “Singing Bee”? “Of course, because I would already know all the songs and I’d win millions, so for sure, hindi papayag ang host naming si Cesar Montano dahil sure winner agad ako. ”

Was he nervous when he joined the show? “No. I’m not worried about winning or not. I just want to be part of the show and that’s fun enough, feeling the excitement, the adrenalin rush. ”

As it turned out, he wasn’t very lucky and got only P75. “Singing Bee” is now on Saturdays and Sundays. How would he compare it when they were showing it on weekdays? “We’re all happy as our first two weekends did really well. The show is affecting a lot of people in a very positive way and even before, I think it changed the primetime landscape. We continue to thank the Lord for blessing our show with good public acceptance. We did make some changes. The repertoire now is harder, especially for singers, kasi mas maraming kailangang kantahin at aregluhing songs, especially in the segment called Singing with the Enemy. But it’s definitely a lot more entertaining for the viewers. ”

KRIS PROTECTING JAMES

STILL about Kris, when she interviewed Gabby Concepcion in “The Buzz”, he made some side comments insinuating about their past and Kris felt slighted, honestly thinking this is ungentlemanly and uncalled for. “I felt that we’re now both married and hindi na kami bata,” she explains. “At ang tagal nang nangyari noon, kaya nga ako, I don’t mention at all any of my past romances anymore kasi ayokong makasakit ng damdamin ng ibang tao, lalo na ng husband ko (James Yap). He should also consider the position of his own wife (Ginbee) what she’d feel about it. ”

Obviously, Kris is very protective of her husband.

You’d recall that she’s no longer in good terms with Ai Ai de las Alas after Ai Ai made some remarks about James at the time of the Hope Centeno brouhaha. Ai Ai thought she was siding with Kris that time since they call each other “friendship”, but when the couple reconciled, she was left out in the cold and Kris didn’t guest anymore in her new “Tanging Ina” movie.

Kris said she’ll co-host “The Buzz” only until its Christmas presentation. “I still want my Sundays a family day for James, my sons and my mom (Pres. Cory Aquino) at nasanay na rin kasi silang magkakasama kami kung Sunday since I’m already seen in two daily shows, ‘Boy & Kris’ and ‘Kapamilya Deal Or No Deal’. ”

VERSATILE JULIA

Julia Clarete is one artist who has staying power because she knows how to reinvent herself. As a co-host of the country’s longest running and top-rating noontime show “Eat Bulaga,” she says she’s now at a point in her life where she is very contented. “With a supportive husband and an adorable one-year-old son to complement my showbiz career, I really couldn’t ask for more,” she says. “I felt like I won P1 million when I became an Eat Bulaga co-host. It’s the best thing that happened in my career. The show has really done wonders for me as it gave me the chance to develop my other potentials.

"I used to be very shy, but I’m a funny person at heart. Being around seasoned and brilliant comedians in ‘Eat Bulaga’ really helped hone me as a TV host and as a comedienne. At first, I was intimidated by them as they’re veterans, but everyone welcomed me with open arms and quickly put me at ease. Eventually, I was able to absorb their brilliance through osmosis as their sense of humor is really contagious. Now, I’ve really blended in and this show and everybody in it is already part of my system. I never had the kind of friends and confidantes that I now have in my Eat Bulaga. I open up my life and my thoughts to them and to Tita Malou (Choa-Fagar) and they’re always willing to listen and give advice. ”

Aside from her daily "Eat Bulaga" schedule as a TV host, Julia also satisfies her passion for performing in various singing gigs at night. A talented singer and guitar player, Julia also writes her own songs. When the opportunity comes, she plans to start working on her next album. She is also a serious painter who has had several art exhibits in the past and a great actress who got good reviews for her notable past performances.

In "Eat Bulaga," she often dons the persona of Julia Salamankera who presents magic tricks that are often amazing and hilarious at the same time. This ability to perform magic tricks and breathe life to the unique character of Julia Salamankera is another proof of Julia’s versatility as a performer. With her multiple talents and willingness to explore other potentials, Julia is undeniably one multi-faceted artist who has what it takes to keep evolving in the ever-changing world of showbiz.

Source: People's Journal

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