Beauty queen gf changes Paolo

Column: Freehand
Author: Mario E. Bautista

FIVE GMA-7 beauties were chosen to represent the country in the 3rd Asia Super Models Contest to be held in Guangxi, China from May 16-25, sponsored by the Chinese Fashion Association, Guangxi TV station, in cooperation with China Bentley Culture Dev. Co. They are Rhian Ramos, beauty queen Abby Cruz, Starstruck's Arci Muñoz and Rhea Nakpil, and new GMA artist Stephanie Henares who'll be modeling the creations of Ramon Sabella.

They'll be competing with models from China, Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam who will also send five models each, all expenses paid. They're leaving today with Ms. Ida Henares and Jenny Donato of GMA Artist Center. The Asian Super Models Contest aims to promote Asia's top models and to help organize the Asian Model Economic Alliance.

Isn't Abby scared to go to China after it was just hit by a killer quake? "Malayo naman daw ang Guangxi from the earthquake," she says. "I cannot afford naman to let this pass as it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. "

Did she sign up with GMA Artist Center because her boyfriend Paolo Bediones is with GMA? "No, Paolo has nothing to do with it. I've already done 'Lupin' for GMA. Now, I want to try hosting. "

Paolo is 34 and she's turning 24. "I don't mind the age gap. I learn so much from him. "

Paolo said she brought him back to the Lord. "I just invited him to attend our church. He did and liked it. "

Did he woo her right after he hosted the Bb. Pilipinas pageant where she was runnerup? "No. Hi-hello lang kami roon. We saw each other again sa GMA station ID taping. He came up to me and said he added me sa Friendster's list niya at i-approve ko naman daw. After that, we exchanged messages na. Dumalaw na siya sa bahay. "

Did she like him right away? "No. Sabi nga nila, nakarma ako. Kasi, I want a God-fearing man, and he's not like that. But it's the Lord who changed him. I showed him my faith by example lang, not hard sell. He admits that before, he used to be mayabang, self-centered, arrogant. He's not like that na raw anymore. "

She's keeping her fingers crossed that their team will win in China. "I'm celebrating my 24th birthday on May 30 and we'll be back here in time for it. My birthday wish is for us to bring honors to the country. "

Aren't the other StarStruck girls envious of Arci and Rhea for being sent to China? "It's both our first trip abroad and we're excited," says Arci, who was born on January 12, 1989. "Walang inggitan sa amin. "

"I think we were chosen because of our height," says Rhea, who was born on August 20, 1988. "Pareho kaming 5'7". At pareho rin kaming may experience na in ramp modeling even before we joined StarStruck. I modelled for Rusty Lopez and Arci, for Pink Soda and Jag. "

They're both college sophomores. Arci is taking up theatre arts in U. P. while Rhea is into communication arts in Miriam College. Abby encourages them to join the Bb. Pilipinas later. "Siguro, we'll finish college first para hindi magkalat ang English namin like Janina (San Miguel, the current Bb. Pilipinas World)," says Rhea. "As of now, we'll do our best to win in China. "

SAM HAPPY FOR CHARICE

HOW does Sam Concepcion, big winner of ABS-CBN's search for singing kid stars, feel now that his second runnerup, Charice Pempengco, is making waves internationally?

"I'm very proud of her," he says. "She really has talent and she deserves to be recognized here and abroad. She's really blessed by God. "

Sam himself is going international as he was chosen to do the theme song of "Kung Fu Panda," the animated Hollywood summer movie directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne. He and Korean singer Rain are the Asian entertainers who'll do versions of the song to be released not only here but also abroad.

"I'll help promote the movie and I've just shot its music video in a Chinese temple," adds Sam. "I will be attending the premiere night also. "

"Kung Fu Panda" is the endearing story of Po (voice by Jack Black), a clumsy panda who's a big kung fu fan working in his family's noodle shop. When he's unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dream of becoming a kung fu master becomes real as he joins an elite kung fu academy to train with the legendary Furious Five:

Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Monkey (Jackie Chan).

Their teacher-guru is Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and the villain is a treacherous snow leopard (Ian McShane. ) It becomes Po's task to defend everyone from all incoming threats. But can he turn his dreams of becoming a kung fu master into reality? "Kung Fu Panda" shows that you can become a hero if you'll put your heart into it and turn your greatest weaknesses into your greatest strengths. A plump huggable black and white panda bear becomes an unlikely hero and he's sure to win your hearts when the movie opens in theatres (including IMAX) on June 6.

AFTER SHOWING BUTT, RAFAEL CHALLENGES SINGING CHAMP

RAFAEL Rosell intrigued those who watched "Coverboys" at Music Museum as he's the only one who shamelessly showed off his naked butt to the audience. Rafael can sing well and he now competes with Nikki Gil and Iya Villania in tonight's edition of the hit reality show, "The Singing Bee. " "Both Nikki and Iya are real singers who have their own albums, but I promise to do my best to give them a run for their money and be a champion in 'Singing Bee'," he says.

The show has new mechanics for its final countdown. There will now be a defending champion who'll have to defend his title in succeeding episodes. Teddy of Rock Steddy is the first defending Singing Bee champion. He bested other band singers like Raymund of Sandwich, Aya of Imago, Migui of Chicosci and Yeng Constantino of Pinoy Dream Academy. Will Rafael be able to defeat the Rock Steddy vocalist who's the defending champion? Find out in "Singing Bee" tonight after TV Patrol World.

HOTTEST AND THE BEST

NO doubt that Bamboo is the hottest local rock star today, judging from his numerous endorsements. But one thing about him is he has remained humble and level-headed. We just interviewed him and his band members (Ian, Vic and the most communicative, Nathan) at their launching as endorsers of Pony Shoes. Unlike other rock stars who reek with arrogance, Bamboo is so nice and polite in answering all questions thrown his way.

He was making waves as a member of the RiverMaya when he started this career in the early 90s, then he went to the States and stayed there for three years. When he returned here, he revived his career, put up his own band and became an even bigger hit than he was before. Did he expect this?

"I had no expectations at all," he says. "I went to the States to study but one year pa before I can graduate. I came home just to share my music. We in the band just did our best and it's been a great ride ever since. After our first album, tuluy-tuloy na. I think basta maganda ang tugtugan, the people will support you. "

They've been together now for five years and their music binds and bonds them. How did he feel when Rico Blanco also left RiverMaya? "Rico and I were on different paths, so I wasn't thinking about them anymore. We're just too busy with our own music. "

Is it reasonable to go on with RiverMaya even if it's only Mark Escueta who's the original member left behind? It's Nathan who answered: "Iisa na lang ang natira, bakit itutuloy mo pa? Maski sa Genesis noon, 'yung band ni Phil Collins, ganun din ang nangyari. Iisa lang ang natira. "

Why are they endorsing Pony? "Because they've been supporting us from Day One," says Bamboo. "They give us free shoes every month and that's what we wear everyday as they're very stylish, an easy fit and comfortable. It's a wonder nga na after five years, ngayon lang kami nakagawa ng commercial for them. "

Source: People's Journal