Career-making, career-breaking moves

Author: Ethel Ramos
Column: Studio Whispers

NOW it can be told. When Luis Manzano at first refused the offer to play the gay son of his mom, Governor Vilma Santos, in the blockbuster movie, "In My Life," Star Cinema approached another actor, who is almost Luis' age and equally as proficient as the former in the genre where he first excelled.

Immediately, the actor, said our source, reacted negatively to the offer, especially when he was told that his character will have a kissing scene with John Lloyd Cruz. He obviously could not imagine himself kissing another man.

"But it's just a role for a movie," someone close to the actor told him.

"Pero sarado na ang utak niya sa offer. And that was that," our source added.

We wonder how this actor feels now that the movie is making history at the box office and winning raves from the critics, specifically for the performances of the three lead performers, Governor Vi, John Lloyd and yes, Luis.

This reminds us about then still-popular actor Onemig Bondoc, who was offered the part of the cross-dressing spy in the war romance movie, "Aishite Imasu 1941."

Onemig reportedly didn't think twice about turning down the offer.

Thus, its director chose to have then fledgling actor Dennis Trillo to do the role.

Now we all know where Dennis is. GMA 7, where he is currently under contract, considers him one of its most important stars. They are giving him one assignment after another.

As for Onemig, we have no idea where he is now, except that in a write up about him, we learned that he is now married and has a kid.

Dennis, by the way, also won a best supporting actor trophy for the movie, "Aishite Imasu 1941," in that year's Metro Manila Film Festival Awards ceremony.

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TV and radio host cum entertainment columnist Jobert Sucaldito considers it unfair that Jennylyn Mercado continuously badmouths Patrick Garcia.

Jobert admits he's close to Patrick. However, he reveals that even if Patrick were just an acquaintance, he would still defend him, as it seems, he says, that it has become a habit for Jennylyn to subject Patrick to tirade, especially of she wants to hit the headlines.

"Hindi naman idini-deny ni Patrick na nagkaanak sa kanya, a," Jobert states. "Why make it an issue kung ayaw niyang ipakita ang bata kay Patrick?"

"At saka, kung nagbunga man ang kung anumang nangyari sa kanila ni Patrick, I don't have to remind Jennylyn that it takes two to tango."

* * *

Patrick could have been a big star, just like his former fellow Star Magic talents John Lloyd Cruz and Jericho Rosales.

He actually started in the business even much ahead of John Lloyd and Jericho, as he was formerly a child actor.

As a teen actor, he showed his acting prowess via a movie, titled "Batang X," where he had his first kiss with now young contravida, Glaiza de Castro.

He was also still a teenager when he romped away with the best supporting actor trophy for his role as a problem child who had a mother (Zsa Zsa Padilla) for a prostitute in "PX."

Even at his supposed awkward age (above 13), Patrick was busy.

Patrick's baby face features may have proved a setback in his quest for stardom, since his supposed leading ladies, even if they are actually younger, looked older than him.

He is, likewise, too good-looking. And, of course, his height is another matter.

Patrick is seen in a lead role in the GMA 7 series, "Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin," where Maxene Magalona, who, on the small screen, looks like his older sister (Ate), plays his girlfriend,

* * *

While a certain actress is vehemently denying she is pregnant, Lian Paz of the EB Hot Babes happily admits that, yes, she's in that interesting stage.

Lian, as we all know, is former child actor Paolo Contis' girlfriend.

How true that Paolo is reportedly not yet ready to be a dad? He is, after all, only in his early 20s.

Lian, on the other hand, is reportedly determined to keep the baby, no matter what. Her obstetrician discovered there's something wrong with her uterus.

"Kaya daw there is the danger that she may not have the chance to become a mother again," said a kibitzer.

Source: Malaya