Chance meeting creates tension between Heart, Echo

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Heart Evangelista says she never thought she'd be able to stage a successful comeback after her career took a nosedive when she hooked up with Jericho Rosales. "But God is good to me and He helped me so I was able to recover," she said when we interviewed her at West Town Hotel where they were billeted. "Malaking tulong din ang support ng family ko and their unconditional love for me in spite of my mistake.

"I'm also thankful to GMA and the way they treated me. Talagang alagang-alaga ako and I feel so special. After pairing me with Richard Gutierrez in 'Asero,' they gave me a title roler, 'Luna Mystika. ' I felt so nervous and there was much pressure as I never thought I'd be given the chance to play a lead role like this again na dual roles pa. But when the ratings hit 40%, napaiyak ako sa tuwa in knowing the people accepted me again. I also want to thank my manager, Tita Annabelle Rama. Kasundo siya ng parents ko. "

Doing two roles in one show is no joke. "I have to come early on the set before anyone else as ilalagay muna ang prosthetic make- up ko in my role as the ugly Celestina. Kabit-baklas ang make-up sa mukha ko at nag-allergy ako noong una, but now, my skin is used to it na. I also want to thank Mark kasi napakahusay niyang leading man. He's quiet lang on the set but he's very focused with his work. When he reports sa set, he's ready with all his lines. Enjoy akong katrabaho siya kasi fan na niya ako noong Claudine days pa niya. "

When Jericho was launched as a new addition in "Betty La Fea," he said they saw each other by chance at Greenbelt. "Yes. That's true. Nagkagulatan kami. "

So how did she feel when she laid eyes on him? Did they speak to each other? "No. Nagkatinginan lang kami nang matagal. We haven't seen each other for seven months na kaya na-stress talaga ako. I can feel na pati mga salesgirl, na-tension, and even the guards, they closed the doors to the store para wala munang ibang pumasok. Siguro, they thought, may moments kami na mangyayari. Pero walang moments na nangyari. We just looked at each other without saying a word. Nataranta ako at sa katarantahan ko, yung unan na tinitingnan ko, bigla kong binili sa pagmamadali ko at binayaran na agad sa cashier. Later, P5,000 pala yun. Yun ang pinakamahal na unang nabili ko sa buong buhay ko. "

It was also then she was able to prove to herself that she has gotten over Jericho. "Wala na. Tapos na talaga 'yung episode na 'yun sa buhay ko. I've moved on with my life. I'm now doing a lot of painting, in oil and also in sketches. Someone told me to put up my own one-woman exhibit and I might just do that in March. "

What can she say about "Betty La Fea" being directly pitted against "Luna Mystika?" "What can we do kung gusto nila kaming tapatan? I'm just happy na marami nang loyal fans ang 'Luna Mystika' who I'm sure will stay with us. Mas pagagandahin na lang namin ang aming show to make sure our viewers won't leave us. "

Is it true she now has a lot of limitations on the set? "Yun lang tungkol sa kissing scenes. Ayoko na ng sobrang torrid like what I did with Richard in 'Asero'. Nahirapan ako doon kaya tama na 'yun. "

Is she being restrained by current boyfriend Francisco Delgado? "No. Wala na kami. I haven't seen him for a month now. I am single again. As of now, I'd prefer to just focus on my work. "

John Prats told us at the presscon of "Parekoy" that he tried to reconcile with her after they cooled off but she rejected the idea? "That's true. Ako kasi, pag tapos na, wala na akong binabalikan. Kasi, I give my100% sa relationship, hindi ako nagkukulang, so kung hindi pa rin sapat 'yun, what for ako makikipagbalikan, di ba?"

What can she say now that John is with Shaina Magdayao? "Well, bagay sila. Kasi noon pa, I know crush na niya talaga si Shaina. 'Yun namang sa'min ni John, it wasn't really that serious. It's just part of growing up. Now, I realized that at this stage of my life, mas mabuting magseryoso muna sa career kaysa sa lovelife. "

RAINY DINAGYANG

GMA-7's Barbs Atienza and Charlene Owen invited us to join Heart Evangelista and Mark Anthony Fernandez in their special appearance at the Kapuso Network's participation in Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival last Friday. It's our second visit to Iloilo and you can see much progress all around, beginning with their new and impressively designed airport. We were billeted at the Iloilo Business Hotel at Smallville, a bustling beehive of various businesses near the new SM City mall in Manduriao.

We were able to visit the GMA station in Jaro, Iloilo and toured their radio and TV studios where they air their morning show, 'Arangkada,' and their evening newscast, 'Ratsada', that airs before '24 Oras. ' The entire offices and studios got flooded when typhoon Frank ravaged Iloilo last June, says station manager Jonathan Cabillon. In the afternoon, we got to participate in the interview session of the local Iloilo press with Heart and Mark.

In the evening, we went to Freedom Park at the city's downtown area where a free GMA show is being staged. We met Sue Ellen, the pint-sized Ilongo contestant with a powerful voice in "Pinoy Idol," plus the Ilonggo stars of their popular Sunday morning show "Istayl Naton," aired before "SOP": Angelia Ong, John Arceo, Dino Vasquez and Monyeka.

We asked Sue Ellen what she's doing after joining "Pinoy Idol. " "I went back to college and I'm now taking up education in Central Philippines University here in Iloilo," she says. "Gusto kasi talaga ng mama ko, matapos ko ang studies ko. Pero nami-miss ko rin ang pagkanta and I'm glad I was in Manila last December to do a concert with Ogie Alcasid and the other Idol contestants at Aliw Theatre. As of now, I just sing here in church. "

Doesn't she want to try her luck in Manila? "Parang mas mahirap ang buhay roon. I prefer my life here na mas simple. But the stint with 'Pinoy Idol' helped para makilala ako ng mga kababayan ko rito. They recognize me now when I go to the mall. "

Sue Ellen sang a Rihanna number and we think her singing got even better. The hosts of GMA's Dinagyang show played parlor games with the audience first while waiting for the stars from Manila to show up.

The whole place was jampacked with people and hell nearly broke loose when Heart and Mark arrived. But the weather was uncooperative and it started raining.

The rains failed to stop the affair. As they say, the show must go and it did. Someone with a huge umbrella just followed Mark while he was singing "Nandito Ako" wherever he went on stage. The crowd who earlier sought shelter in the buildings around the grandstand all returned in front of the stage when he started singing. We didn't know that Mark is that popular as the people kept shouting his name. Obviously, his appearance in hit GMA shows like "Impostora," "Kamandag," "Kim Sam Soon" and now, "Luna Mystika," helped him in gaining his own fan base.

Then it was Heart's turn and the audience went even wilder. Heart performed with gusto and even went downstage to mix with the fans. Both she and Mark distributed gifts like T-shirts and posters to the fans who received them very warmly. Later, Heart told us that she was telling the assistant who was carrying an umbrella to just leave her alone as she doesn't mind getting wet.

"But he told me na kapag nabasa pati 'yung hawak kong mike while I'm singing, baka makuryente ako, so I just let him na payungan ako," she said.

Everyone was so worried for her as she just got out of the hospital a few days and is still coughing. But Heart proved herself to be a real trouper even if she just recovered from a bout of overfatigue. Mark and Heart later also willingly posed with their fans who went backstage to have their pictures taken with them. It was a tiring night for them but they're both very pleased and satisfied with the heartfelt reception accorded to them.
SAG, ACADEMY AWARDS ON VELVET

THE 15TH Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards for the most outstanding film and television performances of the past year will be shown live today at 9 a. m. on Velvet. The program recognizes what all actors know -- that acting is a collaborative art. Among those honored with individual awards were Daniel-Day Lewis, Julie Christie, Javier Bardem and Ruby Dee for performances in motion pictures, and James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey for performances in television.

Last year, the Actors for a motion picture cast performance went to No Country For Old Men and the actors for television comedy and drama ensemble performances went to The Office and The Sopranos. Inviting only the who's who of the entertainment industry, only the most respected will be part of the red carpet as the cast of the past year's best-acted films and television programs get together with their colleagues for a memorable night. Velvet also brings the live telecast of the 81st Academy Awards on Feb. 23, 7 a. m. The nominees are: for Best Picture: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Reader," "Slumdog Millionaire. " Best Actor: Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"; Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"; Sean Penn, "Milk"; Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler. " Best Actress: Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"; Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"; Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"; Meryl Streep, "Doubt"; Kate Winslet, "The Reader. " Best Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin, "Milk"; Robert Downey Jr. , "Tropic Thunder"; Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"; Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"; Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road. "

Best Supporting Actress: Amy Adams, "Doubt"; Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"; Viola Davis, "Doubt"; Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler. "

Source: People's Journal