|
|
| Ciara smitten by Paolos sense of humor Column: Dream Factory Jenine Desiderio released her first album in 1998, spawning the hit Hindi Ako si Darna, a spoof the feminist song, Superwoman. She now releases a CD-lite under Universal Records. What took her so long to come up with a new album? Actually, I got to finish an album with another label, but I was swindled by the producer, she says. He ran away with the money and the master tape, so ilang years din akong natengga. And who is this person? "I wont name him anymore at baka sumikat pa. But hes still around. Karma na ang bahala sa kanya. When I was about to record again, the music industry naman concentrated on the young singing champions, so I waited for the right time before I made a new album." Her album is titled "J9" (a different way of pronouncing Jenine). It has three Tagalog songs and one in English. The three original songs, "Habang Buhay", "Di Na Kita Ma-Reach" and "Couldve Been Me", are all written by her. One is a revival of "Panakip-Butas", popularized in the 70s by Hajji Alejandro. "Habang May Buhay" is a song she wrote for her ex-husband, rocker Juan Miguel Salvador, when they were still together. "Unfortunately, he left me and our daughter for another woman," she sighs. "For a long time, I couldnt listen or sing the song as its too painful for me. But my friends told me I should record it as it has a haunting melody and beautiful lyrics, so I finally got the courage to sing it for my new album. Up to now, I still cry when I listen to it alone." Her daughter Janella is now 7 and in grade one at St. Pauls. "She also sings with Trumpets and has played the title role in "Annie." She also models for childrens clothes. A talent scout saw her in church and got her. I dont push her at all. She just likes to do it on her own." Does Juan Miguel keep in touch with Janella? "When its her birthday, I always convince and beg him to join us in the celebration. My daughter has her own cell phone and he can call her anytime, but he doesnt. Its his loss as shes a pretty and intelligent girl who gets almost perfect grades in school." No support from him at all? "He helps with her education, but its not regular, pero thankful na rin ako." Hasnt she found a new love? "Im scared. I dont want to make another mistake. Kapag nagkamali pa ko ulit, katangahan na yun." She was very good in the musical revue "Penis Talks" last year. Will she be in "Penis Talks 2" this October? "They offered me to do it, but I cant as Ill be busy doing radio and mall tours and TV guestings to promote the album. The rehearsals kasi are time consuming." Jenine has shot sexy music videos for "Habangbuhay" (with Paolo Paraiso as her partner) and "Panakip Butas" (with Alvin Marquez), lensed by Romy Vitug and directed by Joven Tan. After doing "Sana Maulit Muli" with Lea Salonga, about the plight of some Filipinos in the U.S., Aga Muhlach is now in "Dubai", for the film with the same title about Pinoys who are achievers in the Middle East, directed by Rory Quintos. "In Dubai, Pinoys are executives and hold managerial positions, hindi sila DH or blue collar workers," he says. "I play Raffy. My goal is to eventually move to Canada with my younger brother, John Lloyd Cruz. But since I have a high-paying job, nag-stay na ko sa Dubai for nine years. But although I earn a lot, Im very open in helping other Pinoy workers there na may problem so I dont get to save much. A conflict arises when my brother follows me to also work there and a woman comes between us." Whats his impression of Dubai? "Ang init. We got there at the start of summer and its really hot. But the place is very progressive. Amazing how they developed the place when its in the middle of the desert. We stayed there for 17 days and we made a lot of new friends na iba-iba ang nationalities. Ive talked to a lot of Filipinos working there at ang iba, ayaw nang umuwi kasi magulo lang daw rito. I cant blame them, so I wish our government will really do some nice things to make our country a better place to live in nang hindi mag-alisan ang mga tao rito." How is it working for the first time with John Lloyd? "Hes very good. Whats nice is he loves his craft and theres this desire na gumaling sa ginagawa niya. He has a passion for acting and hes not just doing it for the money. Magaling siyang artista and hell go a long way." Ciara Sotto is glad that her love team with Paolo Ballesteros is getting good feedback. "It just started sa biru-biruan but viewers seem to like it so, heto, were now paired in the episode Love-an o Bawi of Season 9 of Love to Love," she says. She has not had a new boyfriend after she broke up with John Lloyd Cruz. "I want someone older and more mature sana kasi John Lloyd is younger than me. But it seems nalilinya yata ako sa mas bata sa akin as Paolo is also two years younger than me. " Are they on? "No. Were still on the stage na were trying to get to know each other better." What qualities of Paolo does she find likable? "His sense of humor. He reminds me of my dad (Sen. Tito Sotto), kahit nakaupo lang, nagpapatawa pa. He also knows how to shower you with attention. He plays badminton with my family and wala namang objection sa kanya ang parents ko." We turn to Paolo and ask him what qualities of Ciara does he like. "Her being very simple and humble. Hindi maarte. Also, maasikaso siya when were together sa Eat Bulaga. Since shes majoring in voice, she also coaches me when we sing, lalo na when I do the second voice. Dahil nga sa kanya kaya ako kanta nang kanta ngayon sa show." Next week, theyre leaving with the Eat Bulaga troup for shows in the U.S. "When you travel together daw, thats when you get to know each other better," says Paolo. "Two weeks kami sa U.S. and I know well enjoy our stay there. We did advance tapings na nga for Love to Love." In "Love-an O Bawi, Paolo plays a rookie cop who wants to handle big cases but is instead assigned to be a traffic cop. Ciara is a promdi who wants to be a singer so she applies as a housemaid in the house of a big recording executive (Ian Veneracion). Ian is suspected to be involved in record piracy so Paolo uses Ciara to spy on him, but Ciara has a cousin, Jopay Paguia of the SexBomb, who falls in love with Ian. Also appearing in this episode that starts on September 4 are Al Tantay, Lito Legaspi, Kristine Jaka, Rodel Velayo, Eva Papaya and Renz Valerio. A most versatile character actors is Mon Confiado, who does all sorts of roles on stage, movies and TV. He is now in the Joel Lamangan Metro film fest entry, "Ako Legal Wife", and plays the role of the villain Magnus in ABS-CBNs "Ang Panday". Mon and his sister Kai also own and operate the popular 22nd St. Comedy Bars on Marcos Highway in Antipolo (now on its 9th year) and on the Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Pinas (now on its 5th year) that have their regular clientele. Now, they are opening a branch at the Mango Square Mall in Fuente Osmena, Cebu City. "The slump in the local film industry prompted me to go full time as an entrepreneur," he says. "People are asking me why were opening a branch in Cebu. E kasi, ang dami ng comedy bars dito sa Metro-Manila. Its common knowledge that Cebuanos are good singers and theyre music-oriented, so I think its really about time we tap the market there for a sing-along and comedy bar. Initially, well bring some of our standup comics and singers there, but I also intend to audition their talents there to give them a break." One of their most popular talents here is Chokoleit, who has reportedly become a swellhead and no longer wants to perform at 22nd St. where he started. "Meron ngang lumabas na ganoon but thats not true. In fairness to Chokoleit, he still performs for us regularly. He lives in the subdivision opposite 22nd St. in Antipolo so its very convenient for him to have shows with us." Hows ex-girlfriend Ynez Veneracion? "Were okay. She just celebrated her birthday at 22nd St. Maayos naman kaming naghiwalay so weve remained friends. Shes in demand doing shows in Guam, Japan and Dubai kaya madalas, shes abroad." What happened to the condo unit they bought? "Weve sold it and split the payment. I bought another unit which Im now renting out." Mons family also owns the Confiado Apartments in Cubao that was raided by cops recently. "They made a big mistake accusing us na kasa raw yon when they were the ones who brought the pickup girls in our place. They apologized naman to us later on." After their Cebu branch opens in October, Mon will scout around for another province to put up another branch. "I want 22nd St. to be available nationwide," he says. Source: Malaya |
