Cristine is raring to work again

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Cristine Reyes changed her mind and will no longer return to GMA-7. She just signed a new contract with ABS-CBN. Viva Artists Agency, whos managing her, has advised her to stay put with ABS. "Ang gusto ko lang makabalik na uli sa trabaho dahil ilang buwan na akong bakante," she says. "Im ready to work again."

But she wont go back to "Banana Split," where she had conflicts with its stars RR Herrera, Pokwang and Angelica Panganiban. "Actually, thats what the Banana Split cast is also praying for," someone connected with its cast members told us. "Ayaw rin nilang bumalik pa siya sa show after what happened to them."

Cristine is also not returning to the afternoon soap "Bud Brothers" where she was paired with Jake Cuenca. Remember its said she was the source of the story that Jake had bad breath? So its understandable if Jake reportedly doesnt want to work with her again. Her comeback project with ABS-CBN will instead be a stint in the Sunday afternoon show, "Your Song."

Cristine denies the rumored rift between her and her Ate Ara Mina. "Bihira kami magkita kasi lagi siyang may show abroad but were okay. Hindi nawawala ang respect ko for her. Wala naman kaming conflict ."

Is it true shes jealous of Pauleen Luna whos now linked to her ex, Dennis Trillo?

"Friend ko si Pauleen at kung sila na talaga niDennis, Im happy for them. Hindi rin totoong gusto kong makipagbalikan kay Dennis. Its true his mom and I still communicate, but it doesnt meangusto kong makipagbalikan sa kanya."

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Mark Anthony Fernandez says hes praying that his first time to be paired with Marian Rivera in "Darna" will be supported by viewers. "Siempre, hindi kami identified sa isat isa kaya nandun ang kaba," he adds. "I must admit that at first, medyo nahihiya pa ako sa kanya kasi siya ang top leading lady ng GMA-7, pero ngayon, mas relaxedna ako in her company kasi dapat na magkaroon kami ng magandang chemistry on screen. Nakakatuwa siyang kasama at masarap ding kakuwentuhan kaya hindi na ko naiilang sa kanya. I really feel fortunate ako ang napiling makasama niya rito, kaya very thankful din ako sa GMA-7 sa patuloy nilang pagtitiwala sakin."

Just like in his past pairings with Iza Calzado and Heart Evangelista, he doesnt expect to be linked with Marian. "Viewers know on screen lang ang pagpapareha namin as Im a happily married man. I dont expect to be compared with her ka-love team, Dingdong Dantes, kasiphenomenal na ang inabot ng tambalan nila. Mahirap pantayan yun. PeroIm sure magiging maganda rin ang samahan namin ni Marian dito sa Darna."

Mark is really happy with the way his career is going and he wants to thank his late dad, Rudy Fernandez, for continuing to guide him up to now. "Alam kong naririyan pa rin siya at di ako pinababayaan. Heto nga, may bago akong movie at kasama ako sa Shake Rattle & Roll XI ng Regal for the Metro Filmfest."

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Because of her fine portrayal of the contravida Gladys in "Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin," Glaiza de Castro has been tapped to play the plum role of Eunice, another much-hated villain, in the primetime adaptation of the Koreanovela "Stairway to Heaven." She joins other cast members Dingdong Dantes as Cholo, TJ Trinidad as Tristan and Rhian Ramos as the ill-fated Jodi.

"Id like to thank GMA for trusting me with this much coveted role," she says. "I promise to give my best para hindi ako mapahiya sa kanila."

What can she say about those who write on the internet that she has no "K" (for karapatan) to play the role? "Well, Ill just consider it a challenge to show them na deserving ako. Also, confident ako that with the help of our director, Joyce Bernal, siguro naman, mabibigyan ko ng justice ang papel ko."

Glaiza also gives a fine depiction of a teen girl who commits suicide after she learns that she contracted venereal disease from her con man boyfriend, Dennis Trillo, in "Astig." But how come she was a no-show at the Cinemalaya premiere night of "Astig" at the CCP? Is it true theres a problem with her talent fee for the movie?

"None, walang problem as far as that is concerned. I cant go into details, but its my manager, Manny Valera, who told me not to go na lang sa premiere night. Meron yatang mga pinag-usapan na hindi nasunod but I dont know exactly what the details are."

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At the farewell party of "Zorro" held at Victoria Towers Timog Avenue, 400 cast, staff and crew members of the show (plus their families) attended the affair and the shows lead star Richard Gutierrez gave them free Bench Slim Tee shirts, Gutz and Glory scents and Emperor Brandy. His mom Annabelle Rama ordered 15 Cebu lechon for the affair. Richard contributed P500,000 to be raffled off while his dad Eddie gave P100,000, mom Annabelle gave P50,000, his brothers Elvis gave P20,000, and Rocky and Ritchie Paul contributed P15,000 each. A total of P700,000 cash was given away. The talents of Royal Era Entertainment TJ Trinidad, Michelle Madrigal, and Bubbles Paraiso who are part of the cast also gave raffle prizes.

"Everybody was happy," says "Zorro" executive producer Angie Castrence. "Parang Christmas in August dahil lahat pinasaya niRichard and his family with their generosity. Inabot ng Saturday morning ang kasayahan sa dami ng raffle prizes at nakailang rounds kami. Nagkaroon pa ng live band and gay beauty pageant kaya lalong sumaya. Pero talagang basta may okasyon o natuwa lang sila dahil mataas ang ratings ng Zorro, nagpapahatid agad ng pagkain sa taping si Richard. Madalas din silang may giveaways, like mga payong at pamaypay kaya everyone working with him, laging satisfied. Lahat, nakakatanggap. Walang discrimination. Mula pa nang magsimula si Richard sa Mulawin, lagi na niya itong ginagawa sa lahat ng succeeding shows niya kaya naman wala ring tigil ang blessings sa kanya as he knows how to share."

Richard is in Cebu now taping "Signos 2," the sequel to "Signos," the documentary on the environment which he hosted last year and won some awards. Next week, hell shoot his new movie for GMA Films, "Patient X," before starting work on his new TV series, "Full House," with Heart Evangelista.

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Jed Madela is now co-managed by Star Magic and he attended their birthday presscon for the first time, now hosted by Thess Gubi after Rikka Dylim resigned. Due to his exposure in "ASAP," Jed is now a much sought-after performer all over the world. Hes also doing concerts abroad. "Dumami talaga ang bookings ko at lagi akong out of the country," he says. "But for the next few weeks, dito muna ko. I will start my series of solo concerts in Cebu Waterfront Ballroom on August 15. Well take it to other cities before staging it in Manila. I will also have a back-to-back concert with Rachel Anne Go for Viva Concerts on September 5 at the SM City Sky Dome."

There are offers for him to try acting but he says he really wants to focus on singing. "Im now also promoting my new album Songs Rediscovered 2. The first one featured foreign songs. Songs Rediscovered 2 now features English songs but all by Pilipino composers. The first two singles, Give Me a Chance by the late Ric Segreto and I Need You Back by Raymond Lauchengco, both became most requested songs on radio. Other popular songs in the album are Friend of Mine, To Love Again, Hold On and Let the Pain Remain." Jed is just back from Hollywood where he was one of the judges of 2009 World Champion of Performing Arts (WCOPA), where he was the overall champion.

He saw another Pinoy representative, 12-year-old Rhap Salazar winning also as Overall Champion in the Junior Division and won seven gold medals for various song categories. Rhap was also at the birthday presscon and the press requested him to sing for them. He sang his winning songs, "All By Myself" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." He is from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro and for his first trip to the US, it was Charice Pempengco who paid for the plane fare while Sharon Cuneta gave him and his dad pocket money in dollars.

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Jaymee Joaquin used to be a familiar sight to insomniacs who remember her famous line, "Rock and Roll!" in "Games Uplate." Her fashion style and funny antics every twelve midnight are two reasons why fans miss her a lot as shes been replaced by Leila Chikadora. "I really miss hosting the show, but I have no regrets," she says. She focused on acting for sometime and she did several TV shows and movies. She was part of "Ligaw na Bulaklak," "Parekoy" and "Tanging Ina 2." Jaymee recently hosted FHMs 100 Sexiest. Shes also busy with fashion and make up styling. An AB Development Studies graduate of La Salle, this Star Magic talent celebrated her birthday with friends and family in an 80s themed party last July 27.

Another Star Magic tot star is singer Philip Nolasco from GenSan who won as Grand Little Dreamer of PDA. He recently performed in SBS Korea with co-Pinoy Dream Academy Little Dreamer Amy Nobleza.

Like Charice Pempengco, Philip did a good performance with his own rendition of "Ben." It was his first trip outside the country and he had the best time during his short visit in Korea. Hes now also an actor in "Kimmy Dora" where he plays the young Zanjoe Marudo. He turned 10 last July 2.

Source: Malaya