Did Keempee replace Raymond Gutierrez?

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

ARE they still on? This is the question people are asking about John Lloyd Cruz and his stylist-magazine editor girlfriend, Liz Uy. John Lloyd has already denied the rumor that theyve broken up but rumors persist that theyve really called it quits. The grapevine says he tried convincing Liz to join him in New York while filming "In My Life" there on location with Vilma Santos and Luis Manzano. But Liz begged off and chose to join her friends to go to Europe instead. Her friends include Anne Curtis, Georgina Wilson, Isabel Diaz and Raymond Gutierrez. They will be away for a month while John Lloyd will be shooting in New York for three weeks.

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Iza Calzado broke up with non-showbiz boyfriend Jerry Garcia last Christmas season. She never revealed the reason she chose to end their relationship and told writers interviewing her "ibalato nyo na lang yun sakin." She says when it comes to her love life, she wants it to remain very private. But friends close to her say that the fact that its a long-distance love affair took its toll on the relationship. Jerry remains based in the US. The latest rumor now is that Jerry has hooked up with broadcaster Cher Calvin and they were seen canoodling by Pinoys who went to the West Coast for the last fight of Manny Pacquiao. When asked if shes aware of this, Iza said shed rather not make any remarks at all. "Basta kung saan siya happy, Im also happy for him," she says. "We should respect them and let them alone dahil wala hindi naman sila showbiz, lalo siJerry.

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Keempee de Leon is excited to be Regine Velasquez co-host in "Are You the Next Big Star?"

"Ive never worked with her so its really an honor for mena ako ang napili ng GMA to be her co-host here," he says. "Isa pa, iba ito kaysa sa mga dating nagawa ko na comedies and dramas na usually gay ako, and even sa reality show na Kung Ako Ikaw gay pa rin ako as host. Dito, Id do interviews with all the contestants bago sila isalang sa show para alamin ang mga buhay-buhay nila at nang ako ang magbigay ng personal background nila sa viewers. Mas marami akong trabaho rito kasi may tapings off camat hindi basta hosting lang."

What can he say about the rumor that the job was actually meant for Raymond Gutierrez, who hosted "Pinoy Idol," but Raymond was dropped because of the feud of his mom with a top GMA executive? A writer even teased him: "Kaya lagot ka kay Annabelle Rama dahil sinulot mo ang anak niya."

"I havent heard of that at wala akong kinalaman sa anumang naging decision ng management," he says. "Basta Im just happy na ako ang napili para maging co-host ni Regine dito."

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Like father, like son. Simon Wood is surely a chip of the old block. The eldest son of former Jukebox King Victor Wood with Ofelia Ponce, Simon was born on August 18, 1988 in San Francisco, California, but now has dual citizenship. "My dad has seven daughters and two sons," he says. "All of them live in the US, except me and my younger sister, Sydney Victoria. I was 12 years old when we moved back to Manila and we now live with my dad in Town & Country. I finished high school at Nazareth Christian School in Antipolo and took up a computer course in Informatics."

After Vivas Boss Vic del Rosario heard him sing, he was signed up to a contract. Now, hes releasing his first album, "SW: Simon Wood." "I first wanted to be a drummer, but my dad said, why not focus on singing dahil mas mapapakinabangan mo yan. So I took voice lessons in UP. I also play the guitar."

Is he a "chickboy" like his dad?

"I dont know. But whenever hed see a pretty woman, hed point her out to me right away. Ive had four girlfriends since I was 18."

Does he know Madam Auring who was linked to his dad?

"My dad knows her. Ako, hindi. I think joke lang yung rumor sa kanila."

How long did it take to finish his album?

"Eight months. The longest part was choosing the songs to be included in the album, four months. Then it took another four months for the arrangements and recording them. We chose a hit song of my dad as the carrier single, Malupit na Pag-ibig, now retitled Luluha Ka Rin, giving it a very modern and more youthful feel. I also included my own composition, Pangarap Ko Natupad SaYo, then a lot of revivals like What Am I Living For, Love Will Keep Us Alive, Everything I Own by Bread, How Can I Tell Her, Wonderful Tonight, Every Breath You Take, Next in Line, Pangako and Muntik Nang Maabot ang Langit."

Viva is making him join "The Next One Philippine Tour" of Sarah Geronimo, whos also introducing him in "ASAP" on Sunday. Theyll do shows in La Salle Lipa on June 12, Bren Guiao Center Pampanga on June 20, CSI Stadia Dagupan on June 26, Limketkai Atrium, Cagayan de Oro on July 3, La Salle Bacolod on July 17, Waterfront Cebu on July 31, and San Agustin Gym Iloilo on August 21. Will he surpass the popularity of his dad? "Itll be a tough challenge but I promise to do my best."

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Nyoy Volante, the "King of Acoustic Pop," joined the roster of artists of ABS-CBN Star Magic. Nyoy started as an acoustic artist but went on with his singing career even after the audience opted for other types of music. In his official website, Nyoy was cited as one who knew how to evolve with the changing demands of the music industry and does not mind sailing uncharted routes in the name of music. From acoustic, Nyoy can shift to pop, rock and jazz. This MCA recording artist is the voice behind the hit songs "Nasaan," "Youre My You," "What Do I Do," "Ha" and remakes "Each Day With You," "Panalangin," "Kahit Kailan," "Panaginip," "Narito Ka," "Eto Na Naman," "Beep-beep," among others. To his name, he has seven commercially released albums, five non-commercial albums, 2003 Acoustic Certified Platinum and 2004 NV&M Certified Gold. Nyoy performs live with his 4-piece rhythm section called the Rhythmic Circle. This May, he has performances in Bagaberde Roxas Boulevard, Mall of Asia Music Hall and Davao. He was also named Ambassador of Goodwill for BIR, Girls Charities, Inc. and has a business venture called H.E.R.O.E.S (Honing Enhancing Refining of Entertainers School).

A much-awarded singer and composer, he has been recognized by the Shanghai Music Festival Composer, PARI/OPM, Awit Awards, Aliw Awards, MTV, Center for Excellence, Department of Education, Department of Tourism and Peoples Choice. He also did the theme songs for "Esperanza, The Movie" and "Wansapanataym." Star Magics doors are always open to individuals with so much talent. Which is why when Nyoy Volante knocked, he was welcomed with open arms.

Meantime, Marife Nina Girado (you might want to know who she is, well, thats singer Ninas real name) has y filed a case against the parents of her ex-boyfriend Nyoy Volante, Oliver and Evangeline Volante. Nina earlier confessed in "SNN" that Nyoys family owes her P1.1 million. She tried her best to ask them to settle it so she wouldnt go to court. They gave her some postdated checks, but only one check that they paid her was good and the rest bounced, so she decided to sue them. She filed a case of estafa and violation of the anti-bouncing check law.

Talk about relationships that really went sour. Its said that another ex-boyfriend singer of Nina also owes her a huge sum, prompting one writer to quip: "Bongga pala si Nina, daig ang baklang datungera. Yung ibang seksing babae, sila ang nakikinabang sa lalaki. Sa kaso niya, baligtad ang nangyari."

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The latest image model of Bobson Basics is Jacq Yu, who was seen on international TV in the reality show, "Amazing Race," of AXN channel. She was also the first runner-up in White Castle model search.

Born on December 15, 1982, Jacqueline Yu is a communication arts graduate and the younger of two kids. Her dad was killed by robbers who entered their house in Project 8 when she was only six years old.

She was still in high school when she started modeling in print and TV commercials. She has since also done acting roles on ABS-CBN in "Pieta" as the best friend of Krista Ranillo, "Parekoy" as the sister of John Prats, and she has just finished an indie movie, "Panahon Na," with Luis Alandy and Joseph Bitangcol, directed by Sean Lim, to be shown in filmfests abroad. She says shell never forget her stint with "Amazing Race" as it brought her to various Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

Victor Tan, owner of Bobson, says they got Jacq as she is a fresh face with a wholesome personality perfect to endorse the Bobson line of jeans and tops for young ladies.

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ABS-CBN Star Magic is celebrating its 17th anniversary of discovering, managing and developing artists. It has all the reason to celebrate since the network just launched programs starring Star Magic artists that are now doing so well in the ratings. Theres Shaina Magdayao and Melissa Ricks who, as twins Ella and Vira, in "Kambal Sa Uma," have capture the interest of afternoon viewers. It also stars Jason Abalos, Matt Evans, Aldred Gatchalian, Carlo Guevara and Bangs Garcia.

"I didnt have a summer vacation kasi tuloy-tuloy angtapings namin for Kambal but enjoy ako as the feedback I get in my role as a young woman with the features of a mouse is great," she says. "Mahirap ang prosthetics they put on my face and body but its worth it kasi ang dami talagang nanonood ng show."

Rio Locsin, who played the original "Kambal Sa Uma" and now plays the mom in the remake, is pleased with Melissa and Shaina. "Shaina has grown to be a very talented actress. Shes just a child star nang inaapi ko sa Marinella, ngayon napakagaling na niya at natutuwa akong maging ina nila sa show."

"Kambal Sa Uma is one of the toughest assignments I got so far and Im glad pinagkatiwalaan ako ng ABS sa project na ito," says Shaina. "Kaya naman Im really giving it my best bilang babaeng pinaglihi sa daga."

Also rating well is "Only You," topbilled by Star Magic artists Sam Milby and Diether Ocampo. Diet is Jonathan, who loves high school friend Jillian (Angel Locsin) and shares her passion for cooking. He forms a love triangle with TJ (Sam Milby), a rich boy whose family owns a big hotel and various restaurants.

"Im excited to do Only You as it gives us a different feel about love and romance," says Diet.

Sam is thankful to the show. "Because of this, nakarating ako sa Korea and its really a great experience dahil nagtatrabaho ka na, nakakapamasyal ka pa."

Also in the show is Dimples Romana who plays a villain role as Sams elder sister.

"Nasaan Ka, Maruja" has hooked viewers since it started airing on May 2 starring Kristine Hermosa. A horror thriller based on the late Mars Ravelos classic novel about reincarnation, Kristines dual roles impress viewers as she plays a psychic who can talk to dead people and as a young woman searching for her identity in her past life. Other Star Magic artists in it are comedian Kitkat and Enchong Dee.

Many also saw the start of "Precious Hearts Romances Presents Bud Brothers" in the afternoon slot. The series revolves on college frat brothers who put up the business Bud Brothers Flower Farm and the women they get involved with. All the thrills and kilig moments in the bestselling pocket books are now translated on screen, starring such Star Magic artists as Jake Cuenca, Rafael Rosell, Joem Bascon, Wendy Valdez, Maricar Reyes, Manuel Chua, Janna Dominguez, Guji Lorenzana and Roxanne Guinoo. More on Star Magic talents next time.

Source: Malaya