Dingdong to Marian: Don't change

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Dingdong Dantes must be special to Goldilocks, his newest endorsement. Other stars who endorsed the same product, notably Kris Aquino and hubby James Yap, were not at all formally launched, but Dingdong had a grand launching at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel last Friday.

"We did a market study and Dingdong led the names of male celebrities with an untainted image and high credibility," says Goldilocks Bakeshop exec Pinky Yee. "We were also elated when we learned that since childhood, favorite na niya ang aming products. "

"Favorite ko talaga ang kanilang ensaymada, chocolate polvoron, dinuguan, fresh lumpia at bangus," says Dingdong. "Kaya I had no second thoughts accepting their offer to endorse them. Nakakatuwa nga dahil magkakaroon na rin sila ng sugar-free products for weight-conscious people. "

The TV commercial of Dingdong was shown to the press with him saying "You're the 1, Goldilocks!"

"Bagay na bagay ang tagline na 'yun kasi Goldilocks has been serving Filipinos for 43 years now," he adds.

Now that he and Karylle are off, would he tell Marian Rivera: You're the 1? He just laughed instead of answering. What can he say about Karylle's going sexy in her Bench ads? "It's the new year na. Puwede ba let's talk of new topics? Basta whatever is happening to her career now, I wish her well and I'm happy for her. "

What can he say to the prediction that his loveteam with Marian will lose its steam in 2009? "I've always believed na kahit sino, puwede manghula, but ultimately, your destiny is in the Lord's hand at ikaw rin mismo ang magde-determine niyan. Marian and I have started taping our new show, 'Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang,' and I can say that this is something totally different from 'Marimar' and 'Dyesebel' at tiyak na mas magugustuhan ito ng viewers. "

He was with his family in Boracay during the Christmas holidays while Marian was in Cavite with her grandma. Did they miss each other? "Siyempre, but now, nagkikita na kami uli sa tapings. "

What can he say that many people don't believe that they do not have a relationship yet? "Well, we don't have to prove naman anything to anyone. Kung ayaw nilang maniwala, what can I do? I can't blame them if they'd conclude na kami na nga kasi lagi nila kami nakikitang masayang magkatrabaho, so I will just respect whatever speculations they might have. Basta sa amin ni Marian, nandun 'yung respect, trust, concern and understanding sa isa't isa. Maganda ang samahan namin sa aming love team. "

So he'll be loveless this Valentine? "Yes. Magtatrabaho na lang ako. After all, ilang years naman akong may ka-Valentine. Six years kami ni Toni (Antoinette Taus) and three years with Karylle. Now, solo flight muna ako. "

What can he say about the bad press that Marian is getting? "I wish they'd try to get to know her more before they accuse her ng kung anu-ano, kasi she's really a good person. Gusto ko nga pati sinasabi nilang pagka-jologs niya. That's part of her personality. Nakilala ko siyang ganun and I respect that. She doesn't have to correct anything dahil hindi nga siya nagiging plastic, but just being herself. "

LUCKY IN LOVE, LUCKY IN GAME

Karylle was the special celebrity contestant in "Kapamilya Deal Or No Deal" last Wednesday. She played with her mom, Zsa Zsa Padilla. They were doing good at the start but, in the end, Karylle proved to be not just unlucky in love (with Dingdong D) but also in game as they didn't win anything substantial.

The following night, another man, who says he's jobless, nearly won the P4 million jackpot. Mr. Banker offered him P1 million for the sake of his two kids and his mom was urging him to already take it, but again, just like most contestants who do not easily get contented with sure money, he rejected making a deal and went home emptyhanded.

This week, the special celebrity guests are Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo. They are obviously currently lucky in their love for each other. But will they also be lucky in the game? (I think so. —Ed. )

ARA: FIRST VICTIM

Ara Mina was the first victim in the new segment of "Showbiz Central" called "Crossfire" where all the five hosts get to question her one by one, like being subjected to a third degree. Pia Guanio asked the first question: Your ex-BF Jomari Yllana said Pops Fernandez will be the last woman in his life. Naiinggit ka ba? "No. It's good for him, I hope. " John Lapus: When you started, bakit papalit-palit ka ng names? "Yes. Ara Reyes. DAra Mina. Danica Reyes. My mom kasi felt walang nangyayari sa career ko, so pinapalitan niya. " Rufa Mae Quinto: May new boyfriend ka raw? "I'm seeing someone, a young businessman, pero no names na kasi he's a private person. " DJ Mo: Sino ang mas minahal mo: Jomari o Polo Ravales? "Kung sino 'yung mas nagtagal. Si Jom, four years kami. " Raymond Gutierrez: May nakarelasyon ka bang artista na hindi nalaman ng publiko? "None, I'm honest. Naging ka-close lang siguro. " Pia: What are your plans for 2009? "I'm doing a new movie. Open din ako sa indie. I'm doing the digital film, 'Marino' to be produced by Allen Dizon. )" John: Will you work with GMA again? "I'm free lance. Wala naman akong contract sa kabila, so I can do shows in both networks. Wala naman akong bad blood sa GMA kasi nagpaalam ako nang maayos and they allowed me. Nami-miss ko nga ang 'Bubble Gang'. " Rufa Mae: Nami-miss din kita sa 'Bubble Gang'. Sino yung naka-close mo na hindi alam ng publiko? "Sa 'Bubble Gang', si Ogie Alcasid. We're close but not more than friends. " Mo: Why did you break up with Polo? "Hindi kami magkasundo. Ibang pananaw niya sa buhay, iba rin ang pananaw ko. " Raymond: How much is your ring? Ara showed the two diamond rings on her fingers. "Hindi ito engagement rings. This one, bigay ng mommy ko. The other one, the first ring I bought nang kumita na ako sa showbiz. "

SUNSHINE ADMITS MOM'S MEDDLING

ANOTHER new segment in "Showbiz Central" is Gimme Mo, hosted by DJ Mo, where he collects questions from persons close to a star and then asks them on cam. The first victim was Sunshine Dizon and the questions were selected by her Mommy Dorothy, Yaya Malou, Uncle Ramon, and friend Dingdong Dantes. First question: Who's the most attractive sa mga naging leading men mo? "All of them are good looking but I'm closest to Dingdong and Mark Anthony Fernandez. " Mo says that's not the question but who's the most attractive. "Di si Dingdong kasi sexiest man siya, di ba? He's always been like a brother to me. " Did you really buy an expensive Porsche car? "MatcHBOx," she laughs. "No, I'm buying a van, the new line of Starex na parang limousine worth P2. 6 million. Hindi naman cash yun. " You spent your holidays in Iloilo with a feeding program. Is it because you're going into politics there? "One of my dreams is pumasok sa politics. And if ever papasok ako, siyempre uunahin ko ang mga kababayan ko roon. " What position is she thinking of? "Baka sa congress. But if ever, mag-aaral muna ako about law so I'll be knowledgeable. " Have you ever felt na masyadong naging pakialamera ang mommy mo sa lovelife mo? "To be honest, yes. There was a time I felt that naging kontrabida siya. That's when I was young, but now, I realize it's only because she wants the best for me and didn't want me to get hurt. " Sa mga ex-BF mo, sino ang pinaka hindi nagustuhan ng mommy mo? "Lahat 'di niya nagustuhan, kaya nga wala na sila sa buhay ko. " Mo forces her to say the name of the one least liked by her mom. "Wag na lang, let's leave that in the past. It'd be unfair for me to say someone's name. " Mo gets her mom from the audience but she said the guy's not from showbiz. "So hindi n'yo rin kilala kahit sabihin ko," adds Mommy Dorothy.

LJ LOSES SOME, WINS SOME

WE felt sad for LJ Moreno as she became the sixth participante to be sent home from Buenos Aires, Argentina in "Pinoy Fear Factor. " The upside of that is that she was able to do the movie "Status: Single" with Rufa Mae Quinto upon coming home to Manila. But LJ was really a powerful contender in the show and her being ousted is one of the most dramatic and controversial rounds of elemination ever. There were four lowest pointers competing with each other: Manuel, Janna, Savanah and LJ. The stunt calls for them to be submerged into the pool hold their breath as long as they can. Once they want to get out of the water, all they have to do is let go of the piece of metal they're holding and they're immediately hauled off.

Don't miss this in "Pinoy Fear Factor", weekdays after "Eva Fonda" with a "PFF: Special Edition" on Saturdays at 7 PM, Studio 23.

AI AI RECLAIMS BOX OFFICE SUPREMACY

HERE'S the official box office take of the eight Metro Manila Filmfest entries during its official run from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7 sent by us by a booker. 1. "Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat" (Star Cinema) - P171 million. 2. Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After (M-Zet, OctoArts Films and APT Productions) - P107-M. 3. Shake, Rattle & Roll X (Regal Films) - P68-M. 4. Desperadas 2 (Regal Films) - P50-M. 5. Baler (Viva Films and Bida Foundation) - P36-M. 6. One Night Only (Canary Films)- P11-M. 7. Dayo (Cutting Edge Productions) - P5. 6-M. 8. Magkaibigan (Maverick Films) - P2. 1-M.

Take note that the difference between the earnings of Tanging Ina and Iskul Bukol is some P60 million plus, making Ai Ai de las Alas the real topnotcher of the filmfest. Tanging Ina, Iskul Bukol, Shake, Desperadas and Baler are still extended in several theaters so we're sure their box office takes will increase further. Star Cinema says it expects Tanging Ina to reach P200 million nationwide, in which case it will overtake the box office take of previous Star topgrosser, "Very Special Love", that took in nearly P180 million last year. We're happy for Ai Ai that she has recovered after the poor box office showing of her last movie, "Ikaw Pa Rin, Bongga Ka Boy," with Robin Padilla no less.

Source: People's Journal