Dingdong's family accepts Marian

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Dingdong Dantes says he's glad that the ratings of "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" are going up steadily. "Marami kasing nanibago sa roles namin ni Marian Rivera at the start of the show kaya siguro hindi kasintaas ang rating ng previous shows namin," he says. "But that's our real objective, for us to do roles very different from our first ones. So it's really not what people have learned to expect from us kasi we're much more mature here. But so far, from the people I meet everyday, marami namang nakaka-appreciate at maganda ang feedback sa akin. It's said nawala 'yung kid viewers, but later on there will be changes in our characters that will explain why we're behaving that way. Aware naman ang creative team ng GMA about this and they're doing everything to regain our young fans. "

We ourselves believe that the change was too drastic that it alienated the fans they gained in "Marimar" and "Dyesebel" who were not prepared for their strange behavior. Marian's Proserfina, as one viewer said, was "nakaka-turn off" because she's weird and abrasive. As for Dingdong, it's also not credible that an intelligent executive like him will suddenly become subservient to a complete stranger like Marian, enough to allow her to insult him and treat him like dirt. For viewers to get hooked, characters should be sympathetic from the start. Well, that's a lesson now learned by those writing and directing the show. They're now trying to regain lost ground by trying to make Marian more appealing through her back story.

As for their personal relationship off cam, no less than one of their directors, Joyce Bernal, attest to the fact that they're now much closer than ever to each other. "Hindi na nga ako nahihirapang idirek sila kahit sa hot love scenes kasi parang hindi na sila umaarte at natural lang ang ginagawa nila," she says.

Dingdong has introduced Marian to his family and his folks have gladly accepted her. They also date each other more often now. This week in "Babaeng Hinugot", Dingdong and Marian as Homer and Proserfina are on the run and have to disguise themselves after Marian becomes the prime suspect in the death of Ryan Eigenmann. Homer becomes a vagrant and Proserfina takes pity on him while Heleen (Angelu de Leon) goes to Homer's home and gets the surprise of her life when she sees something astounding in Homer's room.

HEART AFRAID OF BREAKUPS

Heart Evangelista was the subject of DJ Mo's Gimme Mo portion while Mark Anthony Fernandez was in John Lapus' Don't Lie to Me Segment. They're both promoting the final week of "Luna Mystika" that ends on Friday, to be replaced by "All About Eve" on Monday.

Here are Mo's questions: Kaninong guy in showbiz ka natatameme or speechless? "Wala. Ang corny ko pero wala talaga. " If Mark would court you, papasa ba siya? "Ang sama ko naman kung sasabihin kong hindi ko siya type, but he's really just a friend or a brother. I'm so focused on my work now, no time ako sa ganyan. Pero mabait si Mark at maalaga and his wife is very blessed. "

Sumama ba ang loob mo sa parents mo nang maging very strict sila sa iyo? "Of course, especially pag pag-ibig ang ipinaglalaban mo. Parents should allow you to make your own choices. Ako, lahat ng nangyari sa'kin, I have no regrets. " If there's something you've done for which you'd want to say sorry, ano 'yun? "I have to admit lumaki ang ulo ko noon. I was earning a lot, I have everything and I felt I don't need them, without even considering their feelings. "

Do you find it hard na magtiwala sa guys now after all your heartbreaks, like when Jericho (Rosales) cheated on you? "The word cheated is so strong, I was so emotional then. I was immature and there were other problems. It's really hard to let go. Now kasi takot ako sa breakups. I'm not ready yet for a new relationship. But when you're alone at night, nakakalungkot din and I ask, Lord, where's my Prince Charming?" What's the greatest mistake you made in your life? "Sa buhay ko ngayon, hindi pa nangyayari 'yun at sana, huwag na mangyari. "
MARK ANTHONY DEFENDS ALMA'S NEW HUSBAND

IT was the second time for Mark Anthony Fernandez to take the Lie Detector test. The first was in October, 2008. Here are the questions of John Lapus to him. Did your wife get jealous kay Heart dahil sweet kayo sa 'Luna Mystika'? He said no and it's a lie. Dumaan ba sa isip mo na kung binata ka pa, liligawan mo kaya si Heart? He said yes and it's true.

Ayaw na raw ninyo ng wife mo na magkaanak. Is it because may marital issues kayo ngayon? He said yes and it's true. He later added that they didn't want to have more kids "dahil gusto muna naming mag-ipon". And he clarified that their issues are nothing really big but only what married couples normally experience in their relationship. "Konting problema lang naman," he adds.

Tanggap mo na ba ang mommy mong si Alma Moreno ay nagpakasal kay Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salik? He said yes and its true. He adds: "Boto ako sa kanya dahil single pa siya hanggang ngayon. " This disproves the earlier story that the mayor is already married and the first wife rejects Alma as his second wife.

ALJUR WOOING KRIS AGAIN

Kris Bernal cried at the presscon of "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin" but she said they were tears of joy as she can't believe she now stars in her own drama series and playing a role that Sharon Cuneta no less played in the original. "I'm thankful to GMA 7 for giving Aljur Abrenica and I this good break and to our director, Maryo de los Reyes, for guiding us in every scene to make sure we interpret our roles effectively. "

Direk Maryo conducted a workshop for them before taping started and he's confident that both Kris and Aljur will deliver. His last afternoon soap, "Saan Darating ang Umaga," was a toprater that hit 28% no less. He says the story of "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin" about young love and the pitfalls of early marriage will also surely hook the interest of viewers so he has no doubt that this will also be a toprater.

As for the real score between Kris and Aljur, Kris is very open in saying she's not sure about Aljur's feelings for her as he's a chicks magnet and so many women are attracted because of his good looks. It's also rumored that Aljur's real flame is current Bb. Pilipinas candidate Rich Asuncion. "We were on for a while during our StarStruck days," Kris adds. "But after we won in the contest, we broke up and I became closer to our co-winner Mart Escudero, pero hindi rin nagtagal as he was paired with Jennica Garcia, so ibinalik nga ako kay Aljur and we did one show after another like 'Zaido', 'Dyesebel' and 'Luna Mystika'. Dito lang sa 'Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin' kami uli naging close and I can feel nanliligaw siya sa akin uli. "

SOMETHING BIG

SOMETHING big is happening on cable TV. Viva Cable of Viva Communications launches its newest channel, 'Viva Cinema', on pay TV through Cignal Digital TV. A 24/7 general entertainment channel, it features talk shows, showbiz news, lifestyle shows, local and international movies. One of its entertaining shows is Chikalectric, a daily one-hour magazine show hosted by the mother-son tandem of Dolly Ann Carvajal and IC Mendoza. Columnist/TV personality Dolly Ann talks about the latest chika in the industry with son IC, a comedian who starred in movies like My Kuya's Wedding and Manay Po 2.

Another must-see is Daily Top 5? that features interesting showbiz trivia hosted by young singer-actress Nikki Bacolod. Dubbed as one of the rising pop artists in the country, as well as a budding actress, Nikki earned good reviews with her recent supporting role in the award-winning film Baler and as the main villain Diana in ABS-CBN's top rated show Diosa starring Ann Curtis. For those who want to know how it feels like to be a celebrity, they can watch Celebrity Factor, the show for those who want to be a celebrity for a day and live like a celebrity -- for less.

This daily program is hosted by model, actress and FHM Babe CJ Javarata. Get your fill on true showbiz stories with Celebrity Real Life Stories and find out how the careers of showbiz icons began. Also included in Viva Cinema's general entertainment schedule is Zoom In, an inside look at goings-on behind the camera, with star interviews and insights on movies in the making. Viva Cinema also features the biggest movies and TV series such as music specials and concerts in Big Special, action movies of the week in Big Bang, comedy movies of the week in Big Laffs, drama movies of the week in Big Night, featured actors of the week in Big Star, featured directors of the week in Big Time, and movie premieres of the week in Big One. Cignal Digital TV also carries Pinoy Box Office (PBO), the 24/7 Filipino movie channel. This year, expect bigger shows and surprises as PBO gives you more movie marathons of the hottest movie stars every month. It will also feature more movie premieres of local and Tagalog-dubbed Hollywood movies. Plus, get ready for another round of Digitales, PBO's digital film competition, now on its third year. To get the latest Viva Cinema and PBO programming schedule, visit http://www. viva. com. ph.

THE LEGENDS ARE BACK

THE blockbuster "Legends of OPM" concert held last December at the PICC generated much positive talk about local music lovers that there just has to be a repeat. This will happen on Thursday, March 5, at the PICC. "The response that night from the audience was really overwhelming," says Claire de la Fuente whose renditions of "Sayang" and "Something In Your Eyes" were big hits with the crowd. "Ang daming hindi nakapanood requesting me to have a repeat so we told boss Vic del Rosario about it at heto, pinagbigyan naman niya. "

Aside from Claire, The Legends of OPM are Rico J. Puno, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuñiga, Joey Albert and Eva Eugenio. All are singing stars whose recordings have stood the test of time and continue to be heard frequently here and abroad. Rico, Nonoy and Rey, Claire, Eva and Joey were responsible for many of the biggest hits during the 70's and 80's. Their rendition of these classics was what made the Legends of OPM concert a resounding success. They will perform all of the songs heard in the first show and have added some new numbers that will surely delight everybody. There are Rico and his Kapalaran, May Bukas Pa, Buhat, Macho Guwapito and his own version of The Way We Were. Nonoy with Kumusta Ka, Init, Doon Lang and Never Ever Say Goodbye, Valera with Walang Kapalit, Naaalala Ka, and Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko.

Claire will sing Sayang, Unang Pag-ibig, Something in Your Eyes, and Minsan-Minsan. Eva has Tukso, Kunwari ay Ikaw, Ano Ang Gagawin Kapag Wala Ka Na, Pag-ibig Na Walang Dangal and Mahal Mo Ba Sya. Joey is set to do Iisa Pa Lamang, Tell Me, A Million Miles Away, and Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin.

There are also grand production numbers in the program that include duets, Pinoy dance hits and a stunning medley of songs discovered in the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival like Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Hahanapin Ko, Ewan, Bulag Pipi Bingi, Ako ang Nagwagi, Be My Lady, Isang Mundo Isang Awit and Salamat Musika. Directed by Roxanne Lapus with Gerry Matias as musical director, tickets are available at all SM Ticketnet outlets, the Araneta Coliseum and at Ticketworld outlets. Prices range from P420 to P5250. Call Viva 687-6181 locals 620 and 745 for inquiries.

Source: People's Tonight