Edu: Thank you for respecting my lovelife

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Edu Manzano is turning 52 on September 14 and he feels the Lord has blessed him so much. “Who would have thought that after 27 years in showbiz, I'd feel like I'm starting all over again hosting various TV shows?” he says.

Whereas other actors are now inactive after the local film industry went on a slump, Edu has reinvented himself on TV hosting a daily morning show, “Umagang Kay Ganda”; a daily game show, “Game KNB”; and another game show on Saturdays at 7:30 p. m. , “1 vs. 100”. No wonder some politicians are asking if he still has time for his regular work as Optical Media Board Chairman.

“I wake up at 3 a. m. everyday so I can be at ABS by 4:15 in time for our morning show. By 8:45, nasa OMB office na ako which is just walking distance from ABS. I stay there the whole day except when we do raids on field. I tape 'Game KNB' twice a week, three episodes each, from 5 to 11:30 p. m. I tape '1 vs. 100' every other Saturday, 2 episodes each. As you can see, my work as OMB chairman is not jeopardized. I had a change of lifestyle because of this. I don't drink or smoke anymore, and no more nightlife. By 8 p. m. , I'm usually in bed na dahil gigising nga ako ng 3 a. m. ”

So does he still have a lovelife with Miss P (Pinky Webb)? “Of course, and I thank the press for respecting my lovelife. ”

Hosting “1 vs. 100” proved to be a tough task for Edu as he had to pass the scrutiny of Endemol execs from whom ABS bought its rights. “Sobrang strict sila in the rehearsals. Paulit-ulit as the technical requirements are so heavy. Just one mistake and they won't allow us to go on air. They're very particular kasi toprater nila ito worldwide. Pati the way I talk and even walk, they had to check it. It's really a humbling experience for me. But it paid off kasi our first two shows with Ai Ai de las Alas and Brod Pete both rated very high. Everyone is pleased. ”

This Saturday, the main player will be Mariel Rodriguez. Among the celebrities in the 100 mob players are the three beauty queen “Unbeatables” who won more than P20,000 each from the Brod Pete encounter: Miss International Lara Quigaman, Nadia Lee and Anna Teresa Licaros. The others are Assunta de Rossi, Michelle Madrigal, Paw Diaz, Matt Evans, Aldred Gatchailan and Jason Gainza.

MOTHER LILY LAUNCHES JENNICA, MART
AFTER Maja Salvador, Mother Lily Monteverde is launching the love team of Jennica Garcia and Mart Escudero to stardom in a suspense-horror movie tentatively titled “Hide and Seek,” written by Gina Marissa Tagasa and directed by Rahyan Carlos. Supporting them are competent character actors Jay Manalo and Ryan Eigenmann.

“Hindi pa naman nagi-start ang shooting, ninenerbiyos na ako,” says Jennica. “Parang ang bilis-bilis ng mga pangyayari. I was just introduced in 'Impostora', then sinali ako sa 'Boys Nxt Dr' and 'Pasan Ko ang Daigdig', and now, here I am making my first movie. I'm praying maisama sa cast ng movie ang mommy ko (Jean Garcia) para may umalalay sa akin sa pag-arte. ”

The Jennica-Mart love team has created a big fan base in such a short time so Mother Lily is confident they will support the launching movie of the newest teen love team.

ALBERT WILLING TO HELP SNOOKY
Albert Martinez feels sad that former girlfriend Snooky Serna is so hardup and her second marriage to a singer has gone kaput. “I really didn't know kung anong nangyayari sa kanya, pero nakakalungkot namang malaman ang pinagdadaanan niya nga-yon,” he sighs. “Life is all about the choices we make and I wish she'd learn how to make better choices. Snooky kasi is a reluctant actress. Siguro, pagod na rin siya kasi she started so young as a child star. ”

Is he willing to work with her again? “Of course, lalo na kung makakatulong para makabalik siya sa showbiz. Sana nga, magkasama kami uli sa isang project. ”
As for Albert, he's a proud father as his eldest daughter, Alyanna, 21, has finished college at the Ateneo and is now working as a junior fashion editor for Preview Magazine after working as a stylist for Meg and Teen Magazine. “But next year, she wants to get her masters and she's thinking of studying in London. ”

After playing the male lead in “Maria Flor de Luna,” Albert now plays the father of Kim Chiu in “I've Fallen For You,” directed by Lino Cayetano. “I'm happy to be working with Kim and Gerald Anderson kasi masipag sila pareho at dedicated in their careers, also with Direk Lino who's young but full of great ideas. I like that he trusts his actors dahil hindi niya kami masyadong mino-motivate. What he does is he just discusses the scene with us and let's us interpret it the way that will be comfortable with it. ”

PINOY ARTISTS' US SHOWS CANCELLED
OUR friends and relatives in the U. S. tell us that most of the shows held by local singers there didn't do well as expected, like the concerts of the "Pinoy Dream Academy" talents and even that of Sarah Geronimo. Some of their shows were cancelled due to lack of ticket buyers.

“Ang dalas-dalas naman kasi nilang mag-show sa States kaya sinasawaan agad ang mga tao roon,” says one observer. “Tapos, ang dami-dami pa nilang nagso-show doon ngayon. Hindi naman puwedeng lahat ng shows ng Pinoy talents, papanoorin ng mga U. S. -based-Pinoys. Siyempre, namimili rin lang sila kung sino ang type nilang panoorin. ”

E-MAILS ABOUT WILLIE

WE received so many e-mails about the Joey-Willie word war. We chose two to be printed here:

“Pakisabi lang po kay Willie Revillame, 'wag naman niya masyadong iangat ang sarili niya at ipangalandakan sa TV na marami siyang natutulungang mahihirap. Excuse me po,sina Rosa Rosal at Boots Anson Roa ang dami ring natulungan, pero never natin nakita o napanood na nagsisigaw sa TV para lang ipagmalaki na marami silang natutulungan. Ang pagtulong nina Ms. Rosal at Ms. Roa walang kapalit na hinihingi. Tumutulong sila hindi para mag-rate ang mga shows nila. At hindi nila ginagamit ang pagtulong para lang ma-absuelto sa mga kaso. Si Willie po everytime na may kaso siyang kinakaharap, lagi niyang binubuelta sa tao,” gusto lang niya makapagpasaya at marami silang natutulungan ng mahihirap na kababayan. ” Bukal sa puso ang tunay na pagtulong, hindi yan pinamamalita at hindi yan ginagamit na kasangkapan para lang kampihan ka ng tao sa issues against you. Wika nga ni FPJ, ang ginagawa ng kanang kamay, wag ipamalita ng kaliwang kamay. Lalo pa kung hindi naman sa sarili mong bulsa galing ang itinutulong mo sa tao kundi sa network.

"Maraming artista at hindi artista ang tumutulong sa mahihirap ng walang publicity. Yan po ang tunay na pagtulong! So Willie, enough na ang pag-aangat sa sarili na marami kang natutulungang tao. Nakakaalibadbad pakinggan. Walang sincerity.

Sincerely yours, Elsie Joy Palma “Dapat ay kay Valerie Concepcion mag-aral si willie umiyak ng may luha. Aba, mas malakas pa ang tagaktak ng luha ni valerie kay willie habang nagsasalita ito. Kung si willie kulang sa luha, si valerie ay oa naman. At puede pa pakisabi kay willie,huwag niya laging isumbat na marami siyang natutulungan at napapasayang tao. hindi lang siya ang artista na nakakatulong at nakakapagpasaya ng tao. kahit sina mura at mahal,sa maliit nilang paraan ay may napapasayang tao. kaya wag niyang ipagyabang na akala mo, siya ang sugo ng Diyos dito sa mundo na nakakatulong at nakakapagpasaya ng tao. Ni hindi nga niya napasaya si Liz Almoro, 'no? - emma caparas

CONDOLENCE
OUR condolences to colleague Dinno Erece whose father, Arch. Abraham Erece, passed away on September 1 and now lies in state at Arlington, Araneta Ave.

Source: People's Journal