From stage mom to 'Monster Mom'

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Aga Muhlach has nothing but good words for Anne Curtis, his leading lady in "When Love Begins."

"She's beautiful, inside and out, maganda na, mabait pa," he says. "I can't complain as she's also very serious about her work. Talagang dedicated siya sa trabaho, very responsible and she knows what she's doing."

Looks like he's been smitten by Anne. "Hanga talaga ako sa kanya, but before anyone thinks of anything else, I'm a married man. And I love my wife Charlene (Gonzalez) very much, matatag ang pagsasama namin, so huwag n'yo nang kulitin at intrigahin ang paghanga ko kay Anne. Na-in love talaga ako sa kanya, which is not surprising kasi sexy naman talaga siya lalo na in her bikinis, pero hanggang doon lang yun sacharacters that we play in our movie. Walang halong malisya 'yun. Ngayon, kung single siguro ako at walang asawa't mga anak, that's another story. But ever since I had my own family, wala na akong leading lady na niligawan ko. I really want to thank Charlene for being supportive at hindi siya yung basta nagseselos even if I have love or kissing scenes with my younger leading ladies. She's very secure with herself."

Anne says Aga was fond of talking to himself while they were shooting "When Love Begins" in Boracay. "That's my way of internalizing my role.Iniisip ko talagang in love ako kay Michelle, the character played by Anne, and I'm enamored not only with her but with the beauty of Boracay itself. I actually told Anne na masarap siyang kasama. And that this might be our first and last movie together, but I'm really thankful for the opportunity of working with her."

ABS-CBN is said to be proud as they now have both morning (Aga) and night (Gabby Concepcion). Is Aga somehow threatened by Gabby's comeback since the roles he plays can also be played by Gabo? "He's not a threat. I'm 38 and he's seven years older. I'm really glad he's here now and we have more lead actors with him. I consider him a long lost friend and I wish him well."

One writer butted in at this point: "Bakit naman mate-threatensi Aga kay Gabby gayong nagkontrabida lang ito sa kanya sa 'Sinungaling Mong Puso' with Vilma Santos at si Aga ang nanalo ng Best Actor award for that movie?"

Is it true GMA-7 is trying to pirate him from ABS? To which another writer said: "Bakit naman kukunin ng GMA si Aga, e ang baba ng rating ng 'Okey Ka, Doc' niya kumpara sa 'Fulhaus' ni Vic Sotto?"

"Hindi naman for a TV show," said someone. "They're getting him for a movie in GMA Films dahil wala namang dudang big hits ang movies ni Aga. The movie is a co-production between GMA Films and Mother Lily, at si Marian Rivera ang gusto nilang maging kapareha niya."

"Yes, there is such an offer," confirmed Aga. "But nothing is final kasi may movies pa ako lined up for me by Star Cinema."

After Anne, Aga is scheduled to be paired with either Bea Alonzo or Angel Locsin. "Nababalitaan ko pa lang ang mga 'yan, but nothing is really sure," adds Aga. "I leave it all up to my manager, Tita Ethel Ramos, as she makes all the right decisions for me."

***

Mother Lily called for a special press visit on the day Richard Gutierrez was shooting his scenes for the movie, "Monster Mom." Annabelle Rama was there and she entertained all invited writers. Mother Lily offered a fried chicken dinner while Annabelle brought pizza and chicharon. Mother Lily says she has very good vibes about "Monster Mom."

"Love ko ang Gutierrez Family at nandito sina Eddie at Annabelle, then Ruffa and Richard, what more can I ask for when they're all very professional at mabait," she adds.

"Palagay ko rin, kikita ito," says Annabelle. "Anywhere I go, people ask me, 'O, ano? Kailan palalabas ang pelikula mo? Inaabangan na namin. Excited na silang lahat.'"

What can she say to Mother Lily's statement that she's an even better actress than Ruffa? "Naku, hindi naman. Hindi naman talaga ako aktres. Si Ruffa, mas hasa sa'kin yan sa harap ng kamera. But with the help of Direk Joey Reyes, alam ko, hindi naman ako mapapahiya sa acting ko rito."

"Let's face it, siya ang title role dito," says Joey Reyes. "At mahusay siya talaga. You should see our teaser taken in an old house. Ruffa is slowly walking in the dark, afraid to wake up her mom, then Annabelle comes out from nowhere and barks at her: Bakit ngayon ka lang umuwi? Then lalabas ang caption: Mother cares best. Tapos, biglang malalagay ang letter S sa unahan ng cares, so it will be Mother scares best. Nakakatawa talaga! Kaya dapat, mag-grand slam dito si Annabelle. Kung hindi niya tinanggap ang movie, walang saysay ang script na sinulat ko specifically for her."

"When I saw myself sa monitor, pati ako, natakot," says Annabelle. "Mukha talaga akong monster. Pero sila, tawa nang tawa sa'kin dahil ginawa akong bruha ni Direk Joey. Baka pati mga apo kong sina Lorin at Venice, matakot din sa'kin."

***

Richard Gutierrez is happy to play his dad as a young man in "Monster Mom." What did his other brothers like Raymond, Elvis, Rocky and Richie Paul say that he was the one chosen and not any of them? "Sina Mommy at Mother Lily naman ang pumili sa akin," he says.

"Siya naman talaga ang kamukha ng daddy niya," says Annabelle. "At pareho rin silang playboy."

Richard laughs. "Hindi naman ako playboy. But I really hope I can do justice to the role of the young Waldo, the role my dad plays. It's a small role but I enjoy doing it. First time ko to work with Direk Joey Reyes at ang galing niya. Mabilis magtrabaho."

What can he say about his mom's being active now in films and TV commercials? "I'm really happy for her. Late bloomer siya sa acting. We didn't expect it. Ngayon, mas in demand pa siya sa amin. Pati commercials niya, sunod-sunod. She's a natural actress at pati ako, natatawa sa mga eksena niya."

But is she really a monster mom? "For that, you have to ask my Ate Ruffa. Kay Ate talaga kasi siya naging very strict. Sa aming boys, tanggap na namin that she has a strong personality, but deep inside, she's really a softie. Malambot ang puso niya."

Now that "Kaman-dag" is ending this week, he plans to have a short vacation before starting his next soap, "Asero." Will he be devoting more time to his love life and in wooing KC? He answers with a laugh. Has she seen KC's billboards in a swimsuit? "Yes, ang ganda niya. Ang sexy."

So when will he do a similar underwear pictorial like his rival Dingdong Dantes? "Tanggap naman ako ng tao kahit hindi ako naghuhubad. Saka na lang yan. I don't need it. Sa ngayon, I'm just proud of the ending of 'Kamandag.' People think I'm already dead, kaya magugulat ang lahat dahil babalik na ako as Kamandag. The villain, Zoren Legaspi as Gulag, will take my mom Eula Valdez, my leading lady Maxene Magalona and my other friends sa Ambugraw as captives who'll be killed later. Susundan ko sila to save them and it'll be an exciting action-filled climax that took us several days to shoot."

***

Cesar Montano is currently seen twice on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida. He acts in "Palos," which is ending this Friday, and he hosts the new singing game show, "The Singing Bee." He's perfect as the host of "Singing Bee" as he's a singer himself and has his own album with Star Records.

"I'm glad to host a show like this kasi tayong mga Pinoy, mahihilig talaga kumanta," he says. "Dito, mahahasa uli ang pagkanta ko. I was just in grade school when my mom bought me a guitar. Pero natuto ako, teenager na ako kasi all my friends were playing the guitar. Kahit sintunado ka man o pangit ang boses mo, you can join 'Singing Bee' dahil ang importante dito, tama lahat ng lyrics mo."

"It's really great to see this lighter side of Cesar which people rarely see on television. This is something to watch out for in the show," shared executive producer Carla Burwell. "He's the counterpart of the US version's host, former N'Sync member Joey Fatone."

Cesar admits he enjoys every moment hosting the show especially when he sees his audience having a great time, singing, and dancing in the studio. A franchise from Zeal Entertainment, "The Singing Bee" is a fun and exciting, family-oriented game show. A live band called the Bandble Bee, headed by musical director Mel Villena, plays every tune as sexy dancers, the Honeybees, groove to it. Just like a quiz bee, players will have to hurdle several rounds before making it as a Singing Bee Champion.

In round 1 (To Bee Continued), the Bandble Bee will play a particular song. When the band stops, the player must sing the next line with the correct lyrics. The first four studio players to answer it right move on to the JumbleBee round where they must sing the lyrics rights using the jumbled words flashed on the screen. Only two will proceed to the third round called Showdown. They take turns in completing the chorus of their songs correctly. Whoever wins this round will be hailed The Singing Bee Champion and get the chance to play in the Final Countdown.

In the jackpot round, seven songs will be played. The player must sing the lyrics of the next line correctly. Every correct answer corresponds to P20,000. If he gets 5 out of 7 songs, the player wins P1 million. But if he makes three mistakes, the game is over. "My advice to those who'd join is start looking for your old song books. Surf the internet and find out the correct lyrics of the songs you like and even dislike," says Cesar.

We've seen the first few episodes and it's very entertaining to see celebrities Derek Ramsay, Jodi Sta. Maria, Bayani Agbayani, Mickey Ferriols, Keana Reeves, Valerie Concepcion, Heart Evangelista, JayR Siaboc, Tado, Jamie Joaquin, Brod Pete and Pooh compete with each other.

***

What's the real score between the parents of Vina Morales and Shaina Magdayao? Some quarters say they separated because the mom, Dianne, ran away with another man, which is difficult to believe since all their kids are now grownups and they already have grandchildren. Another story alleges that Mommy Dianne left because she dislikes Shaina's boyfriend, John Prats.

At the "Manay Po 2" premiere, John was asked about this and he says he's aware that Shaina has a problem with his parents but he doesn't ask her about the details, so he's in the dark as to what the real trouble is and how serious it is.

"All I can say is whatever the problem may be, I'm always here to support Shaina," he says. "That's how important she is to me. I don't want to see her sad and lonely as I get affected also. But it's not true na may kinalaman ako dahil magkasundo kami ni Tita Dianne at wala kaming problema."

Source: Malaya