Girls go bananas

Author: Ethel Ramos
Column: Studio Whispers

Angelica Panganiban did not think twice about accepting the gag show "Banana Split" even if she still is working on her current teleserye, "Iisa Pa Lamang." All her life as an actress, she has been doing drama. It was time to prove that she can be part of a gag program, she says.

"Banana Split is actually more of a gag show than a comedy show. Mas mahirap gawin. But I love the challenge. And the program allows me to win new friends, who are mostly my age," she said.

Her co-stars in "Banana Split" are Roxanne Guinoo, Valerie Concepcion, Cristine Reyes, Princess Ryan and Dianne Medina.

"We all look sexy, especially in our bathing suits," Angelica beams. "Pero ang puweng ituring na pinaka-sexy sa amin ay si Cristine."

Cristine is a new Kapamilya, since she started her showbiz career in GMA 7. She is the younger sister of sexy star Ara Mina.

"Actually, pag nagpapaseksi na kaming lahat," Cristine cuts in, "wala nang itulak kabigin sa amin. We all simply look gorgeous."

Edgar Mortiz and his son, Frasco Mortiz, one of ABS CBNs most promising TV directors, share directorial chores in "Banana Split."

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Direk Edgar admits that "Banana Split" is a take-off from the gag show, "Goin Bananas," which he topbilled with his friends, Christopher de Leon, Johnny Delgado, Al Tantay and the late Jay Ilagan.

Directed by Al Quinn, "Goin Bananas" was a long-running show. Direk Edgar recalled that they started airing 1986 and ended in 1992.

"We all loved the show very much, so much so may baon kaming gag tuwing nagre-report sa taping.

"So far, nakakapag-tape pa lamang kami ng tatlongepisodes ng Banana Split. But already, the girls are proving to be naughty and wacky.

"To balance the girls antics here, we feature one hunk every week. On our list, so far, are Zanjoe Marudo, Diether Ocampo, John Lloyd Cruz and Jake Cuenca."

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FORMER "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate Wendy Valdez reveals that whats going on between her and former ka-housemate Bruce Quebral is the real thing. She got seriously involved with him after coming out of Kuyas house. "Kaya, more or less," she says, "weve been sweethearts for two years now."

Wendy even insinuates that this is the reason Bruce opted to become a steward with the Royale Emirates rather than continue with his showbiz career. He wants to prepare for their future, she reveals.

"Sa December ang unang biyahe niya," she says.

She has Bruces blessings to continue with her showbiz career, which, so far, appears promising. She expects to get more challenging roles after "I Love Betty La Fea," where she plays Patricia, the snooty and sexy secretary in the office of Armando Solis (played by John Lloyd Cruz), the president of Eco Moda.

Wendy has had the chance to appear in TV shows, one of which she topbilled, "Margarita." The series proved a fiasco, as she failed to live up to the viewers expectations.

"Hindi nila naisip na baguhan pa ako noon. And that was my first attempt at acting kaya nangangapa pa ako," she admits.

With "I Love Betty La Fea," Wendy thinks shes in good company. "Ang gagaling ng mga artista kong kasama. Lalo na sina Ms. Ruffa (Gutierrez) and, of course, Bea and John Lloyd. They are almost always my ka-eksena. At first, scared ako sa kanila. But they all prove supportive."

Her new look in "I Love Betty La Fea" is also doing her wonders. From head-to-toe, she now looks like a real celebrity.

Source: Malaya