Heart, Jericho 'headaches' on the set?

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

IS it true production people who work with ex-lovers Jericho Rosales and Heart Evangelista are now having a hard time with them? On the set of "Baler," it was reported that Jericho refused to make the sign of the cross in a scene where he's supposed to be praying in front of an altar and to do hot love scenes with Anne Curtis. Heart also refuses to do love scenes with Mark Anthony Fernandez in "Luna Mystika" and it's said she has other demands that some GMA folks are now regretting getting her to work with them.

The reason given is said to be the fact that they're both Christians and doing such scenes is against their spiritual beliefs. But how come Piolo Pascual, also an avowed Christian, has done sizzling love scenes with Angel Locsin in "Lobo" and also in their new movie, "Love Me Again" (formerly "Land Down Under")?

If they're really so devout in their religious beliefs, we advise all Christians to look for other jobs because showbiz is really such a worldly place. As actors, they shouldn't have too many limitations as this would constrict their craft in front of the camera. Better go into some other more wholesome vocation where you won't be required to make believe that you're portraying a role other than yourself.

SAM DOES CHARITY WORK

ABS-CBN Star Magic artist Sam Milby was chosen to be an ambassador for World Vision, a Christian development, relief and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities worldwide to reach their full potential by addressing the causes of poverty and injustice.

Here is the statement from Mr. Boris Joaquin, World Vision Marketing Director: "Sam Milby was holding back his tears after I have shared to him the kind of work that we do for the children and their communities here in the Philippines. He recently is sponsoring (sic) two children in Cavite one boy and girl ages 5 and 6. He has a great heart for God and His ministry, we saw fitting for him to be part of the World Vision family challenging the public to sponsor Filipino children as well. " With Sam being chosen as an ambassador for World Vision, it gives him a chance to be able to help the needy, something that he truly finds fulfilling.
KC IN CNN WITH INTERNATIONAL STARS

ANOTHER star who's active in socially-relevant volunteer work is KC Concepcion who's just back from Hong Kong to attend the Clinton Global Initiative. You can see her at the news coverages of the affair shown on CNN. KC feels proud to be in The Company of other Asian superstars like Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Karen Mok, and Korean actor Jang Dong Gun (best known here for "All About Eve"). They all pledged their commitment to the UN World Food Programme, attending 8 sessions of meeting for two days to help feed hungry people all over the world.

EUGENE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT NEW SHOW

WE saw the pilot episode of TV 5's "Everybody Hapi", their first sitcom shown Sundays at 6 p. m. It's really funny, thanks mainly to the comic antics of Eugene Domingo and Long Mejia. Directed by Robert Quebral, the story is set in a duplex (doesn't this remind you of "Duplex" and "Bahay Mo Ba'To") owned by Eugene who lives in one door with sister Roxanne Guinoo and brother Matt Evans. The new tenant in the other door is John Estrada and daughter Alex Gonzaga. Long is John's longtime friend. Eugene is in love with John, but John is in love with Roxanne. Matt and Alex also develop a secret relationship.

"I really miss doing a sitcom like this," says Eugene. "The last one I did is 'Tanging Ina' on ABS where John and I played cousins. Parang comeback ko ito sa Channel 5 kasi my first TV show was a sitcom with them in the early 90s, 'We R Family' with Gabby Concepcion and Alice Dixson. I have a feeling 'Everybody Hapi' will click kasi maganda ang chemistry namin ng buong cast. Si Long, bilib ako diyan, ibubuwis ang buhay niya just to make a scene work. Grabe siya when it comes to doing physical scenes na tumitilapon siya o hinahataw siya.

And I find it nice to work in a show like this na hindi puro bakla ang kasama ko. May gay character dito, yung alalay kong si George, but the actor who plays him, Roy Paulo Calilong, is really straight. Pati si Direk Robert, okay na okay. Kalmado lagi kahit lagi kaming maingay sa set. In each episode, we feature two different stories. Kasi usually, one story long, tapos lumalaylay, kaya ginawang dalawa rito para hindi boring sa viewers. "

We heard John's girlfriend, former Ms. Earth Priscila Mereilles, is getting insecure because of her sweetness to John during taping? "Oo naman. Ms. Earth siya, e amoy lupa naman ako. Actually, we want to invite her to join the show para maging love interest naman ni Long. Sana pumayag, kasi kung hindi, si Gretchen Barretto ang gusto nilang kunin as a girl who's desperately so in love with Long. Mas riot, di ba?"

How did she feel when she was ejected from the cast of "Desperadas 2" and "Shake Rattle & Roll X?" "Siyempre, nanghina-yang din ako and I felt kasi I like to work sana again with Direk Joel Lamangan and Direk Mike Tuviera na katrabaho ko rin in last year's filmfest sa 'Bahay Kubo' and 'Shake 9'. Iniisip ko na lang, ganun talaga, no one is indispensable. Pero tingnan mo naman ang ipinalit sa'kin, sina Ogie Alcasid and Marian Rivera no less. Pero naka-move on na ko kasi it's useless to dwell on such things. Isa pa, may naging kapalit naman agad. Heto nga biglang dumating ito offer to do two shows sa TV 5. Aside from 'Everybody Hapi', I'm also hosting 'Hahahayop' na compilation of funny and amusing videos involving animals na bagay sa mga bata. "

TV5 TO FIGHT IT OUT IN COURT

TV 5 was sued by GMA-7 since their company is now allegedly owned by Malaysians and this is against the law. "We'll definitely fight that in court," says their PR Patricia Magbanua (daughter of Yes Mag's Joan Magbanua).

"Watch out for our official statement. "

THE FUN ON 'SINGING BEE'

Cesar Montano had a grand time with Rico J. Puno (they have the same manager, Norma Japitana) at the taping of his hit show, "The Singing Bee", to be aired this Sunday. Rico is not only a great singer but also a natural comedian so he really entertained Cesar and the audience with his funny adlibs. Rico guested with hit songmaker Rey Valera and singer Eva Eugenio, with whom he's having "The Legends of OPM" concert (also with Claire de la Fuenta, Nonoy Zuñiga and Joey Albert) at the PICC on December 30. Rey says he's not very good in remembering lyrics, so Cesar tells him: "Basta just have fun lang and enjoy the game. "

For tonight, the guest contestants in "The Singing Bee" are three mentors from "Pinoy Dream Academy: Monet Silvestre (overall voice mentor), Malou de Guzman (performance mentor) and Von Arroyo (diction mentor). "This is my first time to compete in this kind of game show so I'm really nervous," Monet reveals.

Will he be the show's fourth millionaire? Find out in "The Singing Bee" at 6 p. m. , Saturday and Sunday.

ALWYN ALLOWS GF PRINCESS TO GO SEXY

ABS-CBN teen sexpot Princess Ryan is happy to be in her home station's "Eva Fonda" and "Banana Split" and also on TV 5's "Lipgloss. " As a member of Koolchx, she has done sexy pictorials for Maxim and in "Lipgloss," seen Saturdays at 6 p. m. , she plays Sarah, a new character who's an aggressive young sex kitten that's newcomer Kevin Lapena's former girlfriend. She now tries to get Kevin back from Saab Magalona and in her very first episode, she's shown coming out of the swimming pool sporting a wet sexy look.

In "Eva Fonda, " she also plays a contravida who tries to snatch Jason Abalos away from Cristine Reyes. She even does a love scene with Jason. How does her boyfriend Alwyn Uytingco react to such scenes? "He's not the jealous type so okay lang sa kanya as he knows this is just part of my work," she says.

Doesn't she have qualms playing villain roles? "Okay lang, so the public will be more familiar with me. But someday, I do hope I'll also get the chance to play lead roles. "

Source: People's Journal