Heart is Dennis' next target

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Dennis Trillo just renewed his exclusive contract with GMA-7 for another two years. Dennis was part of ABS-CBN Star Circle Batch 10 along with Alfred Vargas and Nadine Samonte in 2001. They all later moved to GMA to be a Kapuso. "My first show with GMA was 'Kahit Kailan,' followed by 'Click,' " Dennis says. "Since then, I did several other shows for them: 'Mulawin,' 'Love to Love,' 'Darna,' 'Etheria,' 'Majika,' 'Super Twins,' 'Zaido,' afternoon soaps like 'Dangal' and 'Agos' in 'Now and Forever', 'Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap' and 'Magdusa Ka,' and now, 'Gagambino' which is ending this month. Nasa 'SOP' din ako and I'm a semi-regular in 'Bubble Gang,' so happy talaga ako sa GMA. "

In the movies, Dennis won both the best actor and best supporting actor awards in various award derbies for his portrayal of the gay lover of a Japanese officer in "Aishite Imasu. " He was nominated as best actor in the 12 Asian TV Awards for another gay role in 'Unico Hijo', a lenten special. His last movie was the hit horror flick "Kulam" with Judy Ann Santos. He's now all set to do another horror film, this time with Marian Rivera, with whom he already did another scary flick, "Pamahiin. " Another film project is "My Other Man," to be megged by Maryo de los Reyes. "I'll have two leading ladies pero hinahanap pa kung sino ang babagay. "

Did he ask for a raise upon renewal of his contract? "My manager, Popoy Caritativo, did. Pero hindi naman napakataas ng hiningi namin. "

Was he bothered that "Gagambino" was beaten in the ratings by ABS-CBN's "Tayong Dalawa"? "Siyempre, kinabahan kami. But we welcome such competition for us to do better. Nakabawi rin naman agad kami. "

What was the biggest intrigue that came his way since he joined showbiz? "Siyempre, 'yung about Carlene (Aguilar) and our son. I really felt so down then and nearly lost hope, but I learned dapat maging matatag ka, learn from your mistakes. I was determined to get up again and I'm glad the public gave me another chance. "

How does he feel when people say he's only third to Richard Gutierrez and Dingdong Dantes at GMA? "When I went into acting, I never dreamt of being a big superstar. Kasi mas mahirap i-maintain 'yun. I just want to have good projects at di ako mawalan ng trabaho, lalo na sa drama kasi ang drama, laging nandiyan. "

Right after "Gagambino," he'll do the remake of a drama flick, "Muling Buksan ang Puso," which starred Vilma Santos and the late Dindo Fernando. This time, he'll be paired with Heart Evangelista who he has declared to be his crush. What will he do now that Heart is free after breaking up with her non-showbiz beau? Will he open her heart again when they start working in "Muling Buksan ang Puso"?

"Sa totoo lang, natatameme ako when I'm with her in person. Parang di ko alam ang gagawin ko. But I'm looking forward to working with her at sana , mag-bonding muna kami para comfortable na kami at hindi naiilang sa isa't isa when we start taping. "

What does he like in Heart? "Mabait siya. I can see sa 'SOP' the way she deals with everyone, pantay-pantay. And also, she's the one who starts the conversation para ma-relax ka sa kanya. "

JC Tiuseco and Jayce Flores of "Survivor" are both vocal in saying they also have a crush on Heart. "Well, sorry na lang pero ako ang makakasama ni Heart sa next drama show niya. "

SARAH OPEN FOR VALENTINE DATE WITH RAYVER

Sarah Geronimo dismisses the rumor that she's now playing beautiful music with Rayver Cruz. "He's with me and John Lloyd Cruz in the movie 'You Changed My Life' at masaya po kaming lahat sa set," she says. "Tinutukso nga nila kaming dalawa pag may eksena kami. We're getting closer to one another, pero hindi kami. "

Is it because her parents are against her having a boyfriend? "No, they understand naman I'm a grown up na. They remind me I should give more time to my career and my studies sa UP Open U, pero okay lang po sa kanilang nakikipag-text ako with Rayver. Wala naman siguro masama if we'd get to know each other better. But it doesn't mean boyfriend ko na siya. Ako kasi, kapag nagka-boyfriend, gusto ko, pangmatagalan na. Ayoko ng papalit-palit ng boyfriend. As of now, masasabi kong mas comfortable na kami ni Rayver sa isa't isa. Unlike before na I can't look at him straight when we see each other sa 'ASAP' kasi nga naiintriga kami. Ngayon, magkabiruan na kami. Pero si Rayver, mahiyain din. Makulit lang sa text pero pagkaharap mo na, parang natotorpe pa rin siya. Siguro naman, by the time we finish shooting our movie, mawawalan na rin ang hiya niya sa'kin. "

Sarah is getting more in demand as an endorser. The latest product she's plugging is Careline, Ever Bilena's cosmetic line for teens who want their makeup to be unique. Launched five years ago with nail polish as their first product, Careline grew quickly with a complete line of cosmetics and skin care products. "We chose Sarah to be our endorser as she represents young people who are achievers even if they're still very young," says Ever Bilena Cosmetics top honcho Dioceldo Sy. "No wonder a lot of young people admire her as the Pop Princess. "

"Ako naman, I really like Careline kasi perfectly suited siya for the skin of young people like me," says Sarah, who came to the launching fully made up using Careline products.

Sarah will also support the new project of Ever Bilena to implement a series of National Junior Women's Basketball tryouts all over the country to form a National Junior Women's Basketball Team that aims to promote sports and social responsibility for young women. In her new movie, John Lloyd Cruz and Rayver are both competing for her love? In real life, who would she choose?

"Ay, we all know may Liz Uy na si Lloydie kaya hindi na siya puede at ayokong masabihang nang-aagaw ako ng boyfriend. Si Rayver, unattached ngayon. "

What if he'd ask her to be his Valentine date? "Okay lang, pero kailangang ipagpaalam muna niya ko sa parents ko at may chaperone ako dahil magiging very first date ko 'yun. "

To Rayver, what are you waiting for?

JOMARI ALL-OUT FOR MARTIN, POPS

IF you intend to watch the Martin Nievera-Pops Fernandez reunion concert, "Missing You," tomorrow night at the Big Dome, be sure to get your tickets now as it's almost sold out. Those who've seen the rehearsals swear that this is going to be an unforgettable show as there will be plenty of grand production numbers with beautiful costumes, visuals and sets. "Ginastusan talaga ni Jomari Yllana as producer ang kabuuan ng show, hindi tinipid," says someone connected with the production. "Kaya naman lalong ganado sina Martin and Pops to perform. Tiyak na kikiligin ang kanilang longtime fans and it'll definitely make music history. "

"We will do solo numbers plus plenty of duets," says Pops. "We chose a lot of romantic songs that will make people fall in love all over again. "

"Our sons, Robin and Ram, will be our special guests," adds Martin, "so it'll be a family affair. Baka umiyak na naman ako dahil we will be complete. "

They will be singing familiar songs from their "Penthouse Live" days and do medleys of various love songs, plus new renditions of "Missing You," "How Can I," "No Way to Treat a Heart," "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," "Narito, and other favorites. You can still get tickets at Ticketnet, 911-5555.

MUTUAL ADMIRATION

AMONG SAM, CHRISTIAN, MARK, ERIK AND PIOLO

THE main hall of Max Restaurant on Sct. Tuason was overflowing with kibitzers when Ultimate Heartthrob Piolo Pascual, Rockoustic Heartthrob Sam Milby, Pop Heartthrob Mark Bautista, Prince of Pop Erik Santos and Asian Pop Idol Christian Bautista sang "Huling El Bimbo" together at the presscon of their concert series, "Pop Icons," produced by ASAP Live and Sunday Night Productions. Each of them has staged successful solo concerts before, so it will be a real big treat to their fans to see them all together on one stage. Their first show will be held in Dagupan on February 13 (but Christian will be absent as he's in Indonesia), in Cebu on February 14, Araneta Coliseum on February 21, and in Bacolod on February 28. Is it easier to perform in a group than solo?

"Siyempre," says Christian. "We're more confident this will be a hit kasi marami kami at tulungan kami sa show. Pinagsama ang Heartthrobs and Champions sa ASAP dito. "

"There's also less pressure kasi divided ang work among us," says Piolo. "Suportahan kami. "

"Mas masaya rin kapag ganitong grupo," says Mark. "Mas relaxed kasi we're all friends. "

They have something in common: they're all loveless at the moment. "Kaya 'yung girls na manonood ng concert namin ang date namin sa Valentine," quips Erik.

They all belong to the same cell group of Victory Fellowship every Sunday so they really know each other. What are the good qualities they appreciate the most in each of them?

Christian: "Si Sam, magaling mag-invite ng mga tao, very hardworking pa. Gusto kami practice nang practice. Piolo has good leadership qualities. Erik is the life of the group, napapatawa kaming lahat. Mark is the most perseverant, he never gives up. "

Sam: "We all always encourage each other. We look up to Piolo as our leader as he's the eldest. Christian is also one of our leaders. Erik is the comedian. He mimics the acts of others. Mark, as Christian says, is the type who never gives up. "

Piolo: "Lahat sila, talented and have a lot to offer. I admire Christian kasi napaka-focused sa trabaho. He has drive and discipline. Si Sam, I saw how he started at pursigido talaga siya to be a better actor and singer and be better in his Tagalog. I like the way Eric sings, very passionate, ramdam na ramdam niya kaya tahimik ang lahat. Si Mark, puwedeng singer, dancer, actor. He's the most versatile at mabait din. "

Erik: "Si Christian, matalino. Si Sam, talented and passionate sa work. Si Piolo, sobrang bait, di marunong magalit. Si Mark, laging serious with work. "

Mark: "Christian is the most meticulous, lahat tinatanong, inaalam. Si Sam, sobrang tahimik, very observant, but sobrang generous. Si Piolo, very generous din and has passion for work and life. Si Erik, totoong tao, sincere, at mahilig magpatawa. "

For updates about them and their shows, log on to www. ABS-CBN. com.

PERSIAN ACTOR WHO HAS A PINOY HEART

PBB recruit Kian Kazemi is elated to be part of the hit ABS-CBN show "Tayong Dalawa. " "I'm one of the cadets na kasama nina Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca in the scenes shot at PMA in Baguio," he says. "Pero hindi lang yun ang show ko, I'm now also taping for the nurserye of Judy Ann Santos na wala pang permanent title. I play her gay friend. I also play one of the villains na makakalaban ni Luis Manzano in 'Komiks Presents Flash Bomba. ' On Fridays, I'm one of the hosts naman sa travel show na 'Trip na Trip. "

Even if he's now into acting, Kian continues to help manage their family restaurant, Persian Grill, with outlets at Valero St. in Makati, SM Megamall and soon, Greenbelt 5. Kian turned 22 on Jan. 26. Kian's dad i comes from Iran. Has he visited his dad's country? "Yes. Ang ganda, but that's when I realized that I'm really a Filipino. I have the heart of a real Pinoy. "

JOSEPH BEATS 'EM

CONGRATS TO Joseph Bitangcol for winning as the grand champion in the finals of TV-5's "Shall We Dance, "Season 9 Celebrity Challenge. He really did his dance number with flair and flourish so it's not surprising he beat the other finalists, Jordan Herrera and comedian Chokoleit. Joseph won P500,000.

Email us at mmhannah 143@yahoo. com.

Source: People's Journal