Heart-pounding chance meeting of exes

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

GMA-7s Barbs Atienza and Charlene Owen invited us to join Heart Evangelista and Mark Anthony Fernandez in their special appearance at the Kapuso Networks participation in Iloilos Dinagyang Festival last Friday. It was our second visit to Iloilo and you can see much progress all around, beginning with their new and impressively designed airport. We were billeted at the Iloilo Business Hotel at Smallville, a bustling business beehive near the new SM City mall in Mandurriao.

We were able to visit the GMA station in Jaro, Iloilo and toured their radio and TV studios where they air their morning show, "Arangkada," and their evening newscast, "Ratsada," that airs before "24 Oras." The entire offices and studios got flooded when typhoon Frank ravaged Iloilo last June, said station manager Jonathan Cabillon. In the afternoon, we got to participate in the interview session of the local Iloilo press with Heart and Mark.

In the evening, we went to Freedom Park at the citys downtown area where a free GMA show was being staged. We met Sue Ellen, the pint-sized Ilongo contestant with a powerful voice in "Pinoy Idol," plus the Ilonggo stars of their popular Sunday morning show "Istayl Naton," aired before "SOP": Angelia Ong, John Arceo, Dino Vasquez and Monyeka.

We asked Sue Ellen what she would be doing after joining "Pinoy Idol."

"I went back to college and Im now taking up education in Central Philippines University here in Iloilo," she says. "Gusto kasi talaga ng mama ko, matapos ko ang studies ko. Pero nami-miss ko rin ang pagkanta and Im glad I was in Manila last December to do a concert with Ogie Alcasid and the other Idol contestants at Aliw Theater. As of now, I just sing here in church."

Doesnt she want to try her luck in Manila?

"Parang mas mahirap ang buhay roon. I prefer my life here na mas simple. But the stint with Pinoy Idol helped para makilala ako ng mga kababayan ko rito. They recognize me now when I go to the mall."

Sue Ellen sang a Rihanna number and we think her singing got even better. The hosts of GMAs Dinagyang show played parlor games with the audience first while waiting for the stars from Manila to show up.

The whole place was jam-packed with people and hell nearly broke lose when Heart and Mark arrived. But the weather was uncooperative and it started raining.

The rains failed to stop the affair. As they say, the show must go and it did. Someone with a huge umbrella just followed Mark while he was singing "Nandito Ako." The crowd which earlier sought shelter in the buildings around the grandstand all returned to the front of the stage when he started singing. We didnt know that Mark is already that popular as the people kept shouting his name. Obviously, his appearance in hit GMA shows like "Impostora," "Kamandag," "Kim Sam Soon" and now, "Luna Mystika," helped him in gaining his own fan base.

Then it was Hearts turn and the audience went even wilder. Heart performed with gusto and even went downstage to mix with the fans. Both she and Mark distributed gifts like T-shirts and posters to the fans. Later, Heart told us that she was telling the assistant who was carrying an umbrella to just leave her alone as she didnt mind getting wet.

"But he told me na kapag nabasa pati yung hawak kong mike while Im singing, baka makuryente ako, so I just let him na payungan ako," she said.

Everyone was worried for her as she had just gotten out of the hospital a few days and was still coughing. But Heart proved herself to be a real trouper even if she just recovered from a bout of over-fatigue. Mark and Heart later also willingly posed with their fans who went backstage to have their pictures taken with them. It was a tiring night for them but they were both very pleased and satisfied with the heartfelt reception accorded to them.

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Heart Evangelista says she never thought shed be able to stage a successful comeback after her career took a nosedive when she hooked up with Jericho Rosales. "But God is good to me and he helped me so I was able to recover," she said when we interviewed her at West Town Hotel where they were billeted. "Malaking tulong din ang support ng family ko and their unconditional love for me in spite of my mistake. Im also thankful to GMA and the way they treated me. Talagang alagang-alaga ako and I feel so special. After pairing me with Richard Gutierrez in Asero, they gave me a title roler, Luna Mystika. I felt so nervous and there was much pressure as I never thought Id be given the chance to play a lead role like this again nadual roles pa. But when the ratings hit 40%, napaiyak ako sa tuwaafter knowing the people accepted me again. I also want to thank my manager,Tita Annabelle Rama. Kasundo siya ng parents ko."

Doing two roles in one show is no joke. "I have to come early on the set before anyone else as ilalagay muna ang prosthetic make up ko in my role as the ugly Celestina. Kabit-baklas ang make up sa mukha ko at nagka-allergy ako noong una, but now, my skin is used to it na. I also want to thank Mark kasi napakahusay niyang leading man. Hes quiet lang on the set but hes very focused with his work. When he reports sa set, hes ready with all his lines. Enjoy akong katrabaho siya kasi fan na niya ako noong Claudine days pa niya."

When Jericho was launched as a new addition in "Betty La Fea," he said they saw each other by chance at Greenbelt. "Yes. Thats true. Nagkagulatan kami."

So how did she feel when she laid eyes on him? Did they speak to each other? "No. Nagkatinginan lang kami nang matagal. We havent seen each other for seven months na kaya na-stress talaga ako. I can feel na pati mga salesgirl, na-tension, and even the guards, they closed the doors to the store para wala munang ibang pumasok. Siguro, they thought, may moment na mangyayari. Pero walang moment na nangyari. We just looked at each other without saying a word. Nataranta ako at sa katarantahan ko, yung unan na tinitingnan ko, bigla kong binili sa pagmamadali ko at binayaran na agad sa cashier. Later, P5,000 pala yun. Yun ang pinakamahal na unang nabili ko sa buong buhay ko."

It was also then she was able to prove to herself that she has gotten over Jericho. "Wala na. Tapos na talaga yung episode na yun sa buhay ko. Ive moved on with my life. Im now doing a lot of painting, in oil and also in sketches. Someone told me to put up my own one-woman exhibit and I might just do that in March."

What can she say about "Betty La Fea" being directly pitted against "Luna Mystika"?

"What can we do kung gusto nila kaming tapatan? Im just happy na maraming loyal fans ang Luna Mystika who Im sure will stay with us. Mas pagagandahin na lang namin ang aming show to make sure our viewers wont leave us."

Is it true she now has a lot of limitations on the set?

"Yun lang tungkol sa kissing scenes. Ayoko na ng sobrang torrid like what I did with Richard in Asero. Nahirapan ako doon kaya tama na yun."

Is she being restrained by current boyfriend Francisco Delgado?

"No. Wala na kami. I havent seen him for a month now. I am single again. As of now, Id prefer to just focus on my work."

John Prats told us at the presscon of "Parekoy" that he tried to reconcile with her after they cooled off but she rejected the idea.

"Thats true. Ako kasi, pag tapos na, wala na akong binabalikan. Kasi, I give my100% sa relationship, hindi ako nagkukulang, so kung hindi pa rin sapat yun, what for ako makikipagbalikan, di ba?"

What can she say now that John is with Shaina Magdayao?

"Well, bagay sila. Kasi noon pa, I know crush na niya talaga si Shaina. Yun namang samin ni John, it wasnt really that serious. Its just part of growing up. Now, I realize that at this stage of my life, mas mabuting magseryoso muna sa career kaysa sa lovelife."

***

The six remaining participantes enter the pivotal and dangerous 7th round of elimination of "Pinoy Fear Factor."

Manuel, Jommy, Marion, RJ, Janna, and Savanah were locked inside a coffin and lowered into icy waters in the first stunt of the week. They then had to find the right key to unlock the submerged coffin.

Last Monday, "Scorpion King" Jommy edged out "Supermanuel" with a fast and furious performance in the "Car Container Re-entry" stunt, where they had to drive a car back into a moving container truck. Although an inexperienced driver, Jommy bested Manuel, a self-confessed former speed junkie who has survived three car accidents. The car engine failed twice for Manuel, while it blasted into the container in just 29 seconds with Jommy behind the wheel. But Jommys success was scary as his car went over the barrier and on top of another vehicle inside the container. Several Argentine crew members were almost hurt in the accident.

"Pump squads" new leader won the P50,000 prize in the shows last non-elimination round, but more importantly, he solidified his stature as one of the strongest contenders for the P2 million grand prize, Avida house and lot, and the title of "El Ultimo Participante" of "Pinoy Fear Factor."

The participantes also have to conquer another fear back in El Campo Miedo the fear of ghosts. Jommy, RJ, and Marion shared their different eerie experiences in their home base. Jommy felt someone breathing on his neck inside the shower, RJ heard a girl whispering to him repeatedly, while Marion would suddenly be awakened from his sleep. Still, the "Sais na Astig" wont let any distraction get on their way as they do more death-defying and gut-wrenching stunts this week. Dont miss as the real-life drama and action intensify with host Ryan Agoncillo in "Pinoy Fear Factor," after "Eva Fonda" on ABS-CBN. Catch the weekly highlights on Studio 23 every Saturday at 7 p.m.

Source: Malaya