Jiro overcomes awkward kissing scene with a guy

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Jericho Rosalesfeels lucky to be cho-sen as the leading man of the first ABS-CBN-Malaysian government co-production, a TV series that will pair him with Malaysian actress Carmen Soo. He was selected because he became very popular after his soaps "Pangako Sa'Yo" and "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas" became big hits there. Carmen was seated beside him when we interviewed him. She's very pretty and has a winning personality. How does Echo find her?

"I just met her today, this morning, at the presscon then we had lunch together," he says. "She eats a lot." Carmen laughs and admits she's a big eater. "She's nice and friendly and I think we'll have a good time working together. We'll start with a workshop in Malaysia on April 4. Then I'll stay there for taping for two months starting April 30, tapos punta kami rito sa Manila and we'll tape here for two months also. Bale four months namin gagawin ang series that will be shown simultaneously later this year in both our country and Malaysia. I was really surprised when ABS offered me this project, but I feel good as it's a challenging one and I promise to give it my all. I'm now shooting a movie, 'Subject: I Love You,' at tamang-tamang matatapos ito, we'll start the taping for our TV show."

He doesn't know yet what the title will be. "The script is still being written, but it's sure to be directed by Gilbert Perez. I have a feeling magiging malaki ang impact niya in both the Philippines and Malaysia."

So what happens to him and GF Heart Evangelista? "She understands this is part of my work kaya magkakalayo kami ng matagal. But she doesn't have to feel insecure about it dahil secure na securenaman ang relationship namin."

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Sharon Cuneta laughed off the rumor that she cried when her daughter KC Concepcion's had a sexy pictorial for the summer campaign of the clothing brand she's endorsing. "I even cried daw upon seeing it when the truth is I'm a proud mother," she says. "I really can't understand why some people would want me and KC to have a misunderstanding. Honestly, if I have my daughter's body, e 'di noon pa ako nagpa-picture din ng sexy.Bakit naman ako magagalit na nag-two piece siya, e beach scene ang shoot nila so she's expected to put on a swimwear? Ako rin ang unang nakaalam about that photo shoot in Boracay kasi si KC took a picture of herself sa cell phone niya then sent it to mesa MMS so noon pa lang, I was already aware of what she's doing.

"KC will not hide things from me as she believes that if I won't be happy with any project she's doing, then she's sensible enough not to do it. Now, if you'd see her photos on posters and billboards and you're not impressed, sabihin nyo sa akin kasi baka ako lang ang nagsasabing sexy nga ang anak ko. I'd also like to hear your opinion."

Sharon is leaving soon for her London shoot of "Caregiver" and she says she's confident that while she's away, KC will be a good Ate to her younger sisters, Frankie and Miel.

"Alam kong hindi niya pababayaan ang mga kapatid niya habang nagtatrabaho ako sa abroad. Eventually, gusto kong pasunurin sila roon when we're settled na para hindi ko naman lubusang ma-miss ang mga anak ko."

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Jiro Manio got several awards as a child actor. He now faces the most challenging role of his career in "Manay Po 2: Overload" as Orwell, Cherry Pie Picache's youngest gay son. "For the first time, may kissing scene ako sa kapwa ko lalake," he says.

His partner is Paolo Rivero, who also did torrid kissing scenes with Coco Martin in the gay movie, "Daybreak."

"Pero hindi naman torrid ang eksenan namin," Jiro adds. "In the story, nalunod ako while swimming in the pool. He's our swimming instructor. E, crush ko siya sa movie, kaya thrilled ako nang he saved me from drowning and then he gave me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation."

So how did he feel about it? "Alam kong mangyayari yun pero I still got surprise nang idikit talaga ni Paolo ang lipsniya sa lips ko. Kinilibutan talaga ako at gusto ko siyang itulak. First time ko gumawa ng ganung eksena kaya nakakailang talaga."

How does he deal with gays in real life? "Ang daming gays sa showbiz so I've been exposed to them all my life. Okay naman sila kasi masayahin kaya masarap kasama. I also have gay classmates in school. They tell me crush nila ako but I don't take them seriously. May girlfriend ako, totoong babae."

Jiro is 16 and his girlfriend is 21 but they get along fine. "Hindi problema ang age gap namin."

Some writers hinted they've gone to bed but he denies this. "We don't believe in premartial sex. Her parents trust me. Don't ask me her name as I won't reveal it. Gusto ko rin siyang protektahan dahil hindi naman siya showbiz."

So, he's still a virgin? "Yes, sa buong katawan at kaluluwa."

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Paolo Contis says Isabel Oli is his longest relationship ever, after Carol Banawa, Desiree del Valle, Nancy Castiliogne and Bubbles Paraiso. "Two years and two months na kami and we're still doing okay," he says. "If the Lord wills it, siguro kami na nga talaga ang meant for each other. She has many good qualities that I really appreciate. When I celebrated my 24th birthday on March 14, she surprised me with a very expensive Louis Vuitton gym bag. Kasi, galit na galit siya doon sa ginagamit kong gym bag dahil tattered na raw, halos malasog na, pero ayaw ko pang palitan. She told me ang porma-porma ko, pero ang gamit kong gym bag, kacheapan, so tinodo na niya ang gift niya sa akin and she gave me a real classy bag."

He seems to have found his ideal mate. Will they be tying the knot soon? "No. There's no reason for us to be in a hurry. We want to give ourselves another two years before we seriously think of getting married. I'm still having my own house built. I want to be really financially stable muna before we settle down. It's easy to get married but what happens after that is the difficult part at yun ang gusto naming paghandaan muna nang husto. Right now, we're both busy. I figure in a love triangle with Diana Zubiri and Ian de Leon in 'Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita' at siya naman, busy rin in 'Maging Akin Ka Lamang.'"

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Rikka Dylim hosted Star Magic's dinner for their March celebrants, led by hot teen actor Gerald Anderson who turned 19 on March 7 and who was discovered in the first "PBB Teens Edition." Is it true he and partner Kim Chiu feel insecure that the second batch of PBB Teens has been introduced?

"No," he says. "Bakit naman kami mai-insecure? There's room for everyone. The important thing is you show that you have talent and not just a flash in the pan. Also, hindi naman kami pinababayaan ng ABS-CBN. Our latest assignment is in 'Maligno,' where Kim plays a reporter and I'm her cameraman na siyang nakakuha ng picture noong maligno. Then we'll be doing the local version of 'My Girl.' We just make sure na sa bawat project namin, we give our best so our fans won't get tired of us at para patuloy rin kaming pagtiwalaan ng ABS."

This teen discovery from General Santos City has really gone places. His "Sana Maulit Muli" with Kim is now being shown in Taiwan. They made two movies, "First Day High" and "I've Fallen for You." He also did hit dance albums. Last year, he was named best new male TV personality in the 2007 Star Awards and his tandem with Kim was named Guillermo Memorial Park's Most Popular Loveteam.

"Dahil nga sa dami ng blessings ko, I decided to share it with cancer patients on my birthday kasi ang fans ng Kimerald love team. I feel that all my achievements won't happen kundi dahil kay Lord kaya dapat lang na mag-share ako with the less fortunate."

Another March celebrant is Cass Ponti who celebrated her birthday on March 4. She's happy with the good feedback her recent Maxim cover pictorial with the all girl group, Koolchx, got. She's now seen in "Wowowee" and "ASAP 08" and played the sexy friend of Angelo Patrimonio in "Astigs." Julia Barretto, daughter of Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla, turned 11 on March 10. The cute and bubbly 4th grader was noticed playing the young Claudine Barretto in "Walang Kapalit" and she has since been doing commercials and also became the image model of a clothing line. She was also cast in "Kokey" and "Palos." She enjoys playing tennis and dreams of being a professional athlete.

A new Star Magic talent is Brazilian model Mariana del Rio, who says it's not true she caused the rift between Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz. "Cesar is not my type," she says. "He's too old for me."

She learned speaking English only when she was 14 when she started traveling as a model. Her mom is half Pinay and she came to Cebu last year to visit her grandma. From there, someone took her to Bohol and that's how she met Cesar. She loves soccer and her idol is Ronaldinho. Standing 5'10," she turned 17 on March 14. She now dances in "ASAP's Full Circle" and is in the cast of "Kapitan Boom," the new Komiks series starring Jon Avila and Jay-R Siaboc.

Source: Malaya