Katrina was ill-advised

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

LAST Saturday, viewers of ABS-CBN’s "Nasaan Ka Maruja?" were surprised with the sudden appearance of Piolo Pascual at the end of the episode. Does it mean that Kristine Hermosa as Cristy/Maruja made a mistake in thinking that Derek Ramsey is the man from her past that she always sees in her dreams, Gabriel?

Is Piolo the real Gabriel?

These questions will be answered in the show’s next episodes. It was also shown that Maruja is about to be wed in church but Piolo comes along and they run away, then someone shoots them both. If Piolo is Gabriel, then doesthat mean that he also died? "There will be some big twists in the remaining six episodes of the show," says ABS exec Nini Matillac. "From the start,Piolo was really our dream choice for this role, but he’s leaving for Paris, so we thought he might be busy. But when he returned, we talked to him at nagkaroon siya ng free time so he’s been taping for us in Batangas for two weeks now."

Why did Piolo accept the role when he’s more of a special guest star? "Sabay ito at ‘yung offerto also guest in‘May Bukas Pa,’" he says. "I chose ‘Maruja’ kasi marami ng ibang nag-guest sa ‘May Bukas Pa’ at baka maging guest na lang akoin aprimetime soap, e sa August pa ang start ng ‘Lovers in Paris’ namin ni KC Concepcion. Also, I want to work with Kristine again kasi the last time I worked with her was 10 years ago in ‘Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako,’ where I played contravida na inaagaw siya kay Marvin Agustin."

It’s the show that made the public took notice of him and it’s a steady climb to stardom from there on. "I’m also doing a movie with Kristine so it’s nice to work with her again. She’s in my top three most beautiful faces in local showbiz."

Who are the other two?

"Sa akin na lang yun at baka magkaselosan pa if I’d say their names. But si Kristine, kahit saang angle mo kunan, maganda talaga. Most of my scenes in ‘Maruja’ are with her and Derek, puro flashbacks. I also sang the show’s theme song, ‘I’ll Be Seeing You,’at dahil doon, bibigyan daw ako ng own album of old standards for easy listening."

Piolo is also busy with the coming release of the movie he produced that was shown at the Cannes Filmfest, "Maynila," a twinbill combining Bernal’s "Manila by Night" and Brocka’s "Jaguar," directed by Raya Martin and Adolf Alix.

The first episode stars him with Rosanna Roces and Angelica Panganiban. The second stars him with Iza Calzado, Jay Manalo, Alex de Rossi, Baron Geisler, Katherine Luna and Anita Linda.

This will be released nationwide on July 29.

He’s now also co-producing "Kimmy Dora (Kambal sa Kiyeme)," the launching flick of Eugene Domingo, with Dingdong Dantes as leading man, directed by Joyce Bernal.

How was his experience in Cannes?

"It’s something I will never forget. We shared the red carpet with international stars at ang feeling ko, ako si Brad Pitt. Ang sarap ng feeling na makasama ka sa ganun. It’s more than what I prayed for."

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Among those whokissed and madeup during the wake of Douglas Quijano were Ruffa Gutierrez and mom Annabelle Rama, "14 Going Steady" batchmates Gretchen Barretto and Nadia Montenegro, andformer lovers Pops Fernandez and Jomari Yllana. But there were also parties who continued to avoid each other: Kris Aquino and ex-lover Joey Marquez, Richard Gutierrez and Yes! editor Joanne Maglipon who have a libel case in court between them.

Last Sunday, we attendedthe mass for the ninth day novena for l Douglas Quijano at the Century Imperial Palace. Mother Lily Monteverde hosted the whole affair, including the sumptuous buffet dinner.

Douglas’ wards were there: Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, Joey Marquez, Jomari Yllana, Nadia Montenegro, John Estrada.

***

The plan to make Loyola Memorial Park as the final resting place of Douglas was scrapped and all his talents were given a small portion of him thatthey can put in their homes so that Douglas can continue to be a part of their lives. Majority of the remains will be at his favorite vacation place, Lucban, where he has a lot of friends.

At the dinner after the mass, we learned that at the cremation last Saturday, Annabelle Rama made a move to open communication lines with Yes! editor Jo-ann Maglipon who was sued by her son Richard Gutierrez for the false report in pep.ph that Richard had a fight with Michael Flores. She wasdistributing promo umbrellas and fans of "Zorro" and she gave an umbrella and a fan to Jo-ann. "I think it’s Tito Dougs who orchestrated the whole thing," said Jo-ann. "He has that kind of character that brings people together. Kahit nandiyan pa rin ang kaso, masarap isipin that Annabellenaman pala is not out to kill me. I won’t say na maaayos na ito, pero at least, gumaan ang feeling at noon ngang misa na, I didn’t hesitate na umupo sa tabi ng family nila."

***

Lolit Solis says she felt bad when Katrina Halili filed cases with the DOH and PRC to revoke the license of Dr. Vicki Belo due to medical malpractice. "Nakalimutan yata ni Katrina na siya ang unang nagkaatraso at may kasalanan kay Vicki dahil inahas niya ang boyfriend nito," she says. "I told her na ang dapat managot, si Hayden Kho, dahil kinunan nito ng video ang pagchuchugihan nila nang hindi niya alam. Just like her, biktima rin si Vicki.Kahit nga may atraso siya rito, kinuha pa rin siyang endorser ng Flawless. Tapos, ayan, gusto pa niyang matanggalan ng lisensiya. Sabi niya sa’kin, yun daw kasi ang gusto ng lawyer niya. Bakit? Wala ba siyang sariling pag-iisip?"

Katrina and Haydenfaced each other again at the DOJ hearing last Friday. Dr. Belo came later with celebrity lawyer Adel Tamano, but Eric Chua, Bistek Rosario and Princess Velasco (who’re all included in the case) were no-shows and just sent their lawyers. Both Katrina and Hayden presented their affidavit and counter affidavit. Next hearings will be held on June 25, June 30, July 7 and 14. We believe that eventually, all parties involved would realize how time-consuming and tedious attending these cases could be and they would come to reach an amicable settlement. As Lolit says: "Sa totoo lang, malaking abala ang dumalo sa mga hearing lalo’t busy kang tao, ‘no?"

***

Dr. Belo is wondering why she’s included in the watch list of people prevented from traveling abroad when she says she’ll never escape to anywhere just because of this case. "Gusto ko talagang i-pursue angcase to prove that I’m innocent," she says. "Kung tatakas ako, ‘di hindi na lang sana ako bumalik from my two-week stay sa Europe."

Dr. Belo has issued a formal statement about the accusation of Katrina that Hayden Kho is not well trained enough when he performed liposuction on her: "Dr. Hayden Kho is a graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Medicine and Surgery and had performed over 300 liposuction procedures at the time he did Katrina Halili. As evidenced by numerous posters, billboards, TV appearances, and video and photographic materials, the results of Katrina’s liposuction were more than satisfactory. There were no reports of any complaints from any parties after the procedure was completed. Based on every possible criteria, the liposuction performed on her may not be termed as anything but a complete success."

***

Even the Philippine Medical Association issued their own statement about this: "At present, there is no formal residency or training program for liposuction procedure recognized by the PMA. Under the eight divisions of the PMA, there is no recognized specialist in doing liposuction. At most, affiliation is the only recognition given by the PMA, but it does not constitute as a specialty. There is no internal regulation under the PMA on who are recognized to practice liposuction in the Philippines."

***

We ourselves believethat Katrina was ill-advised when she filed this case against Dr. Belo, who performed so many other enhancement procedures on her to make her lovelier and sexier. As Lolit Solis says: "Lumalabas lang lalo na wala talaga siyang utang na loob. Dapat, ‘yung sex video lang ang tutukan niya, pinasok pa niya pati ang pagpapa-lipo niya na nakinabang naman siya. Ano ‘yun?"

***

Those who watched GMA7’s 59th anniversary show at the Araneta Coliseum last Friday night, "One Glamorous Night: Greater and Grateful at 59,"are wondering why Richard Gutierrez, the star of it’s highest rating primetime show now, "Zorro," was a no-show, unlike Dingdong Dantes who had a big part with girlfriend Marian Rivera.

"Wala namang ginagawang show sina Dingdong at Marian ngayon kaya they have all the time to rehearse for the production numbers," someone tells us. "Si Richard, nagte-tapingaraw-araw ng ‘Zorro’ on location either sa Batangas o sa Bulacan kaya he has no time to rehearse. Kung minsan, what they tape today, it’s aired agad in the same night. Also, Friday is the last night of the wake of the late Douglas Quijano, who’s Richard’s manager when it comes to his endorsements, so Richard chose to attend Douglas’ wake after his taping."

Richard admits there’s pressure on him and his "Zorro" co-stars and crew to make the show even more exciting than ever now that it tops the ratings. "Siempre, ayaw naming bumitiw ang viewers sa panonood ng show kaya naman we’re doing our best to make each episode worth-watching," he says.

This week starts withRamon’s (TJ Trinidad)demolition of the houses of the Indios as their land will be used for an irrigation project, but the caballeros come along to rescue the people and they fight with Ramon’s guardia civil. Zorro also appearsto show he’s one withthe caballeros in their fight against the oppressive Spaniards.

"Siempre, I feel sad na lumalaki silang hindi kami araw-araw na nagkikita," he says.

Source: Malaya

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