Kris & James getting ready for NY 'honeymoon'

Column: Funfare
Author: Ricardo F. Lo

Curtain-raisers:

• Even before their recent "LQ" (Lovers' Quarrel) over something very petty, Kris Aquino and James Yap have been planning to go on a holiday abroad. In December last year, they went to Bangkok with sons Joshua and James Jr. , and again to Bangkok and Phuket last March right before Kris' mom, former Pres. Cory Aquino, was diagnosed to have colon cancer. This time, the couple's "honeymoon" will be in New York, just the two of them, set for next month coinciding with the break of the PBA games. In their absence, James' mother will take care of the kids. "We were choosing between a Hawaiian cruise and the East Coast and it was my mom who said we must visit New York since it's such a wonderful place," Kris told Funfare. The couple, who have been attending marriage counselling, needs the vacation badly -- they need, uh, time to exhale (if you know I mean).

• Yes, Patrick Garcia (photo) did leave for New York second week of last month, contrary to reports that he's just around "hiding" (from what?). When I left for New York last June 20 for the interview with Will Smith and the other stars of Hancock, I took Cathay Pacific and the airline attendant volunteered the information that Patrick and his mom, Bing, took a CX flight a week earlier.

• Besides his pestering ulcers (due to missed meals) and recurring sore throat (from too much talking and straining), Willie Revillame (photo) is also suffering from a little heart problem (a blocked artery) probably because of stress. Willie has been working non-stop, hosting Wowowee and shooting Mr. Housewife which he's co-producing with OctoArts Films. His doctors at St. Luke's (where he was confined for a few days) advised him to slow down a bit. Remember, Willie, health is wealth (more than houses, expensive cars and a yacht).

Bateman deadpan

Did you know that Jason Bateman, the comedian cast as the PR-exec husband of Charlize Theron in the new Will Smith topbiller Hancock, started as a child actor? He has made the successful transition that few child actors have been able to accomplish.

You can see how "deadpan" funny Bateman is from the following excerpts from my one-on-one with him during the recent Hancock junket in New York:

How was it working with Will Smith?

"Working with Will Smith is challenging because, as you know, he's a little rusty. He's sort of like can't help even a little bit. Teaching me, you know, like, 'Don't look at the camera!' Like that. But ultimately it's worth it because if you'll see in this film he does a really, really good job and he can look forward to a very long career. "

You must have a lot of fun on the set.

"We had a lot of fun on the set. Will likes to keep the set real light. (Director) Peter Berg doesn't take things too seriously. Charlize has a great sense of humor. The four of us has a lot of fun. "

Which scenes did you find most fun?

"Well, I don't know. I like them all. You're talking to somebody who has never had a chance to work in the film as big as this, with people established as this. It was a real pleasure for me to be involved with a production like this. I like being on the set every day. "

Hancock is about superheroes. Who are your heroes?

"I tell you right now my biggest hero is my daughter. She's about a year and a half. She can ingest so much carbohydrates and not gain weight. That's very heroic. Myself, if I look at a plateful of pasta and I put on six to seven pounds -- just by looking at the pasta!"

You do both comedy and drama. In which genre are you more comfortable? You're good in both.

"I appreciate that. I don't know; I don't care. To me, it's the same thing to me. What matters is who's involved, who's with me on the project, plus the script. "

You started very young in the business. How was the transition from being child actor to adult actor?

"Well, it's difficult; it's not easy but some nice people have given some very important jobs to me along the way. That have sort of helped bridge that gap and I hope to stick around for many years and, I guess, hopefully to make the right choices to facilitate that longevity. Nothing cute about running out of money when you're 39 so I wanna try to keep going. "

Is there one role either in comedy or drama which you would like to portray?

"I don't know. I think I wouldn't mind remaking Hancock. I like to play Hancock himself; I think it's time for a remake of that film. It's a classic! I think people would like to see a different take on it. And I think I can do that. Maybe for December. That's a great call. "

A boy for Danica & Marc

Baby Jean Michel was born by Caesarian section, weighing eight pounds, at 11:30 a. m. last Sunday, June 29, at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang four days ahead of schedule. Mom Danica Sotto and dad Marc Pingris are as excited as the baby's maternal lolo and lola, Vic Sotto and Dina Bonnevie.

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(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar. net. ph or at entphilstar@yahoo. com)

Source: The Philippine Star