Lovi's mom finally accepts Jolo

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

THERE was a time when Lovi Poe was very secretive when it comes to her love affair with Jolo Revilla, primarily because her mom, former model Rowena Moran, was against her beau. But now, we heard that her mom has realized that Jolo is really a good boy and is more receptive of their relationship, so it's no longer surprising that Lovi is also more open about the relationship.

They spent Holy Week together in Boracay with Jolo's parents, Sen. Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado, and all his siblings. It's as if she's already a part of their family. In their photos, they were lovey-doveys even if there are other people around. "Para talaga silang lovebirds," says someone who saw them canoodling in Boracay. "Kung nasaan yung isa, naroon din yung isa pa. Hindi mapaghiwalay. "

They're now back in Manila and also back to the taping of their respective GMA-7 series. Lovi is paired with Prince Stefan in "Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" while Jolo plays Robin Padilla's friend in "Totoy Bato". Is it true Jolo is jealous of Prince Stefan's being sweet to Lovi on the set of "Babaeng Hinugot"? "No," says Jolo. "Trabaho lang yun. He knows the real score between Lovi and I and he respects that. "

PATRICK STILL IN LOVE WITH JENNYLYN?

Patrick Garcia took the lie detector test in the Don't Lie to Me segment of "Showbiz Central" last Sunday to promote his episode with Glaiza de Castro, "Igorota", in "Dear Friend", which started that afternoon but will be pre-empted for two Sundays by the fights of Nonito Donaire and Brian Viloria, and later of Pacman. Here are host John Lapus' questions to Patrick, who put on some very becoming pounds and looks so clean-cut handsome with his new haircut.

Did Glaiza's mom get angry dahil sa kissing scene ninyo sa 'Igorota'? He said no and it's true. Glaiza was there and clarified that her mom was just surprised but didn't get mad, and the kissing scene was not with Patrick but with her other leading man, Polo Ravales.

Naging magsyota ba kayo ni Glaiza? He said no and it's a lie. Binigyan mo raw ng white rose si Glaiza noong Valentine then after that, wala na, binitin mo raw siya sa ere? He said yes and it's true. He later explained: "Napag-isip-isip ko kasing may mga parte sa buhay ko na dapat ko munang ayusin bago ako ma-in love uli sa ibang tao. Una, ang anak ko, gusto ko siyang makita, alagaan at mahalin. "

May natitira ka pa bang pagtingin kay Jennylyn Mercado na mas sexy ngayon? He said no and it's a lie again.

After maayos mo na ang buhay mo, liligawan mo ba si Glaiza? He says: "Kung okay lang sa kanya. "

Host John Lapus (who came in drag thinking BB Gandanghari will be there) turns to Glaiza: May pag-asa ba sa iyo si Patrick? Glaiza's answer" Tingnan na lang natin. "

DONAIRE, VILORIA BETTER THAN PACMAN

NONITO Donaire and Brian Viloria, the Pinoy champs who'd be in title matches this coming Sunday, were the guest co-hosts in "Showbiz Central" and they proved to be very competent, very articulate. Manny Pacquiao as the host of "Pinoy Records" certainly pales in comparison, but on the ring, it's an entirely different story for Pacman. Pia Guanio, who just returned from her trip to the U. S. with BF Vic Sotto, later interviewed Donaire and Viloria and said she was very much impressed by their hosting skills.

Nonito, who's from Bohol, is married to a female boxer. Brian is not married yet but he does have a girlfriend. We wish these two young men the best of luck and may they both win in their respective bouts this coming Sunday.

MARTIN PREPARING FOR PACMAN FIGHT

IN a phone interview with Martin Nievera who's in the U. S. , "Showbiz Central" confirmed that Martin is now preparing for the Pacquiao-Hatton fight, not as a pugilist but as the singer who'll interpret our national anthem.

"It was Manny who personally invited me during his birthday party and we were doing karaoke," says Martin. "He told me, 'I want you to sing the national anthem in my next fight'. I've volunteered many times before so I'm glad I'm finally doing it. I'm really preparing for it. Unang-una, I have to memorize the lyrics dahil hindi puedeng mag-adlib dito. I want the people in MGM Grand (where the fight will take place) to feel na maganda talaga ang national anthem natin. I want to sound like a proud Filipino. This is one of the biggest honors in my career, so I'll try to make our country very proud by singing with all my heart and with all my love. "

GMA ARTISTS IN THE NEWS

SEVERAL GMA Artist Center talents are in the news these days. Mike Tan, male grand winner of StarStruck Batch 2, is said to be contemplating on leaving GMA to seek his luck somewhere else. Jackie Rice, StarStruck Batch 3 female winner, is said to be playing beautiful music with Survivor's Jace Flores after she broke up with Biboy Ramirez. Jan Manual of StarStruck Batch 4, who's making waves as the funnyman in "Startalk Struck Attack" aping Manny Pacquiao, was reportedly arrested by a cop in Makati.

Mike Tan says it's not true he's leaving GMA-7. "Nagulat nga ako sa balitang yan as it's definitely not true," he says. "I'm now playing a good role as the older brother of Kris Bernal in 'Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin' and I'm also still under contract with GMA, so bakit ako aalis? Ang sabi ko, gusto kong bumalik sa pag-aaral in college this June. But it doesn't mean iiwanan ko na ang GMA-7. "

About Jackie Rice, she admits she has broken up with Biboy Ramirez but quickly adds it's not true that she's now getting cozy with the hunky Jace Flores. "Nali-link lang kami because he has joined us in the cast of 'Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang' and he plays my first boyfriend," she says. "I married early in the story kay Kiel Rodriguez, na pinagbintangan naman ni Carmi Martin, ang mother namin ni Dingdong Dantes, na isang magnanakaw. So Jace returns to my life at heto, nabalitang kami na raw, pero tsismis lang yun. "

As for Jan Manual, he says it's true he was arrested by a cop while driving due to a minor traffic mistake. "But when he asked me where I was working and I said GMA, tinanong kung anong ginagawa ko roon," he says. "I told him ako yung gumagaya kay Manny Pacquiao and he said, 'A, ikaw ba yun. Nakakatawa ka. ' Tapos, pinagsalita pa niya ako with the accent of Pacman. Pinagsabihan na lang akong mag-ingat and he let me go. "

ROBIN NOT READY FOR BB YET

Robin Padilla has been very vocal in saying that he's supportive his brother-turned-sister, Rustom aka BB Gandanghari. He even added that "kung masaya siya maging masaya na rin tayo para sa kanya. " But it seems he's not yet ready to meet BB face to face and in person.

Robin is a ceritified Kapuso, what with his "Totoy Bato' now a top- rater on GMA-7, and Rustom has been guesting as co-host in such Kapuso shows as "Cool Center" and "Showbiz Central. " One time, BB learned that Robin was also inside the GMA compound for the editing of "Totoy Bato. " He sent someone to tell Robin he wanted to visit him in the studio but he was told Robin was very busy he couldn't leave his work.

BB was said to have been heartbroken when he learned about this, but then, he says he understands Robin as he might still be in a state of shock. BB has not really seen any immediate member of his family since he underwent transformation and acknowledges the fact that they're still adjusting in accepting BB.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

LORE Reyes and Peque Gallaga used to work in tandem, but they now have separate projects in Sine Direk. Lore has "Litsonero" while Peque has "Agaton and Mindy," a love story about young people. This subject matter is not exactly new for Peque as he has explored the same material before in "Baby Love," which starred Anna Larrucea and Jason Salcedo (wonder where they are now. )

Agaton or Tonton is a reserved quiet teenage boy while Mindy is a lively bubbly teenage girl. They meet in a ballet class and Mindy makes it her mission to draw out the shy and conservative Tonton. "I decided to look for total newcomers in the lead roles and I'm glad I found two very talented new stars, Chase Vega as Agaton and Denise de los Reyes as Mindy. They are perfect for their respective roles," says Peque.

He then got an ensemble of talented actors to support them: Cherie Gil, Pilita Corrales, Desiree del Valle, Shamaine Centernera, Audie Gemora, Miles Kanapi, Ketchup Eusebio, danseur Nonoy Froilan and Ms. Dina Bonnevie. "Agaton and Mindy" is one movie we should watch out for in Sine Direk. This will be shown on May 20.

IT'S VIC!

IT'S final. Vic Sotto has been chosen as the new host of "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. " A self-confessed avid viewer of the international game show, he says he really enjoys watching on his vacations in the States. Now that it's with TV5, the cash prize is now increased to a whopping P2 million, making the game show even more suspenseful and exciting.

Keeping loyal to its original format, contestants are provided "Lifelines" in the form of ˜Ask the Audience at which the audience key in their answers, 50/50 wherein two wrong answers are eliminated from the choices, and the Phone a Friend option. "We are thrilled to acquire the franchise to Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and even more pleased to have Vic Sotto hosting this huge game show.

We are very happy to have him on the TV5 family," says Jasper Evangelista, TV5 Senior VP for Brand Management. Vic expressed his excitement as the show's host since he will be in the same channel as son Oyo who stars in the top-rating suspense-comedy show, Midnight DJ. Aspiring contestants should watch out for the Millionaire mall auditions at SM Malls starting in May. The show will start on May 23, Saturday 6 p. m.

Source: People's Journal