Marian to Carla: Good luck

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

WHAT do Marian Rivera and newcomer Carla Abellana have in common? They were both launched to stardom in a remake of a Thalia telenovela. It worked for Marian in "Marimar," making her the top female star in GMA7. Let's see if the same formula will also work for Carla in "Rosalinda". Their difference is that Marian played supporting roles in other shows, like "Muli" and "Super Twins," whereas Carla is a total neophyte. But Carla has showbiz pedigree since both her parents (Rey Abellana and Rhea Reyes) were actors who met each other in the GMA7 soap, "Anna Liza," more than 20 years ago.

Marian and Carla got to work together last Friday night when they participated in the GMA7 59th anniversary show at Araneta Coliseum, "One Glamorous Night," which will be shown this coming Sunday after "Fullhaus" at SNBO.

"We already met each other in a previous GMA event," says Marian. "I welcome Carla as a Kapuso and I'm happy kasi nadagdagan na naman ang leading ladies ng GMA. I wish her good luck sa project niyang 'Rosalinda' and I'm sure na dahil magandang mag-alaga ang GMA, maganda rin ang magiging result noon just like 'Marimar'. "

Doesn't she feel insecure that Carla might eventually surpass her popularity? "Kailangan ba may ganun? I believe hindi kailangang magkaroon ng feelings ng insecurity ang sinuman as there's room for everyone. Ipakita mo lang na you have talent para mahalin ka ng publiko. I wish Carla and Geoff Eigenmann all the best. "

And how does Carla feel about being with Marian? "Sa totoo lang, na-star struck ako the first time we met kasi nanonood ako ng shows niya. And now, we got the chance to work together dito sa GMA anniversary special and I saw for myself kung gaano kainit ang tilian ng audience sa kanya. They really love her and Dingdong and it's an honor to meet her and work with her here. Mabait siya, napakaganda, and I'm just happy to be given the chance to follow in her footsteps. "

What can they say about the observation of some folks that they look alike? "Oo nga," says Marian. "Pag magkaharap kami, para kaming nananalamin sa isa't isa. It means pareho kaming beauty, di ba?"

"Wala pa ko sa showbiz, noon pa maraming nagsasabi sa'kin niyan and I'm really flattered kasi, let's face it, she's THE Marian Rivera, di ba?" says Carla. "I think it's a big plus factor for me kapag sinasabing magkahawig kami. It's an honor. "

PATRICK: I'M AFRAID TO FALL IN LOVE

AS much as possible, Patrick Garcia no longer wants to talk about Jennylyn Mercado. "Somebody wrote na hindi na raw ako makaalis sa anino niya but the truth is sinasagot ko lang ang mga tanong ng press who interview me," he says. "Kaya hindi matigil ang issue, siyempre kasi ganun din naman sa case niya, lagi akong itinatanong sa kanya. I just want to make it clear na wala akong galit kay Jen. I believe na darating ang araw na lalambot din ang puso niya at makikita ko rin ang anak namin. That's why when people ask me if I'm ready to work with her, my answer is I don't think it'd be wise for us to work at this time na may unresolved issues pa between us. Hindi ko rin naman ipagpipilitang makita ang baby namin without her blessing. "

Their son is turning a year old in August. Would he be willing to attend his birthday party? "If I'm invited, I'd go. Pero kung hindi, ayoko namang ipilit ang sarili ko at baka paalisin ako, mas nakakahiya naman. Pero curious na talaga akong makita 'yung baby. "

Someone said that Patrick's case now is similar to that of Aga Muhlach, who also didn't get to see his son Luigi after Janice de Belen gave birth to the boy as they were not in good terms. Eventually, Janice relented and Aga had a lot of catching up to do. After the "Igorota" episode in "Dear Friend," Patrick is paired anew with Glaiza de Castro in "Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin. " Obviously, GMA believes they form a good tandem.

"Masarap katrabaho si Glaiza as she's such a good actress so I really welcome working with her. Pero kung tatanungin nyo kung kami na, no, good friends lang kami. The truth is I'm afraid to fall in love now. And I also don't look for love, I let love find me. "

Is it true he thought of quitting showbiz? "Naisip ko lang magpahinga muna noon to stop the intrigues, kasi affected na pati ang family ko. Kaya nga nagbakasyon muna ako abroad. But I really missed my work, hindi ko maiiwan ang showbiz dahil part na ito ng buhay ko since bata ako at kailangan ko ring magtrabaho. "

"Kung Aagawin" started yesterday on GMA's Dramarama sa Hapon. Is there pressure for them to achieve the high ratings of "Dapat"? "The whole cast is aware na toprater ang papalitan namin kaya naman we all vowed to do our best, including our director Topel Lee, para mag-rate din ng mataas itong 'Kung Aagawin'. "

NO QUARANTINE FOR HEART

Heart Evangelista is back from her U. S. trip for GMA Pinoy TV and instead of quarantining herself for five days, she had to report right away to the taping of "Ngayon at Kailanman" at a farm in Batangas as she has to do additional scenes for the episodes that will be aired this week. "I just had a check up with our doctor who said I'm perfectly healthy at mukhang wala naman akong nakuhang H1N1 virus while abroad kaya pinayagan na ako to go back to work right away," she says. "My trip to the U. S. was quite tiring kasi two days lang kami sa L. A. then two days sa San Francisco, but it's worth it kasi nakasama ko ang mga kapatid ko roon at nakapag-bonding kami. Also, very warm ang reception sa'kin ng Pinoy viewers doon ngayong isa na akong Kapuso. Some of them even told me that they subscribed sa GMA now dahil gusto nilang mapanood ang shows ko rito. "

She's also happy that feedback on "Ngayon at Kailanman" is very favorable and the ratings go up steadily. What can she say about the remarks of some viewers that she should play Dingdong Dantes' leading lady in the remake of "Stairway to Heaven"? "Siyempre, natutuwa ako and I've never worked with Dingdong so I welcome that. Pero wala naman sa'kin ang choice kundi nasa management. As of now, basta focused muna ako sa 'Ngayon at Kailanman' and I'm glad that tanggap naman ng viewers ang pagpapareha sa amin dito ni JC de Vera. "

RAGS TO RICHES

IT'S the second anniversary of "Showbiz Central" last Sunday and all the five regular hosts were present (Pia Guanio, Rufa Mae Quinto, DJ Mo, John Lapus and Raymond Gutierrez) unlike these past few weeks when one of them was always absent. They introduced a new segment, "The Story of Your Life," showing the lives of GMA artists before they joined showbiz.

Their first featured star was Marvin Agustin, who confessed that he took odd jobs when he was only 12 as puto pao vendor in their school and as water delivery boy in their neigHBOrhood. When his dad was imprisoned when he was 16, he became the head of their family, working as a mascot or as a waiter until ABS-CBN got him as an actor. That made him mature very fast and his mom and sisters pay tribute to him for being such a responsible and caring son and brother. Now, Marvin not only sustains his showbiz career but also owns several restaurants. Truly, his is a rags to riches story.

OGIE SHARES SECRETS

Ogie Alcasid was their finale number in the Don't Lie to Me portion and he was introduced for the first time by host John Lapus as the Comedy Concert King, the male equivalent of Ai Ai de las Alas who's the Comedy Concert Queen. "Ikaw lang naman ang nakakagawa ng ganyan," says John.

The first question to Ogie came from his inamorata Regine Velasquez: "Alam mong mahilig akong kumain. Kung tumaba ako nang bonggang-bongga, sa paningin mo ba, magiging sexy pa rin ako?" He said yes and it's true. "Kahit lumaki pa siya, mamahalin ko siya habambuhay," Ogie adds.

Next question: Nagtampo ka nga ba dahil ikaw raw ang huling nakaalam na ikakasal na ang ex-wife mong si Michelle van Eimeren sa boyfriend niyang si Mark Murrow? He said no and it's true. "Nagulat lang ako nang tinatanong na ako ng press about it kasi pinakatagu-tago nila 'yun. Pero alam ko na 'yun mula't sapul kaya lang di ko pinagsasabi as they're both private persons. " Naiyak ka ba sa Father's Day celebration ng "SOP" dahil matagal mo nang hindi nakakasama ang mga anak mo at nanghihinayang kang hindi mo sila kasama? He said yes and again it's true. "Siyempre, I feel sad na lumalaki silang hindi kami araw-araw na nagkikita," he says.

'PASIYAM' FOR DOUGLAS

WE attended the mass for the ninth day novena for the late Douglas Quijano at the Century Imperial Palace Sunday night. Mother Lily hosted the whole affair, including the sumptuous buffet dinner for all those who attended. Douglas' alagas were there: Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, Joey Marquez, Jomari Yllana, Nadia Montenegro, John Estrada. Also present were his co-managers from PAMI and members of the press, plus Jake Cuenca and Tyron Perez.

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 that they can put in their respective 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 Magazine 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 was distributing 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 Annabelle naman 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. "

Source: People's Journal