Mark shrugs off gay issue

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Pinoy Big Brother" (PBB) recruit Zanjoe Marudo says it's not true that he and Mariel Rodriguez broke up as he's dating the controversial Maricar Reyes with whom he works in "Lovers in Paris" that starts airing tonight. "I really don't know how that rumor started but it's not true," he says. "On pa rin kami ni Mariel. Na-miss ko nga siya when she went to the US for two weeks. Poker set ang pasalubong niya sa'kin so I can play daw sataping while waiting sa set. We're both very busy, pero basta may free time, magkasama kami. As for Maricar, si Piolo Pascual ang kaeksena niya sa 'Lovers in Paris' dahil mag-asawa sila pero hiwalay na. Ako naman ang pamangkin ni Piolo kasi sister niya ang mama kong si Rachel Anne Wolfe. Love triangle kami with KC Concepcion. Nakakahiya nga kay Maricar kasi nadamay pa sa tsismis."

Zanjoe is one of ABS-CBN's busiest stars. He was just seen in "The Wedding," quickly followed by "Florinda" and "Lovers in Paris." He also does comedy in "Banana Split." What's his experience with Piolo and KC?

"I'm happy na nakasama ko sila at nakarating pa ko sa Paris nang libre with them. Pareho silang dedicated sa work kaya masarap katrabaho."

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Jed Madela is a formidable concert singer because of his awesome pipes and he's glad to be doing "True Champions" with Rachelle Ann Go at the SM North Edsa Skydome on October 24. "Sa iba kasi, nahihirapan ako kasi dapat pakibagayan mo ang boses nila," Jed says. "Madalas, I hold back para umalalay at di masira ang production number. But with Rachelle, no need to do that kasi ka-level ko ang voice niya which is also powerful."

"I'm excited kasi nagkakasama kami ni Jed in 'ASAP' but this is the first time that we'll topbill a concert together," says Rachelle. "We have our solo numbers but I really look forward sa duets that we'll do. Nakaka-pressure ka-duet si Jed sa galing niya."

Their show is titled "True Champions" as Rachelle was the champion in Search for a Star while Jed won the grand prize at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles. They both have hit albums and hit songs. Internationally, Rachelle won the Silver Prize at the Shanghai Asia Musicfest while Jed won the best male singer award at the Voice of Asia contest. At the presscon, they did "Narito" and the result is a tour de force confirming that they do great music together. And they didn't even have time to rehearse the song. When they were new at "ASAP," it was rumored that Jed was wooing Rachelle but she chose Christian Bautista, instead. They eventually broke up and she's now on with Gary Valenciano's son.

"True Champions" is sponsored by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Manila Bulletin, MYX, PBO, Viva Prime, Viva Cinema, 90.7 Love Radio, 96.3 Easy Rock, 93.9 IFM, and 101.1 Yes FM. Tickets are available at all SM Ticketnet outlets. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Viva Concerts & Events at 687-6181 loc. 627 or 620.

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Mark Bautista, endorser of Mang Inasal, just shrugs off the rumor linking him to Piolo Pascual, who's endorsing a rival resto. "Bilib nga ako sa kanya kasi grabe ang mga isyung lumalabas sa kanya, but he's cool about it, he says. "Nakakayanan niya. Di na lang kami nagre-react kasi anuman ang gawin mo, tiyak na may sasabihin pa rin ang tao. We can't even defend ourselves. The important thing is secure ka sa sarili mo at wala kang ginagawang masama, so you don't have to worry about it. Part na kasi yan ng showbiz so I just accept yung ganyang issues. Ganun lang talaga. Our friendship started sa Bible study then we got closer with other male singers in 'ASAP' when we did shows together in 'Pop Icons.'"

How about the rumor that Piolo always gets him to appear in the films he produces, like "Manila" and "Kimmy Dora"?

"PJ is a good man. Masarap na kaibigan kaya unfair ang mga bintang sa kanya. I guested in those movies bilang suporta ko sa kanya as a friend. Wala naman sigurong masama run."

Is he still wooing Sarah Geronimo?

"I'd rather keep quiet about it. Kasi tuwing may sasabihin ako, nasusulat na ginagamit ko lang siya para mapag-usapan ako. Only God knows kung anong mangyayari sa amin and I just hope for the best."

Why did Mang Inasal get Mark as endorser?

"Mark started in showbiz in 2004, the same year Mang Inasal ventured in Manila," says owner Edgar Sia II. "Both of us became successful here. Mark is now a well known singer and actor while Mang Inasal now has 157 branches nationwide, hoping to add 100 more branches in 2010. We're both determined, hard working but unassuming, so bagay siyang endorser namin."

What does Mark like in Mang Inasal?

"I love their chicken, tasty and tender but very affordable."

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More than 100 stars of the GMA Artist Center (GMAAC), the talent management and development arm of GMA Network headed by Idad Henares, are featured in a special edition called "Living the Celebrity Life" of S Magazine that offers not just the glamorous life of the stars but also what they're like when they're off cam or on their leisure time. Rhian Ramos is on the cover, Iza Calzado and Isabel have their own fashion spreads while Yasmien Kurdi and Nadine Samonte don their most dazzling gowns in an awards-night scenario. Iwa Moto and Jackie Rice are featured in their swimsuits.

Also featured are Mark Herras, Aljur Abrenica, Mike Tan, Paolo Paraiso, Victor Aliwalas and Felix Roco.

Launched five years ago, the GMAAC has rapidly grown to become the largest of its kind in the Philippines. More than just an ordinary talent management agency, it envisions itself to be a wholistic organization that can discover and nurture talents not only in acting or singing, hosting or modeling, but also their financial affairs and even in their character development and moral values. Acting on a specific mandate from GMA Network, Inc. chief executive officer Atty. Felipe Gozon, the GMAAC has been on a roll via a series of activities through the years aimed at benefiting not only its artists, but the general public as a whole.

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Most of Gelli de Belen's contemporaries have had problematic marriages, like Carmina Villaroel, Ruffa Gutierrez, Aiko Melendez, even her own sister Janice. Vina Morales, her colleague at Viva then, now has a child with a man who was previously married to someone else. Only Gelli and Ariel Rivera seem to have a smooth marriage that has been ongoing for 12 years now.

The secret?

"Pareho kasi kaming family ang priority," she says. "Di nga kami nag-aaway, we only have differences of opinion, and we know how to compromise. Also, pasensiyosa kasi ako. Akala nyo lang, akong madaldal, pero kapag sa kanya na, tameme ako. Pareho rin kaming hands on parents. Walang yaya ang kids namin. Now, our sons Joaqui and Julio, kahit 10 and 8 na, kami ang palitan sa paghahatid at pagsundo sa school. When I went back to doing soap in 'All My Life,' kawawa nga si Ariel kasi siya ang mas nag-alaga sa mga bata dahil sa Subic ako nagte-taping, kahit busy rin siya with 'Rosalinda.'"

Doesn't she plan to have a daughter? "No more. Okay na ko sa two boys ko."

What if Ariel would have one with another woman?

"Subukan lang niya," she threatens.

Did she enjoy doing a soap?

"Yes, kasi na-miss ko rin talaga ang acting after hosting 'Sis' for eight years where I just have to be myself. First taping day ko, nanibago talaga ako. But now, rest muna ko uli sa acting."

She's now managed by Boy Abunda after the late Douglas Quijano's departure.

"I knew si Boy ang kukunin ko as he's also the manager of Ariel, pero pinatagal-tagal ko pa. Finally, one time na I was taping 'All My Life,' ang daming alok na dumarating and there was one na napilitan ako to accept kahit ayoko. Hindi ako maka-focus sa trabaho so sabi ko, ayoko na, I really need a manager at tinawagan ko na si Boy. Now, I'm glad his Backroom handles me kasi organisado talaga sila. Pinag-presscon pa ako at may nag-aalagasa schedules ko't sumasama sa'kin sa taping."

Ariel is a Canadian citizen. Do you they eventually plan to move back to Canada?

"No, okay naman kami rito. But our kids have dual citizenship para if they want to try living in Canada paglaki nila, they can do so."

Source: Malaya