Missing Marky

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

MANY of his "Starstruck" colleagues broke down and cried unabashedly at the wake of GMA star Marky Cielo in his home in Mission Hills, Antipolo which he won as "Ultimate Survivor" in "Starstruck." The mourners include LJ Reyes, Yasmien Kurdi, Mike Tan, Jackie Rice, Gian Carlos, Rainier Castillo, Kris Bernal, Ryza Cenon, Chariz Solomon, Aljur Abrenica, Mart Escudero, Arci Munoz, Stef Prescott, Prince Stefan, Vaness del Moral, Rhea Nakpil and his co-stars in "La Lola," JC de Vera, Lovi Poe and Rhian Ramos.

Glaiza de Castro was very close to Marky as they were paired as a love team in "Boys Nxt Dr," "Fantastikids," "Kaputol ng Isang Awit" and "Asian Treasures."

"Up to now, I still can’t believe that he’s gone," she says. "Napakabait pa naman niyang tao at masarap kapareha kasi very professional."

Glaiza had some sort of premonition about what happened to Marky.

"I dreamt of him and Rich Asuncion (another ‘Starstruck’ alumna). Magkasama raw sila. I texted Mark about my dream and he said: ‘Bakit kaya maraming nagsasabing napapanaginipin nila ako? Baka mamamatay na ako?’ Kasi kapag ang isang tao raw, laging napapanaginipan, mamamatay na. Now, that I remember that, it gives me the creeps. I was really shocked when I was informed by my manager, Manny Valera, about his passing. Up to now, hindi pa rin lubusang nagsi-sink in sa akin."

Glaiza doesn’t believe in the rumor that he committed suicide. "I don’t think he’d do that kasi hindi naman siya ‘yung tipo ng taong problematic, although talagang quiet type lang siya at hindi nag-o-open up ‘pag may problema siya. But then, fully supported siya ng GMA-7 at never siyang nawalan ng show, so I don’t think he’d have any problem about his career kahit na breadwinner siya ng family nila."

Marky’s remains were flown home yesterday to his native Bontoc in Mountain Province by his mom. It’s said that they have no cemeteries there so he will just be buried at their backyard in their family garden.

***

One actor who was rumored to have died is Carlos Agassi, who now plays Shaina Magdayao’s brother in "Dragonna."

"I was surprised when friends and relatives started calling me to ask if I’m still alive," he says. "’Yun pala, pinatay na ako sa text. I don’t know what their motive is kung bakit sinisira nila ako dahilbefore this, kumalat namang I’m so sick at sobrang payat na raw ako."

He was wearing his topless costume in "Dragonna" at the presscon and it’s obvious that he still has a great muscular physique. "What some people don’t understand is that this is a lifestyle. I’m a vegetarian along with my non-showbiz girlfriend. I’m also ambassador for health and fitness ngGold’s Gym, so hindi ako puedeng pabayaan ang katawan ko."

Carlos was only 16 when he was introduced as part of Star Circle Batch 3. He’s turning 29 on December 12 and his birthday wish is to have more projects and for his business to succeed. "I’m opening my own gym and own restaurant in Makati specializing in Middle Eastern dishes. I’m no longer under exclusive contract with ABS kaya puede rin akong lumabas sa ibang productions. I’d like to try even indie films, basta challenging angrole. But I’m glad ABS got me again for ‘Dragonna’ kasi my last show with them was ‘Princess Sarah’ last year pa."

How’s his brother Michael and wife Cherry Lou?

"They’re okay. May baby na sila, an 8-month-old boy also named Michael and they’re very happy with him."

What about him? When will he settle down?

"In five years siguro. Gusto ko munang mag-ipon."

In "Dragonna," Carlos and Shaina are both half-human, half-dragon. Shaina grew up adopted by three firemen (Bayani Agbayani, Long Mejia and Arnold Reyes) while Carlos grew up with the dragon people. Both of them have the same powers concerning fire, but it’s only Carlos who knows how to use it.

***

We saw the pilot episode of TV 5’s "Everybody Hapi," their first sitcom shown Sundays at 6 p.m. It’s really funny, thanks mainly to the comic antics of Eugene Domingo and Long Mejia. Directed by Robert Quebral, the story is set in a duplex (doesn’t this remind you of "Duplex" and "Bahay Mo Ba’To"?) owned by Eugene who lives in one unit with sister Roxanne Guinoo and brother Matt Evans. The new tenant in the other door is John Estrada and daughter Alex Gonzaga. Long is John’s longtime friend. Eugene is in love with John, but John is in love with Roxanne. Matt and Alex also develop a secret relationship.

"I really miss doing a sitcom like this," says Eugene. "The last one I did is ‘Tanging Ina’ on ABS where John and I played cousins. Parang comeback ko ito sa Channel 5 kasi my first TV show was a sitcom with them in the early ‘90s, ‘We R Family’ with Gabby Concepcion and Alice Dixson. I have a feeling ‘Everybody Hapi’ will click kasi maganda angchemistry namin ng buong cast. Si Long, bilib ako diyan, ibubuwis ang buhay niya just to make a scene work. Grabe siya when it comes to doing physical scenes na tumitilapon siya o hinahataw siya. And I find it nice to work in a show like this na hindi puro bakla ang kasama ko. May gay character dito, ‘yung alalay kong si George, but the actor who plays him, Roy Paulo Calilong, is really straight. Pati si Direk Robert, okay na okay. Kalmado lagi kahit lagi kaming maingay sa set. In each episode, we feature two different stories. Kasi usually, one story long, tapos lumalaylay, kaya ginawang dalawa rito para hindi boringsa viewers."

We heard John’s girlfriend, former Ms. Earth Priscila Mereilles, is getting insecure because of her sweetness to John during taping?

"Oo naman. Ms. Earth siya, e amoy lupa naman ako. Actually, we want to invite her to join the show para maging love interest naman ni Long. Sana pumayag, kasi kung hindi, si Gretchen Barretto ang gusto nilang kunin as a girl who’s desperately so in love with Long. Mas riot, ‘di ba?"

Incidentally, TV 5 was sued by GMA-7 since their company is now allegedly owned by Malaysians and this is against the law. "We’ll definitely fight that in court," says their PR Patricia Maglipon (daughter of Yes’ Joan Maglipon). "Watch out for our official statement."

Going back to Eugene, how did she feel when she was ejected from the cast of "Desperadas 2" and "Shake Rattle & Roll X?"

"Siempre, nanghinayang din ako and I felt kasi I like to work sana again with Direk Joel Lamangan and DirekMike Tuviera na katrabaho ko rin in last year’s filmfest sa ‘Bahay Kubo’ and ‘Shake 9.’ Iniisip ko na lang, ganun talaga, no one is indispensable. Pero tingnan mo naman ang ipinalit sa’kin, sina Ogie Alcasid and Marian Rivera no less. Pero naka-move on na ako kasiit’s useless to dwell on such things. Isa pa, may naging kapalit naman agad. Heto nga biglang dumating itong offer to do two shows sa TV 5. Aside from ‘Everybody Hapi’, I’m also hosting ‘Hahahayop’ na compilation of funny and amusing videos involving animals na bagay sa mga bata."

***

Is it true Krista Ranillo is baring her all in "Scorpio Nights 3" of Erik Matti?

"There’s an offer, yes, but I want to read the full script first," she says. "Ayoko namang mag-yes agad nang hindi ko pa nababasa ang script. I want to make sure muna how far I’m required to go. At siempre, worried ako sa dad ko (Mat Ranillo III), baka magwala na naman ‘yun ‘pag nalamang magpapa-sexy uli ako. It’s ironicnga na my dad who’s an actor, hindi maintindihan na part ‘yun ng trabaho ko and it’s my mom (Linda Tupaz) who’s very supportive. Even mylola (Gloria Sevilla), supportive din. Tuwang-tuwa siya when she saw my sexy pictorial in FHM."

How about her boyfriend, director Dominic Zapata of GMA-7? Isn’t she worried about him?

"No, supportive naman ‘yun. Alam naman niya, ngayon pa lang gumaganda ang takbo ng career ko."

There’s a rumor they’re already living in.

"Not true. We both come from conservative families. At saka, ayoko nga ng live in. I want to have a grand wedding, which is the dream of most girls, ‘di ba? And I’ve just declared my independence. I left my parents’ home three weeks ago and I now live by myself and my production assistant in a condo in Eastwood, which is about just five minutes away dinfrom my parents kaya every night, dumaraan sila sa’kin to check on me. Nami-miss ko rin naman sila kasi first time kong mahiwalay sa kanila. But I’m also preparing for their departure for the States early next year. My younger sister, who has a cleft palate, will undergo a series of operations there and I’ll be left here alone by myself."

How is it working with Ryan Agoncillo in ABS-CBN’s afternoon drama, "Pieta"?

"Masaya siyang katrabaho. Palabiro. Pero lagi nila kong inaasar sa taping nina Jason Abalos, Janus del Prado, John James Uy and Jairus Aquino. It’s nice to be part of a soap like this kasi malakas angrecall sa tao. Kilala na uli ako in my role as Martha, just like when I did ‘Rio del Mar’ noong bata pa ako."

Was she really hurt while doing a fight scene with Nina Dolino in the show?

"Oh yes. Kasi we rehearsed with our fight director, Rey Solo, at pati sampal, dapat daya lang. But when it’s take na, nagulat ako dahil wala siyang sinunod sa ni-rehearse namin at lahat, tinotoo niya, pati ‘yung pagsabunot sa’kin na ang sakit-sakit. At one point, I told her na alalay lang pero sige pa rin siya so I had to defend myselfna kasi hindi ko alam what she’ll do to me next. Natakot talaga ako nang ingudngod niya ang ulo ko sa putik na puro bato. Pati mga nanonood na crew, they saw what she did to me kasi mas malaki siya sa’kin and as, Martha, mabait kasi ako at hindi lumalaban. Our co-stars really pitied me after the take. Si Tita Cherie Gil tried to comfort me and si Jairus, niyakap ako kasi umiiyak ako sa dami ng sugat ko. Si Tita Lyka Ugarte who plays my mom, after sampalin ako, nagso-sorry agad sa’kin. Pero this time, nasaktan ako nang husto and yet walang attempt at all to say sorry. Naniniwala ako na kahit artista ka, hindi naman kailangang totohanin mo ang lahat."

Krista is glad to be part of the Metro filmfest entry, "Iskul Bukol After 20 Years."

"I’m paired with Oyo Sotto, Pauleen Luna with Keempee de Leonat si Nicole of PBB with Gian Sotto. My wish for 2009 is mabigyan naman ako ng show sa primetime, kahit kontrabida. I also want to try hosting."

***

Dawn Zulueta is glad to be back before the camera in "Magkaibigan," where she plays the supportive wife of the dying Christopher de Leon. "The last time we worked together was in ‘Kung Mawawala Ka Pa,’ also a top winner in the Metro Manila filmfest several years ago," she says. "Doon, anak namin si Sarah Jane Abad na maagang kinuha sa amin. This time, si Boyet mismo ang mawawala and it shows how the love of family and friends is so important for a sick beloved and also those who he’s about to leave behind."

This is not the first time for Boyet to die of cancer in a movie. He also won the filmfest best actor for Carlo Caparas’ "God, Save Me," with Rose Ann Gonzales as the daughter he left behind.

"I think viewers like dramas about families supporting each other in time of crisis kasi totoo namang nangyayari ito and they can identify with it," Dawn adds.

This is true as "Magkaibigan" is the only contemporary realistic film in this year’s filmfest. We have mostly comedies, fantasies, a horror movie, and an animated movie. "Tanging Ina" is fantasy comedy about Ai Ai de las Alas becoming president of the country. "Iskul Bukol" is a revival of an old TV sitcom with touches of fantasy and action. "One Night Only" and "Desperadas 2" are sexy comedies about various women. "Dayo" is animated fantasy. "Shake, Rattle & Roll X" is horror while "Baler" is a period drama about a forgotten episode in local history. "Magkaibigan" has a good chance of walking away with the awards but the topgrosser will surely be one of the comedies that can be seen even by kids since Christmas, as some quarters keep on saying, is really for children.

Going back to Dawn, she was pleasantly surprised when she found out she’s two months pregnant. Her first born is a boy, Jacobo, so she and husband Rep. Anton Lagdameo now want to have a baby girl. When she guested in "Family Feud," she gave the host, former boyfriend Richard Gomez, a tip on how to make Goma’s wife Lucy Torres preggy again since their first born, Juliana, is now 8 years old and they really want to have another baby soon. Richard says he’ll follow Dawn’s advice but he won’t share with others what her tip is. "I’ll wait for it to work for us muna bago ko i-share sa iba," he says.

Source: Malaya

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