Ogie: Blue without Regine

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Ogie Alcasid has reason to gloat as his "Hole in the Wall" with Michael V is now the highest rating game show ever in the 6 PM slot, edging out even the ratings of the previous hit "Family Feud," proving that there’s nothing like hilarious physical comedy to attract viewers. But he’s also feeling lonely these days as his inamorata, Regine Velasquez, will be gone for several weeks while she is on her "Divas 4 Divas" concert tour in the US.

"Mahirap talagang mawalay from each other nang matagal," he says. "The first time they had their tour, three weeks siyang nawala and I really missed her so much. Nagkakausap naman kami sa phone, pero iba talaga ‘yung nandiyan ang physical presence niya. But the last time we talked, she said last time na raw niya yunto be away traveling that long. Pwera na lang siguro kung kaming dalawa ang kukunin para mag-concert tour."

Does he like being with Regine all the time?

"Siempre naman. I’m already 41. I’m not getting any younger, so I want to spend my remaining years with her. I don’t have anyone else naman. Siya lang talaga."

How come some quarters are linking Regine to Robin Padilla, who proclaimed in "SOP" that he’ll always be around Regine?

"Ewan ko nga kung bakit nilalagyan ng malisya. Pure friendship lang ang namamagitan sa kanila kaya huwag nang intrigahin pa.I don’t see anything bad in what Robin said kaya huwag na lang palakihin pa. Pati nga ‘yung kissing scenes nila in ‘Totoy Bato,’iniintriga. Inabot daw ng five takes. It’s part of their job as actorsat never naging issue sa amin yun. Ni hindi namin pinag-uusapan ‘yun. When I got to know her, she’s already doing movies at nagkaroon na rin sila ng kissing scenes ni Robin, which cannot be avoided kasi nga artista sila. So okay lang sa’kin yun."

Now that Judy Ann Santos is back from her Boracay honeymoon with Ryan Agoncillo, Ogie expects the shooting of their film "OMG (Oh My Girl)" to resume soon. "Mother Lily wants us to rush it kasi may playdate na," he says.

Meantime, Ogie and Michael V. are making "Hole in the Wall’ even more exciting viewing now that ABS-CBN withdrew Kris Aquino’s bingo show as their rival and replaced it with a "Koreanovela."

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The supposed romantic movie, "Maybe This Time," pairing Richard Gutierrez and Anne Curtis for the first time is being dumped upon the suggestion of the leading man himself. Richard feels it would be better if they’d do a horror flick instead since he’s been doing nothing but love stories lately. Also, horror flicks are always doing well at the tills since it has a big market. So GMA and Viva Films, which are co-producing the project, are now scouting for a good horror material for him and Anne. But the director who’s supposed to do the project, Maryo de los Reyes, begged off. He’s not that keen on doing a horror flick and, also, he’d be busy shooting the movie of the Aljur Abrenica-Kris Bernal love team for Regal, as well as the new romantic comedy on GMA-7, "Adik Sa’Yo," starring Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin, Dennis Trillo and Jennica Garcia.

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GMA-7 is really a beehive of activity these days with so many shows under production. Aside from "Adik Sa’Yo" meant for primetime, there’s "Rosalinda" launching their new discovery Carla Abellana. They’re hoping it’ll be as big a hit as "Marimar" that catapulted Marian Rivera to full stardom. For a while, there was talk that Mark Anthony Fernandez would play the male lead, Fernando Jose (played by Fernando Carillo who even came to Manila at the height of the show’s popularity). But Mark will now be Marian’s leading man in "Darna." It’s said the final choice as Fernando is Geoff Eigenmann, who’s certainly no hunk like Carillo. Maybe Geoff should do more workouts before taping starts to make his physique more fit and desirable. And we hope he and Carla would have good on-screen chemistry so that a new love team will be born.

Geoff is supposed to be cast in another new show, the TV remake of "Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin" for their afternoon "Sinenovela" that will replace "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?" But he’s now out of the cast that stars Glaiza de Castro, Maxene Magalona and Patrick Garcia. "Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?" is also ending soon and replacing it is the TV remake of "Ngayon at Kailanman" to star Heart Evangelista and JC de Vera. Both "Kung Aagawin" and "Ngayon" are former movies of Sharon Cuneta.

In "SRO Cinemaserye," replacing "Ganti" that ends tonight starring Sheryl Cruz and Marvin Agustin is the thriller "Suspetsa" with Paolo Contis, Jennylyn Mercado, Yasmien Kurdi, Baron Geisler, Nadine Samonte and Ryan Eigenmann. Another new project is the local adaptation of the Koreanovela "Stairway to Heaven" with Dingdong Dantes as lead actor. They’re still looking for the right leading lady for him and Dingdong is said to be suggesting that they borrow another actress from the rival network to play the pivotal role of Jodie.

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At the "Lipgloss" 4th season presscon, it was asked if it’s true that Saab Magalona was unceremoniously axed from the show.

"Season 3 pa lang, aalisin na siya, but we gave her another chance," says producer Tessa Mangahas of Prime Events. "Lagi siyang nale-late. It’s a ruling na bawal magdala ng boyfriend sa set but her boyfriend is always there. Nadi-distract siya at biglang nawawala. She promised to change but she didn’t. Bitbit pa rin niya the same guy. We gave her enough warning. Gusto nga naming sabihin sa mother niya but we thought hindi pa sila magkasundo that time.Ang performance niya, hindi rin nag-improve. When we learned okay na silang mag-ina, we tried calling Pia several times but she’s not picking up."

The show’s head writer, Dinno Erece, adds: "The scripts of five episodes of ‘Lipgloss’ were drastically changed because she didn’t show up, pati ‘yung episode na kinunan on location in Camarines Sur.’"

So what are their standards in choosing which stars will remain for the next season and which ones will be terminated?

"We have brainstorming and meetings every week," says Tessa. "Of course, we prefer stars who are professional and don’t give us headaches. It also depends on how the public accepts the presence of the stars in the show. When someone doesn’t click, we have to let go of him."

"But not all stars were axed because they’re incompetent o walang appeal sa viewers," adds Dinno. "Mahirap din, kasi we just borrow stars from ABS-CBN. Best example is Ejay Falcon. After winningsa ‘PBB Teens,’ wala siyang ginagawa sa ABS for one and a half years. Pinaghirapan namin ‘yun kasi pangalan lang ng friend niya sashow, hindi pa ma-pronounce ng tama. Naka-seven takes. He pronounces semester as simister. Pero napasikat namin siya in ‘Lipgloss.’ All the episodes where he appeared sa third season are topraters. Dahil doon, ayaw na siyang ipahiram sa’min for another season. May gagawin na raw sa ABS. So we had to kill his character. Siya yung nagpasabog ng bomba sa last episode ng third season. Ganun din si Princess Ryan, who clicked in the second season pero hindi na rin pinahiram uli ng ABS. Si Mikee Lee naman, hindi namin balak tanggalin. But then, kumuha ng daily classes, so hindi na siya puede. Kaya we are now building up our own homegrown talents."

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A new actor introduced in the new season of "Lipgloss" to start this Saturday at 5 p.m. is Enz Guazon, who’s managed by columnist Joey Aquino. The youngest of four kids, his real name in Lorenz Timlos and his dad hails from Roxas City.

"Guazon is from my mom," he says. "I was discovered by Tito Joey sa Candy Cuties Fair in Makati last October. I took the audition for ‘Lipgloss’ and I feel so blessed na nabigyan ako ng chance dito. This is my first TV show."

Born on September 6, 1990, he’s a third year psych major at La Salle. He’s now taking acting lessons at ABS-CBN and also sings and plays the guitar. In "Lipgloss," he plays Chip, the best friend of Brent (Nikko Ibaviosa). Other new cast members are Benj Besa, Rhen Escano, Cherry Kubota, Regine Angeles and Lovi Poe. More about them later.

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Mother Lily just attended the graduation of her first grandson, Keith Ryan Monteverde Teo, son of her daughter Roselle. Keith just got his juris doctor degree at the age of 25 from the University of California Hasting College of Law. He grew up in San Mateo, California, and already has a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a minor in economics from Boston University, graduating with honors as cum laude. "I’m very proud of my grandson!" says Mother Lily in her text message. "I’m so happy to be sharing this moment of joy with friends and family. God is so good."

Source: Malaya

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