Politicians wooing Sarah

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Rhian Ramos admits shes happy that rumored boyfriend JC de Vera has ironed things out with GMA-7 and is not moving to ABS-CBN. "Siempre, were close friends kaya natutuwa akong he got his birthday wish, which is ma-solve na ang problem niya and hed remain to be a Kapuso," she says. "But I seldom see him now kasi nga Im taping Zorro with Richard Gutierrez. E, ako, when I work, talagang focused ako sa trabaho ko, kaya no chance for us to see each other often like noong we were doing La Lola. As of now, Im really proud to be part of a big project like Zorro na ginastusan talaga sa costumes, sets, even in the Spanish types of weapons we used from swords to pistols. Daig pa nga nito ang isang malaking pelikula. Happy rin akoto be reunited with Richard after doing Capt. Barbell, Lupin and Asero.Isa si Richard sa mga kasundo kong katrabaho kasi hes not only a true professional kundi maalaga rin sa leading ladies niya. First leading man ko siya so Im really very comfortable with him. I play Lolita Pulido, the daughter of rich Leo Martinez and Pinky Marquez, who want me to marry TJ Trinidad kahit si Richard ang mas gusto ko."

How did she prepare doing a period show like "Zorro" thats set in Spanish times?

"First of all, I trained in riding horses, then sa fencing kasi mapapasabak din daw ako rito sa eskrimahan. Then I have to study Spanish as we have to deliver some lines in Spanish. I also have to prepare my costumes. Dapat talaga, yung babagay sakin. Excited talaga ako with Zorro as its so different from any show Ive done before."

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Aljur Abrenica is turning 19 tomorrow, March 24 and he feels so blessed that his wish is for all the good breaks in his showbiz career to continue coming in. How does he feel being named as most promising new actor by a certain award-giving body, with KC Concepcion as his counterpart?

"Siempre nagulat ako, di ko talaga ine-expect," he says. "But its really an honor and I want to thank GMA na nagbigay sa akin ng magagandang projects at ang press dahil sa naitulong nilangpublicity."

What can he say to Richard Gutierrez now that hes paired with KC in the coming awards night?

"Okay na po kami. Nag-meet kami ng mag-tapingkami sa GMA recording studio noong January. Nagbatian kami nghappy new year. So okay na yun."

His afternoon soap with Kris Bernal, "Dapat Ka Bang Ma-halin?," is rating very high. But some writers say "kulang pa ang acting niAljur." What can he say about this?

"I want to thank them dahil it means concerned sila sa performance ko. Parang paalala sakin yun na mag-aral pa akot pagbutihan ko pa ang acting ko, na siya namang ginagawa ko. Next month, Kris and I will enroll in more acting workshops."

But its also said hes so hot even ABS wants to get him.

"Narinig ko rin yan, pero wala namang formal offersakin. If ever meron, I dont think maiiwan ko ang GMAdahil may utang na loob ako with them."

In "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?" he does a lot of kissing scenes. Some people say such scenes are not fitting for their afternoon timeslot. "Actually, hindi lang kissing scenes ang ginagawa ko kundilove scenes din. And not just with one woman but with two, siKris and Ms. Ara Mina who plays my mistress. All I can say is kailangan lahat ng yun sa story. Responsible naman si Direk Maryo de los Reyes at hindi niya isasama ang ganung scenes kung walang saysay. Sa totoo lang, maraming naiinggit sa posisyon ko ngayon lalo na sa love scenes ko with Ms. Ara. Kasi torrid talaga ang mga eksena namin, lalo na yung sa pool. In fairness to Ms. Ara, siya pa ang nagsasabi sakin na samantalahin ko na raw ang opportunity pag may ganung scenes."

People predict hell be one of GMAs top leading men soon like Dennis Trillo and JC de Vera. "Kaya ko namang makipagsabayan sa kanila dahil masaya ako sa ginagawa ko. Bata pa ako, naramdaman ko nang maytalent na ibinigay sa akin si Lord kasi tuwing may programsa school, Im always asked to sing and play the guitar. I feel blessedtalaga ako kasi Ive always served the Lord. Religious kasi ako."

So what is the status between him and Kris now?

"Shes very special to me. Pero hindi pa kami. Nanliligaw pa lang ako sa kanya."

Is it true he went steady with Rich Asuncion so he was cheering for her at the Bb. Pilipinas pageant?

"No, natsismis lang kami when we were paired in SOP as she also sings. I was cheering for her kasi ka-batch ko siya sa Starstruck and were friends kaya gusto ko siyang manalo."

Does he think Kris is the girl "na dapat ba niyang mahalin"?

"Yes, dati ko na siyang mahal dahil ang dami na naming pinagsamahan."

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Sarah Geronimo has been officially proclaimed as Box Office Queen and, as "paconsuelo de bobo," Ai Ai de las Alas has been named Comedy Box Office Queen (now, THAT is really funny). No doubt Sarah is hot these days. We heard so many "presidentiables" and "senatoriables" are trying to get her this early to be their endorser in next years election. (Last year, she endorsed Sen. Ed Angara and he won.) Its said that shes being offered a multi-million peso deal for this but her camp is taking their sweet time to make sure which candidate theyd like to endorse. This is good as her decision will no doubt affect her career. In the last election, Kris Aquino was paid millions to endorse our current president but were sure she later rued having done so as the killers of her own dad were all later pardoned by the president she helped to win. Kris was seen being emotional on TV because of the release of her dads killers from prison but, wittingly or unwittingly, she is a part of it.

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Jackie Rice is the female winner in "Starstruck 3" and her career was on the way up when she was reprimanded by GMA-7 for being unprofessional. Its said she devoted more time to her boyfriend Biboy Ramirez than to her career. As such, "Starstruck 4" winner Kris Bernal has left her behind as Kris now plays a lead role in her own soap, "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?"

"I dont take it against Kris kasi nagkulang din naman ako, pero wala na kami ni Biboy," she says. "Seven months na since we broke up. Wala naman akong masasabing hindi maganda sa kanya kasi mabait siya. Kaya lang, maraming areas kaming hindi nagkakaintindihan, nagkakaroon ng mga tampuhan na eventually, dumating sa desisyong maghiwalay."

What are the sources of their conflicts or tampuhan?

"Madalas, maliliit na bagay lang ang pinagtatalunan namin. Kaya lang, dumadalas na ang mga diskusyunan so we both felt we need space and its time to call it quits muna bago pa lumala ang conflictnamin. At least, we parted pa rin as friends at hindi kami naging magkaaway."

There have been other suitors since then but she wants to be more serious with her career now. "Parang ayoko muna to entertain suitors. I want to remain single so I can focus more on my career, na talaga namang napabayaan ko noon. I want to make good this time that GMA-7 is giving me another chance to show na nagbago na talaga ako."

Jackie plays an important role in "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" where she plays the role of Dingdong Dantes younger sister. She rebelled against their controlling mom, Carmi Martin, so she chose to get married even if shes still very young. Her husband is played by Kiel Rodriguez. "I play a young wife and mother and its a good role kasi maraming magandang dramatic scenes. Siguro naman, maipapakita ko na ritong may ibubuga talaga ako sa pag-artista at nagpapasalamat ako sa GMA-7 sa muli nilang pagtitiwala sa akin."

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The final week of "Kapamilya Deal Or No Deal" starts today and big name stars led by Gov. Vilma Santos are lined up to be guest contestants. Last week, the special guests were sweethearts Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay, and ace choreographer Maribeth Bichara.

"Siempre, dahil end of our season na, we want to give our viewers a memorable finale," says host Kris Aquino. "We promise our viewers a final week that will be memorable for all of them."

"KDOND" will be replaced by a "Pinoy Bingo" game show that will also be hosted by Kris.

Source: Malaya