Pops minus Jomari in Boracay

Column: Freehand
Author: Mario E. Bautista

SOME writers saw Pops Fernandez in Boracay alone recently and quickly concluded that she has broken up with Jomari Yllana. "Kasi mag-isa lang siyang nag-e-emote sa beach at mukhang malungkot," they say. "Kung sila pa talaga ni Jomari, di dapat lang na magkasama sila roon. "

But Pops told a friend that this is simply not true. "Mag-isa lang si Pops as she was invited to perform in an event there na hindi naman talaga kasama si Jomari na nagkataon namang nasa States that time," says our source. "And she wants to assure everyone na sila pa rin ni Jomari at hindi totoong wala na sila. "

SHARON CUNETA DAY
STAR Cinema is proud to declare today, Sunday, Mother's Day, as Sharon Cuneta Day. Be part of the day-long celebration in "ASAP," "The Buzz" and Sharon's own talk show in the evening. This is also part of their promo for her comeback film, "Caregiver," her first since 2003 after "Crying Lady. "

We got this text message from Sharon about their shooting in London and we print it here as is: "London shooting was unbelievably hectic - and horrible if I didn't know it's gonna be a great movie! I didn't get to visit any landmark there or go to any store except those at gas stations! I didn't even get to eat in one restaurant. Often only on paper plates with plastic cubiertos, if not vendo sandwiches. Hardly had any sleep, too. I got trangkaso twice but non-stop work pa rin. In the 21 days we were there, I only had one day off. Naiiyak nga ako just thinking about it. I never had a more gruelling sked. Every night, all I could do was cry. Mahaba na ang three hours of sleep. Often, none of us knew what day it was. I would cry to Kiko on the phone wanting to go home as I miss my kids so much. Never had a more difficult time. But I really hope it will all be worth it. God is good!"

PINOYS IN THE U. S. PROUD OF KRIS
FRIENDS from the U. S. tell us they've seen the "Around the World, Philippines" episode of "Deal or No Deal" and they're proud of Kris Aquino's performance as co-host of Howie Mandel who marveled at how our lovely 26K girls strut carrying their briefcases and the party atmosphere created by the lively Pinoy audience that cheered and danced when briefcases containing low prizes were eliminated. "Here in the Philippines, the people party!" exclaimed Howie during the taping of the special episode held at the ABS-CBN studio.

We are one of three countries that's part of the show's world tour. Originally scheduled to be aired on May 7, the Philippine episode turned out so good that the producers decided to air last May 5 ahead of the Estonian and the South African episodes. ABS-CBN business unit head Alou Almaden of "Kapamilya: Deal or No Deal" said this special episode will also be shown here soon.

Howie introduced Kris on the air as the daughter of former President Corazon Aquino and mentioned that the country's airport was named after her father. Kris looked radiant in a red gown by Pepsi Herrera. She taught Howie her signature gesture when asking the contestants if it is a deal or no deal. Kris' gesture is one of the striking differences between the Philippines and the US version and was even used by the American contestants.

The two-hour special also showed Howie arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, taking the pedicab with the 26K girls, visiting Quiapo, and posing as a promo boy at a supermarket. He learned a few Filipino words from Kris like "Pare" in addressing a male friend and "Buksan mo na" when asking a 26K girl to open the briefcase. He assisted two American contestants, who flew with their family members, in playing the numbers game following the Philippine version's rules.

The first contestant, Mike Levy, loved the local food specifically sisig. The second contestant, Patrick Hook, was given a food challenge mid-way, wherein he would eat chicken legs, fish eyes, or balut in order to increase the banker's offer. At the end of the taping, Howie thanked the Filipino people profusely for the hospitality extended to him and his production crew during his stay and the audience for their enthusiasm.

PRINCE: SANA, 'WAG PABAYAAN NI JOLO SI LOVI
PRINCE Stefan is one of the more promising discoveries of Star Struck 4. He was once linked to Lovi Poe after they were paired in a soap and he admits that he did court her. "But now that she's linked to Jolo Revilla, kusa na akong nag-lie low at tumigil sa panliligaw," he says at the presscon of "Magdusa Ka" where he plays Dennis Trillo's brother. "Nami-miss ko nga siya but I wish them the best. "

Was he heartbroken? "Not really. It was Lovi herself who told me na mas mabuting maging friends lang kami at kung mahal mo ang isang tao, you respect her decision kaya okay lang sa akin iyon. "

Did Lovi tell him that Jolo was also already courting her then? "Hindi. Nagulat na rin lang ako nang biglang mabalitang nanliligaw na si Jolo sa kanya. Binalita sa TV at nabasa ko na sa newspapers. Siguro nga, hindi kami talaga ang nakatakda para sa isa't isa. But I am honestly happy for them at sana huwag pababayaan ni Jolo si Lovi kasi she's such a nice person and I don't want her to get hurt. "

As of now, he's just happy to be directed by Maryo de los Reyes in "Magdusa Ka" that starts airing tomorrow afternoon on GMA-7's Dramarama sa Hapon. "I am learning so much from him about acting at pati na rin mula kay Kuya Dennis Trillo na napakagaling na aktor. "

'MATAGAL NA AKONG TIGANG'
ROBIN Padilla is used to be known as Bad Boy. He smokes, drinks, does drugs and womanizes. But all that is a thing of the past. Since 1995, he has stopped smoking, drinking and he shuns drugs. "Pati nga lovelife ko, wala na rin," he says at his launching as the new endorser of Liveraid Silymarin Capsules that promote a healthy liver. "As you all know, my wife Liesl lives abroad, kaya matagal na akong tigang. I maintain a healthy lifestyle as I want to be a good example to my own kids. Nakakahiya naman siguro kung makikita nila akong uuwi ng bahay na hilung-hilo dahil sa kalasingan. Ngayon, umuwi man ako ng hilo, it's because dahil sobrang pagod at puyat ko mula sa shooting o taping. "

Why was Robin chosen by Herbs and Nature Corp. (also the makers of Fitrum and My Marvel Taheebo)?

"Because he is our last action hero in Philippine cinema," says their executive named Mr. Kenji, which is true since other action stars are no longer active but Robin has a hit TV show, "Joaquin Bordado," and continues to do movies like "Ikaw Pa Rin, Bongga Ka Boy" that opens on May 14. "He's also a perfect ambassador of health as he maintains a healthy lifestyle, the epitome of what the modern man must be. Before he's a ladies man, a lover, now he's a liver lover. "

"Actually, Iza Calzado, my leading lady in "Joaquin Bordado," was the one who gave me some Liveraide capsules," says Robin. "I tried it at okay naman sa akin so I'm glad they got me now as an endorser as I believe in the product. Liveraid's silymarin is from the mlike thistle plant that helps the liver to fight different kinds of disease from hepatitis to cirrhosis, with anti-oxidant that fights the aging process. "

CHERYL'S GUIDE TO PREGNANT WOMEN
CHERYL Cosim is getting married soon but she continues to host the very relevant show, "Salamat Doc. " Today, Mother's Day, "Salamat Dok" probes the reasons for the high mortality among pregnant mothers. The country's maternal mortality rate remains high as health statistics show that 172 out of 100,000 pregnant women die due to various causes. Cheryl will show different ways to help pregnant women and mothers care for themselves and their babies through available basic health services and natural family planning. The show airs live Saturdays from 6 a. m. to 7 a. m. and Sundays from 7 a. m. to 8 a. m. on ABS-CBN, with replays on Mondays and Fridays at 4:45 a. m.

One of the regular doctors in the show is Doc Willie Ong who joins their medical mission. He founds out that most patients who go to ABS are more "toxic," meaning, they are very ill, like a woman streetsweeper with thyroid crisis whose heart is beating so fast, a five-year-old boy with several holes in his heart, and an 18-year-old girl with a heart broken by disease and poverty. Doc Willie says these patients are so poor and if you want to donate to the "Salamat Doc" medical mission, you can call Eder Austrial of the show at 0917-822-9790 or you can email him at drwillieong@gmail. com.

Q-11 CELEBRATES MOTHER'S MONTH
MAY is Mother's Month and Q-11 brings the Q Community Fair - a Mother's Day celebration like no other to be held in Ayala Alabang, Ayala Heights and Barangay Bel-Air. A great way to pay tribute to moms and celebrate Mother's Day with them, it's similar to the traditional American county fair with its outdoor setting, foodfest, and lots of fun activities for family bonding. There are numerous games and activities that moms and their families will surely enjoy. Community resident moms, their families, and visitors will surely appreciate the intimacy of a community-based event like this, which will give them the opportunity to relax, have fun, and mingle with familiar faces. It will be held at the covered courts of Ayala Heights today; and in Salcedo Park in Barangay Bel-Air on Saturday, May 31. Onstage activities include Photo Scavenger Hunt, Bring Me Mommy Game, Mommy vs. Mommy, Identity Community Edition, Hotdog Eating Contest, Performances, Dog Parade, and a raffle of American Idol tickets. Indoors, there will be a Newscaster Booth, Videoke King Booth, Danceheads, and Family Photo booth. Outdoors, there will be a trampoline, several Food Booths, and Sponsors' Booths. Mother's Day this year is certainly more special, more memorable, more fun, and it's a month-long celebration, thanks to Q Community Fair. Mother's Day, after all, is the ultimate female holiday, and can definitely be celebrated best by Q-11, the channel that knows women best.

MISSING VICKI
HAPPY Mother's Day to all moms, especially to our dear wife, Victoria Arcega-Bautista, who proved to be such an excellent mother to our two kids while she was still with us. We continue to miss her so much!

Source: People's Journal