Rachel, Dingdong 'reconcile'

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

RACHEL Alejandro and Dingdong Avanzado last performed in a back-to-back concert 14 years ago. "We did some shows in the U. S. with my wife (Jessa Zaragoza) but this is the first time na kaming dalawa lang ni Rachel ang magso-show," says Dingdong.

They were officially on for three years, 1992 to 1995. It came to a point that Dingdong introduced Rachel to his parents and they talked of marriage. "Pero hindi nangyari," says Rachel. "We were both so young and that was the time na we're both so busy. Na-release ang first albums namin and we have one hit song after another. So pareho kaming mas nag-focus muna on our booming careers then. "

But as a result of their breakup, they were able to compose a beautiful song, "Paalam Na," which became a big hit. "I wrote her a letter saying goodbye, then she rewrote some parts at naging lyrics ng 'Paalam Na'," says Dingdong.

Any regrets that they didn't make it down the aisle? "Siguro it just wasn't really meant to be," says Rachel. "I realize nga, especially now when I see how happy he is with Jessa, na sila talaga ang magkata-pat. They also have a beautiful daughter, Jayda. "

Did Dingdong ask the permission first of Jessa before agreeing to do a show with Rachel, "Music & Lyrics," to be held tomorrow at MetroBar on West Ave. at 9:30 p. m. "It's our managers, Girlie Rodis for her and Arnold Vegafria for me, who thought of this. Arnold first talked to Jessa then she told me about it, so una pa siyang nakaalam kaysa sa akin. "

How come Jessa is lenient with him when it comes to Rachel but not when it comes to another ex of his, Rufa Mae Quinto? It's Rachel who answered: "Kasi, pinagsabay mo raw sila," "No, that's not true," says Dingdong.

But Rufa Mae said she was surprised when all of a sudden, she found out he's already on with Jessa. "Well, that's her side of the story. Ayoko nang pag-usapan 'yan kasi mabubuksan na naman 'yan e nananahimik na nga ang lahat. Basta even before I met Jessa, she already knows where we stand in our relationship. Si Rachel naman, okay sila ni Jessa as Rachel came way, way ahead before Jessa's time. Basta, just watch our show at MetroBar and we'll be singing the best known hits of the 80s and 90s. "

For tickets to "Music & Lyrics," call Ticketnet, Ticketworld, 637-7017, 722-8847 or text 0917-8-AVENUE.

HARD TO MISS

FANS of 'Luna Mystika' should not miss its nerve-shattering finale tonight showing the final showdown between mystical twin sisters, Luna and Celestina, both played by Heart Evangelista. Since it debuted in November, viewers got glued to its original story, fantastic visual effects and the fine acting of the powerhouse cast, making it a consistent toprater.

More twists, revelations and transformations in the lives of Luna and Celestina await you. Tonight you'll also find out who will win the heart of Mark Anthony Fernandez as the debonaire Dexter: will it be the scheming Celestina or the good-hearted Luna? Who is the real key to the portal leading to the world of the Engkantos? Will Luna be given good looks or will she remain ugly forever? To find out, tune in tonight at the last telecast of "Luna Mystika," right after "24 Oras. " Starting next Monday, "Luna Mystika" will be replaced by "All About Eve. "
DRAMATIC TANDEM BACK

Jean Garcia and Eula Valdes made an impact as Madam Claudia and Amor Powers in "Pangako Sa'Yo" in 2000. Now, they're together again as mortal enemies in "All About Eve," their first series together on GMA7. Jean plays Katrina, the poor girl who falls in love with the rich Frederico (Richard Gomez), whose mom, Donya Concepcion (Celia Rodriguez), is against her and forces Frederico to marry Lisa (Ina Raymundo). Lisa is killed and Jean is accused of killing her. Eula is Alma, Jean's best friend who testifies against her so she is imprisoned and later hooks up with Richard.

But they're not the only set of warring lovers in the show. Jean delivers a child in jail, Erika (Sunshine Dizon), who's raised by the abusive Mando (Ian de Leon). Richard also had a child with Ina, Nicole (Iza Calzado), who becomes Erika's bitter rival. Alfred Vargas is Warren, the son of Eula from a previous marriage. Mark Anthony Fernandez is Kenneth, the son of a broadcasting magnate, Don Robert (Eric Quizon), who is estranged from his dad. Completing the cast are Angel Aquino as Judith, the newscaster who becomes the superior of Sunshine and Iza; Keempee de Leon as Paul, the womanizing best friend of Mark; Carmen Ronda as Donya Luisa, the mom of Eric and grandma of Mark; and Gabby Eigenmann as Max, Erica's ex-boyfriend from the slums.

Jean says she got excited when she was told she'd be reunited with Eula in "All About Eve. " "I thought hindi na kami magkakatrabaho uli when I moved to GMA7," she says. "The last time we worked together was in 'Kampanerang Kuba' four years ago. But later on, lumipat din siya rito and finally, we got the perfect vehicle for us to work together again kasi marami talagang nagtatanong kung kelan kami magsasama uli. "

"As co-workers, sanay na kami ni Jean sa isa't isa," says Eula. "Kung minsan nga, we don't even need to talk, basta tinginan lang, alam na namin ang gagawin sa eksena. This is my fourth show with GMA after 'Kamandag', 'ESP' with Iza Calzado and 'La Lola'. We won't disappoint our fans in 'All About Eve' kasi talagang marami kaming bonggang-bonggang dramatic and tara-yan scenes. "

PAOLO WANTS TO INTRODUCE LIAN TO PARENTS

Paolo Contis is happy that his star continues to shine not only as an actor but also as TV host. His "My Dad is Better than Your Dad" is rating very well on Sunday nights and his persuasive performance as Rado, the villainous tormentor of Marian Rivera in "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang", is getting good feedback. He is celebrating his birthday soon and his wish is for his parents to get along fine with his current girlfriend Lian Paz. It's common knowledge that his folks are more partial to his ex, Isabel Oli.

"Gusto ko na talagang ipakilala si Lian sa parents ko, lalo sa mommy ko, pero naghihintay pa ako ng right timing," he says. "I have not lost hope na magkakaayos din sila sa tamang pag- kakataon. "

In turn, Lian feels bad for Paolo when she hears people insinuating that the engagement ring Paolo gave her is the same one that he gave to Isabel Oli. "Naaawa talaga ako sa kanya as he told me he worked hard to buy me that ring," she says. "People will easily recognize if it's the same ring and I don't think he'd do something that would embarrass us both. "

This week in "Babaeng Hinugot," Dingdong Dantes as Homer sees Marian Rivera as Proserfina together with Rado and he will finally understand her situation. Rado asks his men to guard Proserfina but she's wily enough and gets away, with the help of Homer. Rado gets mad and is determined to get her back. Homer enters the world of Rado's syndicate and deals with him in the sale of luxury cars. Meantime, Aris (Prince Stefan) and the choir girl Athena (Lovi Poe) start going steady, but Aris cannot tell her the truth that he is a seminarian so he thinks of leaving the seminary for good.

SAY: I'M NOT USING SAM

AT the presscon of "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin," PBB discovery Say Alonzo approached us and said she has really moved to GMA-7. "Wala naman kasi akong ginagawa sa kabila," she says. "So naghanap ako ng bagong manager and Kuya Rommel Gacho of GMA is helping me now. Ayun nga, una akong napasama sa cast ng 'La Lola' and now, I play Anina, Carlo Aquino's rich girlfriend in 'Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin'. Inaapi ko rito si Kris Bernal kasi poor sila. Kontrabida ang role at may sabunutan scene pa kami ni Kris. "

It was when Sam visited the set of "La Lola" that some quarters accused her of using Sam to gain publicity.

"Bakit ko naman siya gagamitin? Makakatulong ba 'yun sa'kin when I'm now with GMA7? It's not because of him naman kaya nagkaka-project sa GMA, 'no? It's because of my manager. Negative nga for me ang naging dating ng publicity na yun. At kahit marami kang publicity, ayaw ka naman bigyan ng network ng project, wala rin. Basta sa ngayon, happy na ako maging Kapuso.

RICH'S FATE

THE Bb. Pilipinas pageant will be held on GMA-7 tomorrow night and one of the finalists is StarStruck discovery Rich Asuncion. Someone wrote that if Rich will win, this would definitely boost her career. But we beg to disagree. Maggie Wilson, another GMA starlet, won two years ago as our representative to Miss World but her career didn't soar because of this. She's still not getting any meaty acting assignments. Now, if Rich will win a major international title, like the Miss World or Miss Universe pageant, then that would be a totally different matter.

Also competing in this year's pageant si Paolo Bediones' inamorata, Abby Cruz, who was a runnerup some years ago.

Will she be a title holder this time? Let's see. From ABS, PBB teens finalist Priscilla Navidad, the hearing-impaired teen from Mindanao, is also a finalist. She won as first runnerup in the Miss Teen Philippines pageant two years ago.

GRATEFUL

IRENE Rhodes of "Miss Saigon," "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "The King and I" in London is very grateful to the performers who appeared in the show "Imagine" to help raise funds for her father Jun Alano who has stage-4 cancer: Isay Alvarez (Gigi) and Robert Sena (Thuy) from Miss Saigon London; Melissa Reyes and Miriam Valmores who played Kim in various shows of Miss Saigon; Jinky Llamanzares (Gigi) of Miss Saigon, and (Acid Queen) of Tommy both in Toronto. From the ensemble are Roden Araneta, Nathalie Everett, Nikki Guevarra, Jake Macapagal, Raul Mitra, Raul Montessa, Jun Ofracio, Stefanie Reese, Lissa Romero who at one time or another performed in Miss Saigon from London to Stuttgart to Manila; Menchu Lauchengco Yulo (Ellen) in Miss Saigon Manila; the Streetboys. Irene is overwhelmed by the generosity of all these artists, many of whom she had not even personally met.

Source: People's Journal