Rica to wed pastor-BF

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

WE'RE happy for Rica Peralejo as she has found her Mr. Right, a young pastor named Joseph Bonifacio who she met at Victory Christian Fellowship where she renewed her ties with the Lord a couple of years ago. In her younger years, Rica was previously linked to Wowie de Guzman and Bernard Palanca. It's rumored that Piolo Pascual also wooed her.

Rica and Joseph have been on for 10 months now and on May 30 at Sonia's Garden in Tagaytay, he formally proposed and she accepted. They are now planning to hold their wedding in December.

"For the first time, I am in a relationship where God comes first," says Rica. "When I became a Christian, I said I'd want to marry a man of God. I didn't know ibibigay Niya agad sa akin. Joseph is God's gift to me. "

Their relationship has been pure and untainted so far. All they do is just hold hands and hug, no other body contact. They want to wait until after the wedding before they get into the whole shebang. Rica's views really changed after she surrendered her whole life to the Lord. Joseph is really different, he delivers the most meaningful and impressive sharings or homilies during their service. As his wife, she'll surely have a less glamorous life compared to the showbiz surroundings she's been used to.

Rica started as a child actress at ABS-CBN then did teen flicks with Seiko FIlms and Star Cinema. She joined the boldwagon when she was launched by Viva Films as a sexy star in "Balahibong Pusa". She later shone in horror flicks like "Malikmata" and "Spirit of the Glass". Rica is no longer that active as an actress and just helps host "Umagang Kay Ganda. " She's also busy with her studies at the Ateneo as she's determined to get a college degree. We're sure her coming marriage to Joseph will be lasting and successful as they promise to have a God-centered relationship.

PATRICK CLUELESS ON BREAK UP

Patrick Garcia is the leading man of Maxene Magalona and Glaiza de Castro in the TV remake of "Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin" and to promote it, he agreed to be grilled at the Intriga Crossfire portion of "Showbiz Central" last Sunday. Is he envious or jealous that Mark Herras can carry his son Alex Jazz when he, the boy's father himself, has yet to see him? "No, wala akong inggit o selos dahil I know na balang araw, mahahawakan ko rin ang anak ko. It all depends on Jen (Jennylyn Mercado. )" What did you do that is so bad that she refuses to let you see your kid up to now? "I really don't know. That's why I avoid talking about it kasi hindi ko rin alam. I just found out na break na pala kami when she said it on TV. " What about Glaiza? Did he really court her? "Yes, I did court her. But we realized we're better off as friends and we're now just enjoying the friendship. " You're an award-winning child actor, but you're not often seen on screen. Is it because you're tired of the intrigues and you plan to quit showbiz? "No, I'm willing to face all the intrigues. Pero nang naging sunud-sunod na ang mga intriga, nagpahinga muna ako, but now I'm back in 'Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin. '"

The most interesting revelation from Patrick is that he really doesn't know why Jennylyn broke up with him. We once asked Mark Herras, another ex of Jen, about why they broke up and he also said he doesn't know. He added that when Jen gets mad, she really loses her temper and once even tried to run him over.

PALOMA SOON AN INT'L STAR

WHAT did Director Gil Portes see in new sexpot Paloma that made him choose her right away to play the female lead in "Pitik Bulag (Blind Luck)"? "She's really a looker at maganda siya on screen man or off cam," he says. "When I saw her sa audition, plain and simple, I asked her if she's willing to go bold and she said 'Yes, sir'. Tapos, ipinakita agad ang dapat niyang ipakita. I was impressed. Walang tsetseburetse. So sabi ko, o sige, siya na. Tapos, dahil college graduate siya at UP pa, it turned out na matalino talaga. Hindi ako nahirapang idirek siya. You tell her something and she picks it up right away dahil nga edukada. Pati love scene nila ni Marco Alcaraz sa movie, she was the one who choreographed it. "

"Pitik Bulag" is an indie film but Direk Gil says it has the same production values as a mainstream movie. "Actually, dapat there will be no more distinctions between indie or mainstream kasi, in the end, they're all just films, pelikula. All my past films were independently produced, even the ones that won awards here and abroad, like 'Saranggola (The Kite)' and 'Mga Munting Tinig (Little Voices)'. I really can't understand why parang inferior o mababa ang tingin sa indie films when they're now the ones that bring honor to the country at siyang nananalo sa mga international filmfests. 'Yung sinasabi ngang mainstream films, dito lang sa'tin ipinapalabas but the so-called indie ones, 'yun ang nare-release sa various countries abroad. "

Will he enter "Pitik Bulag" in such festivals? "Of course! Kaya sina Paloma at Marco Alcaraz, magiging international stars na sila! Kahit mga baguhan sila, they're not only physically attractive but also show so much flair and maturity as actors. "

"Pitik Bulag" will have a premiere night at Gateway on June 24 then opens nationwide on July 1.

KRIS SINCERE WITH ALJUR

TEEN star Kris Bernal was the guest of DJ Mo in his Gimme Mo segment last Sunday on "Showbiz Central" and, as might be expected, most of the questions concerned her ka-love team, Aljur Abrenica. Since she used to take up nursing, what would she do if Aljur suddenly has difficulty breathing due to fatigue or stress? "Madali lang yan kasi konting lambing o konting sweet lang sa kanya, okay na siya. Sobra akong maalalahanin kay Aljur at makita ko lang na he doesn't feel okay, hindi ako mapakali.

"I will do everything para gumaling siya. " Like giving him CPR which needs mouth-to-mouth resuscitation? "Why not? Kung kailangan ba talaga, e. " What are the qualities in you that make you the best possible girlfriend for Aljur? "Siguro my true feelings for him at 'yung pagiging sincere ko. Yung iba kasi, baka crush-crush lang sa kanya. " Of all the girls close to Aljur, kanino ka nagselos? "Wala talaga. " You have to name one, how about Rich Asuncion? "No, friend ko 'yun. Hindi ako nagselos sa kanya. Noong 'StarStruck' pa, nagselos ako, pero hindi naman 'StarStruck' member. Ex ni Aljur noong hindi pa siya artista. " Their love team is successful like Marian-Dingdong, but does she think her career will do well without Aljur? "For me, no. I don't think I'd reach this level without him.

"Unang-una, I feel so comfortable working with him kasi we help each other, even sa motivation when we do a scene together nagtutulungan kami. Malaki talaga ang naitulong niya sa career ko. " If Aljur would appear now and look you in the eye to ask you: 'Bakit hindi mo ako sinasagot?' What would you reply? "Kasi natatakot akong ma-in love nang bongga at baka lang ako masaktan. Gusto ko muna ma-enjoy ang moment na nililigawan at sinusuyo mo ako na lagi kang malambing sa akin. We love our work at pareho tayong takot na kapag naging tayo na, baka magkaroon lang ng misunderstandings. Masaya na tayo sa ganito. "

Their "Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin" is ending this week, to be replaced by "Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin". Then they will have their new primetime soap, "All My Life", at the end of June.

WENDY TALKS ABOUT BRUCE, MARICAR, JOHN LLOYD AND RUFFA

Wendy Valdez turned 24 on June 2 and she's happy that right after "Betty La Fea", she was quickly given another show, "Bud Brothers". At its presscon, it was announced that she will be paired with Joem Bascon. But now, she tells us she's given a new partner, Will Devaughn. "They want kasi totally new pairings," she says. "I worked with Joem na in 'Betty La Fea', so they think it's time I'm paired with Will naman for a change. Will sana is paired with Valerie Concepcion, pero ibinigay naman si Valerie kay Manuel Chua. Janna Roxas is supposed to be paired sana with her colleague Manuel sa Pinoy Fear Factor, pero siya na ngayon ang kapareha ni Joem. So J and J sila at W and W naman kami ni Will. "

Isn't the controversial Maricar Reyes with them in "Bud Brothers"? "Yes. Kasama ko rin siya sa 'Betty La Fea'. You know, she's so nice and very sweet kaya I really feel so bad for her na nasangkot siya doon (video scandal). Wala naman siyang ginawang masama, she was into a relationship and she didn't know bini-video pala siya. Hindi ko na siya nakikita, e. The last time was at the trade launch ng ABS bago pa pumutok 'yung scandal. Nag-usap pa kami and she even told me we have a common friend na non-showbiz, si Joanne. She's happy at tawanan pa kami. I just want her to know that I'm praying for her para malampasan niya ito. "

How about Ruffa Gutierrez and John Lloyd Cruz? Were they really lovey-dovey on the set then of "Betty"? "Alam nyo, kami naman ng buong cast, very close to each other sa taping and we even go out together, parang barkada talaga. Naku, I don't want to say anything anymore baka ma-misinterpret lang. "

Is it true she and her boyfriend Bruce Quebral tied the knot secretly before he went to work in Dubai? "No, not true. But kami pa rin and we do hope to end up with each other. Right now, we see each other only when he comes home, mga once a month. He wants me to visit him there pero busy ako rito at sayang din ang pamasahe, e may mga kapatid pa kong pinag-aaral. " STAR MAGIC STARS

READY FOR U. S. SHOWS

THIS Sunday on "ASAP," don't miss the star-studded extravaganza ushering in ABS-CBN Star Magic's 17th grand anniversary celebration with superb production numbers showcasing the talent and beauty of the Star Magic artists. Expect to see Star Magic artists in a glamorous fashion show with outfits from top-caliber designers and with Nyoy Volante with his band Rythmic Circle providing the music. There will also be high energy and inspirational song and dance numbers. Footages of the Star Magic basketball and volleyball teams, rehearsals and acting and dance workshops shall also be shown. After the anniversary kick-off in ASAP '09, the Star Magic artists shall leave for the US for shows in Ontario and San Francisco, California. Later this year, the stars shall once again come down from the heavens as they party the night away in the 3rd Star Magic Grand Ball. 17 years of Star Magic, 17 years of discovery, management and development of artists. Star Magic has truly gone a long way from the time when then ABS-CBN president and Chief Operating Officer Freddie Garcia and Johnny Manahan hatched the idea of creating a stable of new stars exclusively for ABS-CBN in 1992. The magic continues with ABS-CBN Star Magic.

Source: People's Journal