Rufa Mae's problem with new bf

Column: Freehand
Author: Mario E. Bautista

VIVA Artists Agency hosted a special presscon for Rufa Mae Quinto, who signed a one-year management contract with them even if she also just signed a contract with GMA. "I started with Viva kaya hindi ko sila maiiwan," she says.

She's turning 30 on May 28 but she feels as young as ever. "When you love what you're doing, hindi ka tatanda agad. "

Last year, her birthday party became controversial when Gretchen Barretto and John Estrada were caught kissing on cam. "This time, wala akong party, unless may magi-sponsor. My plan is to do some gift-giving to Golden Gays, a nursing home in Pasay.

I feel kasi ang dami kong blessings lately in terms of TV shows, movies, endorsement and roadshows pa, kaya dapat lang ako mag-share. Hayan nga, hit ang first movie ko this year, 'Manay Po 2: Overload', kaya gusto ni Mother Lily na mag-start na ako ng new movie sa Regal.

Kaso, tumango na ako sa 'Civil Status: Single' for Direk Joey Reyes na co-prod namin ng Viva. Kuwento ito ng isang babae who's looking for Mr. Right. May seven leading men ako rito in my search for Mr. Right at kasama sina Mark Bautista, Will Devaughn, Jon Avila. Kina-casting pa 'yung iba. May CD pa ako released by Viva Records, 'Four Sides of Rufa Mae', complete with music videos. Kasama rito ang 'Ocean Deep' na kinanta ko sa GMA Films movie shot in Italy. Thankful din ako sa GMA kasi kahit hindi ako nakadalo sa presscon ng 'Dyesebel', hindi pa rin nila ako inalis sa cast. I will play Muruka, fairy godmother ni Marian Rivera na magbibigay ng mga paa sa kanya para maalis ang buntot niya. I told my director friend, Joyce Bernal, na gusto ko, mala-Angelina Jolie in 'Beowulf' na mala-di-yosa ang dating ko. Wala akong make up at all pero lagi akong naka-gown na parang a-attend ako ng premiere night. "

Is it true her current BF, Latin American Bobby Lopez, got mad when it was reported that she reconciled with Dennis Trillo while they were in Italy? "No, nagtampo siya pero hindi dahil dun. Nabasa kasi niya sa Internet that I'm giving him up dahil sobrang busy nga ako. He thought I'm dumping him when I was just stating a fact na mahirap talaga ang long distance relationship lalo't pareho kaming busy. Pero before this weekend, fly ako sa Hong Kong para dalawin siya at pag-uwi ko, kasama ko na siya rito so siya na lang mismo ang tanungin n'yo kung ano talaga ang status ng relas-yon namin. "

RAFAEL'S NUDE SCENE SANITIZED?

RAFAEL Rosell was praised by the press after the preview of "Maligno. " He really has a demanding role as Lucas, the devil's disciple who rapes Claudine Barretto to conceive the devil's son. He is naked and covered with blood in the rape scene and there were talks that it will be sanitized, but Director Wenn Deramas says there's no need to do that as it's been approved without cuts by the MTRCB. In contrast to his role, Diether Ocampo as Claudine's leading man is hardly noticed.

"Pantay naman ang roles namin ni Diet," says Rafael. "Kaya lang, I appear right away sa pilot episode while he appears a few episodes later pa as the doctor who attends to Claudine. "

Did he watch Eddie Garcia's performance in the original movie on which the series is based? "I chose not to watch it na lang so it won't influence me at para hindi ako ma-accuse na nanggagaya. With the help of Direk Wenn, I think I was able to come up naman with my own interpretation. "

Rafael is really busy these days. He also plays Aga Muhlach's playboy friend in "When Love Begins" and he's busy rehearsing for the Music Museum concert of the Coverboys on May 9 and 10. Has he really planned singing and dancing to be part of his career? "Honestly, no. I only learned how to sing when I was told to join Coverboys in ASAP. I also thought I have two left feet, pero heto, sumasayaw na ako ngayon. We take voice and dance lessons para hindi naman kami mapahiya sa concert namin where we'll all sing and dance live. "

LARA: AKO ANG DAPAT MAINSECURE KAY CHARLENE

FORMER Miss International Lara Quigaman was asked at the presscon of "That's My Doc" if Charlene Gonzales should feel insecure about her?

"Bakit naman?" she says. "She's also a beauty queen. Ako nga ang dapat ma-insecure sa kanya. Aga and I are just like brother and sister on the set. Ako nga ang intimidated noong una, but it turned out Aga is so nice, he really makes you feel comfortable in his company. Mabait siya sa aming lahat sa show. "

At this point, comedian Pokwang butts in: "Actually, hindi si Lara ang threat kay Charlene. Aaminin ko na, ako talaga ang threat kay Charlene, lalo na ngayong tanggap na ni Aga na tunay akong babae. Kasi noong una, akala niya, ba-ding ako. Ngayon, unti-unti nang nabubuhos ang loob niya sa akin. "

Aga couldn't help but laugh at the antics of Pokwang. The new "That's My Doc" will be seen tomorrow night at 6 p. m.

HOWIE LIKES KRIS

THE U. S. HOST of "Deal or No Deal" Howie Mandel, is currently in the country to do a special episode for the program's around-the-world tour. He wants to show to U. S. audiences how we Filipinos play the game show which is being aired in 50 other countries. How does he find Kris Aquino as the local host?

"I really like her," he says. "I saw three of her past episodes and she's so adorable, funny, very charming. I like even her gestures and all that. You have a different style of doing it here and we're impressed. No wonder the Philippine version was chosen by Endemol to be one of the shows included in our tour. "

The Philippine episode will show Howie while visiting some of our tourists spots and shopping for souvenirs. "You're a most gracious and warm people," he says. "Every moment I spend here is great. "

According to Endemol exec Shannon Herlihy, the Philippines was chosen as part of the world tour because they find the local version of DOND "awesome and fun". "The U. S. version is similar, but neither our models nor our audience dance and sing," she adds.

ABS-CBN Business unit head Alou Almaden says they're delighted to be part of the world tour. "It's an honor and a testament to our creativity and talent in localizing a game show that has an international following. "

Howie and Kris will both host this special episode featuring American contestants as they play the DOND Filipino version, directed by Bobet Vidanes and featuring our own 26K girls (with their briefcases containing U. S. dollars) and Banker. This will be shown in the U. S. on May 7. Unfortunately, it will not be shown on local TV.

BULL SESSION ON PBB TEEN

PBB TEEN Edition Plus got so hot last Wednesday night when Spanish Stallion Kevin called for an open forum where the 13 remaining housemates bared their feelings to settle all the conflicts that beset them.

This is just as well because the tension that grips them is primarily the effect of his own father's (Daddy John) problems with Josef's Tita Anna and Beauty's Mommy Carina that has also badly affected his friendship with Josef and Beauty.

The gripe/bull session proved to be effective in discussing the issue of their clashing parents but another issue surfaced: that of Gentle Giant Jolas' lack of initiative in doing household chores. The problem with Lazy Bones Jolas was raised by Nan the night before but it was Kevin who brought it up so it was with him that Jolas got annoyed. Jolas didn't take the criticism in good stride and was very defensive. So don't be surprised if Jolas would be giving Kevin the cold shoulder after their heated encounter.

But Jolas, who turned 19 last Thursday, got a surprise birthday treat when PBA cagers James Yap and Peter Simon showed up in Kuya's house to play basketball with him and his Daddy Ike. If Jolas and his dad would win the game, Jolas' would have a big birthday celebration. But James Yap and Peter Simon are not professional cagers for nothing and they easily beat up the father and son team, 78-69. Kevin's Daddy John served as referee during the game and the other teen housemates got the chance to meet the two players when they went inside the main house for snacks.

Even if they lost, Jolas is still happy to be given the chance to play with the top two cagers. Will Kuya be kind enough to still host a birthday party for him even if he didn't win? Stay tuned everyday to PBB Teen Edition Plus Uber, 5:30 p. m. , and PBB Teen Edition Plus Primetime, after "Lobo" on ABS-CBN to find out. You can also watch the housemates on Studio 23, 12p. m. to 2p. m. and 24/7 online via TFCNow Video Stream (www. abs-cbnnow. com).
IS SHE GABBY'S DAUGHTER?

STAR MAGIC'S Rikka Dylim hosted a luncheon for their talents celebrating their birthdays in April. One of them is Malaya Lewandowski, the lovely Fil-Polish American member of Koolchx who won in three beauty pageants in the U. S. before trying her luck in local showbiz. Recently, she was rumored to be a daughter of Gabby Concepcion. "It's not true. I've known him from way back as he's a family friend but I haven't even seen him since he got here in Manila. " She's very open with her two-year relationship with Rafael Rosell. "He completes me," she says. Any wedding plans? "None yet. We're just enjoying what we have right now. " Doesn't she object when Rafael does nude scenes, like in "Maligno"? "No. He's a Bench model and everyone can see his body so okay lang.

I do get jealous when girls flirt with him and keep on touching him. Sometimes, when they see us together, they even make parinig to me and ask: Why is she with him?" Malaya, who turned 20 on April 13, is more keen on singing and dancing than acting. I also like hosting. I'm now a MYX VJ for North American and I enjoy it. "

***

Jayson Gainza is one of the most successful graduates of PBB 1. The others have gone back to oblivion but he remains active. He has done several TV shows and movies. Now, he's in the new primetime sitcom, "Parekoy", with John Prats and Zanjoe Marudo. "Masuwerte lang po ako at hindi ako pinababayaan ng ABS," he says. Did he really plan to be a comedian? "Opo, kasi kung lilinya ko sa pagka-heartthrob, maraming kalaban. Baka ipantapat ako ng ABS kay Richard Gutierrez, so magko-comedy na lang po ako. "

He worked in a laundry shop in Dammam, Saudi Arabia for two years and was wooed by Arab men. "Pinagtataguan ko po sila. Nakaaway ko 'yung Egyptian boss namin kaya umuwi na lang ako rito. Suwerte namang napasali ako sa PBB. It changed my life at nakapagpagawa na ako ng sarili kong bahay sa Batangas City on a 500 sq. m. lot. " He turns 28 on April 27. His wife will soon give birth to their fourth child. Whatever happened to his friend Franzen Fajardo? "We're still together in 'Trip na Trip' and he's now managed by Ms. Arlene de Castro. "

Source: People's Journal