Ryan, Juday to discuss wedding plans

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

Ryan Agoncillo was surprised when he learned after coming back from the "Eat Bulaga" show in the U. S. that ABS-CBN has chosen him to be the host of their new reality show, "Pinoy Fear Factor. "

"I knew that I screwed up the audition and didn't give my best," he says. "So I thought hindi ako nakuha kasi marami kaming nag-audition. Also, I was told then I'd be hosting 'Pinoy Dream Academy,' pero hindi naman nangyari. Kaya I'm really surprised but thankful na sa 'kin napunta ang 'Pinoy Fear Factor' kasi six months din ako natengga na walang job sa ABS after 'Ysabella'. "

Ryan is leaving next week with the show's unit head Laurenti Dyogi, eight other crew members, plus the 12 daring Pinoy contestants recruited from extensive auditions all over the country. They will be flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina in South America and stay there to tape the show for more than 30 days. Will Judy Ann Santos be visiting him there?

"No, pinag-usapan na namin ito and I told her hiwalay muna kami dahil mag-o-OFW muna ako para may gastusin kami for our wedding. She's also busy, so she can't travel to visit me. Two days ang travel time going there via Kuala Lumpur and South Africa, then another two days ang pabalik dito, so hindi practical. Ang worry ko rito is my mental state. I've never been far away that long from my family and friends, and now from Juday pa, so I know I'd get terribly homesick. I spent 30 days in Europe, but I was with Juday. Now, she'll also be far from me. Bale ba, winter pa naman doon at 1 degree lang ang weather kaya sobrang lamig. "

Won't he be attracted to other girls while he's away? "I promised to Juday that I'd be faithful to her. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, di ba?"

Have they set a date for their wedding? "Not yet. Kasi nga, lagi kaming out of the country. Hopefully, when I come back from South America, we'll get to sit down and plan it seriously. "

So what happens to the talent show he's hosting with ABC-5? "We'll advance some tapings that they can show while I'm away. It'll be shown every Saturday. 'Pinoy Fear Factor' will be shown Monday to Friday night, kapalit ng 'Pinoy Dream Academy. ' Pagbalik ko, baka simulan din ang taping ng drama show offered to me, the TV remake of 'Pieta. ' They're trying to get Lorna Tolentino to play my mom but we don't know yet kung puwede siya. "

That involves a lot of action scenes. Will he be ready for it? "Why not? Maski sa Hollywood, parang may revenge of the nerds ngayon, di ba? Who would have thought James McAvoy will be good in 'Wanted'?"

'MADUGONG SHOW'
WE asked Director Lauren Dyogi how sure are they no one will back out among the 12 finalists they'll bring with them to Argentina, like what happened to Ross and Jet in "PDA"?

"We held auditions all over the country and they're all subjected to a rigid battery of physical and psychological tests. The selection process took two months. Mahaba ang process kasi we have to apply for their papers, visa, insurance. We made it clear that if they back out, there will have to be some punishment or penalty as we're also spending for their fare and accommodations there. Madugo talaga. "

There are six boys and six girls. The guys are identified as the lover boy, the papalicious chef, the basketball player, the struggling Tondo dad, the funny Austrian and the promding veterinarian. The girls are identified as the glam goddess (an actress-model), the hot mama, the new Miss Body Beautiful, the party bombshell, the daredevil chick and the flawless girl from Dagat-Dagatan.

Why hold the tapings in Argentina? "The franchise for Fear Factor from Endemol is very expensive," says Direk Lauren. "It's easier to mount it there than reconstruct here all the riggings and other contraptions they use for the various challenges and stunts. We'll be working with their men na sanay na sanay na and all experts in doing the show for other countries that've also taped their 'Fear Factor' there. So far, 31 other countries have also taped there including Portugal, Turkey, Croatia, Spain, Netherlands, and Finland. It's really better to tape it there for the safety of the host and the contestants. "

The top winner will get P2 million plus a house and lot from Ayala Avida worth P2. 5 million.

BILLY: I'M HUMAN
Billy Crawford had a grand launch at Trinoma as the new endorser of Human. He was the finale in a fashion show topbilled by his female counterpart, Isabella Diaz Daza, who looks a bit overweight on the ramp. Ben Chan, owner of both Human and Bench, was seated in front during the fashion show and he says he prefers Billy to be with Human than with Bench.

"Kasi mas human naman talaga ako," Billy quips after he performed three songs for the audience who really went wild when he started singing and dancing on stage. This is really his forte as he rules the stage when he performs with his electrifying dance moves.

How does it feel being a model for Human? "Honestly, I was surprised when I was told by my manager Arnold Vegafria that they were getting me. I didn't expect it as I'm not a model naman but a performer. But I got excited and now, I feel it's a pleasure and a privilege to model for them. I tried their jeans and shirts and I'm very pleased with them. Talagang bagay na bagay sa akin pati ang fit. "

Has he settled his rift with Kuya Germs? "I feel so sad about it and I really want to talk to him na kasi I'm leaving next month after hosting 'Pinoy Dream Academy. ' By September 17, I have to go to Europe na to launch my new album there and then to the U. S. , so it will take a longer time before I can come back here kaya I want to settle it na. Kaya lang, I've become so busy with my daily hosting job for 'Pinoy Dream Academy' kaya hindi rin ako makahanap ng time. I want to tell him na sana nga, magkausap na kami para mawala na anumang tampo niya sa akin. Mas mabuti kung kaming dalawa lang. "

He's one of the top 10 Celebrity Centerforlds of Cosmopolitan Mag's 2008 Bachelors and he has just done a sexy pictorial for them. "I didn't want to do it sana as I've never done it before. But Arnold said I should do it so I did. I've never posed without my clothes on but so far, happy naman ako sa result ng pictorial ko with them. "

Is this the start of his career as a sex symbol? "No, this is the start of my being more Human. "

Is it true he and Pinoy Dream Academy co-host Nikki Gil are now an item? "We do go out but with other friends. She's nice and pretty and we have a lot of fun when we're together but I'm not making ligaw to her. I can't kasi hindi naman ako magtatagal dito. "

SEN. MANNY AWARDS BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS
WE attended the Pondo sa Sipag, Puhunan sa Tiyaga Awards Night held Saturday night at the Laurel House on Shaw Blvd. Nacionalista Party and Senate President Manny Villar awarded a total of P1. 6 million to the 16 budding entrepreneurs from different regions who were chosen from thousands of entries who'd get a capital grant of P100,000 each.

The winners are Region 1's Sarah Dabucon and Margarita Allado, Region 2's Albino Francisco, Calma Arcala, Albert Dulnuan,

Elizabeth Africano and Solomon Maylem, Region 3's Pacifico de la Cruz, Region 4's Antonia VIllanueva, Region 5's Marianne Olano, Region 6's Roland Madera, Region 7's Lucresia Saga, Region 12's Elizabeth Rafal, Caraga Region's Ernesto and Alicia Paglinawan, and CAR's Marie Saclag and Regina Madio. Their products were earlier showcased in booths set up at Market Market.

"We give recognition to these entrepreneurs who have exemplified the Filipino spirit of excellence and resilience in their fields amidst trying times," Villar said. "Not only do we acknowledge their abilities but also encourage them by providing with additional capital such as the Pondo. We expect their feats to inspire our countrymen to follow their lead and also take the path of entrepreneurship to spur our economy. We're optimistic that our list of Pondo winners will grow each year as the Nacionalista Party plans to make this event an annual affair. "

VALERIE LAUNCHES DANCE WORKOUT DVD
Valerie Concepcion looks so sexy at the launching of her exercise video called Slendance, an easy to follow 30 minutes workout that is a combination of aerobic exercises, coordination, endurance and mental workout.

"We launched Slenda last March as the ideal herbal supplement for losing weight as it contains resveratrol from grapes," says Valerie. "It was such a hit and now, this DVD will be the ideal companion for that para mas gumanda ang ating katawan and become more physically fit. The dances here are combination of hiphop, Latin and club designed to be easily practiced anywhere, even at the privacy of your own home so you don't have to pay going to a gym anymore. Ang maganda pa rito, once na-master mo na 'yung different Slandance moves indicated here, you can also start to show off your moves in social dance gatherings at tiyak na hahanga ang lahat sa galing mong sumayaw. Slendance really makes exercise very easy and a lot of fun for a healthier, slimmer and more beautiful you. "

The Slendance video is now available at all record bars and on ABS-CBN's Starrry Starry online store. For more infor, visit www. gonatural. com. ph or text Slenda, Name, and add your birthday, email address and send to 0920-9192929.

Valerie is slated to do the OctoArts Metro filmfest entry, "One Night Only," to be directed by Joey Reyes. But what's this we hear that she's been pulled out from the movie by ABS-CBN? Valerie asked her manager directly if this is true and Becky Aguila replied that as far as they know, Valerie is still part of the project and she's happy to have a filmfest entry. Someone then told us that it was her co-stars Angelica Panganiban, Diether Ocampo and Roxanne Guinoo who were not allowed to do it. Valerie is managed by Becky and not a contract star of ABS so they can't forbid her to leave the project.

LOOKING FOR NEW STARS
Manny Valera of DMV Entertainment is producing a daring digital film to be directed by Joel Lamangan and starring Polo Ravales and Joseph Bitangcol. They will now hold auditions for good-looking boys and girls aged 18 to 25 to be part of the movie. If you're interested, go to the DMV office at #5 Scout Magbanua near corner Roces Avenue on Tuesday, August 5, at 1 p. m. . Bring your biodata, pictures and trunks or bikinis. For details, contact Chino at 0917-4532427 or the office landline at 374-1361.

WINNER AGAIN
CONGRATULATIONS to Robbie Tan of Seiko Films. The movie he produced, "Foster Child," directed by Dante Mendoza, won the best picture award and its lead star, Cherry Pie Picache, won the best actress award, in the 29th Durban International Filmfest in South Africa held last Saturday. Cherry Pie also won the same award last year in the same filmfest for her role as a lesbian tricycle driver in "Kaleldo. "

ENCOURAGING SHOW FOR KIDS
A SPORTS show for tots hosted by the four bright kids who excel in their respective fields is now on its 4th season on Studio 23, "Sports Kidz," hosted by Javi Benitez, Anton Asistio, Sara Castañeda and Katrice de los Reyes. Javi is 13 and a champion karter, winning the Philippine Junior Kaerte of the Year award and the overall Asian Formula 125 Open Junios plum of the 2007 Asian Karting Open Championship. He also bagged the ROK Juniors title and the Formula 125 Open Juniors crown in the local Shell Helix Karting Series. For these big accomplishments, he won the Golden Wheel Award at the Pagcor Grand Theatre in Paranaque. He's studying at Xavier School.

Anton is also 13 and in grade 7 at the Ateneo. He started playing basketball in grade 3 and his team became a champion at the Small Basketeers of the Philippines and Private Schools Basketball League several times. Sara is 11 and is in grade 5 at De La Salle Zobel. She started playing football at 6 and became the MVP (most valuable player) in her age group. She also won the same award when she was 7, 9 and now when she's 11. She has played in the World Youth Cup in Sweden. Katrice was absent when they were presented to the press as she's currently competing in an ice skating competition abroad where she already won six gold medals.

"Sports Kids" is packed with lots of useful information for both kids and adults in its various segments. "All the Right Moves" is an instructional portion on various sports that teaches how to play badminton and other games and also how to prevent injuries from accidents like torn ligaments. "MVP" features the Most Valuable Players in various schools to inspire students to become more driven into making it good in their chosen sport. "Tekkie Muna" features different sports technologies from breakthroughs in shoes, sportswear, sports gadgets to the latest innovations and discoveries in sports. There are other segments like "Hype Sports Events", "What a Fact" (like Olympic info about the coming Beijing Olympics) and "Old School" (about sports legends like Caloy Loyzaga and Robert Jaworski. ) Make it a habit to watch it so that you'll be encouraged to be more athletic.

Source: People's Journal