Shaina Magdayao second choice in Villa Estrella

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

THE lead role of Anna, the girl with strange recurrent dreams in "Villa Estrella," was originally meant for Bea Alonzo, but she was busy with Betty La Fea then so it was offered to Shaina Magdayao, who didn't mind being a second choice. "It's an excellent, very challenging role and I'm glad sa'kin ito napunta," she says. "The role is physically demanding as some scenes required me to be submerged in the pond in Villa Estrella for several hours, from 7 in the evening to 5 in the morning. Sa bagay, hindi lang ako kundi pati si Maja Salvador kasi marami rin siyang underwater scenes. We were both trained muna for three days sa swimming pool sa Danarra Hotel. 'Yung actual shoot was done in a pool in Pansol Hot Springs kaya hindi kami gininaw dahil mainit 'yung tubig na pinaglulubugan sa amin. "

"Masuwerte nga ako parehong real trouper ang dalawang lead stars ko," says Direk Rico Ilarde. "Kahit nahihirapan, you won't hear them complain. In terms of exposure, mas marami si Shaina but when it comes to the core of the story, Maja as the daughter of the resort's caretaker plays an equally significant role. "

"Villa Estrella" opens on July 1st in the Philippines then it will be shown from July 10 to 16 at UA Stonetown Twin in San Francisco and UA Horton Plaza in San Diego, California.

BEAUTY QUEEN CAUGHT BETWEEN HUNK, TV HOST

FORMER Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman is currently being linked to two very disparate guys: hunk Marco Alcaraz and TV host Willie Revillame. If it's good looks she's after, then no doubt her choice would be Marco as he's tall, dark and handsome. But everyone knows Willie is very rich as he really flaunts his wealth, so if she's after financial stability, her choice would no doubt be Willie, never mind if he's not tall, dark and. .. never mind.

At the presscon of "Pitik Bulag", Marco's first starring role, he was asked about Lara and he admits that they do go out a lot. "We're just enjoying each other's company," he says. "It was Valerie Concepcion, her co-host in 'Wowowee', who introduced us to each other. Na-meet ko na siya noon, but she still had a boyfriend din kaya never kong niyayang lumabas kami. Now, when we're both not busy, we go out. "

So are they on? "No, wala lang. Basta we hang out. Kabe-break lang niya, so it'd be difficult for her to get into another relationship right away. Kaya hindi ko rin siya minamadali, basta enjoy lang kaming magkasama. "

What has he discovered about her so far? "Kasi international beauty queen siya, so you'd think maarte siya, but she's actually very down to earth pala. Kalog nga siya, e. Masayang kasama. "

What can he say about reports that Willie is also after her? "We're just enjoying naman each other's company. Masama ba yun? I haven't really courted her formally. "

Will he show Lara his nude scenes in "Pitik Bulag"? "Why not? Maganda naman yung movie and my role is good. I'd be proud na ipapanood ito sa kanya. "

'WILLIE IS JUST KUYA TO ME'

GOING back to Lara, it'll be recalled that she was once fired from "Wowowee" when she took her non-showbiz boyfriend with her when they did a show in the U. S. But now, she's back in the show. It's said it was Willie who wanted her back, causing his 19-year-old girlfriend called Nadine (a Centro Escolar student) to get jealous and break up with him.

"Honestly, wala akong kinalaman diyan," says Precious on the set of "May Bukas Pa. " "Nagagalit nga 'yung ibang friend daw nung girl at pinadadalhan ako ng hate mail, but the truth is I really don't know anything about it. I don't mean to hurt anyone so kung totoong break na sila, please don't take it against me. My return to 'Wowowee' is just a job. Trabaho lang. They say Willie gives me special treatment, but it's not true. Pantay-pantay lang ang tingin niya sa aming co-hosts niya. He did give me a watch, pero binigyan niya rin 'yung iba pang kasama namin, pati si Pokwang. "

So is Willie really making "porma" to her? "Ganun naman talaga siya sa girls na kasama niya sa show. Parang nililigawan niya lahat at mahirap sabihin kung totoo ba or he's just joking. But in my case, sa tingin ko, hindi naman kasi sa show lang kami nagkikita. After that, wala na. He doesn't even text or call me. So hindi siya seryoso, di ba?"

But if ever he'd woo her earnestly, how will she respond to him? "Sorry but for me, he's just really a big brother. Kuya lang talaga ang tingin ko sa kanya. He'll always be a kuya to me. Ganun lang. So tigilan na yang pagli-link sa'min. "

How about Marco? "Friend din lang siya. Hindi naman siguro masama magkaroon ng lalaking friend. Dito kasi sa'tin, pag nakita kayong magkasama, they conclude right away na kayo na. Basta sa ngayon, friends lang kami. "

POPS LOVELESS

Pops Fernandez was grilled by the five hosts of "Showbiz Central" in the Intriga Crossfire segment last Sunday. First question: Why did she fail to attend the high school graduation of her younger son Ram? "I really felt bad about it pero nakasagot na kasi ako sa tour ng 'Divas 4 Divas' sa U. S. But his father Martin naman was there with my whole family. Kuya (her eldest son, Robin) is now studying in Vegas and Ram is also vacationing there so I really miss them. Thanks to modern technology, we can communicate regularly pa rin and chat. " About your lovelife, is it true you have a new suitor? "It's not true. My lovelife is zero. Mahirap kasi, if ever, a guy would have to accept me for what I am, that I have two sons. " So how is she now, with her kids living abroad? "When Kuya left, my heart was so broken, but it's for their own good, for their future, and I don't want naman to be selfish. Okay naman ako. I get to do a lot of things on my own. I'm a judge in 'Are You the Next Big Star' and I also just launched
a new album, 'Hope'. "

Sa U. S. tour daw nyo ng 'Divas 4 Divas', may mga kasama kang nagpapa-star pa rin? "Wala na. We all enjoyed the tour and each other's company. Lahat kami, professional. "

STORIES BEHIND

Rochelle Pangilinan was featured in the new segment, "Story of Your Life", and we take our hat off to her for being such a devoted daughter to her parents and sister to her siblings. She's now the leader of the Sex Bomb Dancers, but do you know that when she first applied as a dancer, she was not accepted ? She also cannot sing well. Her hard work and perseverance made her succeed and she's now finally able to give the house she promised her family.

In the "Don't Lie to Me" portion, Jolina Magdangal and her fan of 11 years, Poncing Catibog, took the lie detector test, fan face off edition. There were only two questions: After her breakup with Atty. Bebong Munoz, is it true that Jolina now has a new suitor? They both answered yes and it's
true. Was there ever a time when Jolina had a romantic involvement with Marvin Agustin? They both answered no and it's a lie.

Host Pia Guanio gave a fan of Dingdong Dantes the chance to meet her idol in person. This is 13-year-old Cheycel Joy Calosor who's from Mindoro who was teary eyed when she got to meet Dingdong face to face. A new segment is Central Look, about star fashions. Rufa Mae Quinto raided the walk-in closet of Heart Evangelista which looks like a department store with rows and rows of clothes, shoes, bags, etc. Heart gave viewers some tips how to mix and match outfits to make them look new.

Source: People's Journal