Showbiz watchers following Chavit-Che affair

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

THE cast of "Rosalinda" is very happy. The show's ratings have gone up steadily lately. "It's really heartwarming. Everywhere I go, people say they now watch the show religiously," says leading man Geoff Eigenmann who plays Fernando Jose. "We're very happy ni Carla (Abellana) and we keep on asking Direk Maryo de los Reyes how we can help to make the show even better."

Has he started courting Carla seriously off cam?

"We've become closer than ever, which can't be helped kasi lagi kami magkasama. She's very special to me. Our bonding is really something."

What can he say about his mom Gina Alajar's joining "Celebrity Duets"?

"I'm proud of her kasi siya ang highest pointer among the singers. She's both a Kapuso and Kapamilya. May 'Kambal na Uma' rin siya sa ABS."

He's the only son who lives with Gina as his elder brother Ryan is now with his girlfriend while the youngest, AJ, studies in the US. What if Gina would remarry?

"Okay lang sa'min ng brothers ko, but then, what for? May tatlong lalaki na siya sa buhay niya. Kaya lang, if our dad is happy with his new girlfriend in the US, my mom is also entitled to her own happiness. Actually, she has suitors, she goes out on dates, she chats with them sa internet. Yung iba nga, sintanda ko lang o mas bata pa sa'kin. But she hasn't introduced any of them to us, which means she's not really serious with anyone."

This week in "Rosalinda," Geoff as Fernando Jose accepts the offer of Fedra (Katrina Halili) to marry him for the sake of his daughter Erica. Valeria (Sheryl Cruz) is arrested by cops for trying to kill Fedra and Javier (Gary Estrada). Rosalinda has become a member of the Akyat Bahay gang. She gets into Fernando Jose's condo and sees him sleeping. But she can't exactly remember who he is due to severe emotional trauma. But it's Alex Durantes (Jomari Yllana) who takes her to a psychiatrist to help her regain her mind and also makes her a singer known as Paloma Durantes. Fernando Jose hears the voice of Paloma and says she sounds like Rosalinda.

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Aiko Melendez says her annulment case with second husband Martin Jickain is now nearing final resolution. But she quickly admits that this doesn't mean she'll quickly jump into another marriage with good-looking Bulacan vice mayor Patrick Meneses. "After two failed marriages, I think I've learned my lessons," she says at the presscon of "Yaya and Angelina, The Spoiled Brat." "I'll think it ten times over before I get married again. I'd rather just focus on my son, Andre (with Jomari Yllana as dad) who's now 11 and in Grade 4 at the Ateneo, and Marteena (with Martin as dad) who's now in nursery. Pero masarap siempre yung may inspiration ka, kaya lang nakatutok din ako sa career ko. Last term ko na as Quezon City councilor and I plan to run as vice mayor next year. But I'll never leave acting kaya nga when they offered me 'Spoiled Brat,' tinanggapko agad. It's my first mother role and okay lang kasi I have two kids na naman in real life. Regal also says I'll be reunited with my 'Underage Too' colleagues Ruffa Gutierrez and Carmina Villaroel in a new movie. Sana nga matuloy."

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The conflict of ex-Gov. Chavit Singson with common-law wife Rachel or Che Tiongson (she was a teenage student when they started living together and they have five kids) has become a full-blown scandal since it involves showbiz personalities. Chavit was interviewed in "Showbiz Central" and revealed details of the conflict. He said he broke up with Che after her affair with young actor Cogie Domingo in November last year. Cogie feared for his life and went to the US. Chavit showed letters from Che pleading for forgiveness and asking for financial assistance to pay her bills. He took her back.

"Sabi ko, magbago na siya, tapos nabalitaan ko, meron na namang iba," he says. "Pinansundan ko, iba na naman ang lalaki."

He discovered her with her new boyfriend who was photographed in his birthday suit. The new boyfriend is reportedly connected with a top network and also married with kids. Chavit says he will show the naked photos in public as evidence and what's embarrassing is that the guy has nothing to boast of when it comes to the size of his manhood.

Che filed a case of physical abuse against Chavit after he beat her on Aug. 22 and this was heard in court last Monday. Expect lots of kibitzers to follow the case. As one writer says: "Tiyak pagpipiyestahan ito dahil palaban si Chavit and he's ready to display all their dirty linen in public. Kawawa naman yung mga anak nila."

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Eugene Domingo was grilled in the "Intriga Crossfire" portion of "Showbiz Central." With the success of "Kimmy Dora," what can she say to some people calling her the New Comedy Queen? "I'm very much flattered Ang ganyang title, para papurihan ka dahil natutuwa sila sa trabaho mo, pero ang gusto ko lang talaga is to give them a good film. Natutuwa akong patuloy na pinapasok ng tao ang movie namin and as of now, triple na po ang kinikita nito through word of mouth promotion. So salamat sa anumang title na ibibigay nyo sa'kin, pero mas natutuwa akong number one kami sa takilya ngayon nationwide."

Does this mean she now sits Ai Ai de las Alas' throne?

"Friend ko si Ai Ai. Kundi sa kanya, di magbubukas ang daan for female comedians like me. Dati, puro lalaki lang ang top comedians. Dahil sa kanya, nagkaroon ng female comedians. Marami kaming ginawang pelikula, she always lets me shine. She's always been encouraging. Sabi niya, ang ganda ng poster nyo, pang-mayaman. Pinanood niya ang movie and texted me, 'Ang galing mo dito, best friend.' So hindi kailangang pag-awayin kami."

Will you still accept support roles or lead na lang lagi?

"There are no small roles, basta gampanan mo nang maige. Dito sa movie, ang daming big stars doing small roles, like Regine Velasquez, Rufa Mae Quinto, at wala silang bayad kasi suportahan kami. Kaya ready rin akong sumuporta sa iba."

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Sunshine Dizon took the lie detector test in John Lapus' "Don't Lie to Me" segment and all the questions were about Iza Calzado.

Did she really fail to greet Iza on her birthday?

"Yes." And it's true. "I'm really bad with dates. But I greeted her that morning sa 'Unang Hirit,' di ko nga lang siya nabati ng personal."

Did she snub Iza at the birthday of Dingdong Dantes?

"No" Again, it's true. "Nagbatian kami. Walang isnabang nangyari."

May samaan ba kayo ng loob ni Iza?

"No." This time, it's a lie. "Baka lie ang lumabas kasi pinapahaba pa ito ng mga tao. Di namin alam talaga kunsaan ito nanggaling. I'm really clueless kasi di naman totoo."

Sunshine announced she's now taping the remake of "Tinik Sa Dibdib" with her doing the role originally played by Nora Aunor, with Marvin Agustin as her leading man.

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Ryan Agoncillo's "Talentadong Pinoy" is TV 5's number 1 show and it now has a spin off, "Kuwentong Talentado" that airs Mondays, 8 p.m. It features the stories of contestants who join the show. See never-before-shown footage of these aspiring contestants doing their auditions and how they triumph against all odds to become top performers. It also features tips from celebrities who act as talent scouts as well as the Hall of Famers in the show.

"It's both a support program for and an independent show from the original," says "Talentadong Pinoy" host Ryan Agoncillo. "It serves as a backstory on the lives of the contestants of the following 'Talentadong Pinoy' episode that airs Saturdays, as well as success stories of previous winners, runners-up, and Hall of Famers. It also features ordinary Pinoys with exceptional talents, such as carpenters, mechanics and the like, who also have their own share of interesting and inspiring stories."

See how great the Filipino talent is and how Pinoys' hardwork result in success in the very inspiring "Kuwentong Talentado," every Monday, 8 p.m. on TV5.

Source: Malaya