Vicki and Hayden now just friends

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Raymond Gutierrez and DJ Mo had a live interview with Dr. Vicki Belo in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday. How did the sex video controversy change her?

"I became introverted. I focused on my work. I was in my clinic daily as I find peace there. I also spent more time with my children.Pero nabaligtad na ang mundo ko, so its time to speak and defend myself. Im the veryfirst victim here. I was betrayed. But now, ako pa ang dinemanda."

Is this period one of the lowest points in her life?

"One of the two, after Atom (Henares, her husband) and I broke up. My boyfriend cheated on me, Im being accused of things I didnt do, my business is being attacked and now, my father died (July 1)."

How did she feel when Katrina Halili sued her?

"I was shocked. I thought it was a joke. I couldnt believe it kasi I sympathized with her before. Its really painful as I thought shes my friend. I even defended her when writers were saying she was having an affair with Hayden. I said its not true, totoo naman pala. We had the same goal, to find out the truth. Now, she even wants me to lose my license, masarhan ang clinics ko at mawalan ng trabaho ang 350 employees ko na wala namang kinalaman in uploading the sex video. When I learned about what she did in December, I asked her to have dinner with me. I asked herif she had an affair with Hayden and at first she denied it. I told her I have evidence and she finaly said Yes, doctora, pero naglalaro lang kami. Hindi naman seryoso yun. My God, they didnt realize na sinasaktan nila ako. And she said, Im really sorry, tao lang po ako, please forgive me. At the end of the dinner, I forgave her, greeted her Merry Christmas, and I even gave her a gift, a Chanel bag."

Katrina was also in "Showbiz Central" that day but they didnt see each other as Katrina admitted later that "ako na ang umiwas."

What would Vicki do if she saw Katrina?

"Id be civil to here. Definitely, walang bastusan."

About Hayden, she says theyre now just friends.

"Hes 29 and for 28 years of his life, hes been good. I dont want people to judge his life based on this one incident. Everyone deserves a second chance. Pero hindi ko na siya matatanggap uli kasi sobrang napahiya na ako. Pinagbigyan ko na siya, pinaglaban ko na siya. Its now time for me to listen to my family. I still care for him and wish hed have a normal life and a future."

In the end, Dr. Belo says shes confident that the truth will come out. "Na wala akong ginawang masama and my name will be cleared."

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Richard Gutierrez "Zorro" is on its last few weeks. Replacing it is Marian Riveras "Darna" that will be different from the past incarnations of Darna. They go back to Mars Ravelos original novel where Darnastarts asNarda, a crippled girl who loses her disability when she swallows the magic stone that transforms her into a flying heroine. Marian was shown in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday wearing the new Darna costume whichis a much improved version tailor made for her by designer Pepsi Herrera, with a low-cut bustier bra top and a high-cut bikini bottom to bring out Marians sexiness on screen, complete with brass arm and wrist bands.

"Talagang kapag suot ko ito, parang sinasaniban ako niDarna," says Marian.

At the GMA trade show last Friday, she appeared on stage wearing the costume and the applause was deafening, with advertisers responding to her as Darna very positively.

To make sure shed look perfect in the revealing and provocative Darna costume, Marian was forced to work out in the gym. "Hindi talaga ako mahilig mag-exercise," she says. "But for this, I have no choice kundi mag-work out, lalo na yung abs exercises to make sure wala akong bilbil. I had also to exercise my back muscles kasiweak. I had to make it stronger for the flying scenes na naka-harnessako sa paglipad. I also did wushu training for my bodys greater flexibility. Mas grabe ang naging preparation ko rito kaysa sa Dyesebel na swimming and diving lang."

"Showbiz Central" also showed the story con of "Darna." The big cast is headed by Mark Anthony Fernandez as leading man Efren, Jestoni Alarcon and Rita Avila as Nardas parents, Iwa Moto as snake woman Valentina, Janice de Belen as Valentinas mom, Paolo Contis as Valentinas dad whos the king of snakes, Nadine Samonte as Babaeng Impakta, Isabel Oli as Babaeng Tuod, Ehra Madrigal as Babaeng Linta, Maggie Wilson as Babaeng Lawin (all past foes of Darna), Buboy Villar as sidekick Dick, Celia Rodriguez as the orphanage manager where Narda grew up, plus Alfred Vargas, Angel Aquino, Bearwin Meily, Caridad Sanchez, Gabby Eigenmann, Roxanne Barcelo, directed by Dominic Zapata and Don Michael Perez.

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At the thanksgiving party of Angel Locsin, she was asked what she can say about Marian Riveraas Darna, a role she first played on GMA-7? "What can I say but that Im happy for her," she says. "Alangan namang sabihin kong wala siyang K at ako lang ang may K gumawa noon. Everyone can play Darna and Im just so happy and thankful that I was also given the chance to play Darna then at nagustuhan yun ng tao. So good luck na lang kay Marian at sa mga iba pang susunod na mabibigyan ngchance to play Darna."

Can she give Marian any advice about playing Darna?

"None. I dont think Im in a position to give advice kaya wala akong mabibigay na advice sa kanya. Pangit naman pakinggan kapag galing sakin, di ba? Baka mabigyan pa ng ibang kulay. Basta good luck na lang."

Will Marian be able to surpass the high ratings that her "Darna" posted then?

"I dont know. Siguro naman. Im sure kaya rin niyang mag-Darna. Huwag na lang kami pagkumparahin. Basta ako, Im happy that when I was given the chance to do Darna, tinanggap ako ng tao. Sana, siya rin."

***

Is "Pinoy Big Brother: Teen" discovery Aldred Gatchalian aware that he role he played in "Bente" was originally meant for the late Marky Cielo of GMA-7?

"Opo," he says. "But its okay with me as the role of Mervyn, a radical student activist about to be assassinated by government agents, is really very challenging. Im honored na ako ang napili nila after I auditioned."

Weve seen the film in its press preview and, in fairness to him, he gives justice to the role assigned to him. The movie opens and starts with him while being part of a big protest rally against political killings and disappearances.

"Bente," directed by Mel Chionglo and which opens today in theaters, has indeed jumped the gun on "Dukot," another political movie directed by Joel Lamangan.

How did Aldred feel that he was cast alongside Richard Gomez, Snooky Serna and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada?

"Siempre kinabahan po ako. But I only have a scene together with Sen. Jinggoy doon sa climax ng movie where were both being chased by our respective assassins. Mabait po siyang katrabaho."

Aldred remains to be a talent of ABS-CBN Star Magic. He is currently in the cast of two regular shows: "Kambal sa Uma" with Shaina Magdayao and "Gaano Kita Kamahal" where he plays Sid Luceros brother.

Whatever happened to his love team with Valeen Montenegro with whom he did "Crazy for You" and "Ysabella"?

"I dont know. Hindi na kami pinagpareha uli ng ABS."

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A lot of press people were surprised when they saw Jessa Zaragoza at the launch of "Rosalinda." She plays Carla Abellanas cruel stepmom married to her dad, Ariel Rivera. Does this confirm the rumor that she has separated from husband Dingdong Avanzado?

"Kayo naman, masama bang magbalik showbiz?" she says. "We might not have a perfect marriage, pero kami pa rin, naGMAmahalan pa rin kami and my husband is supportive of my career. Hes in the States now kasi inaasikaso niya ang business namin dun. Bale we now have two households. One there, one here. Pero dito muna ako kasi I also have a new album coming up in July at six months daw ang run ng Rosalinda. By September, I have to return for a while saUS for our papers at pinayagan naman ako ng GMA. My last show was Bituin with Nora Aunor at ABS, about six years ago. Im really glad to be back sa GMA dahil dito naman ako nagsimula. My last soap here was Di Bat Ikaw which was also directed by Maryo de los Reyes kaya reunion namin itong Rosalinda. I really missed acting, but Rosalinda is something new for me kasi villain ang role ko. Pahihirapan ko si Rosalinda. Excited ako as a real actress should show she can be effective in any kind of role."

Did she really get jealous when Dingdong had a concert with ex-girlfriend Rachel Alejandro?

"No, okay kami ni Rachel and Im happy ngang naging successful ang concert nila kaya may repeat daw. What is past is past."

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When asked who are the sexiest actors for him now, Cristine Reyes said it s Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby and Jericho Rosales. These guys are all Kapamilya actors. Why then would shebe dyingto move back to GMA-7 when she doesnt fancy anyone there, not even her ex-boyfriend Dennis Trillo? If shed go to GMA, then she wont have any chance of working with Piolo, Sam and Jericho anymore. Its obvious that Cristines mind is not really working rationally these days.

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These are the eight official entries in the 2009 Metro-Manila Filmfest to be held this coming December. Regal Entertainment has three entries: "Mano Po 6, My Mother" - With a cast led by Sharon Cuneta, directed by Joel Lamangan. "Nieves" - Spin off from "Shake Xs" "Encanto Slayer" episode starring Marian Rivera, directed by Mike Tuviera. "Shake, Rattle and Roll XI" - The annual horrortrilogy this time with a cast led by Ruffa Gutierrez. "Juan" - From RVQ Productions, starring Dolphy and Willie Revillame, directed by Eric Quizon. "Ikaw Na Nga" - A feel good family movie with Kris Aquino and Eugene Domingo from Star Cinema, directed by Wenn Deramas. "Ang Darling Kong Aswang" - Horror comedy starring Vic Sotto from M-Zet-OctoArts, directed by Tony Reyes. "Ang Panday" - Co-production of Imus Production and GMA Films, starring Bong Revilla, Iza Calzadoand Rhian Ramos, directed by Mac Alejandre. "Wapacman" - Action-comedy from Solar Films starring Manny Pacquiao, Nicole Scherzinger and David Battista, directed by Topel Lee.

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We wish to correct our earlier report that Robin Padilla will do a movie with Bong Revilla at Star Cinema. Its not Bong but Vhong. Yes, Binoy will do an action-comedy with Vhong Navarrro. Our source said that the first thing that came to his mind when informed that Binoy will do a movie with Bong is its the senator. Turns out its Vhong pala. They want to get Joyce Bernal to direct it.

Meantime, Sen. Bongs wife, Lani Mercado, is happy to be in another soap, "All My Life," where she plays the mother of Aljur Abrenica. She was also the real biologicalmother of Richard Gutierrez in "Zorro" but the character she played there had already been killed.

How does it feel that she and Sen. Bong are Belo endorsers and yet Bong seems now to be at odds with Belo?

"My husband naman is just supporting Katrina Halilikasi naapi naman talaga yung tao sa sex video scandal na lumabas. So hindi naman personalan yun. Nagkita-kita na kami noong Rigodon de Honor sa Malacanang. Nandun si Dr. Vicki Belo with her ex-husband Atom Henares and their daughter Cristalle. Very civil naman ang lahat sa isat isa. Sabi pa nga ni Dr. Vicki kay Bong, I dont know if Id greet you or what at sabi naman ni Bong, Its up to you if you want to greet me. Basta hindi personal ito. Nataon lang na ang involved sa scandal, yung boyfriend niya. Wala na tayong magagawa about that."

About "All My Life," its so fast-paced that so many things have happened already since it started last week. The kids, Jules and Romina, who got separated when Jules and his family moved to Manila, are now grown ups played by Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal. Things get more intriguing when they cross paths again and the neglected Romina finally finds true love in Jules, but they have to face a lot of odds first before their love couldtriumph.

Source: Malaya