What now, Dingdong and Marian?

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Freehand

THE final week of "Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" didn't see the show rating higher than usual.

This is obviously the reason why it's the shortest running series done by Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. It ran for only three months compared to "Marimar" and "Dyesebel" that were both rating in the high 30s and 40s for six months. This demonstrates that it's not only a popular love team that can make a show rate. No matter how popular the love team is, if the public doesn't like the material they're doing, it'll be an uphill battle for their tandem when it comes to the ratings.

As of now, Marian is slated to be the new Darna. She'll undergo martial arts training before they start taping the show in June. We asked some TV viewers what they feel about the show and most of them say, in effect: "Di ba parang kailan lang ginawa ni Angel Locsin ang 'Darna', bakit gagawin uli agad? Dapat palipasin pa muna ang ilang taon bago magkaroon ng another version para ma-miss muna ng viewers si Darna. Mamaya, hindi makalipad 'yan nang mataas. Sana humanap na lang muna sila ng ibang pambatang material na babagay for Marian. "

But GMA folks say Marian's Darna will be someone totally different from the old Darnas. They even want to buy the hit Kamikazee song, "Narda", to be used in the show. For a change, Marian will also have a new leading man. Some say it any of the two Marks, Fernandez or Herras, but nothing is sure yet.

As for Dingdong, it's said he'll do the lead role of Cholo in the local remake of the hit Koreanovela, "Stairway to Heaven". While waiting for his next TV show, he's also offered to be Eugene Domingo's leading man in her launching movie, "Kimmy Dora". But nothing is sure yet for him.

In the meantime, supporters of the Dingdong-Marian love team continue to plead to GMA to pair them again in a new show. But why would GMA listen to them when they failed to make "Babaeng Hinugot" rate higher?

DRS. VICKI, HAYDEN RECONCILE
THE loudest whisper in town is that Dr. Vicki Belo and estranged inamorato Hayden Kho have definitely kissed and made up. They were seen leaving together, looking sweet and lovey-dovey to each other, to watch the Pacquiao-Hatton fight in Las Vegas today. "Ilang beses na itinanggi ni Vicki na nagkabalikan sila pero this time, she cannot deny it anymore kasi their action speaks louder than their words," says our source. "Actually, inililihim lang ni Vicky kasi her kids Quark and Crystalle Henares are against it. They know nasaktan na siya kay Hayden at hindi malayong maulit 'yun. "

Our source adds that mortal enemies Annabelle Rama and Wilma Galvante are also both in Las Vegas to watch the fight. "Hindi kaya mauna pa silang mag-catfight bago sina Pacquiao?" asks our source.

Knowing them, we're sure hindi naman sila doon magwawala and lose their dignity in the process. Our source adds that so many politicians like congressmen and senators are also in Las Vegas to watch the game. "Ginagastos nila ang pera ng bayan at iniisip ko nga, kung magkakasama silang sakay sa isang eroplano tapos magka-crash 'yun, mababawasan siguro ang mga corrupt sa bansa natin," adds our source laughing. "Pag natalo si Pacquiao, sila ang unang dapat sisihing nagdala ng kamalasan dahil puwede naman silang manood sa TV, nagpunta pa sila run. "

'I AM SORRY'
Gina Alajar says she didn't mean to offend Snooky Serna during the presscon of "Dukot (Desaparecidos)" when she warned Cookie not to be late and to transfer the mike to the star seated next to her since she's already been talking on the microphone for a very long time.

"I didn't know she'll take it badly so kapag nagkita kami sa shooting ng 'Dukot', magso-sorry ako sa kanya," she says. "Actually, na-shock din ako nang mabasa ko na sa mga dyaryo na sumama ang loob niya sa'kin. Ginagawa ko raw siyang katatawanan at hiniya ko siya dahil binabalik ko ang days na sinasabing pagong siya. Wala akong ganung intention, honest. So, the next time I see her, I'd say sorry agad para matapos na. Marami kaming eksena together in 'Dukot' dahil magkasama kaming hahanap sa dinukot kong anak, Iza Calzado, kaya dapat, maganda at walang strain sa relationship namin nang makapagtrabaho kami nang maayos. "

'LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER'
WE want to say sorry to Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo. We got their invitation for their reception at Le Souffle last night (Saturday) but our grandchildren were arriving from Cagayan de Oro City so we had to attend to them first. But we pray that the newlyweds will have a long and lasting marital life.

Remember, the wedding is just the beginning, not the end. What happens after is more important. And you don't just live happily ever after automatically. You have to work on it seriously. We also pray that they get their wish soon, for Juday to get preggy right away and have their own baby. They want a big family. Juday is the youngest of three while Ryan is the youngest of two sons.

'I'M NOT CHEAP'
Marco Morales is tagged as the Frontal Nudity King. How does he feel about it? "I'm not sensitive so it doesn't come to me as a bad thing," he says. "If that's their opinion, then I respect it. I can't deny it naman kasi ginawa ko naman talaga in 'Walang Kawala' and 'Butas'. The important thing is that I believe I'm not doing something trashy. "

Has he ever been accosted in public by someone for showing his private parts? "Oh yes, sa gym lang, they'd ask me, why are you doing this? Naiirita ako kapag sobrang personal na ang binibigay na comments. 'Yung kukulitin ka. Also, dahil ginawa mo 'yun, they make advances to you akala easy ka. I guess that's the price I have to pay for what I did, but as much as possible, I don't allow myself to get affected. As for my family and friends, they understand naman na it's just part of my job as an actor and they know the real me. Hindi ako ganun in real life. "

He now shows his front again in "Heavenly Touch", a movie about masseurs. "I play a masseur here who's also a drug addict and pusher. Akong magpapagulo sa buhay nina Paolo Serrano and Joash Balejado, who play the leads. Kahit alam ko on na sila, I still seduce Joash with drugs then I rape him. "

So he's playing a supporting role? "Yes and some friends are wondering kasi nag-lead na ako in 'Butas' and in another film, 'Booking'. But the role is really good, very offbeat, and 'Heavenly Touch' is from the same team who made 'Walang Kawala', kunsaan ako nakilala: Direk Joel Lamangan, scriptwriter Eric Ramos, with Manny Valera as producer. Ako lang nga ang natira sa cast ng 'Walang Kawala' so I'm really honored to be a part of 'Heavenly Touch'. After this, I play another lead role naman in 'Big Night', with JC Parker as leading lady. Also, I'm excited dahil kinuha ako to play the lead role in a zarzuela, 'Walang Sugat', to be staged at PUP. First time ko on the legitimate stage and I have to prepare for it well to show I can really sing. Kinuha rin ako ng ABS-CBN to play Jake Cuenca's brother in 'Precious Hearts Romances Present Bud Brothers'. Wholesome naman ang role ko roon and I'm glad to be given the chance to do something on mainstream TV. "

MORE STAR MAGIC BIRTHDAY CELEBS
Dino Imperial is one of the Star Magic talents who celebrated their birthday in April. He turned 21 on April 9. He started as TV commercial model at 12 and he was 16 when he was introduced in Star Magic Batch 13. He was paired with Empress Schuck in the teen shows "Abt Ur Luv" and "Astigs", then played the husband of Andy Eigenmann in "Prinsesa ng Banyera". He's currently seen in "ASAP" as one of the Gigger Boys and is also a VJ for Studio 23. He's also in the cast of new show, "George and Cecil" and in "Your Song Presents Boystown". Nico Ibaviosa is part of Star Circle 16 and turned 19 on April 3. He started as TV ad model and then he got to dance in "ASAP". He's currently seen in TV 5's "Lipgloss" as a rich boy named Brent. Nico is a swimmer in UP where he's also taking up industrial engineering. Ryan Ramos is with Star Circle 9 and is now hosting three shows in UNTV 37 like "Good Morning, Kuya", where he handles the sports segment. Being athletic, he's into boxing, surfing and martial arts. He also acts on ABS and just played Claudine Barretto's boyfriend when she guested in "May Bukas Pa". A med tech graduate from Trinity U, his birthday is April 15. Kristina Snell turned 17 on April 14 and is with Star Circle 16. The second and only girl of five kids of a Pinay mom and a British dad, she doesn't mind being built up as a sexy star. She measures 34-25-34. "If you have it, flaunt it," she says. She also enjoys playing contravida, like in "Your Song Presents Underage" and now, in "Kambal Sa Uma" where she oppresses Shaina Magdayao. "Mas gusto kong ako nang-aapi kaysa akong inaapi," she adds. Franzen Fajardo is the Pinoy Big Brother comedian who's seen in "Trip na Trip". He's now back into acting doing "Precious Hearts Romances" with Toni Gonzaga and Derek Ramsay. He celebrated his birthday on April 18.

'SP' CASTAWAYS REUNITED
THE favorite castaways of "Survivor Philippines" are reunited tonight after "Fullhaus" in the GMA summer special, "Summer Sarap". Top winner JC Tiuseco travels to Ilocos to cool down with his favorite summer cooler -- ice cream. What he finds in Laoag, however, is not the typical ice cream. Ever heard of vegetables in ice cream? In this town, ice creams are flavored with ampalaya, malunggay and chili. Jace Flores and Nikki Dacullo take a trip to Benguet and Mt. Province and learn that strawberries and honey are the secret ingredients for body scrubs. Together, they harvest ingredients from strawberry and bee farms. In Bulacan, Patani uncovers the mystery behind a dying traditional recipe -- Sta. Veronica Birang, a dish named after Bulacan's patron saint, Sta. Veronica. Made from pork, fish, or poultry and dating as far back as the Spanish era, Patani races against time to learn the secrets of the dish and save it from extinction. Survivor's archrivals Kiko Rustia and Marlon Carmen go to Batanes where they compete to win the taste buds of the Ivatan farmers. It's a cook-off challenge for Marlon and Kiko but they need to collect the ingredients themselves. Kiko travels to Itbayat to gather tachimo shells found on the island's steep cliffs. Marlon fights towering waves to outwit elusive Dumay shells, intelligent little creatures that hide fast.

Source: People's Journal