Will it be Willie or Marco for Lara?

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

Katrina Halili is glad to be back to work as Fedra in "Rosalinda." "Im glad na mainit ang pagtanggap sakin ng mga kasama ko sashow, sina Carla Abellana and Geoff Eigenmann," she says. "Sa pictorial pa lang, I already felt that they really welcome me to be part of Rosalinda. I also want to thank our director, Maryo de los Reyes, as I can feel hes protective of me. Gusto ko rin namang mabalik sa normalang buhay ko at makapagtrabaho uli like I used to. Since all the cases have been filed, pinauubaya ko na lang yun sa lawyer ko."

Someone asked her why she doesnt just forgive Hayden so shed no more have any court cases to attend to and her life can really go back to normal?

"If he showed remorse from the start and ask for my forgiveness, baka napatawad ko na agad siya. But as of now, its pointless na. Itll be too late dahil never ko naman siya nakitang nagsisi sa ginawa niya sakin. He made it worse nga nang akusahan pa niya akong drug addict at siyang nagbibigay sa kanya ng drugs. Sobra na ang pagtapak na ginawa niya sa pagkatao ko."

Katrinas first taping for "Rosalinda" was held in an old house in Taal, Batangas and shes glad that everyone was nice to her and no one even bothered to bring up the sex video thing. The fans even asked her to have picture taking with them. She says she can see that she and Carla will be good friends as the taping goes along. "I already asked her to visit my small spa at my home na may equipment to tone the body at pampakinis ng balat. Im sure magiging closer kami habang tine-tapeitong Rosalinda."

Is it true she refused doing "Darna" because she has a feud with Marian Rivera? "No. Tinanggihan ko kasi sobrang sama naman ni Valentine roon. Mas tame ang pagka-villain ni Fedra compared to her so I chose this one."

But one writer says that if youd ask Dr. Vicki Belo, shed say Katrina will be better as Valentina, the snake woman in "Darna." "Dahil di ba inahas niya si Hayden from Dr. Belo kahit alam na niyang onang dalawa?"

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Former Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman is currently being linked to two very disparate guys: hunk Marco Alcaraz and TV host Willie Revillame. If its goodlooks shes after, then no doubt her final choice would be Marco as hes tall, dark and handsome. But everyone knows Willie is very rich as he really flaunts his wealth, so if shes after financial stability, her choice would no doubt be Willie, even if hes not tall, dark and...never mind.

At the presscon of "Pitik Bulag," Marcos first starring role, he was asked about Lara and he admits that they do go out a lot. "Were just enjoying each others 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 were both not busy, we go out."

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

What has he discovered about her so far?

"Kasi international beauty queen siya, so youd think maarte siya, but shes actually very down to earth pala. Kalog nga siya, e. Masayang kasama."

What can he say about reports thatWillie is also after her?

"Were just enjoying naman each others company. Masama ba yun? I havent really courted her formally."

Willhe show Lara his nude scenes in "Pitik Bulag"?

"Why not? Maganda naman yung movie and my role is good. Id be proud na ipapanood ito sa kanya."

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Going back to Lara, itll 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 US and Willie was against this. But now, shes back in the show. Its said its Willie who requested to call 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 frienddaw nung girl at pinadadalhan ako ng hate mail, but the truth isI really dont know anything about it. I dont mean to hurt anyone so kung totoong break na sila, please dont take it against me. My return to Wowowee is just a job. Trabaho lang. They say Willie gives me special treatment, but its 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 baor hes just joking. But in my case, sa tingin ko, hindi naman kasi sashow lang kami nagkikita. After that, wala na. He doesnt even text or call me. So hindi siya seryoso, di ba?"

But if ever hed woo her earnestly, how will she respond to him?

"Sorry but for me, hes just really a big brother. Kuya lang talaga ang tingin ko sa kanya. Hell always be a kuya to me.Ganun lang. So tigilan na yang pagli-link samin."

How about Marco?

"Friend din lang siya. Hindi naman siguro masamamagkaroon ng lalaking friend. Dito kasi satin, pag nakita kayong magkasama, they conclude right away na kayo na. Basta sa ngayon, friends lang kami."

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The lead role of Anna,the girl with strangerecurrent 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 didnt mind being a second choice. "Its an excellent, very challenging role and Im glad sakin ito napunta," she says. "The role is physically demanding as some scenes required me to be submerged inthe water of 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 dayssa 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 wont 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 resorts caretaker plays an equally significant role."

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

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Pops Fernandez was grilled by thefive 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 Divas4 Divas sa US. Buthis father Martin naman was there with my whole family. Kuya (her eldest son, Robin) is now studying inVegas 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?

"Its 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 its for their own good, for their future, and I dont want to be selfish. Okay naman ako. I get to do a lot of things on my own. Im a judge in Are You the Next Big Star and I also just launched a new album, Hope."

Sa US tour daw nyo ng Divas 4 Divas, may mga kasama kang nagpapa-star pa rin?

"Wala na. We all enjoyed the tour and each others company. Lahat kami, professional."

Source: Malaya