FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
AT THE "Basahang Ginto" presscon, Jackielou Blanco, who plays Goeff Eigenman's mom, was asked how come the rumor that she and husband Ricky Davao are already separated won't die. "I don't know," she shrugs. "Ang tagal na nga niyan, ayaw pang tigilan. Sa isang recent awards night, di kami sabay dumating, kinu-question na agad. Hindi kami sabay kasi I came from the house and he came from another appointment. He texted me nga na 'Where are you na?' at nagkita kami sa backstage." Is it true she's not in favor of Ricky's running for public office and she felt relieved when he backed out? "No, sabi ko nga sa kanya, ituloy na niya ang candidacy niya but ayaw niya as he wanted to do the right thing for the movie he's in, 'Working Girls'. I realized it's a good decision because he set a good example. He can ran naman uli sa next election. Our daughter said nga, papa, it's not meant to be this time. Next time na lang."
**********
RUFA MAE QUINTO celebrated her birthday last Sunday in "Showbiz Central" and they paid tribute to her in the "Story of Your Life" portion as the most successful sexy comedian in showbiz. Relatives, friends and former teachers praised her for being intelligent and generous. A friend said when she has no money to pay the rent, Peachy is also there to help her. She was both mother and father to her siblings as their breadwinner. Her sister appeared live on the show and thanked her for sending them to school. "Sila ang greatest achievement ko," says Peachy. "Yung bunso na lang ang nag-aaral, the rest, puro nakatapos at may trabaho na. I'm proud of them kasi ako mismo, hindi nakatapos."
The episode is capped by a letter from her secret fiance that Raymond Gutierrez read on air. The mystery guy still won't divulge his identity but said "I dream of filling the emptiness in your life. When the time is right, I'm willing to appear in any public forum with you. You are the centerpiece of my life." Our birthday wish for Peachy is for her lover to be brave enough to make himself known so that people will no longer make fun of her and suspect that he's just a figment of her imagination.
**********
MARK HERRAS was grilled by the usual three secret informants in the Behind the Wall portion. First question: "You're doing 'Langit sa Piling Mo' with Heart Evangelista. Aren't you afraid ma-develop ka sa kanya?" "Hindi ako kinakabahan, mas nahihiya ako sa kanya. Even sa pictorial, tensiyonado ako, I felt awkward. Maganda talaga kasi siya, award-winning pa at first time ko siyang makapareha. But I'm happy we bond sa taping, kuwentuhan."
Your career is doing well, but will you be ready to leave it for your lovelife? "Priority ko talaga is trabaho. I won't get married at this time. Kailangan sa right time, ayokong madaliin. Maraming trabahong dumarating sa'kin, ayokong sayangin ang opportunities given by GMA to me."
The third question is more or less like the second one. Handa ka bang iwan ang pamilya mo at magpakasal na? "No. Career at family muna ko ever since. Hindi pa ko magpapakasal ngayon. Matagal-tagal pa."
Mark is the first Behind the Wall guest who correctly guessed the identity of the three informants: his friend Dominic Roco, his girlfriend Ynna's sister Alyssa Asistio, and his dad Jun Herras. He may no longer answer the ultimate question but he still did so to prove he's game: tatlong taon na ba talaga kayong on ni Ynna? "No. My feelings for Ynna, ayokong i-rush. Kung ano meron ako ngayon, basta happy ako na kasama ko ang family ko and at the same time, may second family sa likod ko, sina Ynna. With Ynna, it's a relationship na parehas kaming masaya. Napakasaya namin, that's the best word."
**********
HAS YNEZ Veneracion broken up with long time beau Mon Confiado? "Showbiz Central" showed Ynez going out on a date with new Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu at a restaurant in The Fort. Ynez said she met the new governor when she joined his campaign in Maguindanao. "Tatanggi nga sana ako kasi di ba delikado roon," she says. "Akala ko siya yung Ampatuan. Yun pala, isa siya sa mga naapi at humihingi ng hustisya. Naisip ko, sayang din ang kikitain ko, e proprotektahan daw naman kami para safe kami, kaya pumayag ako. Even his family, inalagaan talaga kami."
She found the governor friendly. "Akala ko masungit siya pero mabait pala. Simpling tao, down to earth. Even his staff, sabi, sobrang bait niya. Naawa ako ng magkuwento siya about his wife na napatay, kaya nangampanya ko talaga for him and prayed na he'd win. Nang manalo siya, natuwa ako kasi vindicated siya. Lumalabas lang kami, hindi nagde-date. Nagkataon kasing nasa Manila siya and invited me sa dinner. Sinama ko naman ang mommy ko. Timing naman, nahuli nyo kaming magkasama rito."
When the governor was interviewed, he said: "Natuwa ako kay Ynez dahil noong kampanya, pinasaya niya ko. Maganda, siya sexy pa at mabait. Lahat kami sa Maguindanao, pinasaya niya. Naramdaman ko ang suporta niya sa akin. Dahil sa kanya, naibsan ang aking pagdadalamhati."
We're amazed that the governor is from Mindanao but he speaks flowery Tagalog. Since he's a widower, does he plan to woo Ynez. "Friends muna kami. Hindi ako nagmamadali."
**********
COCO MARTIN started with indie films and won best supporting and best actor awards for indie works like "Masahista" (his first movie), "Jay" and "Kinatay". He now acts in "Noy", a film he himself produces and directs. "Producing, like directing and acting, is an art itself," he says. "I pray marami sanang manood ng 'Noy' dahil may magandang mensahe ito. I play the title role, kapangalan ni new Pres. Noynoy Aquino but this isn't about him. Nataon lang na sa story, I'm supposed to cover the campaign of then Sen. Noynoy. I'm a journalist na breadwinner for my mom, Cherry Pie Picache and two siblings. It shows na ang araw-araw na trabaho ko is a matter of survival. Erich Gonzales plays my girlfriend. Kasama rin sina Baron Geisler and Vice Ganda. Ever since, interested na ko to work behind the scenes. When I do a movie or TV show, I observe what's going on sa set. Dito sa 'Noy', involved ako from conceptualization, location hunting, casting, up to editing and color grading. 'Noy' is the hardest film I did. Kasi sa indie, 11 days lang, buo na ang movie. Ito, the shooting ran for six months kasi we took actual footage noong campaign period. It's an eye opener for me mismo kasi di naman ako mahilig sa politics. But since I play a journalist, dapat alam ko lahat ng tungkol sa politics so I really prepared for that. 'Noy' is a movie that reflects the realities in our country. The viewer will gain meaningful insights, mamumulat sila na ganito pala ang mga nangyayari sa bansa natin. When I started to do it, I was thinking parang documentary ito, but then, pinagsama namin ang totoong kuwento with the fictionalized story of Noy, the journalist, and the result is a film about poverty, survival and the Filipino family."
AT THE "Basahang Ginto" presscon, Jackielou Blanco, who plays Goeff Eigenman's mom, was asked how come the rumor that she and husband Ricky Davao are already separated won't die. "I don't know," she shrugs. "Ang tagal na nga niyan, ayaw pang tigilan. Sa isang recent awards night, di kami sabay dumating, kinu-question na agad. Hindi kami sabay kasi I came from the house and he came from another appointment. He texted me nga na 'Where are you na?' at nagkita kami sa backstage." Is it true she's not in favor of Ricky's running for public office and she felt relieved when he backed out? "No, sabi ko nga sa kanya, ituloy na niya ang candidacy niya but ayaw niya as he wanted to do the right thing for the movie he's in, 'Working Girls'. I realized it's a good decision because he set a good example. He can ran naman uli sa next election. Our daughter said nga, papa, it's not meant to be this time. Next time na lang."
**********
RUFA MAE QUINTO celebrated her birthday last Sunday in "Showbiz Central" and they paid tribute to her in the "Story of Your Life" portion as the most successful sexy comedian in showbiz. Relatives, friends and former teachers praised her for being intelligent and generous. A friend said when she has no money to pay the rent, Peachy is also there to help her. She was both mother and father to her siblings as their breadwinner. Her sister appeared live on the show and thanked her for sending them to school. "Sila ang greatest achievement ko," says Peachy. "Yung bunso na lang ang nag-aaral, the rest, puro nakatapos at may trabaho na. I'm proud of them kasi ako mismo, hindi nakatapos."
The episode is capped by a letter from her secret fiance that Raymond Gutierrez read on air. The mystery guy still won't divulge his identity but said "I dream of filling the emptiness in your life. When the time is right, I'm willing to appear in any public forum with you. You are the centerpiece of my life." Our birthday wish for Peachy is for her lover to be brave enough to make himself known so that people will no longer make fun of her and suspect that he's just a figment of her imagination.
**********
MARK HERRAS was grilled by the usual three secret informants in the Behind the Wall portion. First question: "You're doing 'Langit sa Piling Mo' with Heart Evangelista. Aren't you afraid ma-develop ka sa kanya?" "Hindi ako kinakabahan, mas nahihiya ako sa kanya. Even sa pictorial, tensiyonado ako, I felt awkward. Maganda talaga kasi siya, award-winning pa at first time ko siyang makapareha. But I'm happy we bond sa taping, kuwentuhan."
Your career is doing well, but will you be ready to leave it for your lovelife? "Priority ko talaga is trabaho. I won't get married at this time. Kailangan sa right time, ayokong madaliin. Maraming trabahong dumarating sa'kin, ayokong sayangin ang opportunities given by GMA to me."
The third question is more or less like the second one. Handa ka bang iwan ang pamilya mo at magpakasal na? "No. Career at family muna ko ever since. Hindi pa ko magpapakasal ngayon. Matagal-tagal pa."
Mark is the first Behind the Wall guest who correctly guessed the identity of the three informants: his friend Dominic Roco, his girlfriend Ynna's sister Alyssa Asistio, and his dad Jun Herras. He may no longer answer the ultimate question but he still did so to prove he's game: tatlong taon na ba talaga kayong on ni Ynna? "No. My feelings for Ynna, ayokong i-rush. Kung ano meron ako ngayon, basta happy ako na kasama ko ang family ko and at the same time, may second family sa likod ko, sina Ynna. With Ynna, it's a relationship na parehas kaming masaya. Napakasaya namin, that's the best word."
**********
HAS YNEZ Veneracion broken up with long time beau Mon Confiado? "Showbiz Central" showed Ynez going out on a date with new Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu at a restaurant in The Fort. Ynez said she met the new governor when she joined his campaign in Maguindanao. "Tatanggi nga sana ako kasi di ba delikado roon," she says. "Akala ko siya yung Ampatuan. Yun pala, isa siya sa mga naapi at humihingi ng hustisya. Naisip ko, sayang din ang kikitain ko, e proprotektahan daw naman kami para safe kami, kaya pumayag ako. Even his family, inalagaan talaga kami."
She found the governor friendly. "Akala ko masungit siya pero mabait pala. Simpling tao, down to earth. Even his staff, sabi, sobrang bait niya. Naawa ako ng magkuwento siya about his wife na napatay, kaya nangampanya ko talaga for him and prayed na he'd win. Nang manalo siya, natuwa ako kasi vindicated siya. Lumalabas lang kami, hindi nagde-date. Nagkataon kasing nasa Manila siya and invited me sa dinner. Sinama ko naman ang mommy ko. Timing naman, nahuli nyo kaming magkasama rito."
When the governor was interviewed, he said: "Natuwa ako kay Ynez dahil noong kampanya, pinasaya niya ko. Maganda, siya sexy pa at mabait. Lahat kami sa Maguindanao, pinasaya niya. Naramdaman ko ang suporta niya sa akin. Dahil sa kanya, naibsan ang aking pagdadalamhati."
We're amazed that the governor is from Mindanao but he speaks flowery Tagalog. Since he's a widower, does he plan to woo Ynez. "Friends muna kami. Hindi ako nagmamadali."
**********
COCO MARTIN started with indie films and won best supporting and best actor awards for indie works like "Masahista" (his first movie), "Jay" and "Kinatay". He now acts in "Noy", a film he himself produces and directs. "Producing, like directing and acting, is an art itself," he says. "I pray marami sanang manood ng 'Noy' dahil may magandang mensahe ito. I play the title role, kapangalan ni new Pres. Noynoy Aquino but this isn't about him. Nataon lang na sa story, I'm supposed to cover the campaign of then Sen. Noynoy. I'm a journalist na breadwinner for my mom, Cherry Pie Picache and two siblings. It shows na ang araw-araw na trabaho ko is a matter of survival. Erich Gonzales plays my girlfriend. Kasama rin sina Baron Geisler and Vice Ganda. Ever since, interested na ko to work behind the scenes. When I do a movie or TV show, I observe what's going on sa set. Dito sa 'Noy', involved ako from conceptualization, location hunting, casting, up to editing and color grading. 'Noy' is the hardest film I did. Kasi sa indie, 11 days lang, buo na ang movie. Ito, the shooting ran for six months kasi we took actual footage noong campaign period. It's an eye opener for me mismo kasi di naman ako mahilig sa politics. But since I play a journalist, dapat alam ko lahat ng tungkol sa politics so I really prepared for that. 'Noy' is a movie that reflects the realities in our country. The viewer will gain meaningful insights, mamumulat sila na ganito pala ang mga nangyayari sa bansa natin. When I started to do it, I was thinking parang documentary ito, but then, pinagsama namin ang totoong kuwento with the fictionalized story of Noy, the journalist, and the result is a film about poverty, survival and the Filipino family."
