FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
WE HAVEN’T been excited by anything in showbiz lately but we got thrilled during the interview of Claudine Barretto with Mark Anthony Fernandez in “Showbiz Central” last Sunday. At first, we thought it’s gonna be a boring one but we were so amused when Claudine reminded Mark of the song he used to sing to her, the E-heads’ “With a Smile”, then Mark started singing it. All of a sudden, it became evident that the chemistry between the two of them is still very palpable and we remembered the inspiring young flick they did in 1995, “Mangarap Ka”, where they’re both so good. We hope GMA-7 would be able to pick the right story for them when Mark guests in the finale episode of Claudine’s drama show. They should also cook up a good film project for them.
When Mark first appeared on stage, Claudine introduced him as “my ex-boyfriend”. They shook hands but the audience kept on shouting: “Kiss! Kiss!” They didn’t oblige. Claudine asked: “How are you? How do you feel?” Mark said: “Kinakabahan ng konti, natutuwa rin, excited. Salamat inimbitahan nyo ko rito. At salamat sa lahat ng tumangkilik sa ‘Diva’.”
C: “Nagkaroon tayo ng tampuhan after lumipat ako rito. How do we explain that?”
M: “Ako talaga ang may mali. Nagkaroon ng miscommunication. Pero tapos na yun. Isipin na lang natin ang magandang bukas kaysa sa nakakalungkot na kahapon.”
C: “How’s your family?”
M: “We’re okay. Mabuti kami. No problem kay Melissa na ini-interview mo ako.”
C: “Na-miss mo ba ako?”
M: “Oo naman. Na-miss kita lalo nung after kahihiwalay natin. After the movies we did, yung projects na dumating sa’kin di na ganun kaganda.”
C: “Ako, di mo ba tatanungin?”
M: “Na-miss mo ba ako?”
C: “Oo at natutuwa ako dahil maganda ang takbo ng career mo ngayon. Bakit ba tayo nag-break?”
M: “Priorities. May mga ibang bagay akong binigyan ng importancia ng panahong yun.”
C: “But we had no formal closure?”
M: “Wala talaga. Parang biglang hindi na lang tayo nagkita.”
C: “Yung tattoo mo, nandiyan pa?”
M: “Oo”. He then showed his tattoo on his leg.
C: “Sabay tayong nagpa-tatoo nun. Yung sa’kin nabura na, sayo naman pinatungan.”
M: “Ang bata pa natin nun, you’re 15, I’m 16.”
C: “Ano ka ba? Ang aga ko naglandi? Pareho tayo ng age.” (They were both born on 1979. Mark in January, Claudine in July.)
M: “Wala pang mga cellfone noon. Beeper pa lang.”
C: “Meron na. I bought you your first cellphone. Ginamit mo sa pambababe mo. Ang taas ng fone bill mo. Ano ang natutuhan natin?”
M: “I learned to be more of a gentleman, kung paano magmahal ng lubos sa isang tao, and be more of a man to protect your girlfriend.”
C: “That’s true. Very protective ka noon sa akin. Can we still be friends?”
M: “I hope so, if God permits and kung may time. But never ko naman tiningnan na di kita kaibigan. Kaibigan pa rin kita, hindi lang tayo nagkikita.”
C: “Ano nga yung kanta mo para sa’kin?” At first, Mark couldn’t remember, but when Claudine reminded him of “With A Smile”, Mark sang it for her. Claudine said her songs for him then were “You are perfect” and “You are the One”.
M: “Ang dami ng nagbago sa’kin since then. Natuto na kong kumanta.”
C: “Pero may pamilya ka na, may pamilya na ako at pasalamat tayo sa mga asawa natin na pinayagan tayong mag-usap dito. Ngayong friends na uli tayo, what do you want to tell me?”
M: “Never akong nagkaroon ng masamang tinapay sa’yo. Alam ko lagi kitang kakampi at di kita maaaring kalimutan dahil kaibigan kita.”
C: “Young love yung sa atin noon, at kung ano man ako ngayon, a big part of that will be yung naging tayo. If I’d live my life all over again, I would still choose you to be my first boyfriend.”
The live studio audience again urged them to kiss and this time, they obliged. We can’t wait to see Mark guesting in “Claudine”. We sure he can a big help to to brighten Claudine’s career anew.
*********
JACKIE RICE was featured in Story of Your Life in “Showbiz Central” and she cried as they interviewed her relatives, friends and former teachers in Olongapo where she grew up. We just notice that her two brothers, Marlon and Mark Rice, look so Filipino while she looks so mestiza. She doesn’t mind playing a villain role in “ILumina”, shown after "Pilyang Kerubin" with "Endless Love" taking the place of "Diva", even if she already played a lead role in “Tisay” and “Panday Kids”. “Basta I’m happy when GMA-7 gives me a new job,” she says. “Hindi po ako nagrereklamo at baka sabihing pasaway na naman ako. Maganda naman yung role ko as sister ni Rhian Ramos. Dati kaming kambal tuko o Siamese twins, but with the help of Christopher de Leon, napaghiwalay kami. Kaya lang, I’d be swayed to join the dark forces ni Jean Garcia at magiging magkalaban kami ni Rhian. I find my role very challenging at happy ako rito. Sa ngayon, I’m really trying my best to prove to GMA na di na ako ang dating Jackie na mahilig sa nightlife at gimik. Ngayon, puro work na lang talaga ako as I don’t want to waste the second chance they gave me.”
It’s said her non-showbiz BF is the one giving her problems now. “That’s not true. Hindi siya hadlang sa career ko at inspiration ko nga siya. He even drives me sa taping at sinusundo rin ako. Ganun siya ka-supportive. He was the one who encouraged me to buy my own house dito sa Quezon City para I won’t rent anymore. Ang dad ko ang kasama ko sa bahay while my mom lives in Subic. Three years nang hiwalay ang parents ko pero friends naman sila.”
*********
THREE GMA STARS celebrated their birthdays consecutively: Barbie Forteza of “Pilyang Kerubin” on July 31, Cesar Montano of “ILumina” on August 1, and Dingdong Dantes on August 2. Showbiz Central showed Barbie being surprised by her co-stars and the staff on the set of “Pilyang Kerubin” when she turned 13 last Saturday, led by leading men Joshua Dionisio and Elmo Magalona. They sang “Happy birthday” for her and presented her with a cake. What will be the changes in her life now? “I don’t feel any changes,” she says, “except yung naging teenager na nga po ako. Sabi nila, dalagang-dalaga na raw ako tingnan, but ang feeling ko, batambata pa rin ako. Isang nabago, yung after elementary, nasa home study program na po ako ngayon in high school. Because of my hectic tapings in ‘Pilyang Kerubin’, hindi na talaga kaya ng schedule ko na mag-report sa actual school. Sayang nga kasi people tell me high school is one of the most memorable periods in one life at di ko nay un mae-experience in a real school setting. I’ll miss that, pati yung pagkain ko ng French fries sa school canteen. Sa Binan, Laguna pa po kasi school ko, where we also live. E, ganyang under construction po ang South Luzon Expressway, laging grabe ang traffic kaya di talaga ko puede maglagari sa school at sa tapings ko.”
What’s the best birthday gift she got? “Yung mataas na ratings ng ‘Pilyang Kerubin’ kasi let’s face it, Piolo Pascual ang itinapat sa amin pero awa ng Diyos, hindi kami nagpapatalo sa ratings kaya thank you talaga sa lahat ng nanonood sa amin. After Jennica Garcia, this week po, sina Iza Calzado at TJ Trinidad naman ang special guest namin.”
WE HAVEN’T been excited by anything in showbiz lately but we got thrilled during the interview of Claudine Barretto with Mark Anthony Fernandez in “Showbiz Central” last Sunday. At first, we thought it’s gonna be a boring one but we were so amused when Claudine reminded Mark of the song he used to sing to her, the E-heads’ “With a Smile”, then Mark started singing it. All of a sudden, it became evident that the chemistry between the two of them is still very palpable and we remembered the inspiring young flick they did in 1995, “Mangarap Ka”, where they’re both so good. We hope GMA-7 would be able to pick the right story for them when Mark guests in the finale episode of Claudine’s drama show. They should also cook up a good film project for them.
When Mark first appeared on stage, Claudine introduced him as “my ex-boyfriend”. They shook hands but the audience kept on shouting: “Kiss! Kiss!” They didn’t oblige. Claudine asked: “How are you? How do you feel?” Mark said: “Kinakabahan ng konti, natutuwa rin, excited. Salamat inimbitahan nyo ko rito. At salamat sa lahat ng tumangkilik sa ‘Diva’.”
C: “Nagkaroon tayo ng tampuhan after lumipat ako rito. How do we explain that?”
M: “Ako talaga ang may mali. Nagkaroon ng miscommunication. Pero tapos na yun. Isipin na lang natin ang magandang bukas kaysa sa nakakalungkot na kahapon.”
C: “How’s your family?”
M: “We’re okay. Mabuti kami. No problem kay Melissa na ini-interview mo ako.”
C: “Na-miss mo ba ako?”
M: “Oo naman. Na-miss kita lalo nung after kahihiwalay natin. After the movies we did, yung projects na dumating sa’kin di na ganun kaganda.”
C: “Ako, di mo ba tatanungin?”
M: “Na-miss mo ba ako?”
C: “Oo at natutuwa ako dahil maganda ang takbo ng career mo ngayon. Bakit ba tayo nag-break?”
M: “Priorities. May mga ibang bagay akong binigyan ng importancia ng panahong yun.”
C: “But we had no formal closure?”
M: “Wala talaga. Parang biglang hindi na lang tayo nagkita.”
C: “Yung tattoo mo, nandiyan pa?”
M: “Oo”. He then showed his tattoo on his leg.
C: “Sabay tayong nagpa-tatoo nun. Yung sa’kin nabura na, sayo naman pinatungan.”
M: “Ang bata pa natin nun, you’re 15, I’m 16.”
C: “Ano ka ba? Ang aga ko naglandi? Pareho tayo ng age.” (They were both born on 1979. Mark in January, Claudine in July.)
M: “Wala pang mga cellfone noon. Beeper pa lang.”
C: “Meron na. I bought you your first cellphone. Ginamit mo sa pambababe mo. Ang taas ng fone bill mo. Ano ang natutuhan natin?”
M: “I learned to be more of a gentleman, kung paano magmahal ng lubos sa isang tao, and be more of a man to protect your girlfriend.”
C: “That’s true. Very protective ka noon sa akin. Can we still be friends?”
M: “I hope so, if God permits and kung may time. But never ko naman tiningnan na di kita kaibigan. Kaibigan pa rin kita, hindi lang tayo nagkikita.”
C: “Ano nga yung kanta mo para sa’kin?” At first, Mark couldn’t remember, but when Claudine reminded him of “With A Smile”, Mark sang it for her. Claudine said her songs for him then were “You are perfect” and “You are the One”.
M: “Ang dami ng nagbago sa’kin since then. Natuto na kong kumanta.”
C: “Pero may pamilya ka na, may pamilya na ako at pasalamat tayo sa mga asawa natin na pinayagan tayong mag-usap dito. Ngayong friends na uli tayo, what do you want to tell me?”
M: “Never akong nagkaroon ng masamang tinapay sa’yo. Alam ko lagi kitang kakampi at di kita maaaring kalimutan dahil kaibigan kita.”
C: “Young love yung sa atin noon, at kung ano man ako ngayon, a big part of that will be yung naging tayo. If I’d live my life all over again, I would still choose you to be my first boyfriend.”
The live studio audience again urged them to kiss and this time, they obliged. We can’t wait to see Mark guesting in “Claudine”. We sure he can a big help to to brighten Claudine’s career anew.
*********
JACKIE RICE was featured in Story of Your Life in “Showbiz Central” and she cried as they interviewed her relatives, friends and former teachers in Olongapo where she grew up. We just notice that her two brothers, Marlon and Mark Rice, look so Filipino while she looks so mestiza. She doesn’t mind playing a villain role in “ILumina”, shown after "Pilyang Kerubin" with "Endless Love" taking the place of "Diva", even if she already played a lead role in “Tisay” and “Panday Kids”. “Basta I’m happy when GMA-7 gives me a new job,” she says. “Hindi po ako nagrereklamo at baka sabihing pasaway na naman ako. Maganda naman yung role ko as sister ni Rhian Ramos. Dati kaming kambal tuko o Siamese twins, but with the help of Christopher de Leon, napaghiwalay kami. Kaya lang, I’d be swayed to join the dark forces ni Jean Garcia at magiging magkalaban kami ni Rhian. I find my role very challenging at happy ako rito. Sa ngayon, I’m really trying my best to prove to GMA na di na ako ang dating Jackie na mahilig sa nightlife at gimik. Ngayon, puro work na lang talaga ako as I don’t want to waste the second chance they gave me.”
It’s said her non-showbiz BF is the one giving her problems now. “That’s not true. Hindi siya hadlang sa career ko at inspiration ko nga siya. He even drives me sa taping at sinusundo rin ako. Ganun siya ka-supportive. He was the one who encouraged me to buy my own house dito sa Quezon City para I won’t rent anymore. Ang dad ko ang kasama ko sa bahay while my mom lives in Subic. Three years nang hiwalay ang parents ko pero friends naman sila.”
*********
THREE GMA STARS celebrated their birthdays consecutively: Barbie Forteza of “Pilyang Kerubin” on July 31, Cesar Montano of “ILumina” on August 1, and Dingdong Dantes on August 2. Showbiz Central showed Barbie being surprised by her co-stars and the staff on the set of “Pilyang Kerubin” when she turned 13 last Saturday, led by leading men Joshua Dionisio and Elmo Magalona. They sang “Happy birthday” for her and presented her with a cake. What will be the changes in her life now? “I don’t feel any changes,” she says, “except yung naging teenager na nga po ako. Sabi nila, dalagang-dalaga na raw ako tingnan, but ang feeling ko, batambata pa rin ako. Isang nabago, yung after elementary, nasa home study program na po ako ngayon in high school. Because of my hectic tapings in ‘Pilyang Kerubin’, hindi na talaga kaya ng schedule ko na mag-report sa actual school. Sayang nga kasi people tell me high school is one of the most memorable periods in one life at di ko nay un mae-experience in a real school setting. I’ll miss that, pati yung pagkain ko ng French fries sa school canteen. Sa Binan, Laguna pa po kasi school ko, where we also live. E, ganyang under construction po ang South Luzon Expressway, laging grabe ang traffic kaya di talaga ko puede maglagari sa school at sa tapings ko.”
What’s the best birthday gift she got? “Yung mataas na ratings ng ‘Pilyang Kerubin’ kasi let’s face it, Piolo Pascual ang itinapat sa amin pero awa ng Diyos, hindi kami nagpapatalo sa ratings kaya thank you talaga sa lahat ng nanonood sa amin. After Jennica Garcia, this week po, sina Iza Calzado at TJ Trinidad naman ang special guest namin.”
