Gelli De Belen Envies Her Sister, Ate Janice

GELLI DE BELEN is envious of her sister Ate Janice. “She just did three movie, ‘The Healing’ for Star Cinema, ‘Mga Mumunting Lihim’ for Cinemalaya and ‘Pridyider’ for Regal,” she says. “Well, it’s about time. Sayang naman ang galing niya. Kaya lang ako, nami-miss ko rin gumawa ng movie. The last movie I did was with my husband Ariel Rivera just before we got married. And this December, 15 years na kaming married so ganun na ko katagal na walang pelikula. Puro TV lang. Not that I’m complaining kasi happy naman akong busy ako sa TV5. Right now, I’m substituting kay Amy Perez sa ‘Face to Face’, then I’m one of the judges sa ‘Artista Academy’ and host din ako sa ‘Game N Go’. Kung kelan nga weekend, doon ako may trabaho. And yes, kasali rin pala ko sa ‘Third Eye’ that starts this Sunday night.”

Ariel and their two sons were with her when we had lunch. Are they still thinking of migrating to Canada where Ariel’s family is based?

“Ariel and I have realized nandito talaga ang trabaho namin, but we want our kids to study there in college, so pinag-iipunan na lang namin ito. By that time, they can be on their own there at bibisita-bisitahin na lang namin sila. Then they can decide if they want to work there or here kasi wala naman sila hilig mag-showbiz. Di gaya ng mga anak ni Janice, kapag pinakanta, game na game. But my sons, naku, ayaw talaga.”

How’s it working with Lorna Tolentino in “Artista Academy”? “It’s not our first time together. Paglipat ko sa TV5, nag-guest ako sa show niya, ‘Glamorosa’, for three days. Noong una, nervous ako but she’s such a warm and friendly person kaya comfortable ako agad.”

Gelli is managed by Backroom. For inquiries, call 431108 and 435-1120, or email backroominc@hotmail.com.