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Shaina Magdayao says she is over the nasty ‘sex rumor’; Ronnie Liang wants to move on from being his former manager’s ‘pain’ BY WM BELEN CONTRIBUTOR


T’S the Christmas season and more than the gifts people give and receive, this time of the year is also meant to be the “season of forgiveness.”


I


In local showbiz, a number of celebrities already caught the for- giveness bug and have even revealed the names of the people they have already forgiven in their hearts. Case in point is Shaina Magdayao of the Star Magic roster of talents, who is also one of the lead characters in Regal Entertainment’s Shake Rattle and Roll XII, an official entry to the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival. The actress and her boyfriend Box Office King John Lloyd Cruz were recent victims of a damaging rumor. The nasty story pictured them as al- legedly caught in an “uncompro- mising sexual position” that needed medical attention. “You know who you are and I just


hope you can still sleep at night af- ter what you did,” was Magdayao’s short remark in Filipino regarding the guilty party.


She added that she and her boy- friend would rather keep quiet about the issue because they refuse to stoop down to such a level. “We have become stronger, not just as a couple, but as individuals. I can say that I’ve become a stronger woman and I’ve become more care- ful in the things that I do. I am just lucky to have my family and friends and JL [Cruz] to support me. They were always there for me,” she said. She went on to say that she has


“lifted her problems to God” and is confident “that God will always take care” of her. Her faith in God is the reason she survived such mean and damaging rumor. “I’m very blessed with a lot of


■ TANGING FROM C1


‘Tanging Ina Mo, Last Na ‘To’


were already abroad, or working for GMA Network. “Pero talagang super effort ang Star Cinema na mabuo kami. Fortunately naman, thank you kay God, nabuo kami . . . Minus Heart [Evangelista] nga lang [But Star Cinema really made a huge effort to get everyone together, and thanks be to God, we completed the cast, except for Heart Evangelista].” After presenting the movie trailer to the media at the Dolphy Theater at ABS-CBN, the Comedy Queen admitted that she felt a bit emo- tional about the movie. “Masaya ako, pero parang nalungkot ako ng konti nang makita ko na, ‘Ay, parang last na ‘to.’ [I’m happy but I’m also sad that this will be the last installment of the movie]. “Kasi, di ba, ganoon naman talaga yun? Sa bawat yugto ng buhay natin, may tuldok [But that’s always how it is, things always come to an end]. So, pagkatapos ng tuldok, may comma ulit. So, may bago na namang mangyayari [But then again, after every period there’s a comma that follows so there should be a new beginning again].” She also says they wanted to end the series while it was still hot. “Una po, talaga yung title is last na. Kasi sabi ko, kapag hindi ito last, mawawala ang kredibilidad natin. And saka, mas maganda ang grand exit ng isang bagay na nasa itaas siya kesa yung walang- wala nang nanonood sa atin. [This will really be the last installment of the movie, otherwise we would lose our credibility; it’s better to end something good while we’re still on top, rather than when no one’s there to watch us anymore].


While bringing together all her


work that I don’t want to be af- fected by such an issue anymore. I’m very happy right now with my life,” she expressed. Joining in Shake Rattle and Roll XII are Carla Abellana, Andi Eigenmann and Rayver Cruz. The movie is di- rected by Don Michael Perez and Topel Lee.


Another survivor Meanwhile, considered another sur-


vivor of damaging rumors is local Prince of Ballad Ronnie Liang who recently went back to his old manager George Roca, admittedly “happier and with a lighter heart.” Apparently, things didn’t work well with him and the management team of Arnold L. Vegafria (ALV Productions), which he tried for almost four months. According to Ronnie, there were lots of confusion and misunder- standing between him and ALV. And he felt bad when rumors circulated that he was a “pain” to manage. “I heard that he was saying that I


was always complaining which wasn’t true. All I ever did was fol- low up my schedules and bookings. And as an artist, I believe that’s just my right,” explained Liang. “I never complained and I always followed because that’s why he’s my manager, to guide me.”


He also questioned why he didn’t


get any contracts for his shows. For him artists should always be given a contract before agreeing to do a show. So why did he leave George Roca in the first place? “I didn’t. He had to leave because he


wanted to study in California. He actu- ally endorsed me to ALV. So I talked to George and here I am again with him which is a good feeling,” he replied. Also, while with ALV, a lot of rumors and issues about his per- sonal and professional life circu- lated. Such stories included how he wore make-up or foundation, while working out in a gym. “I learned to put on and wear make-up since I started in showbiz. But I use them only when I’m work- ing before the cameras. Saying that I wear it while working out in the gym is foul,” he lamented. He said that writers shouldn’t just make-up stories to make a living. He added they should be more factual in their writings.


Another issue about Liang is that he has a so-called “sugar mommy” which irked him more. He clarified that he is in a long distance relation-


ship with a woman from New York who is only in her 20s. “I really don’t know where these stories were coming from. But I hope they think first before they write. Because it’s not nice to be putting food on their tables from writing false stories or spreading rumors about people,” he opined. Liang is frustrated that the house


he saved-up for and bought was even rumored to have been given by the person he is alleged to have a relationship with. “I’ve always worked hard. I dream and I work hard to reach my dreams,” he said. In the meantime, the artist is al-


ready working on his next album, which is slated for a 2011 release. He is excited because the new project will reflect what he has become since he entered showbiz. As a prod- uct endorser of Aficionado, he be-


came a success with more and more personal products added to his name over time. “I’m surprised of the support that


my fans have given me as an en- dorser of Aficionado. There are other [endorsements] lined-up for me too. But next year, my goal is to focus more on my music, but I don’t mind acting and hosting,” he declared. Is marriage part of his goal


next year as well? Ronnie Liang only answered with a smile.


■ Balladeer Ronnie Liang was also the victim of a malicious rumor that portrayed him as a talent who is “a pain to manage.” He has chosen to move and focus on a new recording project.


■ DOLPHY FROM C1


Comedy King Dolphy as ‘Father Jejemon’


does,” he added, referring to his long time partner. “I think she has four cell phones!”


Despite his decades’ long career in


Ai Ai de Las Alas worked hard at getting together “all her children” for the final installment of Tanging Ina. They are all in the movie, except for Heart Evangelista.


“children” proved to be a quite a challenge, they had no problems casting De las Alas’s BFF (Best Friend Forever) Eugene Domingo. Despite top-billing several blockbuster movies herself, Eugene had no problems playing a supporting role for her friend. In fact, Domingo says, she was even worried when she heard rumors that she was going to be replaced by Pokwang. “Naririnig ko nga ‘yan [I heard about that], says Domingo. “Tina- nong ko agad si Direk Wen, ‘Direk, kasama pa po ba ako sa Tanging Ina 3? Kasi, baka naman ako lang ang excited, hindi pala ako kasama. Pakiklaro naman sa Star Cinema kung saan galing na hindi na ako kasali na parang ang kapalit yata si Pokwang [I heard about that piece of news and I even asked Direk if it was true Pokwang was replacing me].” Eugene adds, “Kung hindi naman nasali, tatanggapin ko din—pero pipilitin ko pa rin kahit cameo role lang dahil gusto ko talagang masali


[But if I really wasn’t part of the movie, I would have also accepted that, yet still push for a cameo at the very least].”


When asked if she was ready to


take over the throne of her best friend, Domingo humbly answered, “Ai-Ai de las Alas is my queen! That’s it! If she ever needs me for any of her projects, kahit anong tulong na maibibigay ko, suporta, ibibigay ko sa isang napaka-professional at mapag- bigay na artista katulad ni Ai-Ai delas Alas [Whatever she needs from me, I will give her because she is such a professional].” The two also believe that their friendship serves as a sort of lucky charm for their projects. “It’s a gift, a blessing at magic talaga dahil noong nag-dub kami, pareho kami ng reaction na, ‘Grabe naman ‘tong mga mukha natin, bagay talaga, bilog yung sa akin, pahaba yung sa kanya! Ang ganda-ganda talagang tingnan. [Our tandem is perfect, down to our physical appearances—my face is long and hers is so round!]” laughs de las Alas. While this may be the last Tanging


Comedy queens Ai Ai de las Alas (left) and Eugene Domingo with Director Wenn Deramas (center).


Ina movie, the comedy queens said they hope that there will come a time when they could produce their movies on their own. “Parang sa Hollywood, sina George Clooney at Brad Pitt na nagpo-produce din ng movies nila [Just like Clooney and Pitt who produce their own movies],” explains De Las Alas. Asked how they going head to head with the movie starring both Bong Revilla Jr. and Vic Sotto (Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote), Ai Ai said they were not feeling too


pressured. “Basta ang sa akin, basta nagawa namin ang best namin at nagawa namin lahat yun, at sa tingin namin matutuwa ang buong publiko, OK na yun. “At saka, unang-una, idol ko si Bossing. At yung dalawang yun, hari ng pelikula. So, kung second man kami, OK lang. Sila naman. [So long as the public likes our movie, that’s good enough for us because we are up against two movie kings.]” In Tanging Ina Mo Last Na ‘To, Ina Montecillo (Ai Ai de las Alas) returns to her simple life after becoming president of the country. Despite feeling largely forgotten, Ina doesn’t mind until she learns of her terminal illness and has barely six to eight months to live. Together with best friend Rowena (Eugene Domingo), Ina exerts her last efforts to try and make her loved ones happy and be the ultimate “Tanging Ina” to them all. Director Wenn Deramas, who dedicates the series to his mother, says the third movie, is an experiment of sorts. “There is nothing funny about dying so the challenge was how to present it in a hilarious way without entirely losing the seriousness of the situation. In the first two movies, there were parts that started comedic and ended up being serious or start of serious then end with a punch line. This time we’ll try to make the audience feels both happy and sad at the same time, mixed emotions talaga.” Tanging Ina Mo Last Na ‘To, opens December 25 and is the official entry of Star Cinema to the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival.


showbiz, the movie is the first time that Dolphy is playing the role of a priest. And just like any actor, this new opportunity still excites him. So what kind of a priest is Father Jejemon? He is a cross of so many things—of the unexpected, and funny. He endears himself to the people of the fictitious town Parmbil through his offbeat ways. He plays rock music. He also organizes talent competitions (ala Philippine Idol) and other activities for the youth. He even dubs the women’s organization of the parish as the Lady Nga-Ngas, with obvious homage to international pop singing sensation Lady Gaga. Director Frank Gray Jr. said of


the movie: “Father Jejemon has all the elements of a comedy movie, and it is a must-see for children and their families.” In terms of box office, Dolphy


■ CLASH FROM C1 A clash of heroes and egos?


Agimat, a character inspired by the original Pepeng Agimat classic, to the earthly world of Enteng Kabisote. While fulfilling his quest of


vanquishing dangerous monsters, Agimat was unexpectedly led to the portals of Encantadia, where he meets Enteng, a low-profile do-it- yourself technician married to a beautiful fairy princess. As Enteng and Agimat face several challenges in the Black Forest, the two are forced to combine their brains and brawns in order to destroy the wicked Satana, while battling zombies, snakes and other treacherous creatures along the way. The movie makes full use of


Sotto’s humor and Revilla’s trade- mark action stunts to give the viewers everything they want in a single movie. Sotto says he even did several action sequences and tells viewers to watch out for the grand finale of the movie. Joining Revilla and Sotto are some of today’s most promising stars: Gwen Zamora as Faye, Enteng’s wife; and Sam Pinto as


Samara, the audacious heroine from Agimat’s homeland of Mahapay. Rounding up the cast are Amy Perez (Ina Magenta); Bing Loyzaga as Satana; Aiza Seguerra (Aiza), Oyo Boy Sotto (Benok), Ruby Rodriguez, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Ellen Adarna, Benjie Paras, Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio, Jake Vargas, Bea Binene and Jillian Ward. Directed by Tony Reyes, Si Agimat at Si Enteng was shot entirely in high-definition (HD) using the latest, state-of-the art Arri D21 Digital camera, and post processed using the most sophisticated editing technology. Revilla, whose movies have been


known to push the technical capabilities of local filmmaking, says aside from the movie’s grand sets and location, he is also proud of how the movie was shot in full HD. Asked if they plan to do a possible sequel be shot in 3D? Revilla answered, “That will come— we’ll try—it’s a surprise . . . so you have to see the movie.”


said: “We do not need to be the top, it’s enough that we make enough modestly.”


The Comedy King looks at the film festival not so much as a competition but as a venue for excellent entertainment—a way for the industry to give the moviegoers their money’s worth. Father Jejemon also stars Cherie Gil, Maja Salvador, Roy Alvarez, Tony Mabesa, Efren Reyes Jr. and Nash Aguas, among others. Dolphy also reminded the press that his album, Handog ni Pidol, A Lifetime of Music and Laughter, is also out in the market now.


The


album features the songs “Tequila,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” “You’re Just In Love” (a duet with Zia Quizon) and “You Make Me Feel So Young” (a duet with ZsaZsa Padilla), among others. Father Jejemon has a Facebook


page. Look for Dolphy as Father Jejemon and Dolphy Quizon on the social networking site.


showtime The ˜Manila Times FRIDAY December 10, 2010 Celebrities willing to forgive this Christmas


■ Shaina Magdayao (leftmost) and her boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz were involved in a nasty rumor on their sexual pursuits. She said she has forgiven the guilty party for trying to


damage them. With the actress in this photo are her co-stars in Shake Rattle and Roll XII, Andi


Eigenmann and Carla Abellana.


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