NEWSFLASH

Special to the Philippine Headline News Online
by Alex Jimenez
Newsflash Entertainment Columnist

---

GLYDEL MERCADO: ANNABELLE RAMA SPILLS THE BEANS

Manila, Sept. 11, 1998 - Former actress Annabelle Rama, now more popularly known as the mother of Ruffa Gutierrez, has blown the lid off the enmity between her and sexy star Glydel Mercado who happens to be the girl friend of her stepson Tonton Gutierrez.

As Ethel Ramos of Malaya puts it, "it was Annabelle who helped Glydel start her career in showbiz. Glydel, who was then still sporting the screen name Flordeliza Sanchez, was practically pampered by Annabelle, who requested German Moreno to get her as a mainstay in his then very popular afternoon youth program THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT."

"Talagang pinaghirapan ko siya," Annabelle said in an interview. "Lahat-lahat, kahit walang kinalaman sa career niya, tinulungan ko siya. I rented an apartment for her and her family in Roces Avenue, Quezon City, because she then lived in far-away Antipolo."

"I spent for her make-up, shoes and clothing. One time, when Pilita Corrales had a garage sale of her used gowns, pinamili ko siya para may magamit siya sa kanyang singing engagements. Kung minsan, kahit damit ni Ruffa at sapatos, ipinahihiram ko sa kanya kung wala siyang magamit," she continued.

Annabelle claimed that Glydel dumped her unceremoniously as manager, with not even any courtesy notice.

"Ang sama ng loob ko sa babaing iyan when one time I went to the US, pagkatapos, pag-uwi ko dito may iba na siyang manager. Ni wala man lamang courtesy na magpaalam sa akin," Annabelle lamented.

What does Tonton have to say about all this? Nothing.

According to reports, he is aware of the special hatred Annabel has for Glydel, but merely shrugs the problem off. It's all between the two women, after all.