NEWSFLASH

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JAKE ROXAS WOULD RATHER QUIT THAN KISS RUSTOM

Manila, Nov. 3, 1998 - Jake Roxas is no longer in the movie which stars Maricel Soriano and Rustom Padilla. The reason? The Manila Times writes that Jake would rather lose a potential award-winning role than go through an on-camera kissing scene with Rustom.

Last week, at the birthday party of Maricel's manager Manny Valera, Jake's refusal to do an on- screen kiss with Rustom was the hottest topic. The common impression was that Jake's simply homophobic, which explains his alleged reaction to the proposed kissing scene: "Kadiri!"

Rustom and Jake were both present at the birthday party, and Rustom told reporters he respected Jake's decision.

The snafu revived the old rumor, denied vehemently by Rustom, that he's gay. His gender identity problem was even reported to be part of the reason for the break-up of his 3-year marriage to Carmina Villaroel.

Jake himself has not been spared by the rumor mill; the Manila Times reports that stories had circulated about Jake's having been a kept man of an old gay doctor. Jake denied the rumors.