NEWSFLASH 

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GOODBYE JESSA, HELLO RACHEL

Quezon City, March 22, 2000 - As the saying goes: "lucky in love, unlucky in other things."

Singer-actress Jessa Zaragoza is reportedly the winner and actress Rufa Mae Quinto, the loser, in the battle for the love of singer and Quezon City Councilor Dingdong Avanzado.

But Jessa lost some media mileage and the lead role in an episode of Phillip Salvador's TV series "Code Name: Verano" when she walked out in protest over the presence of a show staffer she had a tiff with.

That was a battle from which non-combatant Rachel Alejandro emerged a victor, winning the role that seems tailor-fit for the singer.

Rachel' coincidentally is one of Councilor Avanzado's ex-girlfriends.

Jessa walked out of the "Verano" taping last week because she didn't want to meet face-to-face with Verano co-director Jose "kaka" Balagtas. Balagtas made Jessa strip her bra in a torrid love scene with Joko Diaz in "Masamang Damo" a few years back, an experience that drove Jessa to a suicide attempt.

But if Jessa thinks she had the last laugh, she's wrong. People behind the show want to thank her for losing the role, because they took in Rachel, who didn't have any second thoughts about accepting the offer.

"Wala nang maraming kaartehan," said somebody connected with the Phillip Salvador show.

Rachel fits the role to a T: A singer who uses a record producer to achieve stardom.

"Rachel was fun to work with," said the Verano staffer. "She didn't give us any problem. In fact, she came out far better than Jessa could ever be. That's why we are thanking Jessa for walking out. At least, mas maganda at mas mahusay ang naging kapalit niya."

Last March 4, Rachel did a concert with Joey Albert and Janet Basco in Washington DC. She's scheduled to perform with Martin Nievera in Melbourne on April 1, Brisbane on April 2 and Sydney on April 8. Tomorrow night (March 23), she's performing at Ratsky in Malate starting at 10 o'clock.

She's all set to start recording her new album for Viva Records

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