JOHN  PRATS,  A  GAY  IN  2-PIECE  IN  'MANAY  PO'

MANILA, APRIL 6, 2006 (MALAYA) by  ETHEL  RAMOS (‘The day after he came out of Big Brother’s house, John reported to the set of “Manay Ko,” where he plays a gay.’)

ZANJOE Marudo finds no reason for him to explain, much more, apologize to Lino Cayetano, the boyfriend of fellow “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition” housemate Bianca Gonzales, for what transpired between him and Bianca inside Big Brother’s house. “Baka ang lumabas tuloy niyan ay guilty ako at si Bianca,” he says.

The truth of the matter, according to Zanjoe, is that he and Bianca just became close because Big Brother assigned them the same tasks. "Other than that, wala nang namagitan sa amin," he explains. "Ni hindi nga namin alam na may issue nang pinag-u-usapan tungkol sa amin. Nalaman na lang namin ang tungkol dito nang lumabas kami sa Bahay ni Kuya.

"But I must admit that I now really consider Bianca as my close friend. Sana ‘di masira ang samahan namin dahil sa mga nagaganap na kontrobersiya sa kasalukuyan," he adds.

Zanjoe reveals that he’s aware that the Cayetano family got upset over some scenes showing him and Bianca together, especially that one where they were in a tight embrace.

"Sana they saw the scene prior to our hugging," says Bianca. "Na-edit nga lang ang nabanggit na eksena."

How does Zanjoe plan to handle this kind of intrigue? It sure will haunt him for a while, especially because he seems determined to join showbiz.

"Intrigues don’t faze me," he says. "Intrigues are also part of the modeling world, kung saan ako nagsimula. Alam kong parte rin ang mga ito ng showbiz."

Before joining "Pinoy Big Brother," Zanjoe said he taped for an episode in the new teleserye, "Kapitan Inggo," starring "Little Big Star" finalist Makisig Morales.

"I auditioned for it," he says. "At pumasa naman ako."

He also did an episode for "Nagmamahal Kapamilya," where he was paired with Toni Gonzaga.

Zanjoe says he wants to pattern his career after model-actor Richard Gomez. He wants to become like Richard — good actor, a sportsman and a family man, with a beautiful wife to boot.

Now it can be told that John Prats shared a beautiful relationship with Nancy Castiglione even long before he entered Bahay ni Kuya.

"But it wasn’t official," he explained. "Para bang MU (mutual understanding) lang kami. But I hope we will eventually become sweethearts. I really like and love Nancy. And I know she feels the same way towards me."

John, who landed second place to Keanna Reeves, said his stay in Bahay ni Kuya for a period of 58 days changed him tremendously. "Feeling ko actually, I’m not yet my normal self. Pero ang alam ko magiging iba na ang takbo ng buhay ko mula ngayon. Parang I aged somehow. And I have become more responsible."

John said he is thankful for the new friends he gained because of the Big Brother experience. He especially appreciates Keanna, who helped him realize how lucky he is.

"She related to me her pinagdaanan and I can’t imagine being in her shoes. But she survived. And, like me, she learned a lot from Big Brother. Feeling ba namin, mga bagong tao kami," John laughed.

The day after he came out of Big Brother’s house, John reported to the set of "Manay Ko," where he plays a gay. Will he pattern his role in the movie after his fellow housemate Rustom Padilla? Rustom became one of John’s best friends inside Big Brother’s house.

"I don’t know," said John, "Basta ang alam ko para sa pelikulang ito magsusuot ako ng two-piece bathing suit.

"But I trust my director, Joel Lamangan," he added.