DIETHER  GIVING  UP  ON  KRISTINE?


MANILA, APRIL 25, 2008 (MALAYA) DREAM FACTORY by MARIO BAUTISTA (Kung kami pa rin ang magiging magkasama later on, only God knows. – Diether Ocampo’)

AT the presscon of "Maligno," Diether Ocampo denied that he has reconciled with ex-wife Kristine Hermosa after they were seen together in Boracay. "Yes, magkasama kami sa Boracay for a pictorial, with me as the photographer, pero hindi kami nagkabalikan," he says. "We did a pictorial there for my magazine. She also helps me out sa charity work ko for KIDS Foundation. Pero hanggang doon lang. If ever nagkabalikan nga kami, hindi ko naman itatago. As of now, trabaho lang ako at volunteer work sa KIDS Foundation that had a successful feeding program sa three barangays in Camarines Sur that we were able to identify as the most poverty-stricken area in the region with 7,000 kids being malnourished. We’re now hoping to raise more funds and awareness for this particular project. We implemented its first cycle of 60 days and we’ll start soon the next cycle of another 60 days to achieve the full potential of the feeding program. For those who want to help, please log on to www.kidsfoundation.org.ph."

So he’s no longer keen about reconciling with Kristine?

"I’ve done my part doon sa sinabi ko noong niligawan ko siya uli. Kung kami pa rin ang magiging magkasama later on, only God knows. As of now, maayos naman ang samahan namin. We’re friends."

He seems to have given up hope. Is it because Oyo Sotto continues to be linked with Kristine?

"I’d rather not talk about it at all. Kasi hahaba lang at hindi matatapos if ever I’d say anything. So whatever it is that I feel, I’ll just keep it to myself. Let’s just say I’m a man of few words."

As of now, he’s just happy to be reunited with Claudine Barretto and director Wenn Deramas in "Maligno." "We’ve done several soaps and films together like ‘Mula sa Puso,’ ‘Saan Ka Man Naroroon,’ at iba pa, kaya happy akong magkakasama kami uli rito sa ‘Maligno’ na horror naman."

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Anne Curtis admits that if Aga Muhlach were single, she would have easily fallen in love with him while they were shooting "When Love Begins" in Boracay.

"And why not when we’re in a very romantic setting?" she says. "Pero yun na nga, I know he’s a family man and he’s devoted to his wife and kids kaya it never crossed my mind na puede kaming magkatuluyan."

Boracay will always have a special place in her heart. "I’m a loyal Boracay girl. Everytime I have a long vacation, I go there to unwind. Lagi nga kaming nagkikita ni Direk Joey Reyes doon, without knowing that one day, we will make a movie there."

But there’s one incident that happened in Boracay that she’d rather forget. "I really feel so embarrassed each time I remember it. Nakakahiya! You know what happened? I got drunk. I was with my barkada and for fun, uminom-inom kami kasi birthday ni Luis Manzano that time. Tapos, may nag-away at naitulak ako. I feel dizzy na nga, na-off balance pa ako, so I fell. E, naka-mini skirt lang ako that time, kaya nag-hello world talaga ang lower half ko and a lot of people saw me that time. May underwear naman ako, pero nakakahiya pa rin. Kung may mga kumuha lang sa akin sa cellphone nila when that happened, siguro nag-circulate na ‘yun pati sa internet. After that, sumumpa akong hindi na uli mag-papakalasing para hindi ako magkalat, lalo na sa Boracay."

In "When Love Begins," she plays a rich girl who is afraid of commitment. Is she also like that in real life?

"No, ilang beses na nga ako nagkaroon ng commitment. But this time, I’m really more careful. I don’t want to get into another relationship masabi lang na may boyfriend ako. Pag nag-commit uli ako, I want it to be for good na."

How did John Avila feel when Mariel Rodriguez, to whom he became extra close while they were both housemates in "PBB Celebrity Edition 2," chose Zanjoe Marudo over him?

"I’m happy for them," he says. "Sincere ‘yan. Ako naman ang nag-give way kasi as of now, wala rin akong time for love because my work is really my priority. Isa pa, Zanjoe is a good friend because we’re together in ‘Coverboys,’ kaya I don’t want to be his rival with Mariel. Actually, when Mariel made her choice, I felt relief din kasi, at least, there’s no need for me to hope and hang on pa."

He’s happy with the good breaks ABS-CBN is giving him, especially in Mars Ravelo’s "Kapitan Boom," which starts airing this Saturday.

"This is a good project and a blessing for any newcomer like me who’s just starting to make a name. But mind you, it’s not easy to play a superhero. My costume alone is so very difficult to put on and three people help me to wear it. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes just to put it on kasi it’s rubberized kaya mabigat. It’s so thick and about 5 lbs siguro ang weight nito so when I’m wearing it, I start to perspire a lot na para kong nasa sauna lalo ngayong summer pa naman. So once I put it on, kailangan sunod-sunod na ang scenes na kukunan sa akin."

He has two leading ladies in the show, Maja Salvador and newcomer Marianna del Rio. "Maja is more senior than us and she helps us sa taping kasi baguhan lang kami. Si Marianna, she’s kinda shy kaya tahimik lang."

Jon is also elated to be doing a show with the Coverboys at the Music Museum on May 9 and 10, 8 p.m. What can he say to the allegation that all they have to offer are their good looks and hunky physique? "Well, I can’t deny that’s part of the package. But we’re all taking up voice and dance lessons to make sure we’ll do well in our production numbers. We’re out to prove may ‘K’ kami to sing and dance on stage, although may parts din that we’ll do naughty numbers showing our bodies to delight female viewers."

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Susan Roces was present at the presscon of "Maligno," which is near to her heart as it won for her a second FAMAS best actress award 30 years ago. After she saw the pilot episode, she said she’s happy with its modernized version and she congratulated director Wenn Deramas and the entire cast, headed by Claudine Barretto, Diether Ocampo and Rafael Rosell, for a job well done. After the preview, she spread goodwill by donating a total of P14,000 that was raffled off to the press.

"I find the TV remake of ‘Maligno’ more scary and exciting kasi ibinagay sa bagong henerasyon ng viewers," she says. "I have no doubt it will be a toprater like ‘Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara.’ I’m sure the original director, Celso Ad. Castillo, will also appreciate how they gave new treatment to the material."

Claudine, who reprises Susan’s role, says she was nervous during the presscon because of the presence of Ms. Roces. "I’m so thankful that my comeback vehicle after giving birth is from the ‘Susan Roces Cinema Collection’," she adds. "It’s an honor to be doing ‘Maligno’ and I’m glad she’s not disappointed with my interpretation of Angela, the character she played before on the big screen who becomes the mother of the son of the devil. Actually, I was scared to do ‘Maligno’ kasi it’s not just about ghosts but about demons. Being a Christian, I asked our pastor’s advice sa Victory Fellowship and he said that as long as my Christian faith remains strongs, I have nothing to worry about as I am just playing a role. While taping my scenes, talagang I kept on praying and reciting various Bible verses para evil spirits will not affect me while doing the show."

"Maligno" starts airing next week on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida.