RUFA  MAE  PROTECTIVE  OF  FIANCÉ

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 (MALAYA) DREAM FACTORY by MARIO BAUTISTA (‘Dati, I’m open sa past boyfriends ko and look what happened, they went pffft. – Rufa Mae Quinto’)

RUFA Mae Quinto officially declared in "Showbiz Central" that she’s now engaged to her mysterious Kapampangan boyfriend. How come she still won’t reveal his identify in public?

"Dati, I’m open sa past boyfriends ko and look what happened, they went pffft," she says. "So this time, let’s allow him his privacy for a while. I promise that when he’s ready, I’ll introduce him first here in ‘Showbiz Central.’ Isa pa, he’s not here now. He’s attending to some business in the US. Ayan nga, I haven’t even divulged yet kung sino talaga siya, may mga nang-iintriga na. They say I can’t buy a house in the US as I’m not a US citizen. Big deal ba sa kanila ang balitang nagkabahay ako roon? Nakitira lang daw ako roon, inangkin ko na. How did they know my boyfriend is not entitled bumili ng property sa US na iniregalo sa akin? Maybe they’re not busy with their lives of their own so they can afford na subaybayan ang buhay ng mga artistang gaya ko."

She also deplores her being linked to Manny Pacquiao now that they’re doing the movie "Wapakman."

"It’s really nakakahiya to his wife Jinkee, friend ko pa naman. Can’t we stars do a movie na hindi ka ili-link sa kapareha mo? Ang bait ng mag-asawang Manny at Jinkee sa’kin kaya huwag na kami intrigahin. And also, na-announce ko na, engaged na ko sa kabalen ko. He gave me a ring when he proposed to me pero hindi ko isinusuot sa tapings and shows ko."

She plans to stay with her husband in the US after the wedding. "So we can focus first on each other as husband and wife, away from the limelight. I will lie low sa showbiz to concentrate on my personal life, but I won’t get pregnant yet. Gusto ko munang i-ready ang sarili ko before we start our own family, but I want to have many kids kasi galing din ako sa big family."

***

Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez are back in each other’s arms in the third season of "Celebrity Duets" that airs every Saturday. "At least, makikita na kami uli buong weekend na magkasama," says Regine. "Saturday sa ‘Celebrity Duets’ and Sunday sa ‘SOP.’"

It’s Ogie’s 42nd birthday on August 27 and do you know what Regine’s gift to him is?

It’s an expensive recording equipment imported from abroad worth P200,000.

"I want his music room to be complete kaya yung special equipment na yun ang bigay ko sa kanya. Actually, ayaw niya, namamahalan siya, but I told him combined birthday and Christmas gift ko na yun for him. E, ako rin naman, magagamit ko rin naman yun kung kailangan kong mag-recording. It’s worth it regaluhan siya ng ganyan kasi siya, kahit walang okasyon, kung anu-anong mamahaling bags at alahas ang binibigay niya sa’kin, bukod pa roon sa personal cards at love notes na lagi niyang pinadadala sa’kin to tell me how much he loves me. Ganun siya ka-sweet."

Ogie and Regine are confident that the new batch of contestants of "Celebrity Duets" will be an intriguing mix for the viewers. "Malalakas ang personalities nilang lahat," they say.

We ask each of the contestants what they think their edge is over the others.

Jomari Yllana: "Pantay-pantay lang kami rito as our common denominator is all of us are not professional singers. We all just want to enjoy. Basta ako, excited ako and I’ll just do my best each Saturday."

Boxing champ Nonito Donaire: "It’s just an honor for me to be with all these people. Meeting them all is already a prize. Sa ring, kayang-kaya ko. But sa singing, I’m not that confident. I’ll just enjoy the whole experience and have fun."

Beauty maven Mikaela Bilbao: "I’ve never sung a song in my entire life, kahit happy birthday. But now, nag-aaral ako and I’m learning. I can’t say I have an edge over the others, basta pagbubutihan ko na lang lagi."

Maxie Cinco: "My edge is the fact that as a designer, I’m doing a lot of costumes for various concert performers and alam ko kung ano ang lalabas na maganda on stage."

Gina Alajar: "Kung may edge man, ako it’s my being an actress. Kukunin ko sa emotion."

Akihiro Sato: "I’ve been a model for four years. I just hope everyone wants to see me sing this time."

"Lord of Scents" Joel Cruz: "Siguro my edge is that I’ve been very successful in my business and I will ask all my friends and all the people working for me to text and vote for me para ako ang manalo."

Beauty queen Janina San Miguel: "My edge is I don’t feel any pressure. I have many friends and family who will support me."

Photographer Niccolo Cosme: "I’m a visual artist and I hope I can translate my artistry into singing."

***

John Prats is thankful to ABS-CBN for lending him to TV-5 to do the horror-comedy show, "Moomoo & Me" that will be shown Thursdays at 8 p.m. "There was a series of meetings between ABS-CBN management and my manager, Arnold Vegafria, at yun nga, pinayagan akong tanggapin ang TV 5 show," he says. "I play the moomoo or ghost who cannot cross over to the great beyond so I befriend child actor BJ Forbes in my mission to help kids in distress. Maganda ang project with wholesome family values. Nakakatawa pero may scenes na nakakatakot din, something for everyone."

Would he request girlfriend Shaina Magdayao to be a guest in the show?

"Why not? Maganda yun, kaya lang she’s managed by Star Magic and sila ang magde-decide if they’d allow her to guest in ‘Moomoo & Me.’ Hindi naman kami mapapahiya as our director, Soxie Topacio, makes sure each episode comes out really entertaining. Kasama ko rin dito sina William Martinez, Yayo Aguila, IC Mendoza, Tiya Pusit and Empoy."

Looks like he’s dead serious with Shaina.

"Oo naman. Wala ka nang hahanapin pa. And the five-year difference between us work well with us kasi mas nagbibigayan kami sa isa’t isa. In my mind, siya na talaga ang girl for me pero hindi kami nagmamadali na humarap sa altar as she’s just 21 years old."

***

GMA Artist Center Talent Development Unit signed up an agreement with Robinson’s Movieworld for their "Pagsisimula sa Indie Festival" project. This is a weeklong event starting September 9, showing films from Cinemalaya, DGPI’s "Sine Direk," and other indie films featuring GMA talents in the cast like "Bente" (Iza Calzado, Jace Flores, Kaye Alipio), "Ded Na si Lolo" (Rainier Castillo, Belly Flori, Arpee Bautista), "Enkwentro" (Felix Roco), "Musa" (Ryza Cenon, Nanding Josef), "Manong" (Mark Herras), Zig Dulay’s "1017" (GA Villafuerte). The other films are "Tribu" by Jim Libiran who’s a film and TV production speaker for GMA Artist Center workshops, "Jay" by Francis Pasion, "Kamada" by Raymond Red, "Barometer" filmed in Davao by Rico Panganiban, "Otra Vez," "Katha," "Batang Bato" and five short films by Batch 5 Workshop: "Carl," "Limos," "Katok," "Lapis," and "Windang."

Opening night is next Wednesday, September 9. The Awards Night and graduation of the workshop participants will be on September 13, Robinsons Cinema 2, 6:30 p.m.

***

After his top-rating "Zorro" that established his being "Primetime King," Richard Gutierrez now returns on air with "Planet Philippines," a GMA News and Public Affairs Environment Special.

Richard previously won the Fr. Neri Satur Award for Environmental Heroism for his past two special docus on GMA-7, "Signos" (about global warming) and "Full Force Nature" (about natural calamities).

"I’m glad to be part of socially-relevant shows like ‘Planet Philippines’ that help open the eyes of our viewers about the need to protect our environment. In ‘Planet Philippines,’ we will take them on a grand and awesome journey into the country’s final wilderness sites to show the best-kept secrets of the natural world where life and the amazing systems that support it are an everyday spectacle.

"Hailed by scientists as a mega biodiversity haven, the Philippines is home to thousands of plant and animal species that can be found nowhere else on Earth, like one kind of bird that’s only found in one Visayan island. We will go around Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to examine the diverse Philippine landscape and rainforests, seascape to show sharks and manta rays, and underground terrain through our mysterious caves."

But while our country may be a paradise that boasts of many marvels, it’s also considered a "biodiversity hotspot," an area in the world where species decline and habitat loss are at alarming levels. A report from the World Wide Fund for Nature, Zoological Society of London and Global Footprint Network also cites that the Philippines’ ecological footprint or impact on the environment is 50-100% more than its annual biocapacity or its ability to regenerate resources. The documentary aims to bring these realities to the fore by showing what is at stake – a land blessed with natural resources that are ever astounding and yet diminishing.

Shot in high definition and produced using world-class nature filmmaking techniques, "Planet Philippines" is an impressive compilation of stunning images showcasing the country’s finest treasures. "It’s an honor to be hosting the show that’s not only entertaining but also very informative and educational," adds Richard."It shows the connections between human activities and the state of the environment, and provides practical solutions on how we can help save what is left."

"Planet Philippines" is a must-see television event airing on Sunday on GMA after "Show Me Da Manny."

***

Director Carlo J. Caparas became emotional when the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) hosted a dinner for him and gave him a medallion in recognition of his achievements as an artist in film and visual arts. "This recognition from PUP is very significant for me," he says. "Dahil ang PUP ang isa sa pinakamalaking pamantasan sa ating bansa. Mahigit sa 50,000 ang kanilang estudyante at para pagkalooban ng ganitong karangalan ay napakalaking bagay sa katulad ko na di man lang nakatuntong sa mataas na paaralan o pamantasan."

He really missed making movies as his last one was "The Chavit Singson Story" in 2003. When he presented the cast of his comeback flick, "Ang Pangarap Kong Jackpot Trilogy," he thanked the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for supporting his new project. "It helped us a lot in our research for the materials used in the development of the script," he says. "We’re releasing the movie in time for the PCSO’s year-long celebration of its 75th anniversary this month of September. We offer inspirational stories about people who are down and depressed because of poverty but with the help of their friends and loved ones, they are able to overcome their problems and come out as winners in their quests for success."

Eddie Garcia is thankful for his role in the "Hiwaga ni Lolo Hugo" episode. He plays the caretaker of a mansion believed to be haunted by evil spirits. The real story behind the old house is revealed after a group of teenagers dare each other as to who could stay inside the house for the longest period of time. "Ang mahihilig sa horror films, tiyak na masisiyahan sa mga nakakatakot na eksena sa kuwentong ito," adds Direk Carlo. "Yun namang episode ni Manny Pacquiao, ‘Sa Ngalan ng Busabos,’ combination of action and drama while the ‘Hawak Kita, Hawak Mo Ako’ episode is about young love starring Jake Cuenca and Megan Young who are both serious in their crafts kaya tiyak kong malayo ang mararating ng careers nila. They are sure to go places."