VI  IMPRESSED  BY  CLAUDINE

MANILA, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009 (MALAYA) STUDIO WHISPERS by ETHEL RAMOS (‘But I would not refer to her as ‘The Next Vilma Santos. – Vilma Santos’)

IMELDA Papin’s first impulse when her concert with international singing icon, Melissa Manchester, originally scheduled for September 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and on September 20 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom, Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, had been re-scheduled for December 18, was to go back to the US where she now permanently resides with a dearly beloved.

Her singing, recording and performing career is doing very well there. So is her private life. Imelda is reported to be leading a luxurious life abroad, residing in a palatial house with an elevator. But more than these, she is happy. And she looks it.

Vic del Rosario and his son, Vincent, owners of Viva Events and Entertainment which is producing the Imelda-Melissa concert, prevailed on Imelda to stay. As announced by Imelda herself during the presscon organized by Viva for her, she has a CD titled "Voice of the Heart," which she herself produced and which was a hit in the US. Viva Recording, Viva Events and Entertainment’s sister outfit, will be releasing the album in the Philippines so father and son told Imelda that she can very well help promote the CD while she is in the country.

"In that case," Imelda told Boss Vic and Vincent, "I’m not leaving anymore."

Warren Music Corporation distributes "Voice of the Heart" in the US and Canada.

***

Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos maintained her opinion that if there’s one who can follow her footsteps among the actresses of this generation, it is Claudine Barretto.

Governor Vi and Claudine worked together in the award-winning movie, "Anak," where they played mother and daughter. She’s impressed with Claudine’s effortless performance of a problem teen who does not appreciate her mom’s sacrifice as an OFW.

Ate Vi said Claudine, like her, can very well portray a sexy siren and a pathetic wife or girlfriend, just like how the award-winning actress does in some of her movies, with her following not a bit affected.

"But I would not refer to her as ‘The Next Vilma Santos.’ Bawat isa naman sa aming mga artista ay may kanya-kanyang panahon at may kanya-kanyang talent. At maituturing na isa si Claudine na may sariling niche bilang artista," Ate Vi further stated.

***

Dennis Trillo and Pauleen Luna may have called it quits though they have remained good friends. In fact, they keep in touch.

It was not surprising, therefore, that it was Pauleen whom Dennis called when his trip to Boracay became tragic after his friend, Jollybee Bordajo, drowned.

"He was inconsolable over the phone," said Pauleen of Dennis reaction, "while I was talking to him. I advised him to calm down."

Dennis was in Boracay as a guest in an event. Jollybee, who is actually the personal assistant of singer Gian Magdangal, went with him.

Maxine Eigenmann, commercial model and starlet-daughter of actor Mark Gil, was with Dennis and Jollybee when the accident occurred. She related that the waves where they were swimming claimed Jollybee’s life.

"At first, we were all having fun to the point that we didn’t notice that the waves were bringing us far away from where we originally were.

"Then we saw Jollybee struggling. A passerby tried to help him. Jollybee was able to hold on to a rock while tightly holding on to Dennis’ hand. But a big wave swept they both away. Then, the unexpected happened.

"The next time we saw Jollybee, his lifeless body was floating."

Maxine, in an interview with Pia Guanio in the talk program, "Showbiz Central," said she somehow feels guilty because it was she who suggested to Dennis and Jollybee that they go swimming.

"I now keep asking myself, ‘What if I didn’t suggest that we go swimming?’" Maxine uttered tearfully.

When Maxine was asked by Pia why she was in Boracay, she answered that she was also a guest in the same event. She even arrived in Boracay a day ahead of Dennis and Jollybee.

Are she and Dennis close? Pia asked her.

"Well, I only met him a couple of times, through my Kuya Gabby Eigenmann (her half-brother), who is not only a fellow Kapuso of Dennis but a good friend of his, too," Maxine answered.

Gabby is the son of Mark Gil with commercial model Irene Celebre.

Maxine has an older brother, Timothy Mark, who is known in the showbiz world as Sid Lucero.

Their mom is occasional actress Bing Pimentel, Mark’s first wife from whom he is now estranged.