GAME  KA  NA  BA,  EDU?

MANILA, OCTOBER 9, 2009 (MALAYA) STUDIO WHISPERS by ETHEL RAMOS (Edu Manzano is reportedly running for senator under Joseph Estrada or Manny Villar.)

IS "Game Ka Na Ba?" host Edu Manzano finally game to run for senator?

Reports have it that he is running under the ticket of either President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, who will reportedly announce his decision to run for president on October 14, or confirmed presidential aspirant, Manny Villar.

Well, in that case, should Edu win, there will finally be a TV host cum news anchor who will be referred to as a senator’s wife.

We all know, of course, that newscaster Pinky Webb is the woman whom Edu promised to marry. If ever, this will be Edu’s third marriage since he was previously married to Governor Vilma Santos and actress Maricel Soriano. Pinky is the daughter of former Sen. Freddie Webb.

Politics is actually not a new game for Edu, as he once served as vice mayor of Makati. Unfortunately, when he ran for mayor in the following elections, he lost.

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Maja Salvador turns sexy in her launching series, "Nagsimula sa Puso," which co-stars her with young award-winning actors, Jason Abalos, the Urian best actor winner for the indie movie, "Endo," and Coco Martin, Urian’s 2009 Best Supporting Actor for the indie film, "Jay."

Maja is the submissive daughter of a very strict mother, played by the much-awarded Jaclyn Jose. Even if she is already a university professor, her life is a routine, mainly because she is afraid to cross her mom.

"Nagsimula sa Puso" is the TV adaptation of the movie of the same title, starring Hilda Koronel, Richard Gutierrez and the late Jay Ilagan.

"I play the role of Hilda," said Maja. "Kay Coco napunta ang role ni Richard. Si Jason naman ang gumaganap sa papel ni Jay Ilagan."

Maja is supposed to be married to Jason, her mom’s choice. Coco is her student whom she later falls in love with.

"With both of them, may love scenes ako," she revealed, "Na puwedeng sabihin na varied ang degree.

"Passionate ako with Jason, he being my husband. Intense naman ang love scenes ko with Coco, since we are in an illicit love affair."

Maja considers her confrontation scene with Jaclyn as one of the highlights of the series. Here, her acting prowess was put to a test.

How would Jacklyn rate Maja’s performance?

"Magaling si Maja," Jaclyn replied. "Given more challenging roles of this kind, she’ll go far as a performer."

"Nagsimula sa Puso" is Jacklyn’s first project with Maja.

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The movie, "Nagsimula sa Puso," was produced by Charo Santos-Concio, now the president of ABS-CBN, where the series of the same title will start airing on Monday, October 12.

Charo produced "Nagsimula" for her own film firm, Vision Films. The movie is one of her most favorite.

In the movie, Jaclyn’s role was portrayed by Armida Siguion-Reyna.

In the TV version are Gloria Romero, Gloria Diaz, Buboy Garovillo (yes, of the APO Hiking Society), Ronnie Lazaro, Niña Jose and Nikki Gil.

***

During the presscon, Gloria Diaz said she wished more original projects for TV are produced. Although she appears to not have anything against adapting a popular movie for a TV series, as she is in one.

She was later asked which of her movies she would want to be remade on TV. Gloria said she has appeared in about 78 films in her, more or less 33 years of acting.

While she admitted she’d rather not have any of these 78 films translated into TV, she said there are a number which are memorable to her.

There is "Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa," which some producers have long expressed their wish to remake. They want her 22 year-old daughter Isabel Diaz-Daza to star in it.

But not one of her two daughters, Gloria revealed, is interested in following in her footsteps. Neither as a beauty queen nor as an actress.

Her daughters saw a copy of the DVD of "Pinakamagandang Hayop" only recently.

Her other films which are worth mentioning, Gloria said, are "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?" and "Andres de Saya."

Gloria started in showbiz at 25. The former Miss Universe is now 58.

***

These movie and TV couple have long been rumored to have separated although they continue to live in the same house – which the husband built for their family – for their children’s sake.

Well, reportedly, the husband and wife have long been minding their own business, so to speak.

Rumors have it that she has a lover, which, of course, have never been proven true.

Well, now that the hubby – or former husband – has evidently found himself a new love, which he is not keeping secret, in fairness to him, will the wife – well, former wife – finally decide to come out in the open, too, about her own love affair?