KIM CHIU & GERALD: BETTER TOGETHER / KRIS AS KIM'S FASHION CONSULTANT


MANILA, JANUARY 21, 2010 (MALAYA)  Whether or not their on-screen romance extends beyond the screen, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson have left such an indelible mark in the public’s mind that they have become inseparably known as "Kimerald."

Very Hollywood, right?

Kim and Gerald’s loveteam has become so bankable that in the public eye they are the only local pair that bears that Hollywood trademark – two names abbreviated into one… two hearts beating as one?

Fresh from their top-rated ABS-CBN soap "Tayong Dalawa," Kim and Gerald are together again in Star Cinema’s "Paano Na Kaya?"

Kim has just received praises for her performance in "I Love You, Goodbye," Star Cinema’s entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival in which she acquitted herself beside such fine actors as Derek Ramsay, Angelica Panganiban and Gabby Concepcion.

On the other hand, Gerald was paired Erich Gonzales in the successful "Agimat" series, "Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat."

Going solo, they click. But they click even better together as they do in "Paano Na Kaya?" which is directed by Ruel S. Bayani, from a screenplay by Henry Quitain and Kriz Gazmen. "Paano Na Kaya?" which also stars Melissa Ricks, is the story of two friends who eventually become lovers, challenging the question of whether romance on the rebound can endure.

Kim is Mae, madly in love with her best friend, Bogs (Gerald), who only sees his girlfriend Anna (Melissa). Bogs considers Mae as just a friend, until he and Anna break up. He finds a sympathetic ear in Mae. But then, Anna asks Bogs for another chance.

"Paano Na Kaya?" is slated for release on January 27.

Kris acts as Kim’s fashion consultant By Mario Bautista (‘Kung shorts, super short talaga. Ang dresses, pa-sexy, ang iikli at mining-mini. -- Kim Chiu’)

THE grapevine says that John Lloyd Cruz got drunk at Fiamma Bar last Friday because Ruffa Gutierrez (although they never admitted they were on) decided to split up with him for good. It’s said this is also the reason he started going out with Shaina Magdayao.

The reports say John got so drunk at Fiamma he passed out and that the bouncers there had to carry him out to his car. They just covered his face with a towel so he wouldn’t be recognized. But the following day, John Lloyd went to a personal appearance looking like he didn’t get intoxicated at all the previous night. All the more so when he reported in "ASAP" last Sunday and did his musical number with aplomb.

Now, what do John Lloyd and Baron Geisler have in common? In the case of Lloydie, ABS-CBN should give him a warning as the talks might damage his career when he’s one of their hottest properties. Someone suggested he should make a local version of the Hollywood, "The Hangover," to be megged by Joyce Bernal.

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Ciara Sotto had a Christian wedding to Jojo Oconer at the Manila Polo Club last Sunday and it was covered live by Pia Guanio for "Showbiz Central." Jojo works with TAPE, the producer of "Eat Bulaga." He met Ciara in the US when "EB" staged live shows in California in 2005.

Among the guests were Mother Lily Monteverde, Sharon Cuneta and daughter KC Concepcion, Pops Fernandez, Dawn Zulueta, Malou Choa-Fagar, Bibeth Orteza, cousins Gian and Oyo and Oyo’s girlfriend Kristine Hermosa, and "Eat Bulaga" co-hosts Joey de Leon, Vic Sotto, Julia Clarete, Ruby Rodriguez, Allan K, and Paolo Ballesteros (who was once linked to Ciara). The bride’s mom, Helen Gamboa, became emotional at one point and cried, seated behind husband Tito Sotto.

To Ciara and Jojo, congratulations and best wishes.

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Gelli de Belen took the lie detector test at the "Don’t Lie to Me" portion. John Lapus’ first question to her was: Nagseselos pa ba kayo ni Ariel (Rivera, her husband) sa mga ex ninyo? Gelli said no and it’s true. May boyfriend ba ngayon ang sister mong si Janice? She said none and it’s a lie.

The last question came from Janice herself: Nasaktan ba kita in the past? She said yes and it’s true. She said it had something to do with John Estrada but didn’t elaborate anymore.

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Viva Hot Babe Andrea del Rosario will soon be a Hot Mama as she’s four months pregnant, courtesy of her businessman boyfriend whose identity she won’t reveal so he can keep his privacy. She revealed in "Startalk" that this is not the first time she got pregnant. Last year, she had an ectopic pregnancy that was aborted and she thought it’d be hard for her to be preggy again so she was surprised when she conceived anew in September. No, they haven’t talked about getting married. She was last seen in GMA-7’s "Tinik sa Dibdib." Aside from her, three other Hot Babes are said to be preggy. Two are in the US now and one is in China.

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"Tinik sa Dibdib" is ending this week and replacing it starting Monday is the remake of the Seiko drama, "Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita?" written by Gilda Olvidado whose "Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?" was also filmed by Seiko and is also being remade by ABS-CBN to replace "Nagsimula sa Puso." Both remakes are in the afternoon slot.

In "Ina," Jean Garcia reprises the role originally played by Ms. Rita Gomez, Alvina, a mom with three children who have different fathers. Her own daughter, Jennica, plays the role of Lorna Tolentino, Rizzi, the youngest child who rebels against her manipulative mom and calls her immoral. The other two kids are now played by Dion Ignacio as Rav and Iwa Moto as Rossan. Rizzi’s father is Daniel (Ariel Rivera), a lowly gardener.

Also in the cast are Luis Alandy as the man who comes between mother and daughter, Paolo Avelino, Lloyd Samartino, Karla Estrada, Richard Quan, LJ Reyes and Regine Tolentino, directed by Gil Tejada and with world famous violinist Alfonso "Coke" Bolipata writing the theme song.

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Kim Chiu says her role as Gwen in "Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo" is her sexiest so far. "Puro provocative ang damit na pinapasuot sa’kin," she says. "Kung shorts, super short talaga. Ang dresses, pa-sexy, ang iikli at mining-mini. Kaya kailangan, walang peklat ang legs ko, kaso, nagkakasugat ako dahil sa production numbers namin sa ASAP."

Kris Aquino, who plays her mom, acts as her fashion consultant. "She suggests kung anong accessories ang babagay sa outfits ko, pati kung anong brand ng bags ang dapat kong gamitin. One time, ihuhulog ako sa pool and I was wearing a tube blouse. Sabi niya, ‘Naku, ‘di puede ‘yan, mahuhubad ang tube mo at maghe-hello ang boobey mo. Kaya, nagpakuha siya ng tapes at nilagyan ng tapes ang blouse ko para hindi mahubad pagbagsak ko sa pool. Nakakatuwa, very supportive talaga."

Kim said she was intimidated at first and refused to push Kris in one scene. "Itutulak ko siya, pero nahiya ako kasi first day pa lang namin at hindi pa kami close. Sabi niya, ‘Ano ka ba? Itulak mo ko.’ Sabi ko, ‘Nahihiya po ako.’ Pero siya rin, noong sasampalin ako, ayaw rin niya. Sabi niya, ‘Ayokong manampal, ayoko, ayoko.’ E, kaso, utos ni Direk, kaya ginawa rin niya."

Kim is also happy that her movie with Gerald Anderson, "Paano Na Kaya," will be Star Cinema’s first salvo for 2010, opening on January 27. It is directed by Ruel Bayani, who also was at the helm of "Tayong Dalawa."

Kim and Gerald are supported by Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ricky Davao, Rio Locsin, Rica Peralejo, Melissa Ricks, Robi Domingo, Lloyd Samartino, Bart Guingona, Janus del Prado, Empoy Marquez, Alwyn Uytingco, Jon Avila, Guji Lorenzana and IC Mendoza.

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Outgoing Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte was once linked to Aiko Melendez. How did his daughter Joy, who’s now running against Aiko as vice mayor, feel about this? "I asked him about it and he just laughed," says Joy. "Hindi naman kasi totoo."

What can she say about Aiko’s accusation that she’s never been an elected public official and yet she’s now running against her who served for nine years as councilor?

"That’s true. But I’ve always served the public even when still in college when I was with various orgs serving the poor. After I graduated from the Ateneo, I joined the Jesuit Volunteers and served as a teacher in a poor and remote area in Bukidnon na walang ilaw, tubig, at kalye. I later joined my dad in all his projects for the poor in Quezon City at doon ako na-expose sa needs nila. I’m the current chair of the QC Performing Arts Development Foundation that brought many local and international awards as one of the best dance companies in the country. I’m also member of the QC Film Commission and chair of the committee for the Most Gender Sensitive Film Award in the annual Metro filmfest."

Joy is turning 40 on March 15. She married Ray Alimurung (a doctor from UP-PGH who took up MBA in Stanford and now works at Amazona.com) at 34. They now have a one-year-old son, Gael, named after the Mexican actor. The youngest and only girl of the four kids of Mayor Sonny and the late humanitarian Betty Go-Belmonte, she said she didn’t grow up spoiled at all. How come her brothers Isaac, Kevin, Miguel didn’t join politics?

"They all prefer to work with our paper (Philippine Star)."

A classmate of Kris Aquino at Poveda in high school and later at the Ateneo, along with Lea Salonga and Luli Arroyo, is she aware previous QC vice mayors (Coney Angeles, Tito Sotto, Bistek) are all from showbiz?

"Yes, but in terms of name recall, kilala rin naman ang Belmonte because of the positive things my dad has done for QC. He’s now running nga as congressman in the 4th district and no one wants to run against him."