VILMA:  PUBLIC  STILL  LOVES  NORA


MANILA, MARCH 9, 2010 (MALAYA) By Mario Bautista (‘She’s one of our country best actresses and given the chance, I’m sure she’d be able to regain her career. -- Vilma Santos’)

Mother Lily Monteverde hosted dinner for Gov. Vilma Santos and hubby Ralph Recto. She recounted how Ate Vi met Sen. Ralph 25 years ago in a disco and became a dream celebrity couple. She, an award-winning actress and box office star. He, the grandson of statesman Claro M. Recto who later became a congressman and senator. Ate Vi amazed everyone when she won as Lipa mayor and served three terms. Now, she’s the governor of Batangas with an impressive track record.

"I idolize this couple that’s why I’m opening the Century Imperial Hotel Resort in Taal, Batangas," adds Mother. "May tiwala ako sa pamamahala nilang dalawa sa province and you now can also call me a Batanguena."

Vi delivered an impressive impromptu speech like a seasoned politician. She said she never dreamt of joining politics. "Hindi ko ito hiningi. I guess it’s my destiny. In this election, I was offered to run as vice president because of my distinguished record, untainted reputation and winnability. Wala akong gagastusin. But I have no political ambition. As of my now, my vision is just to continue my plans for Batangas. Marami pa akong balak gawin para sa ikabubuti ng aming probinsiya."

What can Ate Vi say about the coming return of rival Nora Aunor?

"She’s my kumare and I think the public still loves her," she says. "She’s one of our country best actresses and given the chance, I’m sure she’d be able to regain her career. I’m sure we’ll find the time to talk when she gets back."

What about Nora’s undergoing a cosmetic procedure in Japan?

"There’s nothing wrong with that. I myself won’t hesitate to consider it, kung kailangan. But I’m afraid of needles so, as of now, I’m happy with what I have."

***

At the launch of PLDTmyDSL "Beyond Broadband" campaign, their original endorser Nancy Jane came and was introduced by PLDT executive Gary Dujali as Nancy Castiliogne. So which name is she really using?

"Kahit ano, puede," she says. "Basta si Nancy pa rin ako."

People said she had "retoke" so her face changed.

"Ilong ko lang ang pinagawa ko, pinabawasan ko kasi it’s so pointed. If I look different now, baka because I’m blooming lang. I’m happy with my partner, Nacho, and our twin sons."

Her sons are Matteo Carlos (named after the paternal grandpa) and Joaquin Corrado (named after her own dad). The dad’s name is Ignacio Dominguez, introduced to her by Bubbles Paraiso. He finished college in Boston, works in RSI, and also has a twin brother and grandpas who are also twins. "It’s in their genes and also ours kasi may twins din sa amin. I never even knew I was preggy as I have polycistic ovaries at irregular ako. I was surprised three months na pala and twins pa. I went to Canada when I was 4 and a half months preggy and I delivered my sons on March 25 by CS kasi 6.5 lbs. sila pareho.They’re turning a year old soon and I’m now busy preparing for their fist birthday party."

Do they plan to marry? "We do. Pinaplano na."

What can she say now that ex-boyfriend Paolo Contis is also a dad? "Sana maging magbarkada mga anak namin."

She’s happy to promote myDSL’s Beyond Broadband that offers 18 hot channels to all subscribers and Watchpad users for free, including CNN, Cartoon Network, Channel V, National Geographic, Splash, MyView and many more. They also stream live such events as Speed Circuit car drifting exhibition on March 27 at Greenhils and April 10 in Cebu open parking lot, the URCC championship on March 27, and the Pacquiao-Clottey Fight on Sunday and you have until March 12 to register. They also have a news Speedster Bus touring the country and new endorsers like drift champ Alex Perez and Hansom Band’s singer-guitarist Ton Vergel de Dios (nephew of former actor Roel Vergel de Dios) joining Rhian Ramos and Isabel Oli. If you want to be an endorser, they’re looking for five new faces and you can apply at www.pldtwatchpad.com if you are between 16-20 years old, male or female.

***

Paolo Contis was absent at the presscon of his new show, "Wipeout," as his live-in partner Lian Paz was in labor to deliver their baby.

"We can’t cancel the presscon anymore as we’ve already paid the venue," says GMA PR executive Angel Javier. "We tried to request na sumaglit man lang siya, pero ‘di raw puede."

Up to this writing, the baby hasn’t been delivered. Present at the presscon was his co-host, Vince de Jesus, who was discovered as a gay comedian in "Camera Cafe" but whose credentials are really impressive.

"I started with PETA when I was 15," he says. "Forty-one na ako ngayon, so 26 years na ko working as a stage and TV actor and also as songwriter-musical director."

He has won various awards as musical director for "Zsa Zsa Zaturnaah," "Crying Ladies," "La Visa Loca," "Let the Love Begin," "Mano Po," "Pisay," "Skin Deep" and "Himala The Musical." He majored in piano and voice at the UP College of Music. His latest work, "Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diablo at Limang Milyong Boto" is now showing at PETA Theatre. He admits he has a boyfriend of five years named Carl, a choreographer-dancer. "When they asked me if I’m willing to host a show, I said I’m willing kasi I’m willing to do anything, lalo na a wacky show like ‘Wipeout,’ a canned show produced by Endemol abroad. There are 24 contestants who go through various obstacle courses that are physically demanding. Very thrilling ito panoorin and I’m sure local viewers will enjoy it. ‘Yung mananalo, kailangang ma-wipeout niya lahat ng kalaban niya."

For their first show on March 15 at 5:30 p.m., they got "Starstruck’s" Nina Kodaka to interview audiences about their predictions on the challenges and opinions about the 24-thrill-seeking contestants.

***

"First Time" stars Joshua Dionisio and Barbie Forteza went to Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival and, last weekend, had a mall show at SM San Lazaro. Those who were with them can’t believe how warm the public received them, repeatedly shouting their names to prove that "First Time" really has countless of viewers.

"Kami rin, nagugulat sa grabeng reception sa’min ng tao," says Joshua. "’Di namin akalain ni Barbie na sobrang mamahalin kami ng tao. Pati nga bahay namin sa Mindanao Avenue, alam na ng fans at pinupuntahan ako roon."

So what makes them click with the public?

"I think they like ‘yung pagiging natural namin," says Barbie. "Kasi what they see on TV, ‘yun talaga kami. And they tell us bagay na bagay talaga kami as a young love team."

How close are they now?

"Very close po, compared when we started sa ‘Stairway to Heaven’ na suplado ang dating sa’kin ni Joshua kaya tahimik lagi, masyadong seryoso. Pero ngayon, makulit na siya. Sana patuloy kaming suportahan ng viewers, lalo’t paganda nang paganda ang story ng ‘First Time.’ Habang mas nagiging sweet kami ni Joshua as Cyndi and Lukas, sad naman ang best friend ko, si Jake Vargas who plays Baste so he confronts Lukas kung may gusto ba talaga sa’kin and they will fight. Ang mother ko naman, si Ana Capri, natumba dahil sa’kin and had miscarriage. Sa galit niya sa’kin, she tells me hindi niya ako tunay na anak."

***

Some writers were surprised to see Randy Santiago at the presscon of "Diva" where he plays, George, Regine Velasquez’ discoverer. Has he left ABS?

"No, hindi naman ako exclusive kahit kanino," he says. "I direct shows for ABS-CBN, pinchhit for Willie sa ‘Wowowee,’ and I also do TFC shows for them. I just came back from the U.K., Germany and Norway to promote TFC. GMA called me up offering ‘Diva’ and it’s a good show with me in a good role, so I accepted it. Hindi naman ito ang first project ko with them. Before this, I was also one of their judges sa ‘Are You the Next Big Star.’"

He thinks "Diva," the country’s first "kanta-serye," will hit it big. "The concept is great dahil maraming kantahan. I play the record producer who’ll give Regine her break. Ang problema, sobrang pangit siya, so we have to give her a total make over first before presenting her to the public."

He’s turning 50 in November and he wants to do a new album to celebrate his being a golden boy.

***

Nonito Donaire went to Cebu to share part of his winnings, P250,000, from his recent fight with Z Gorres, the boxer who went into coma after winning in a match in the US. "What I’m giving isn’t much as I don’t make millions, but it comes from my heart and it’s the least I can do," he says.

His wife Rachel gave an additional P100,000 from her own family. Datches, wife of Z, thanked the Donaires for their support, tears of gratitude welling from her eyes. Nonito said he’d seek additional help from other professionals in the States. He and his wife spent the weekend in Cebu before heading back to Manila to tape for GMA-7’s "Show Me the Manny" where he substitutes for Manny Pacquiao. "I’m enjoying it kasi mabait sa’kin co-stars ko like Marian Rivera and Paolo Contis," he says.