CARMINA VILLAROEL DOES NOT WANT TO BE PRESSURED INTO MARRIAGE


MANILA, MARCH 11, 2010 (MALAYA) By Mario Bautista (‘We’ve talked about it but we want to be really ready for it and not just because people pressured us to do it. -- Carmina Villaroel’ )

EVEN if she lost "Sis," Carmina Villaroel thinks 2010 is still a lucky year as she just signed an exclusive contract with GMA-7. She’s now seen as Reyna Lamara in "The Last Prince," Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays, she’ll be in the new reality sitcom "Pepito Manaloto." She’s also much in demand as an endorser that writers kid her she must be earning more than partner Zoren Legaspi who seems to be on package deal in the TV commercials she does.

"Hindi naman," she says. "Kasi ako, I work in front of the camera while he works behind. May negosyo rin siyang build and sell. At wala rin kaming package deal. When the advertisers like to get a family, I’m really glad na kami talaga ang naiisip nila."

She’s now more open talking about ex-husband Rustom Padilla aka BB Gandanghari. "Last time we talked was before he came out pero mula ng maging BB siya, hindi pa kami magkaita ulti. Maybe when I see her as BB, I’ll introduce myself as respect for his new identity kasi ang kilala ko, si Rustom, e dead na raw ‘yun, ‘di ba? Buti na lang ‘di kami nagkaanak. Kundi, paano ko e-explain? Anak, dalawa na kaming nanay mo. I want BB to be happy kasi happy ako ngayon sa buhay ko. He deserves to be happy also."

BB says she wants to be paired with Zoren. What does she think?

"No problem with me. Okay sa’kin. Ewan ko lang with Zoren. He has to decide for himself."

After being together for 10 years, when will she and Zoren tie the knot?

"It will come, but not now. We’ve talked about it but we want to be really ready for it and not just because people pressured us to do it."

***

Annabelle Rama’s outburst was the only exciting thing to watch in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday. They had an interview with Juday about her reported pregnancy but Juday said she’s not sure yet, so she just wants to thank everyone for their prayers for her. They also had a coverage of the church wedding and reception of Camille Prats and Anthony Linsangan. Among the principal sponsors were GMA-7 executive Wilma Galvante, Aga Muhlach and wife Charlene Gonzales. The guests included Camille’s friends Maxene Magalona and Bubbles Paraiso. They should really drop the new "Don’t Lie to Me" segment (this time featuring Ryan Yllana) as it’s so boring. The same goes for the "Echoserang Frogs" who fail to provide any excitement to the show.

***

Those who reported that Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay had split up were "nakuryente." We didn’t make "patol" as we know they always kiss and make up. In "SNN" last Friday, Angel said "Hindi kami naghiwalay."

She said they did have a misunderstanding but it wasn’t that serious to end in a breakup. Those who reported their split already cooked up various reasons: Derek got tired of Angel’s petty jealousies, EB Babe Zaida Diola snatched Derek away from Angel, they just got fed up with each other. None of them was true.

"Normal naman ang misunderstandings," Angel adds. "We just gave each other space pero sandali lang. Hindi totoong nagseselos ako pati sa fans. Hello? Dapat nga mahalin ang fans dahil kung wala sila, wala si Derek, wala ako. ‘Yung tungkol sa EB Babe, tinatanong nga ako ni Derek, ano daw ba ‘yung EB Babe? Basta kung anuman ang naging misunderstanding namin, we were able to fix it."

So there.

***

There have been so many presidential fora lately, but if you’re still not sure who to vote for, Arnold Clavio’s "Kandidato" will be the perfect show for you as it features all the presidentiables in a unique concept that treats each presidential candidate as a job applicant. Arnold, along with Malou Mangahas of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Howie Severino, editor-in-chief of GMA News website, will be the panelists who’ll interview them. "It’ll start with each candidate saying ‘Ako si, they state their name, kandidato sa pagkapangulo.’ Then they will be asked questions in three categories: easy, average and hard, with each candidate given only 30 seconds to answer each question. Doon sila nape-pressure, sa 30-second time constraint. The easy questions will be about their personality and character. ‘Yung average is about their platform of government on education, health and corruption. The hard questions comes from the show’s staff and the Ateneo Law School who did research on their platforms. You’d easily know which candidates are truly focused to tackle each issue."

For its telecast last Wednesday, the first one featured was Gibo Teodoro who talked about his rift with his uncle Danding Cojuangco. Next to be featured will be Dick Gordon (March 10), JC delos Reyes (March 24), Joseph Estrada (March 31), Noynoy Aquino (April 7), Manny Villar (April 14), Eddie Villanueva (April 21), Nick Perlas (April 28) and Atty. Vetellano Acosta (May 5). One question asked to each of them is: "Have you ever lied?" (Most said they lied to their parents about smoking.) The last question is "Why should people vote for you?"

***

Marvin Agustin, now with GMA Artist Center, is glad viewers accept whether he’s doing hosting ("Dear Friend"), playing a leading man ("Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan"), a heartthrob ("Tinik sa Dibdib") or a villain. He’s currently having the time of his life playing the evil Lizardo in "Panday Kids." "It’s a new challenge for me and I give Lizardo a sense of humor to make him more child-friendly," he says. "May mga punch lines ako na nakakatawa."

He has plenty of fight scenes in it and he’s glad he took up archery, wushu and capoeira to prepare him for sword-fighting and doing stunts. He’s really in demand as he’s also in the movie "The Red Shoes" with Nikki Gil, Direk Joel Lamangan’s "Sigwa" as a student activist, and he’ll be with Judy Ann Santos in Marilou Abaya’s "Ikaw ang Pag-ibig" playing a priest. He’s also touted as one of the richest young guys in showbiz as he owns several restos: SumoSam, Mr. Kurosawa, Oyster Boy, John and Yoko, and Marciano’s. "Being a restaurateur is a way for people to see that I have a life outside of showbiz. I enjoy being a part of two worlds: showbiz and business."

Dr. Manny Calayan just introduced him as the newest endorser of Calayan Surgicentre. Why did he choose Marvin?

"Why not? He’s a friend and he’s actually been our model for two years now. Ngayon lang siya officially na launch sa dami ng inaasikaso ko. Next week nga, I’ll attend to the foreign celebs naman we’re getting to be models of our clinic in the States," says Doc Manny.

"I’m happy with Calayan," says Marvin. "They take good care of my skin and my body. Ready na nga ako mag-bold at ipakita ang katawan ko. Abangan nyo ang billboards for Doc Manny and I’ll show some skin."

So he’s ready to do daring sexy roles?

"Why not? Basta tamang project, ready ako."

Going back to Doc Manny, he and his wife Dra. Pie were interviewed in "Showbiz Central" and proved that they’re not separated like what rumors say. It also showed that Dra. Pie remains very beautiful and her face was not deformed allegedly by cosmetic procedures.

***

People were surprised when they heard TJ Trinidad singing at the press launch of "Diva" where he plays Martin, a singer-composer who’s Mark Anthony Fernandez’ rival over Regine Velasquez.

"I used to be the vocalist of a rock band in college," he reveals. "Kaya nga natutuwa ako’t I get to sing here again. But I’m not in the same level as Regine, huh. I just hope ma-appreciate ng tao ang pagkanta ko. I’m also thankful to GMA kasi right after ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ they gave me ‘Almost a Love Story’ and now, ito namang ‘Diva,’ kaya ‘di ako nababakante."

It’s his first time to work with Regine.

"For someone who’s a big star, she’s very easy to work with. No airs kaya walang problema sa set. Buong cast naman ng ‘Diva,’ napakagaling, so I’m enjoying working with everyone. First time ko rin to work with Mark Anthony and he’s so quiet on the set. Sila ni Regine, nagkatrabaho na kaya close na sila. Kami, we’re still getting to know each other sa taping. Pero si Mark talaga ang lead actor dito."

TJ admits he has a non-showbiz girlfriend. Doesn’t she get jealous when he’s paired with various actresses?

"No. She knows good boy ako and she’s supportive sa career. Hindi siya tipong selosa."