PIOLO  LEAVING  ABS-CBN?


MANILA, MARCH 15, 2010 (MALAYA) By Mario Bautista (‘Piolo allegedly doesn’t like the new project for him that will pair him with Santino.’)

CLAUDINE Barretto has started taping her drama show on GMA-7, "Claudine," to be shown Sunday nights for 26 weeks. On the set of the pilot episode, "Alzheimer," directed by Laurice Guillen, Claudine is with husband Raymart Santiago as leading man. They play a couple whose happy marriage takes a turn for the worse when Raymart is afflicted with an early onset of Alzheimer’s disease that erases all his memory.

"I’m so excited," says Claudine. "Kasi more than one year na kong hindi naka-act sa harap ng camera. I really missed it. I’m also excited to work with a new network that will give me the chance to work with new directors and new co-stars. Direk Laurice and I were co-stars in ‘Iisa Pa Lamang’ sa ABS-CBN, but this is the first time she’s directing me."

So how is it working with Raymart?

"I’ve guested before sa sitcom nila, ‘Lagot Ka Isusumbong Kita,’ but this is the first time we’re doing drama. At first, ayaw niya talaga, nakakapagod daw kasi magdrama. E, bumili siya ng bagong car, Porsche, kaya heto, pumayag ding gawin ito. At napakagaling niya. I’m not saying this dahil I’m his wife. You have to watch it yourself. He’s really good pala in drama."

"I agree," says Direk Laurice. "Kayang-kaya niyang dalhin ang role of a young man who slowly loses his memory."

We’ve noticed she lost weight. Did she have lipo?

"No, what I had was a second breast reduction procedure. Masyado kasing malaki kaya mabigat dalhin, masakit sa likod."

How did she feel when ABS-CBN called Judy Ann Santos the "Teleserye Queen"?

"Okay lang, hindi sumama ang loob ko. I don’t want to dwell on that anymore. I know where they’re coming from. Nabigla sila sa paglipat ko. But I’ll never forget that I was with them for 17 years and I did several hit shows with them like ‘Mula Sa Puso,’ ‘Saan Ka Man Naroroon’ and ‘Marina.’ Actually, si Juday ang tumawag sa’kin when they called her that. She said, ‘Mare, I’m not comfortable with that title.’ And I told her, bayaan mo na, deserving ka naman."

***

It’s common knowledge that Phoemela Baranda just broke up with boyfriend of five years, Ira Cruz of Bamboo, who went back to Mylene Dizon. Phoemela is now cozy with interior designer Chico Cristobal. Was the break-up because she chose to have breast augmentation with Dra. Victoria Belo without consulting him?

"No, I actually had the procedure two years ago when we’re still together and he had no problem with that," says Phoem. "Walang kinalaman itong breast enhancement ko sa breakup namin. May mga bagay lang na ‘di kami napagkasunduan."

She admits she’s not on cordial terms yet with Ira, but she remains friends with his family, including JD Young Cruz, the 30-year-old operations manager of Dr. Belo who looks more masculine than Hayden Kho and was at the presscon for Phoem. "I told him to come here kasi may mga nagsulat na siya ang ipinalit ko kay Hayden, which isn’t true," says Dr. Belo.

JD says he has his own non-showbiz girlfriend. Asked about Phoem’s breakup with his brother, he says he doesn’t meddle with the love affairs of his Kuya Ira but he’s glad Phoem is still his friend. Is Phoem hurt that Ira returned to Mylene?

"Wala akong pakialam dun kasi hindi na naman kami. December pa kami split, but when I found out, okay lang. Basta I’m happier now, and sexier," she laughs.

Phoem is the first celebrity model who admits having breast augmentation. "Tinanong na ako noon ni Dr. Belo kung if I’d want to come out and endorse it but I wasn’t ready then. Ngayon, okay na ko. The procedure gave me more confidence. Sa showbiz kasi, you need to be more voluptuous, ‘di ba? Now, I don’t have to wear a push-up bra anymore. From 32 A, naging 34 C ako. Mas lumaki talaga kaya mas bumagay sa proportion ng body ko."

Dr. Belo stresses they use a totally different silicone implant for their procedures. "We use high quality implants from the US or France, not from China. It’s inside a pouch na kahit sagasaan ng trak, it won’t spill. This is imbedded inside the muscle tissue so it becomes part of the body. The first one to use this 60 years ago, nandun pa rin ang implant sa kanya up to now. This is unlike the poor quality silicone injected in beauty parlors directly to the tissue na later, nagbubukol-bukol. This is very safe and you can even breastfeed later even if you have this."

***

Ruffa Gutierrez is persuading her mom to have dinner with Kris Aquino and her family but

Annabelle Rama is not sold on the idea.

"Hindi na kailangan," she says. "Okay na ‘yung natapos na ang issue sa kanila ni Kris. ‘Di na kailangang mag-dinner pa. Nagtataka lang ako, nag-apologize siya kay Ruffa, pero pinadaan lang sa TV. Bakit ‘di siya personal na tumawag o mag-text man lang kay Ruffa para mag-sorry? At ‘yung apology niya, sincere kaya talaga? Kasi marami pang ibang ano, like kasama pa ‘yung nanay niya, mga ate niya, at pati araw ng kababaihan. Hindi ko tuloy maintindihan ang mga sinasabi niya. Pero okay na rin, kahit kung anu-ano ang isinahog dun sa apology, tinanggap na rin namin."

What’s the reason JC De Vera left GMA?

"He got a better deal sa TV 5. Three shows ang bibigay sa kanya na guaranteed, kahit wala siyang ginagawang show, may monthly bayad siya, at non-exclusive pa ang contract."

How come her other ward, Heart Evangelista, is not with the contract signing of her talents at GMA-7?

"Up to May pa ang contract niya at, sa akin, may kontrata pa rin siya kaya hindi siya puedeng lumipat sa TV 5 gaya ng napapabalita. Wala siyang choice kundi mag-stay na Kapuso. Happy naman ako sa GMA kaya pati mga talents ko, solid Kapuso sila. Si Richard nga, happy na siya ang host ng celebrity edition ng ‘Survivor Philippines,’ pero bago ‘yun, gagawa siya uli ng bagong environmental documentary special gaya ng ‘Planet Philippines’ niyang pinalalabas sa schools ngayon. Pagbalik naman niya from ‘Survivor,’ doon niya gagawin ang ‘Captain Barbell.’ Habang wala siya, pre-production muna sila para mapaganda talaga ito."

GMA boss Atty. Felipe Gozon was asked if he’s happy that Annabelle’s ward signed exclusive contracts with them.

"Gusto mo ba kong tumawa’t magtatalon dito?" he says, making everyone laugh. "Noon ko pa sinasabi, bakit two years lang ang contract nila?"

"Kay Wilma (Galvante) ho ‘yun, Atty." says Annabelle.

***

The 14 new stars from "Starstruck V" formally signed 5-year contracts with GMA-7 as part of GMA Artist Center. They’re led by winners Sarah Lahbati and Steven Silva, along with Enzo Pineda, Rocco Nacino, Diva Montelaba, Nina Kodaka, Fianca Cruz, Ian Batherson, Piero Vergara, Princess Snell, Rox Montealegre, Sef Cadayona, Zeryl Lim and Rye Burgos. Their first assignment is to do a national tour. They will be in Davao on March 14 (today), Bacolod on March 20, Cebu on April 10, Dagupan on April 17, Iloilo on May 15, and Lucena on May 28.

At the open forum after the contract signing, some writers expressed their concern that things seem to be moving very slowly for the "Starstruck V" recruits, especially when GMAAC boss Ida Henares said they’ll first be made to go through a series of workshops before they’re given their own shows, as part of their process in developing their talents. But as we ourselves pointed out, there’s such a thing as striking while the iron is hot. If these kids won’t be given exposure right away, public interest in them might wane. In Tagalog, the word is "mabantilawan." It’s said they’re still "pinapahinog" or made to ripen. Pinapahinog hanggang mahulog na lang mula sa puno?

As it is, these kids already underwent several workshops while still with "Starstruck V." They were trained in acting, singing, dancing. and good grooming by various mentors like Gina Alajar, Jay Aracama, Douglas Nierras, etc. In contrast, the new talents of ABS-CBN’s "Pinoy Big Brother" didn’t undergo any kind of such training inside Kuya’s house, and yet they’re immediately given their owns shows like "Melason in Love" and "Isla" in "Your Song." Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu never took any training when they were with PBB Teens. But look at them now. They’re bigger than any of the GMA finds who won in "Starstruck," starring in hit soaps, doing movies and having so many endorsements. We made it clear that we’re not foes of GMAAC but allies as we believe this is the best batch "Starstruck" ever had and many of the kids have great potentials. Even the kids themselves said what they want is to be given the right projects and exposure, right away. Why make them wait?

We’re happy Atty. Gozon and daughter Annette Abrogar have an open mind. We told them local films are rating very well when shown against top ABS-CBN shows like "It’s Showtime" and "ASAP."

"Oo nga, kahit replay na lang, nagre-rate pa rin," Annette agrees.

So maybe, they should try producing original TV films that will give more acting assignments to their talents, like what they did before in "GMA Telecine." Maybe viewers want alternate shows rather than pitting shows of similar formats to musical variety shows like "Showtime" and "ASAP." We think that "ASAP" eventually toppled "SOP" because of sheer numbers. ABS-CBN simply has more stars crowding in "ASAP," some of whom are given very little to do. Mas marami talaga sila, compared to GMA where some of the unknown stars have been given all kinds of breaks but remain "bituing walang ningning" up to now.

The new recruit from ABS-CBN who joins GMA is Mark Bautista, runner-up to Sarah Geronimo. We heard that Viva, his mother company, was able to get a guaranteed deal for him. He’ll not just appear in GMA’s Sunday show but will also do TV dramas. But we don’t think Mark would be enough of an attraction to make viewers switch to GMA. Maybe they can get the winners in WCOPA who are good singers but seldom seen, like teen singers Catherine Loria, Aria Clemente and the Cercado Sisters.

At ABS-CBN, how true is it that they’re having a hard time to convince Piolo Pascual to sign a new contract with them? Piolo allegedly doesn’t like the new project for him that will pair him with Santino. No wonder there are rumors he’s sending feelers to GMA-7 or TV5. A naughty wag giggles: "Baka may gustong sundan sa GMA."