Prior to this writer’s departure to Canada 2 years back, I had a long chat with ex-movie queen Amalia Fuentes. She was then dispirited out of her separation with ex-husband Joey Stevens which resulted to their exchange of court cases. A bitter Amalia expressed her hatred for Joey. For several years, he hid the fact that he had a secret girlfriend whom he has a child.
“Masakit dahil niloko niya ako. Though I’d console myself by saying na sa edad kong ito ay hindi ko na siya maaalagaan nang husto. Eh kaya siya naghanap ng higit na bata who can take care of him. Yet it’s so difficult to forgive him.”Amalia disclosed.
With the recent demise of Joey, however, Amalia still took the task of acting his wife in the wake, a busy that she was in entertaining mourners. I was not a bit surprised on the words she uttered in a TV interview.
“ I admit my only regret is that had I known the last hours of his life, I’d have forgiven Joey. That’s my regret dahil hindi ko nagawa.”
Knowing Amalia for many decades there’s veracity to her statement. Albeit she heralded impetuous, volatile nature, she’s a woman of straw when it comes to her family and her loved ones. Her tough-heartedness softens up.
Heart, BF’s Break Up, No Third Party Involved
Contrary to rumors spreading around, there’s no third party involved in the breakup of Heart Evangelista and Daniel Matsunaga. Heart’s chum buttressed to this writer that both just realized differences that would sow disharmony in their relationships.
“Heart told me they parted as friends, no hostility whatsoever or the presence of a third party. Heart vows to concentrate on her acting career. Wala munang love angle, especially her drama series Legacy gets raves, high ratings at the TV surveys.” Her confidante enthused. So there…
Trivia:
Did you know that in the early history of local movies. Hollywood top stars had Pinoy counterparts? In the early ‘50s, movie idol Oscar Moreno was tagged Robert Taylor of the Philippines. Robert was the top US actor then. Handsome Cesar Ramirez was dubbed Rock Hudson of the country. That time, Rock was the best looking American actor.
Out of his swashbuckling roles, Johnny Monteiro was called the local Douglas Fairbanks Jr., a noted action star. While Phillip Salvador’s brod Lou Salvador Jr. got famous as James Dean look-alike. And due to similar facial looks, singing styles, Pancho Magalona became known as the Frank Sinatra of the Philippines. Of course, the most popular that era was Eddie Mesa who gained fame, honors as the country’s Elvis Presley. For the record, a top American mag focused on Elvis’s counterparts in several countries. It declared that physically and belting prowess, Eddie could hold a candle to Elvis. This paved a way for Eddie to win recognition abroad.
Among female stars, Tessie Agana was referred to as Shirley Temple of the Philippines. Like Shirley, Tessie started as child actress. The others were Carmen Rosales (Bette Davis), Rita Gomez (Rita Hayworth), Alicia Vergel (Yvonne de Carlo) Norma Vales (Mitzi Gaynor of dancing fame),Marlene Dauden (Sophia Loren) and Chona Sandoval (Pier Angeli)
The most famous though, out of their strong resemblances, were Amalia Fuentes as local Elizabeth Taylor and Barbara Perez named Audrey Hepburn of the Philippines. The fact had it that when the two joined Pitoy Moreno’s Karilagan models abroad, both created stir to foreigners. That catapulted Barbara in a lead role in the American film No Man’s An Island, with Jeffrey Hunter of Jesus Christ in King of Kings fame. With the Liz Taylor tag, Amalia had been adjudged Asia’s most beautiful actress.
Marian, Katrina Still not On Good Terms
After five years, brouhaha still remains between Marian Rivera and Katrina Halili. Insiders insinuate that Katrina wants to resign from the TV series My Beloved due to Marian. Allegedly, she couldn’t stand her insidious ways. Katrina neither confirmed nor denied such allegation.
In fairness to Marian, she doesn’t covert the fact about heir feud years back. But she refuses to talk about Katrina so as not to add fuel on their supposed fray. Marian just mentioned, “baka nagpaglilihian lang ako ni Katrina.”
TV5 Boss to Buy GMA-7?
Two colleagues from the Philippines relayed contrasting reports to me. With aplomb, one assured that TV5 bigwig Manny Pangilinan ‘s on the brink of buying GMA-7 for P45 billions very soon. But another denied it. “Yes, there’s such offer. Kaso, impassive, not interested ang big boss ng Kapuso station na si Jimmy Duavit, saying GMA-7’s not for Sale.” My informant quipped.
Then he added that Mr. Pangilinan seems dead set to get GMA-7 as a last resort to clobber ABS-CBN in the battle of the networks. What do you think?
Aga’s Dad, Siblings on Asian tour
Glad to hear Aga Muhlach’s dad Cheng is up and about, now on Asian tour with Aga’s other showbiz siblings AJ and Andrew. A teen dancer-actor AJ belongs to the group XLR8. His edge over the other showbiz Muhlachs, he excels not only in dancing but plays the piano, saxophone, flute and a drummer as well. No wonder, AJ’s enrolled at the UST, taking music course.
A child actor, Andrew used to be active under the Kapamilya network. Now he appears also at TV5 and GMA-7. Aga feels proud of them.
Ara’s Wake Up Call for Cristine
At the height of Ara Mina’s fame some years back, this writer was attached to her. I witnessed how generous, good provider Ara was to her family, including her sis Cristine Reyes who was nobody then. However, when Cristine attained stardom via the Kapamilya network, heard about their frequent altercations, out of Cristine’s alleged pasaway nature. That time, Ara just kept her cool.
With the news that Ara sued Cristine with averse of a libel case, it’s not surprising at all. As a tearful Ara lamented, “kung nagawa niya sa sariling kapatid, lalo na sa ibang mga tao. I want to teach her a lesson.”
Perhaps, Ara wants compunction for Cristine for saying below the belt nasty things about her just because Ara still owes her million pesos. As Ara added. “pati pagkababae ko binastos ni Cristine.”As of this writing, their family, Cristine’s manager and ABS-CBN management take the move, a behoove for the sisters to patch up.
But could it be true that Cristine has lost a movie out of the said tiff? It’s said that KC Concepcion replaced her.
Erich bound to Captivate Thailand
A friend who works in Thailand called me to feed an info. In sanguine mood, she relayed that Erich Gonzales in a jiffy stay in Thailand won obsequious comments from several Thais. Erich graced the presscon of Suddenly It’s Magic which she top bills with Thai idol Mario Mauer. The film will be shot there and in the Philippines.
“Di lang si Mario ang pumuri sa kanya nang husto. Even the Thai fans who were able to see, talk to Erich immensely like her. After the showing of the said pic, I’m pretty sure Erich will captivate Thailand, emerging a celebrity. With Mario’s drawing power as a star, he can boost up Erich.’ She theorized. Congrats Erich.
By the way, how true that Enchong Dee acts sully these days? Could it be because, he’s jealous, insecure of Mario? Bakit, sila na ba talaga ni Erich?
Sharon’s Talk show Airs This May
Starting this May, Sharon Cuneta’s talk show under TV5 will be aired. It’s titled Sharon, Kasama Mo, Kapatid.Its initial telecast will have controversial host-writers Cristy Fermin and Lolit Solis, among guests. Meanwhile, an excited Shawie relays to her followers in Canada that in her concert on June 9, expect to see a much slimmer, better performer. That’s her promise.
Flash Reports: In the next recognition of the latest National Artists, Dolphy is said to get it in the entertainment world, with Gov. Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor as strong contenders Cong. Lani Mercado declined the offer to run for senator next election which makes Sen. Bong Revilla all smiles
Scribes buzz around that the reason why a TV-movie actress turns wild could be because she found out she’s only an adopted daughter. Her bf-actor couldn’t stomach her pagwawala so he broke off with her.
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