Prior to his publicized mauling incident, Vhong Navarro started filming his new movie The Possessed which his good friend Joyce Bernal directs. Now, Joyce shared his predicament when its filming resumes. Supposedly, the said comedy-horror flick has to shoot a scene which Vhong shows being beaten black and blue.
Of course, direk Joyce has a second thought. If she goes on filming the sequence, this might leave Vhong traumatic again. “As he told me baka din a niya kayang i-shoot yun. And I understand him. Bahala na, we might not push through with it even if it’s an integral part in the story.” Joyce uttered to her writer-chums.
Another problem lies on the fact that Vhong’s leading lady Ellen Adarna recently blurted out a talk-about statement in a TV interview. That she’s a close to businessman Cedric Lee who’s one of the culprits involved in Vhong’s Court cases. Seemingly, in her tone she sympathized with Cedric.
Albeit Vhong reportedly took it stride, with due respect whatever is Ellen’s personal choice, direk Joyce has the inkling that bashers may add fuel to it, igniting nefarious intrigues between Vhong and Ellen.
“If anything, I do believe if the filming will start anew, both Vhong and Ellen won’t be affected; remain on good terms with each other.” Joyce hopefully anticipated.
For a Change a Sweet Moment for Kris and James
Mutual confidantes of Kris Aquino and her ex-husband James Yap have been elated of the happy countenance the ex-couple. For a change, after an exchange of ignominious statements to each other for quite a time, the two showcased an unexpected sweet moment.
That transpired when Kris came in the open and defended James in the detractors’ game fixing allegation thrown to James. Upon his failure to shoot a 3-point score in the semi-finals between James’s team San Mig Coffee against Ginebra San Miguel players, they surmised, “nilaglag ni James ang laro for money.”
Kris retaliated in defense of James. “I know him much better. Never in our togetherness he got tempted by bribery or whatever as a player. I know James fully well, even aware of his contracts in PBA. Kahit pasok lang sa finals ang kanyang team ay ang laki ng payment nila. Never siyang matutukso ibenta ang laro.” Kris mattered.
For that, heard that James expressed his grateful statement to Kris that despite what happened to them she still thinks highly of him in the professional level. A source related a sweet moment for Kris and James occurred over a phone conversation. Ah, their son Bimby would grin from ear to ear, with delight.
Trivia:
Did you know that from the’40s, there were celebrities who graduated from college before showbiz beckoned them? The first one was Elsa Oria, the original Singing Sweetheart of Philippine Movies. She finished music course in the department of conservatory of Music at the University of Santo Tomas. This soprano bannered musical films, notably Madaling Araw and Nasaan Ka Irog.
A Filipina beauty Celia Flor was discovered by LVN Pictures after she tucked in her belt the education degree at UST too. Among her outstanding starrers were Florante at Laura, Panyolitong Bughaw and Tapis Mo Inday. Then Sampaguita Pictures took pride in discovering a pharmacy graduate at the University of the Philippines named Norma Blancaflor. She was considered one of the prettiest faces then in local movies who enacted Virgin Mary in the religious flicks Pagsilang ng Mesiyas and Kalbaryo ni Hesus.
In the early ‘50s, Sampaguita Pictures built up a sexy, talented actress and a fresh graduate of journalism at UST, none other than Rita Gomez. She emerged a controversial award winning actress who later married a half Portuguese actor Ric Rodrigo, her partner in many starrers.
Mid ‘50s yielded in a group of degree holders. They were Barbara Perez who, just like Rita was a journalism graduate at UST that included in her batch the veteran movie writer Alice Vergara. Barbara was launched in Ate Barbara. She won the FAMAS best actress award for Daigdig ng mga Api. Currently, she occasionally appears in TV drama series.
LVN Pictures gave the break to multi-awarded actress Perla Bautista, a commerce graduate from the Lyceum of the Philippines. It was TIIP outfit of Atty. Espiridion Laxa where Perla’s acting prowess came to the fore via Markang Rehas. This brought up her first best actress trophy.
Before she crashed showbiz, Helen Gamboa got a college degree at the Sta. Isabel College and handpicked as Miss Press Photography of the Philippines. Out of her inherent talent in singing, Helen starred in musical films, called the Singing Sweetheart of the ‘60s.
IN later years, those who graduated with honors prior their entrance to showbiz were Yehlen Catral, magna cum laude at U.P., Beverly Vergel, cum laude at Sienna College and beauty queen-actress Dang Cecilio, cum laude at U.P.
The actors were the deceased Fernando Poe Sr. (U.P graduate and Oblation model), Fred Montilla (commerce), Pancho Magalona (management), Rudy Francisco (law), Robert Arevalo (commerce, Ateneo) and the late Ric Rodrigo (UST), Armando Goyena (La Salle).
Sarah, Matteo: Cool Off Period?
It’s ironic that both Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidecelli never admitted going steady but a reliable source did hush-hush to me a somehow impalpable incident. She confirmed that the two broke off or to be specific, are undergoing a cool off period.
My informant quipped that their being too occupied with works resulted to that arrangement. At any rate, as the gossip mongers buzz around, it’s Sarah’s parents who importuned Sarah to shun love matter. Ah, what else is new?
Celebrities Mourn Vet Writer’s Demise
Several big names showcased affection, mourned the recent death of their long time chum, veteran showbiz writer-photographer Fely Igmat and ex-Barangay chairperson in Sampaloc, Manila. Among them were senators Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid, Jinggoy Estrada, gov. Vilma Santos, QC mayor Herbert Bautista, councilor alma Moreno, Susan Roces and Perla Bautista.
Speaking of sen. Bong Revilla, heard that he has asked the permission of the Department of Justice and Ombudsman to allow him to travel for a pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land with wife cong. Lani Mercado and family this March. At this writing, his request hasn’t been granted yet.
Spicy tidbits: Once more, Vice Ganda displayed his arrogance when he confirmed his rift with Karylle and threw these words, “I don’t need her pero siya kailangan ako for our show It’s Showtime. In any case, happy ako for her forthcoming wedding with Yael Yuson.”
But the joke going around points out that Vice Ganda allegedly has long time crush kay Yael kaya asar kay Karylle. Of course, Vice Ganda simply raised his eyebrow in retaliation.
Geoff Eigenmann does not feel hurt by what his gf Carla Abellana revealed to the movie press. That he’s not sweet and affectionate. “I admit I’m not the romantic type. At least, she accepts me for what I am for we’ve been together for years now.” Geoff buttressed.
After many months of being somewhat grounded, finally Kapamilya star Erich Gonzales topbills a movie Once a Princess which reteams her with Enchong Dee. Showing she’s a trenchant person, Erich disclosed she didn’t feel bad being inactive for some time. At walang tampo sa ABS-CBN management.
