Why Alex de Rossi doesn’t
want to date actors
THE love team of Kim Chiu and Xian Lim bloomed while they were doing "My Binondo Girl" which is now on its last two weeks and will have what they call a grand "dragon finale." What can they say that Gerard Anderson, Kim’s former partner, declared in an interview that he is one of the fans of their "Jandy" love team (from Jade and Andy, the characters they play in the soap)?
"Good friends naman kami ni Gerald up to now," says Kim. "Laging nandiyan ang suporta namin sa isa’t isa and I’m happy na gusto niya ang love team namin ni Xian. Thank you talaga."
"It’s so nice of Gerald to say that," says Xian. "We play basketball together and he’s a good friend so super thank you talaga for liking us ni Kim."
Is he threatened by "Kimerald" fans who are loyal to Kim’s former tandem with Gerald?
"So far, wala pa naman akong narinig na negative feedback from them. I think they accepted naman nang maluwag sa loob ang pagtatambal namin ni Kim."
How come they’re not extending the show when it’s still rating high?
"Yes, there’s a clamor for extension," says ABS-CBN exec Biboy Arboleda. "But we won’t wait na magsawa pa ang viewers. Also, it’s better to exit while you’re still on top. Halos six months na rin naman sa ere ang ‘Binondo Girl’. The last episodes will reveal more breathtaking revelations and sweet surprises not only from Kim and Xian as Jade-Andy but also from Ai Ai de las Alas as Zeny and Richard Yap as Papa Chen."
"My Binondo Girl" also stars Matteo Guidicelli, Jolo Revilla, Cherry Pie Picache, Gina Pareño, Ricardo Cepeda, Laureen Uy, Marina Benipayo, Eda Nolan, David Chua, Gilleth Sandico, and Simon Ibarra, directed by Malu Sevilla and Francis Pasion. For updates, visit http://mybinondogirl.abs-cbn.com or follow @my_binondogirl on Twitter and FB.
Alessandra De Rossi just returned from Italy where she got the Puglia Award given to people of Italian ancestry who made good in other countries.
"Ang tawag nila sa award, Achievers of the World," she says at the "Legacy" presscon. "O, ‘di ba? Achiever ako! Ang mga kasama kong pinangaralan, athletes, doctors from the States at iba pang lugar. Sa acceptance speech ko, I said it’s an honor to be remembered that I’m still an Italian. They paid for my plane ticket, so go ako to also spend the Christmas holidays with my parents and younger sisters in Italy. Naging masyado akong masaya dun, ayoko ng umuwi rito, kaya lang, kailangan ng mag-tape for ‘Legacy’ na airing na."
She plays Bernadette Alcantara, the daughter of a tycoon with a bold star, Maritoni Fernandez. "Kaaway ako rito ni Lovi Poe kasi siya ‘yung kinikilalang anak. Kami ni Heart Evangelista, mga anak sa labas. Sa eksenang nagsabunutan kami ni Lovi, natapakan ko ang gown ko’t natumba ako. Hinahanap ako ng mga kasama ko, nawala na ako sa frame at nakabulagta na pala ako. Ayan, may sugat ako sa braso. I love my role kasi for the first time, hindi pag-ibig ang pinaglalaban ko kundi pera. Siempre, ayokong si Lovi lang ang pamamanahan."
She’s had no boyfriend since she broke up with Jeremy Marquez six years ago.
"Twenty-seven na ako. I won’t be surprised if I’d end up an old maid. Ayokong mag-boyfriend ng artista kasi hindi nila matanggap na mas magaling ako sa kanila. I’m now doing two new indie films. Last year, ‘yung dalawang indie films na ginawa ko, ‘Busong’ sa Cinemalaya and ‘Ka Oryang’ sa Cinema One, parehong award-winners."
Maja Salvador looked so pretty at the presscon of the Wedding & Debuts Bridal Fair to be held at SM Megatrade Halls 1, 2 and 3 from February 17 to 19. She’s the model of their posters along with Fil-Italian ballet dancer Angelo Cacciatore. Two days later, she also attended the presscon of her new movie with real life Fil-Italian boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli, "My Cactus Heart." She seems to be the favorite of Fil-Italian guys.
"Nagkataon lang," she laughs.
The Bridal Fair has been put up annually by events-organizer The Wedding Library since 1994. This year, they’re sponsored by designer Edd Sy whose clients include Marian Rivera, Angel Locsin and Jennylyn Mercado; Charisse Tinio of Nice Print that offers digital photo and video services, covering the weddings of Ogie Alcasid-Regine Velasquez, Kyla-Rich Alvarez and other celebrity nuptials; jeweler AMI Jewels, and Alex Michael del Rosario of Juan Carlo the Caterer. If you want to be part of the Bridal Fair, call 638-5791 or log on to weddinglibrary.com.ph for inquiries.
Why did they choose Maja as their model?
"She’s so beautiful at nagagalingan kasi kami sa kanya," they say.
Maja’s "My Cactus Heart" is due for showing on January 25. She plays Sandy, a young woman from a dysfunctional family who doesn’t believe in happily ever after.
"Very cynical siya," she says. "Ang belief niya, love only hurts kaya lahat ng suitors niya, binabasted niya. ‘Yun nga ang original title nitong movie, ‘Basted.’ Pero pinalitan ng ‘Cactus Heart’ kasi ang puso ko raw rito, maraming tinik, kaya nasasaktan ang kahit sinong gusto mapalapit dito kasi jaded na masyado. Matigas na, manhid."
But then two ardent suitors come along, both determined to make her change her mind: her real-life boyfriend Matteo as Karlo and Xian Lim as Bene. Will they succeed in winning her cactus heart? And who’ll be the lucky guy?
"’Yun ang malalaman nyo when you watch the movie," says Maja. "This is directed by Enrico Santos and I assure you this is so much more refreshing than other romantic films you’ve seen in the past. Mas kikiligin kayo."
Julia Montes is overwhelmed that ABS-CBN trusted her to play the lead in a grand soap opera like "Walang Hanggan." "Hindi ko talaga naisip na I’ll have this kind of project so early in my career, with Coco Martin as my leading man tapos puro magagaling at respetadong veteran stars pa ang kasama namin," says the 16-year-old actress. "Biro nyo naman, kontrabida lang ako kay Kathryn Bernardo sa ‘Mara Clara,’ then we starred in a teen show, ‘Growing Up,’ tapos heto, ‘Walang Hanggan’ na. Kaya grabe ang pressure sa’kin and I promise to do my best para hindi ako mapahiya sa mga nagtiwala sa akin. It’s a big challenge for me kasi this is about a great love affair between lead characters Daniel, si Coco, and me as Katarina. Hindi ko pa naman nararanasang ma-in love sa totoong buhay kaya wala akong paghuhugutan. I’m just thankful to Coco. He’s the more experienced actor between us and he helps me a lot, also directors Jerry Sineneng and Trina Dayrit. Ibang-iba talaga ang Julia na mapapanood nyo rito. More mature."
Does she feel uncomfortable that Coco is much older than her?
"Hindi naman. Kasi, I really look more mature than my age, so on screen, hindi naman kami alangan sa isa’t isa. Kung magkatabi nga kami ni Kathryn, halos magka-age lang kami but I look older than her."
Some folks say she has now left Kathryn behind. "Hindi naman. She has her own project naman, ‘Always in My Heart.’ At saka magkaiba raw ang build up sa amin. Siya parang Kim Chiu na sweet and wholesome. Ako naman, Bea Alonzo daw ang projection na puede sa more mature roles. But Kathryn and I remain good friends. Up to now, we still call each other and we’re both happy sa magagandang developments in our respective careers."
Rocco Nacino was just the second runner-up in "Starstruck V" but there’s no doubt he has passed winner Steven Silva and first runner-up Enzo Pineda. After being paired with Kris Bernal in "Koreana" and "Time of Your Life," he’s now paired with Kylie Padilla in the new afternoon soap, "The Good Daughter." "I was really surprised when I was informed that she’ll be my next leading lady," he says. "Blessing ito ni Lord so I’m really thankful."
Is he worried Aljur Abrenica, said to be Kylie’s special someone, might get jealous of him?
"Aljur and I are friends, so alam niyang trabaho lang ito. Hindi magseselos ‘yun. Siya pa nga ang nagsabi when we saw each other na alagaan ko si Kylie."
What does his special friend, Sheena Halili, say about this?
"She’s very supportive. Happy nga siya may bago agad akong project after ‘Time of Your Life’."
Rocco’s career is really blooming. He got rave reviews for his portrayal of the closeted dancer in the indie film "Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa" and he also played Judy Ann Santos’ brother in "My Househusband." Now, he’s doing another indie film, "Lam-ang." We think he’ll be perfect in this film which should be based on the Ilocano epic "Bi-ag ni Lam-ang."
Since "Legacy" is about the beautiful people, the stars sashayed on the ramp like in a fashion show when they were presented at the presscon hosted by Tim Yap, who is also trying acting for the first time. Among the actresses, Cherie Gil easily stood out when she walked on stage in her figure-hugging yellow gown made for her by Charina Sarte. Cherie might be in her mid-40s but she has certainly managed to keep herself trim.
"For once, hindi ako other woman o mang-aagaw rito," she says. "Ako ‘yung legal wife ni Robert Sena at anak namin si Lovi Poe. I become very protective of Lovi after I find may dalawang anak sa labas ang husband ko, sina Heart Evangelista and Alessandra de Rossi. Excited ako with this show dahil first time naming magkakasamang tatlo ng nephews ko, sina Geoff Eigenmann and Sid Lucero. Nakakatuwa nga kasi their dads (Michael de Mesa and Mark Gil), magkasama rin together sa ‘Valiente’."
We noticed her voice remains very hoarse. "Yes, I’m supposed to have a throat operation dahil sa perennial inflammation ng vocal chords ko, but na-postpone na naman because of ‘Legacy.’ Alangan namang tanggihan ko ito, it’s a blessing. I’m just thankful nga na after ‘Magic Palayok’, GMA gave me a follow up agad, ‘Time of My Life,’ at nang matapos ‘yun, ito namang ‘Legacy.’ I have to work, I’m a divorcee. The doctors say after I’m operated on, I have to rest my voice from four to six months. Paano na ang trabaho ko? Would you believe tinanggap ko rin ang musical ng Atlantis Productions, ‘Nine,’ and yes, I’ll be singing. Sana may boses pa ako noon."