Salon de Poohkwang

Although the beauty parlor, which they’ve named Salon de Poohkwang (a combination of their screen names and the title of their first comedy team-up at the Music Museum), is doing brisk business since it opened one month ago. But it has yet to be blessed and inaugurated. It is located along West Avenue near St. Vincent’s School.

"We want a bonggang opening," said Pokwang. "We want to invite friends and colleagues in the industry, para sila rin ay ma-inspire na magkaroon din ng business.

"Magsisilbi itong fallback for me and Pooh, kung dumating ang araw na ‘di na kami kasing busy sa showbiz, tulad ngayon."

Do you know where the two comedians got the capital for their business?

"Remember when Pooh and I guested in the game show, ‘Deal or No Deal,’ hosted by Kris Aquino?

"Well, we won P600,000. Noon pumasok sa isipan namin na magnegosyo together," related Pokwang.

The salon is Pooh’s first business venture. Pokwang, on the other hand, co-owns the eatery called Blue Without You, with some friends. Blue Without You is located within the Esquinita Compound, which is just across ABS-CBN on Mother Ignacia Street, Quezon City.

***

Gretchen Barreto was ultra-thin when she faced members of the press at the launch of "Complicated," her second album for Star Records. But as one member of the entertainment press said: "Carry naman niya kaya hayaan natin."

A Star Records insider informed us that Gretchen’s first album, "Unexpected," turned platinum many times over. "Kaya we expect ‘Complicated’ to fare even better. Mas magaganda ang cuts from the album. Bukod sa maganda at napaka-sensuous ng video ng single which was directed by Raffy Francisco."

The title "Complicated," according to Gretchen, best describes her current state in life. "Well," she sighed, "complicated ang buhay ko ngayon."

Singing is a sort of outlet for her, especially, when she’s not so happy.

Which among the 14 tracks is Tony Boy Cojuangco’s (her live-in lover) favorite?

"’The Trouble with Hello is Goodbye’," Gretchen said. "While mine is ‘Ready To Take a Chance’ (the album’s carrier single). I like its lyrics. May patama sa kumakanta at sa nakikinig."

We told Gretchen that we noticed there’s no Tagalog song in the album.

"Come to think of it, until you called my attention, ‘di ko naisip kung bakit," she said.

***

Star Cinema managing director, Malou Santos, said Sarah Geronimo’s next project for Star Cinema and Viva Films will not pair her with Gerald Anderson, as earlier suggested by Vic del Rosario, Viva Films’ big boss.

Unless they want the fans of Kim Chiu and Gerald to rise in arms, Sarah-Gerald just isn’t going to happen. Kim and Gerald are currently today’s local TV’s most popular teenage love team, said Malou, and the ratings of their ongoing series on ABS-CBN, "Tayong Dalawa," is the best proof. Kim and Gerald are joined by Jake Cuenca and senior stars Helen Gamboa, Gina Pareño, Agot Isidro and Cherry Pie Picache in the series.

So, who will be paired with Sarah in her next movie, after her two successful movies with John Lloyd Cruz ("A Very Special Love" and "You Changed My Life")?

"We are thinking of having her star with Vhong Navarro and Toni Gonzaga with Rayver Cruz as her leading man.

"Maganda ang rapport nila, based on their scenes together in ‘You Changed My Life’," stated Malou.

Malou assured the fans of Sarah and John Lloyd that there will definitely be a third outing for the two – still with Cathy Garcia-Molina as director.

In the meantime, though, Direk Cathy will handle the Aga Muhlach and Angel Locsin project.