In a past life, bading
ako - Rufa Mae

In "Manay Po 2: Overload," she plays a babymaker who's impregnated by a gay, Polo Ravales. In real life, has she ever had a gay boyfriend?

"Wala akong alam na may naging boyfriend ako na bading pala. Kayo ha? Alam ko kung sino na naman ang gusto n'yong patamaan, si Erik Santos. Tigilan nyo na yung tao. Kawawa naman. Hindi siya bading. At hindi rin siya kasama sa 'Manay Po 2' kaya please naman, huwag natin siyang isali sa usapan. Pero hindi ko sinasabing hindi ako magkakagusto sa bading in the future. When I love someone kasi, bale wala sa akin kung ano pa man siya."

Does it mean she'd still accept her current flame, Latin American Bobby Lopez, even if he's gay?

"Hoy, hindi siya bading, 'no? Machong-macho siya. I can guarantee that. 'Pag pati naman 'yun, naging bading, wala nang matitirang lalaki dito sa mundo."

Will she ever agree to have a child out of wedlock, like what her character is doing in "Manay Po 2"?

"Definitely not. I still believe in marriage at gusto ko, bago magkaanak, kasal muna."

Her dream is to one day be recognized as a serious actress like her "Manay Po 2" co-star Cherry Pie Picache. "Ang tingin kasi sa'kin ng tao, nagpapatawang sex goddess. Si Cherry Pie, comedy man o drama ang gawin, win ng awards. Hindi naman siguro masamang mangarap na maging tulad niya."

"Manay Po 2" director Joel Lamangan says Rufa Mae is an excellent actress. "Given the right role, mananalo siyang best actress," he says. "But here in 'Manay Po 2,' standout siya in her dramatic confrontation scene with Polo Ravales and Sid Lucero. She was good in the entire movie, pero lalo na rito sa finale. I'm sure viewers will appreciate ang kahusayan niya in this very challenging scene."

***

Here are emails from readers. From Cyber Friends of Chard: "We wish to request GMA-7 to do a Tagalog version of the Koreanovela 'Full House.' Richard Gutierrez will be ideal for the role Justin originally played by Korean actor-singer Rain. For the role of Jessie Han, we suggest Marian Rivera. They have proven that their love team can be effective on screen in 'My Best Friend's Girlfriend,' kung saan cute at kwela talaga ang mga eksena nila ng comedy at kulitan lalo na ng agawin ni Marian ang driver's license ni Chard, na parang isang eksena rin sa original 'Full House.' Tested na talaga sila so it's time now for them to be paired in a teleserye. We're sure bagay na bagay sila as Papa Bear and Mama Bear of 'Full House' dahil okay na okay ang chemistry nila in a romantic-comedy."

From Jill Cena of Little Baguio: "I've long been a Gabby Con-cepcion diehard and I believe that he is still a force to reckon with in local showbiz. I'm sure even today's younger generation will easily be won over by his magnetic screen presence and any TV show or movie that will star him will be a hit. Si Gabby na nga ang hinihintay na hulog ng langit ng ABS-CBN para makabawi sila sa ratings. Nabigo sila kay Angel Locsin. Ang hindi nagawa nito, tiyak kong magagawa ni Gabby para sa kanila. I just hope Sharon Cuneta will not be selfish and eventually agree to do a movie or TV show with him. The fact that she won't even let Gabby guest in her Sunday show is proof that she's still bitter sa naging paghihiwalay nila. As for KC, mas sisikat siya kung gagawa siya ng movie or TV show with her dad na wala akong dudang mas popular pa rin kaysa kanya."

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Five housemates in "Pinoy Big Brother: Teens Plus" made another violation that might cause them to be automatically nominated next Sunday: Linda and Jieriel (who are already nominated now), Jolas, Rona, and Beauty. All of them were seen speaking in separate instances with their lapel mikes turned off, a big no-no inside Kuya's house.

Earlier, Josef was also called by Kuya into the confession room and told to put a ribbon used for gift-wrapping on his head. He is then ordered to sit still on a chair in the living room and never to leave until he and his housemates can figure out and solve a problem inside Kuya's house. This prompted the teen housemates to hold a meeting to discuss their conflicts, like some housemates hoarding cup noodles as well as wasting their precious food supplies. This was what Jieriel complained then about Priscilla. Though both of them are from Davao, they don't see eye to eye as Jieriel thinks Priscilla is wasteful when it comes to food.

***

Ramiele Malubay was recently eliminated from "American Idol." She says she's hoping to visit her relatives here in the Philippines this Christmas. "My last visit was two years ago and we try to visit them every other year," she adds.

Ramiele is proud to be a Filipino-American and she was really praying she'd be the first Asian "American Idol." She has always included Regine Velasquez and Lani Misalucha in her list of musical influences. She'll try to pursue a career in singing and acting later on, but if things won't work for her in L.A., she plans to go back to her nursing course.

She'll be joining the "Top Ten American Idol 2008" finalists after the season finale. But we won't be surprised if she'd get an invitation from GMA-7's "Pinoy Idol" to guest during the show's local run. It will be recalled that Jasmine Trias guested in ABC-5's "Philippine Idol" then and Ramiel's guesting in GMA-7's "Pinoy Idol" will definitely make it worth watching.

***

One of the most sought after concert directors today is GB (for Giuseppe Bede) Sampedro, winner of the Aliw best concert director award in 2006. GB started as assistant to Louie Ignacio and he got to direct TV shows for GMA-7, like "Sis," before branching out to doing concerts. He has since directed the concerts and TV specials of artists like Sarah Gero-nimo, Mark Bautista, Jaya, Rachelle Ann Go, Kyla, Rufa Mae Quinto, Luke Mejares, and Ogie Alcasid, making him a favorite director of singing champs.

He has also directed music videos for various artists, TV shows like the reality show "Real Pinoy Fighter," "Global Battle of the Bands," episodes of "Daisy Siete," and TV commercials and plugs like Xando, McDonald's,.Tide, Surf, Double Mint, Mr. Clean, Green Cross Soap, Palmolive Naturals, Argentina Corned Beef. He's currently directing the morning talk show, "Boy & Kris," and Cinema One's "Persona."

He has directed the recent "Catch Me" concert of Toni Gonzaga in Aliw Theater. It was a big hit so he's now directing its repeat, "Catch Me Again," on May 2 still in Aliw Theater. Eventually, GB dreams of directing a TV drama or his own full-length film. "I already have several story ideas and hopefully, when a producer will trust me well enough to finance a film project, makakagawa na rin ako ng pelikula," he says.

***

Maxene Magalona is happy that she's not the only child of her dad Francis who is now in showbiz. A younger brother of hers will be introduced in the TV remake of "Dyesebel," playing the role of the young Fredo (Dingdong Dantes).

"Nakakatuwa nga dahil just as 'Kamandag' is ending, heto't ang 'Dyesebel' naman introducing my brother ang siyang papalit sa slot namin sa GMA Telebabad," she says. "I'm really proud of my brother dahil very promising siya. Napasama siya sa 'Dyesebel' location taping sa Coron in Palawan. Buti na lang at bakasyon siya sa school ngayon kaya puede siyang mag-taping."

In "Kamandag" this week, Maxene's life is put in grave danger because her sister, Elinor (Alex de Rossi), plots to kill her. Meantime, the fight between Kamandag (Richard Gutierrez) and Talim (Mark Anthony Fernandez) becomes even more intense when Talim acquires new strength.

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Legendary jazz singer Annie Brazil topbills "Merk & Friends" on April 16 and 23 in the "Wednesday Jazz Festival" at Merk's Bar Bistro. A veteran on the jazz stage for six decades, the mom of Richard Merk and Rachel Anne Wolfe says she has no survival secret. "I just keep myself busy singing and I don't count the years. To tell you the truth, I don't feel like I'm already 73. It's more like I'm 35 or 40. The hugs and kisses from my children and the presence of my grandchildren keep me young."

For keeping the jazz circuit alive here and abroad, Annie received an artistic achievement award from the "Asian-American Jazz Festival," a few years back. Annie also received the Lifetime Achievement Award in the 20th Aliw Awards. She also was special guest recently in the Naval Order of the United States, New York Commandery where she sang and led the American National Anthem.

"To sing a song with feeling, you must know what life is all about," she says. "That's the only way you can sing from the heart."