"Sinulot nila ang role kay Jen," one fan writes
us.
In all fairness to Iza, we’re told she’s really considered
for the role ahead of Jen. Someone tells us that, actually, the producer’s first
choice was Judy Ann Santos, but she’s already busy with her two films, "Kulam"
and "Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo." Juday was the one who suggested Iza, with whom she
did the hit, "Ouija."
But Iza’s schedule itself is also problematic as she’s
shooting "The Echo" in Toronto. She really wanted to do the role so she asked if
they could wait for her return from the shoot of her first Hollywood film and
they are. So when she returns here on the fourth week of September, she goes
straight to the set of her new movie in Batanes, in time for the arrival of Ken
Zhu on September 26. Playing supporting roles are Glaiza de Castro, Coco Martin
and Sid Lucero.
***
Rica Peralejo is super busy now doing "Kay Ganda ng Umaga"
every morning and also taping "Pangarap na Bituin," but she makes sure she still
finds time for her creative writing course at the Ateneo. "Kaya ko naman
and I’m enjoying everything I do, so hindi ako napapagod at wala akong
burnout kahit 4 a.m. pa lang gising na ako para ‘di ma-late sa
morning show," she says.
In "Pangarap na Bituin," she plays Sapphire, the eldest of
the three Jewel Sisters. The other two are Sarah Geronimo as Emerald and Maja
Salvador as Ruby. They’ll be facing a lot of trials and struggle in their effort
to achieve their "pangarap na bituin."
"Parents namin dito sina Christopher de Leon and Sandy
Andolong in Bicol," she says. "But they died when Mayon Volcano erupted. We
sisters got separated at later na lang kami uli nagkita-kita. I
like my role here dahil mahirap ako. Dati, laging mayaman ang papel ko, e.
Also, with my role here, I get to remind viewers na I’m also a singer
dahil nakapag-record na naman ako before and I’ve done several
concerts abroad."
***
People come, people go. Willie Revillame welcomes the arrival
of his first grandchild, the son of his daughter, Meryll Soriano, who gave birth
to a 6.5 baby boy on August 27. He will be called Elijah. The father is actor
Bernard Palanca, from whom Meryll separated after only four months of marriage.
To Meryll and Bernard, congratulations.
On the same day, former action star and comedian Ramon Zamora
passed away at 72 due to a heart attack at his home in Antipolo. He was taken to
the Marikina Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. It was his
second heart attack. Ramon was a dancer who zoomed to fame aping Hitler in
"Super Laff In" with his broken German. Later, he gained full stardom as the
local version of Bruce Lee. His best known film is the remake of "Pedro Penduko,"
directed by Celso Ad. Castillo. He had six children: Ranillo, Gigi, Bryan, Gary,
Zsa Zsa and John. He was last seen regularly in the teleserye "Maging
Sino Ka Man" on ABS-CBN. To his family, condolences.
***
Aiza Seguerra finds herself so busy in various media. On TV,
she’s in "Ysabella" with Judy Ann Santos. In the movies, she’s doing "Enteng
Kabisote" for the Metro filmfest. In recording, she has recorded a beautiful
song for Jomari Chan’s new album and is also doing a full album for Star Records
with which she signed up recently. But the project that excites her the most is
her venture on stage in the award-winning Broadway musical, "Avenue Q," where
she plays Gary Coleman, the former child actor of "Different Strokes" who has
had several brushes with the law. She can relate to it as she’s a former child
star herself, but she finds it very challenging to play the role of a man.
"The play itself is very exciting," she says. "It’s a
combination of real actors and puppets. The lead character is a puppet,
Princeton, played by Felix Rivera, who’s torn between the monster next door,
Kate, and a sexy singer, Lucy T. Slut. Both Kate and Lucy are played by Rachel
Alejandro and I’m happy to work with her here, along with Frenchie Dy as
Christmas Eve and Joel Trinidad as Nicky and Trekkie Monster. As Gary Cole-man,
I get to sing about loud sex in the show."
"Avenue Q" won the 2004 Tony Award for best musical and is
still being shown in Broadway and London’s West End. The Manila production,
directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga, is the first staging of the
musical in Asia.
"I fell in love with the show the first time I heard its
soundtrack on CD," says Bobby, who recently directed the acclaimed Broadway Asia
tour of "The King & I." "We’ve gathered the best talents for the show and
they’re so dedicated as it’s not easy to sing and act with a puppet on your
arm."
"Avenue Q" will run from September 7 to 23 at the Carlos
Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza, Makati. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions
at 892-7078 or Ticketworld at 891-9999. After this, Bobby megs "Dogeaters" in
November by Jessica Hagedorn in its first Manila staging and the Broadway Asia
tour of "Cinderella" starring Lea Salonga next year.
***
Star Magic’s Rikka Dylim hosted a special dinner for their
August celebrants, just before she left for a 2-week vacation abroad. One of
them is Dominic Ochoa, who plays a gay role in "My Kuya’s Wedding" with Ryan
Agoncillo. A good friend of Marvin Agustin, are they still close now that Marvin
has moved to GMA-7?
"Oo naman," he says. "We’re not affected kahit
Kapuso siya at Kapamilya ako. On my birthday last August 4, he even called
me up to greet me. He’s even inviting me to join him sa GMA-7, pero
gusto ko munang pag-isipang mabuti as I don’t want to burn bridges with ABS.
But I’m happy for Marvin kasi hindi siya nawawalan ng project sa
GMA."
PBB housemate Bob de la Cruz turned 30 on August 10. He
played Shaina Magdayao’s dad in "Abt Ur Luv" and admits he’s too young for such
a role. "Pero okay lang kasi ‘yun ang assignment na ibinigay
sa’kin, e," he says.
How does he feel now that winner Nene Tamayo, who was once
linked to him, is now married and a mother?
"I’m happy for Nene kasi fulfilled siya sa pagiging
nanay niya."
On September 15, he and other PBB original housemates will
stage a free show for their supporters at the Big Dome. "Ngayon pa lang,
pinaghahandaan na namin ang numbers na gagawin namin for the show."
Nikki Gil (the only one who gave Penshoppe souvenir bags to
press people) turned 20 on August 23. Of course, the first thing writers ask her
is about her lovelife and we’re really worried some quarters might accuse her of
using the guys linked to her for publicity. In fairness to Nikki, she never
volunteered any information about them. She just answered queries about Gabriel
Valenciano (son of Gary V.) and Geoff Eigenmann (son of Gina Alajar.) In effect,
she said Gabby was her first love and she found the experience quite painful. As
for Geoff, she feels they have different lifestyles and views in life. "At this
point, I want to focus more on my career and my studies (she’s majoring in
literature at the Ateneo)," she says. "I’m not ready to commit to any serious
relationship. Mas gusto ko ‘yung pa-date-date lang to get to know
more guys better. Kung minsan, I envy my good friends, Iya Villania and
Toni Gonzaga dahil happily in love na sila (Drew Arellano and Paul
Soriano), but I believe my own Mr. Right will come in God’s own time."
Zeppi Borromeo (August 25) was launched with Star Circle 9
but he focused on his businesses in Malolos, Bulacan for a while. He returned
this year as the only sane son of Gina Pareno in the "Maalaala Mo Kaya" episode
where Gina had three insane kids, and he’s now in "The Wedding," the new Anne
Curtis series. His real name is Giuseppe and he wants to just be called Zepp as
folks think he’s a woman when he uses Zeppi.
The other celebrants are Say Alonzo (Aug. 6) of PBB 1 who’s
in Regal’s "My Kuya’s Wedding" and plays villain to Wendy Valdez in "Margarita,"
Bianca Reyes (Aug. 3) of Star Magic 15 who’s in a shampoo TVC with Kim Chiu, and
child stars Yuuki Kadooka (Aug. 19) who’s in "Kokey," Eliza Pineda (Aug. 23)
who’s last seen in "Maria Flor de Luna," Cheska Billiones (Aug. 27) who’s in "Kokey"
and "Natutulog Ba ang Diyos" and the movies "My Kuya’s Wedding" and "Bahay
Kubo," and Mikylla Ramirez (August 27) who’s an original Star Circle Kid.
Also August born is Isabelle Abiera (15 on August 28), member of Star Magic
15 and now paired with Dino Imperial in "Abt Ur Luv." Is she aware that fans of
the Dino-Empress Schuck love team do not like her and are requesting Empress,
now paired with Enchong Dee, to go back to Dino? "I know," she says. "Marami
namang fans ang love team nila talaga. But all I can say is
that ABS made the decision, so give me a chance naman. I think mas
galit sila kay Enchong kaysa sa akin." She already stands 5’7 and 1/2
and is still growing. Her problem is she’s now taller than Dino so she can’t
wear high heels when she’s with him. She’ll be perfect as a beauty queen and as
a ramp model but she wants to be a bit older before she joins a beauty pageant.
Jordan Aguilar is also a Star Magic 15 member. He grew up in the U.K. and is a
performing arts graduate who has appeared on stage and TV in London. He came to
Manila dreaming of making it here like Sam Milby. He has guested in "ASAP" and
won P100,000 when he played in "Game KNB?" He’s turns 17 on August 31 and his
supporters are giving him a party at Penthouse Future Point in Panay Avenue.
