HEN Gretchen
Barretto met with Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos at ABS-CBN sometime
last week, it was to discuss the launch of Gretchen’s first album for Star
Records, another ABS-CBN subsidiary which Malou also heads.
It was in the course of their talk that Malou mentioned to
Gretchen if she would consider doing a movie for Star Cinema. "Maski isa lang,"
Malou told Gretchen.
Gretchen, if you recall, did a movie for OctoArts Films two
years ago, titled "Karma," a Metro Manila Film Festival entry.
Gretchen told Malou: "Allow me to talk it over with Tony Boy
(Cojuangco, her partner for more than 10 years now). Kapag sinabi niyang,
‘yes you can,’ then it’s a go for me."
"In that case," Malou reportedly suggested, "ask him, too, if
he will allow you to do a teleserye for one season (13 weeks). Just like
what you did for ABS-CBN almost three years ago."
Luckily for Gretchen, Tony Boy gave her the blessing to
accept both offers.
"Actually," said our source, "this year will be a busy year
for Gretchen. She has renewed several of her endorsements, including the one for
a clothing line. Noong kinakausap ko siya, she was having a pictorial for
her print ad."
When we asked our informer if she asked Gretchen about the
rumors romantically linking her to Dodie Puno, brother of government top gun,
Rollie Puno, she remarked: "I chose not to, she sounded like she was in a good
mood. Ayokong mawalan siya ng gana, lalo pa nga at nagpi-pictorial siya.
"Besides, the fact that she still had to ask Tony Boy’s
permission to accept the offer of Malou only means na kontrolado pa rin ni
Tony Boy ang buhay niya."
By the way, in Gretchen’s new CD, Tony Boy has a
contribution. He recorded a song.
***
If plans push through, Gabby Concepcion might stage a showbiz
comeback via ABS-CBN and Star Cinema.
According to talent manager Dolor Guevarra, with whom Gabby
had an exchange of text messages, the former actor mentioned his desire to do
either a movie or TV show, provided these were to be shot in the US.
Wonder if it’s true that legally Gabby is a "persona non-grata"
in the country.
Gabby, who has been a US resident for more than 10 years,
likewise asked Dolor who among the new set of movie actresses would make an
ideal leading lady for him.
Said Dolor: "Siguro, ‘di alam ni Gabby na isa sa
mga itinatanging baguhan sa showbiz ngayon ay ang kanyang anak na si
KC."
"Come to think of it," Dolor stated further, "wouldn’t a
movie with Gabby and KC be a wonderful project? ‘Pag nagkataon, tipak ito sa
box office. Lalo siguro if Sharon (KC’s mom) would do a cameo role."
Gabby also reportedly mentioned to Dolor that he is again a
father to a newly-born girl. The baby is her fourth daughter. Aside from KC and
the new baby with his current wife, Gabby also has a daughter with Grace Ibuna
and also another daughter with Jenny Syquia.
***
Jericho Rosales had to turn down an offer to do a musical
with Gary Valenciano in Singapore, because he is set to start a new teleserye
for ABS-CBN.
Will his real-life girlfriend, Heart Evangelista, play his
leading lady?
"I don’t think so," said our source. "May sa-riling
series si Heart. She is doing four episodes in the series, ‘Your Song,’
with Jason Abalos and Erich Gonzales as her co-stars."
The episode is titled "Muntik na Kitang Minahal" and has Ruel Bayani at the
helm.
