It’s Angel for Luis

IF he were to marry now, Luis Manzano told host Boy Abunda in the showbiz talk program "The Buzz" last Sunday, he honestly wants Angel Locsin to be his bride. He thinks she would make a good wife.

But he doesn’t think he and Angel are ready to marry now. They still want to make the most of their careers. Besides, they are still young.

He is 27, while Angel is 23.

"I feel it’s only now that I can prove my worth as an actor," Luis stated. "Heto at finally I’m playing the title role in a fantaserye."

Luis plays Flash Bomba in the series "Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo’s Flash Bomba" which is soon to air on ABS-CBN. This series comes on the heels of the recently-concluded fantaserye "Dyosa" where as Kulas, Luis earned positive feedback.

Luis is also looking forward to starring in the movie "A Mother’s Story" with his mom, Star for all Seasons and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos. Here he plays a gay role. His lover is played by John Lloyd Cruz.

To be filmed partly in New York City, "A Mother’s Story" is produced by Star Cinema and will have Olive Lamasan at the helm.

"Doing ‘A Mother’s Story’ is a double challenge for me. Hindi lang si Mommy ang magaling na artista na makakasagupa ko, wika nya. Nandiyan din si John Lloyd, who is considered the best actor of his generation," Luis said.

***

Gemma Fitzgerald, Jay-R Siaboc, Panky Trinidad, Kian Kazemi and Ronnie Liang were all former housemates in Bahay ni Kuya. Aside from having the same dream of making it big in showbiz, they also share the same birth month: January. They are all Star Magic talents, too.

Gemma turned 23 last January 1. Half-Pinay and half-Australian, she is now staying in Manila with her Filipina mom and only sister.

A singer-dancer, she is getting enough assignments for her and her family.

"It’s just my dad who lives in Australia. But he frequently visits us here. Kanya kasing idea that I stay here to pursue my dream," said Gemma.

A member of the female group, Koolchx, Gemma has been in corporate shows with the group. They are also regular guests in ABS-CBN shows, like "Wowowee" and "ASAP."

A US show sometime in June excites her very much.

Jay-R Siaboc just arrived from the US where he met up with his girlfriend, Irish Fullerton, a Fil-Am.

Irish, according to Jay-R, was in the country since her stint in the "Pinoy Dream Academy," where they were both contestants.

He placed second to Yeng Constantino, who was the grand champ. Irish was one of the runners-up.

"Irish mom summoned her home dahil may sakit daw siya.

No one is taking care of her. Irish is an only child," related Jay-R.

It was Irish’s mom who invited Jay-R to go with her daughter to the US. She also offered to pay half of his fare.

"E, pangarap ko makahawak at makaapak ng snow. Na natupad nang sumama ako kay Irish. May bonus pa nga, dahil naulanan din ako ng snow," Jay-R said.

He already has an album to his name.

Jay-R will do the fantaserye "Sanlakas."

***

Panky Trinidad was a call center agent and a band member when she joined PDA.

Admittedly, her life has changed. And for a while, she encountered difficulty adjusting.

Panky recently got herself a new talent manager, Kitchie Benedicto, who co-manages her with Star Magic.

"So far, so good," she said of how her showbiz career is going.

***

Kian was a member of "Pinoy Big Brother 2." He had just graduated De La Salle University with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management when he joined the reality show.

Said Kian: "Kung and dating pangarap ko ay makatulong lang sa father ko (an Iranian) in running the family restaurant, Persian Grill in Salcedo Village, Makati, ngayon I want to make good in my showbiz career, too."

And so far so good too. Less than two years after PBB, he is now a mainstay of the weekly travel show, "Trip Na Trip," with Jayson Gainza, Uma Khonny and Kat de Castro.

Kian will join join Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca as one of the PMA cadets in the series "Tayong Dalawa." In his other series, "Humingi Ka sa Langit," starring Judy Ann Santos and Derek Ramsey, Kian plays a gay character.

"Priest naman ako sa ‘May Bukas Pa,’" Kian said of another series which started airing yesterday, February 2.

***

Ronnie was a "Pinoy Dream Academy" scholar, too. He is now a certified recording star after hitting it big with his song "Ngiti."

Ronnie, who turned 24 last January 31, was in the movie "Ako Legal Wife" and had a TV appearance in the weekly series, "Your Song." He is currently in the cast of "I Love Betty La Fea."

On February 14, he will be doing shows in Olongapo City and at the Sta. Lucia Mall in Cainta. On February 22 he will be in Hong Kong for a charity show.

He also agreed to support the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) in its fund-raising on March 14.