RAYMOND Gutierrez and DJ Mo had a live interview with Dr.
Vicki Belo in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday. How did the sex video controversy
change her?
"I became introverted. I focused on my work. I was in my
clinic daily as I find peace there. I also spent more time with my children.
Pero nabaligtad na ang mundo ko, so it’s time to speak and defend
myself. I’m the very first victim here. I was betrayed. But now, ako pa ang
dinemanda."
Is this period one of the lowest points in her life?
"One of the two, after Atom (Henares, her husband) and I
broke up. My boyfriend cheated on me, I’m being accused of things I didn’t do,
my business is being attacked and now, my father died (July 1)."
How did she feel when Katrina Halili sued her?
"I was shocked. I thought it was a joke. I couldn’t believe
it kasi I sympathized with her before. It’s really painful as I thought
she’s my friend. I even defended her when writers were saying she was having
an affair with Hayden. I said it’s not true, totoo naman pala. We had
the same goal, to find out the truth. Now, she even wants me to lose my
license, masarhan ang clinics ko at mawalan ng trabaho ang 350
employees ko na wala namang kinalaman in uploading the sex video. When
I learned about what she did in December, I asked her to have dinner with me.
I asked her if she had an affair with Hayden and at first she denied it. I
told her I have evidence and she finaly said ‘Yes, doctora, pero naglalaro
lang kami. Hindi naman seryoso ‘yun.’ My God, they didn’t realize na
sinasaktan nila ako. And she said, ‘I’m really sorry, tao lang po ako,
please forgive me.’ At the end of the dinner, I forgave her, greeted her Merry
Christmas, and I even gave her a gift, a Chanel bag."
Katrina was also in "Showbiz Central" that day but they
didn’t see each other as Katrina admitted later that "ako na ang umiwas."
What would Vicki do if she saw Katrina?
"I’d be civil to here. Definitely, walang bastusan."
About Hayden, she says they’re now just friends.
"He’s 29 and for 28 years of his life, he’s been good. I
don’t want people to judge his life based on this one incident. Everyone
deserves a second chance. Pero hindi ko na siya matatanggap uli kasi
sobrang napahiya na ako. Pinagbigyan ko na siya, pinaglaban ko na siya.
It’s now time for me to listen to my family. I still care for him and wish
he’d have a normal life and a future."
In the end, Dr. Belo says she’s confident that the truth
will come out. "Na wala akong ginawang masama and my name will be
cleared."
***
Richard Gutierrez’ "Zorro" is on its last few weeks.
Replacing it is Marian Rivera’s "Darna" that will be different from the past
incarnations of Darna. They go back to Mars Ravelo’s original novel where
Darna starts as Narda, a crippled girl who loses her disability when she
swallows the magic stone that transforms her into a flying heroine. Marian was
shown in "Showbiz Central" last Sunday wearing the new Darna costume which is
a much improved version tailor made for her by designer Pepsi Herrera, with a
low-cut bustier bra top and a high-cut bikini bottom to bring out Marian’s
sexiness on screen, complete with brass arm and wrist bands.
"Talagang kapag suot ko ito, parang sinasaniban ako ni
Darna," says Marian.
At the GMA trade show last Friday, she appeared on stage
wearing the costume and the applause was deafening, with advertisers
responding to her as Darna very positively.
To make sure she’d look perfect in the revealing and
provocative Darna costume, Marian was forced to work out in the gym. "Hindi
talaga ako mahilig mag-exercise," she says. "But for this, I have no
choice kundi mag-work out, lalo na ‘yung abs exercises to make
sure wala akong bilbil. I had also to exercise my back muscles kasi
weak. I had to make it stronger for the flying scenes na naka-harness
ako sa paglipad. I also did wushu training for my body’s greater
flexibility. Mas grabe ang naging preparation ko rito kaysa sa
‘Dyesebel’ na swimming and diving lang."
"Showbiz Central" also showed the story con of "Darna." The
big cast is headed by Mark Anthony Fernandez as leading man Efren, Jestoni
Alarcon and Rita Avila as Narda’s parents, Iwa Moto as snake woman Valentina,
Janice de Belen as Valentina’s mom, Paolo Contis as Valentina’s dad who’s the
king of snakes, Nadine Samonte as Babaeng Impakta, Isabel Oli as Babaeng Tuod,
Ehra Madrigal as Babaeng Linta, Maggie Wilson as Babaeng Lawin (all past foes
of Darna), Buboy Villar as sidekick Dick, Celia Rodriguez as the orphanage
manager where Narda grew up, plus Alfred Vargas, Angel Aquino, Bearwin Meily,
Caridad Sanchez, Gabby Eigenmann, Roxanne Barcelo, directed by Dominic Zapata
and Don Michael Perez.
***
At the thanksgiving party of Angel Locsin, she was asked
what she can say about Marian Rivera as Darna, a role she first played on
GMA-7? "What can I say but that I’m happy for her," she says. "Alangan
namang sabihin kong wala siyang K at ako lang ang may K gumawa noon.
Everyone can play Darna and I’m just so happy and thankful that I was also
given the chance to play Darna then at nagustuhan ‘yun ng tao. So good
luck na lang kay Marian at sa mga iba pang susunod na mabibigyan ng
chance to play Darna."
Can she give Marian any advice about playing Darna?
"None. I don’t think I’m in a position to give advice
kaya wala akong mabibigay na advice sa kanya. Pangit naman pakinggan
kapag galing sa’kin, di ba? Baka mabigyan pa ng ibang kulay. Basta good
luck na lang."
Will Marian be able to surpass the high ratings that her "Darna"
posted then?
"I don’t know. Siguro naman. I’m sure kaya rin
niyang mag-Darna. Huwag na lang kami pagkumparahin. Basta ako, I’m
happy that when I was given the chance to do Darna, tinanggap ako ng tao.
Sana, siya rin."
***
Is "Pinoy Big Brother: Teen" discovery Aldred Gatchalian
aware that he role he played in "Bente" was originally meant for the late
Marky Cielo of GMA-7?
"Opo," he says. "But it’s okay with me as the role
of Mervyn, a radical student activist about to be assassinated by government
agents, is really very challenging. I’m honored na ako ang napili nila
after I auditioned."
We’ve seen the film in its press preview and, in fairness
to him, he gives justice to the role assigned to him. The movie opens and
starts with him while being part of a big protest rally against political
killings and disappearances.
"Bente," directed by Mel Chionglo and which opens today in
theaters, has indeed jumped the gun on "Dukot," another political movie
directed by Joel Lamangan.
How did Aldred feel that he was cast alongside Richard
Gomez, Snooky Serna and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada?
"Siempre kinabahan po ako. But I only have a scene
together with Sen. Jinggoy doon sa climax ng movie where we’re
both being chased by our respective assassins. Mabait po siyang katrabaho."
Aldred remains to be a talent of ABS-CBN Star Magic. He is
currently in the cast of two regular shows: "Kambal sa Uma" with Shaina
Magdayao and "Gaano Kita Kamahal" where he plays Sid Lucero’s brother.
Whatever happened to his love team with Valeen Montenegro
with whom he did "Crazy for You" and "Ysabella"?
"I don’t know. Hindi na kami pinagpareha uli ng
ABS."
***
A lot of press people were surprised when they saw Jessa
Zaragoza at the launch of "Rosalinda." She plays Carla Abellana’s cruel
stepmom married to her dad, Ariel Rivera. Does this confirm the rumor that she
has separated from husband Dingdong Avanzado?
"Kayo naman, masama bang magbalik showbiz?" she
says. "We might not have a perfect marriage, pero kami pa rin, nagmamahalan
pa rin kami and my husband is supportive of my career. He’s in the States
now kasi inaasikaso niya ang business namin dun. Bale we now
have two households. One there, one here. Pero dito muna ako kasi I
also have a new album coming up in July at six months daw ang
run ng ‘Rosalinda.’ By September, I have to return for a while sa
US for our papers at pinayagan naman ako ng GMA. My last show was
‘Bituin’ with Nora Aunor at ABS, about six years ago. I’m really glad to be
back sa GMA dahil dito naman ako nagsimula. My last soap here
was ‘Di Ba’t Ikaw’ which was also directed by Maryo de los Reyes kaya
reunion namin itong ‘Rosalinda.’ I really missed acting, but
‘Rosalinda’ is something new for me kasi villain ang role ko.
Pahihirapan ko si Rosalinda. Excited ako as a real actress should
show she can be effective in any kind of role."
Did she really get jealous when Dingdong had a concert with
ex-girlfriend Rachel Alejandro?
"No, okay kami ni Rachel and I’m happy ngang
naging successful ang concert nila kaya may repeat daw.
What is past is past."
***
When asked who are the sexiest actors for him now, Cristine
Reyes said it’ s Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby and Jericho Rosales. These guys are
all Kapamilya actors. Why then would she be dying to move back to GMA-7 when
she doesn’t fancy anyone there, not even her ex-boyfriend Dennis Trillo? If
she’d go to GMA, then she won’t have any chance of working with Piolo, Sam and
Jericho anymore. It’s obvious that Cristine’s mind is not really working
rationally these days.
***
These are the eight official entries in the 2009
Metro-Manila Filmfest to be held this coming December. Regal Entertainment has
three entries: "Mano Po 6, My Mother" - With a cast led by Sharon Cuneta,
directed by Joel Lamangan. "Nieves" - Spin off from "Shake X’s" "Encanto
Slayer" episode starring Marian Rivera, directed by Mike Tuviera. "Shake,
Rattle and Roll XI" - The annual horror trilogy this time with a cast led by
Ruffa Gutierrez. "Juan" - From RVQ Productions, starring Dolphy and Willie
Revillame, directed by Eric Quizon. "Ikaw Na Nga" - A feel good family movie
with Kris Aquino and Eugene Domingo from Star Cinema, directed by Wenn Deramas.
"Ang Darling Kong Aswang" - Horror comedy starring Vic Sotto from M-Zet-OctoArts,
directed by Tony Reyes. "Ang Panday" - Co-production of Imus Production and
GMA Films, starring Bong Revilla, Iza Calzado and Rhian Ramos, directed by Mac
Alejandre. "Wapacman" - Action-comedy from Solar Films starring Manny Pacquiao,
Nicole Scherzinger and David Battista, directed by Topel Lee.
***
We wish to correct our earlier report that Robin Padilla
will do a movie with Bong Revilla at Star Cinema. It’s not Bong but Vhong.
Yes, Binoy will do an action-comedy with Vhong Navarrro. Our source said that
the first thing that came to his mind when informed that Binoy will do a movie
with Bong is it’s the senator. Turns out it’s Vhong pala. They want to
get Joyce Bernal to direct it.
Meantime, Sen. Bong’s wife, Lani Mercado, is happy to be in
another soap, "All My Life," where she plays the mother of Aljur Abrenica. She
was also the real biological mother of Richard Gutierrez in "Zorro" but the
character she played there had already been killed.
How does it feel that she and Sen. Bong are Belo endorsers
and yet Bong seems now to be at odds with Belo?
"My husband naman is just supporting Katrina Halili
kasi naapi naman talaga ‘yung tao sa sex video scandal na lumabas.
So hindi naman personalan yun. Nagkita-kita na kami noong ‘Rigodon de
Honor’ sa Malacanang. Nandun si Dr. Vicki Belo with her
ex-husband Atom Henares and their daughter Cristalle. Very civil naman ang
lahat sa isa’t isa. Sabi pa nga ni Dr. Vicki kay Bong, ‘I don’t
know if I’d greet you or what’ at sabi naman ni Bong, ‘It’s up to you
if you want to greet me.’ Basta hindi personal ito. Nataon lang na
ang involved sa scandal, yung boyfriend niya. Wala na
tayong magagawa about that."
About "All My Life," it’s so fast-paced that so many things
have happened already since it started last week. The kids, Jules and Romina,
who got separated when Jules and his family moved to Manila, are now grown ups
played by Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal. Things get more intriguing when they
cross paths again and the neglected Romina finally finds true love in Jules,
but they have to face a lot of odds first before their love could triumph.
