GABY de la Merced, racing
champ and a former "Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2" housemate, denies any
romantic link with Diether Ocampo and Victor Neri (remember him?). She admits,
though, that the two are her friends. It is for this reason, too, why they are
always in touch.
Diether, who stars with Claudine Barretto and Gabby
Concepcion in the new teleserye, "Iisa Pa Lamang," would call to ask her
about racing. Yes, Diether has recently included car racing as one of his
favorite sports.
In the case of Victor, the two of them are such good friends.
Even if he is now in Hong Kong managing his own business, they would call each
other just to say hello.
Is Gaby in love?
"Kanino naman?" she laughed. Then, she added: "Wala
akong boyfriend ngayon. And I don’t intend to have one. Not in the
near future."
Gaby’s main concern right now, aside from racing, is to make
good in showbiz. After getting a citation from Star Awards for TV as Best Host
for a program on QTV, she thinks she’s ready to go full-time on television. And,
perhaps, try movies, too. Why not?
After the "PBB Celebrity Edition 2," Gaby had the chance to
host her own show on ABS-CBN, "Gaby’s Extraordinary Files."
***
As a racer, Gaby is one of the few Filipinas to dominate the
Asian Formula 3 Circuit. Likewise, she’s the only Filipina who competed in the
full season of the series. She placed first runner-up.
Why is she taking to racing, of all sports? Gaby was asked.
"Racing gives me a big sense of freedom. When I’m racing,
parang ang feeling ko, I own the world."
Other sports which interest Gaby include flag football. In
her younger years, Gaby was part of the basketball team of her school, both in
grade school and high school. Gaby also trains in Capoera (Brazilian martial
arts).
***
While most of her colleagues her age are either going steady
or have had a number of boyfriends, Sarah Geronimo, who is turning 20 on July
25, has yet to fall in love.
So, when does she intend to have one? Yes, a boyfriend? we
asked her.
"Basta, saka na ho," she answered. "Sabi naman ng
Mommy, darating at darating ang panahon na mai-in love ako. Dapat daw
maging maingat ako."
Would she say that John Lloyd Cruz, who plays her leading man
in her launching movie, "A Very Special Love," is her ideal man?
"Naku, hindi ho," she answered. "But he does possess
some of the characteristics in the man I would fall in love with -- at the right
time, sabi nga.
"Bukod sa tall, dark, well, not so dark ha, and
handsome si John Lloyd, mabait din siya.
"Yup, siya ‘yong tipo ng lalaking madaling mahalin,"
Sarah added.
***
Behind every successful actress is, well, a good better-half.
Claudine Barretto thanks her husband of three years, Raymart
Santiago, for being the understanding husband that he is. He never meddles in
her career and supports her all the way.
Claudine said Raymart does not require her to ask his
permission even with her most intimate scenes with her leading men. That’s why,
according to Claudine, Raymart had no idea about her torrid kissing scenes with
both Diether and Gabby Concepcion in the new series "Iisa Pa Lamang," which she
topbills. What was his comment about the kissing scenes when finally he got to
see them?
"Wala," Claudine answered. "Being part of a showbiz
family, he perfectly understands that what one does onscreen ay art
lamang. That’s that."
Most of Raymart’s siblings are in showbiz, too: Randy, Rowell
and JunJun (who directs entertainment events), all surnamed Santiago. His mom,
Celeste Legaspi, was a former actress. Raymart’s dad was the late movie and TV
director, Pablo Santiago.
Claudine’s two movie star-sisters are Gretchen and Marjorie.
