Nina Jose gets credit
in first movie

The first interviewee is Chanda Romero and this is set in Cebu, where Chanda grew up. Chanda gained fame and respectability when she did "Mananayaw" with the late Lino Brocka. After that, Lino refused to work with her again. Find why for the first time in this tell-all interview.

Next subjects are Joel Torre (who reveals how director Celso Ad. Castillo made him disrobe totally in a shoot), Pilita Corrales (who reveals why a street in Australia is named after her), and Michael de Mesa (who tells how a key scene in the award-winning "Unfaithful Wife" was shot by director Peque Gallaga).

Boy is also a talent manager. What can he say about the story that his ward Bianca Gonzalez is the one chasing after direk Lino Cayetano and caused his break-up with KC Concepcion?

"That’s not true. Lino called up Bianca while he was in Singapore and she went there kasi, when they first split, walang closure. Bianca cried every night then kasi hindi naging klaro ang goodbye nila," says Boy. "Karapatan niya to find out if she’d close or open again the relationship. But I don’t know now kung anong status nila."

How about Mariel Rodriguez being so vocal about her fondness for Zanjoe Marudo when the guy is so quiet? "I was bothered by that. Kasi siya lang ang madaldal at salita nang salita, implying may relasyon sila ni Zanjoe," said Boy. "As her manager, I’m irritated, so I told her to shut up at maghintay siyang magsalita yung lalaki. But last time I talked to Zanjoe, I’m glad ina-min niyang mahal niya si Mariel."

How about Gretchen Barretto walking out of the "Entertainment Live" show? "You know, she said ‘I don’t want to say nasty things about the people I love.’ That means ayaw niyang palalain ang sitwasyon, ayaw niyang makipag-away," he says. "It’s the video they showed naman that hurt her, not the hosts Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano who were so polite to her. Pero nag-apologize na ang ‘E Live’ at okay na sila ngayon."

***

Rhian Ramos denies that she got carried away when she had a kissing scene with Mark Herras in the wedding scene of their recently concluded afternoon soap, "My Only Love." "Sobra naman ‘yong balitang sumigaw na raw ang director namin ng ‘cut,’ pero ayaw pa rin naming bumitaw," she says. "Ako, I treat it talaga as work lang. When the director says ‘action,’ nag-kiss nga kami. Nang i-cut na, we stopped."

It’s said they’re now really going steady. "I admit that Mark and I got close during the taping of our show. Mabait kasi siya and I’m sure naging mabait din naman ako sa kanya. Masaya kami kapag magkasama, pero as friends lang. Never naman siyang naging romantic sa akin so there’s no need to jump into the conclusion na kami na nga," says Rhian. "Saka, tapos na iyong show, nag-rate na, kaya tigilan na ‘yan."

As of now, Mark is linked not only to Rhian but also to Iwa Moto, his co-star in "Joaquin Bordado." The latest scuttlebutt is that they were seen checking in at a motel one early morning after taping for their show. "Baka naman magpapahinga lang after magdamagang taping," says one observer.

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Jennylyn Mercado is due to have a pre-natal checkup this week. Unlike before, she no longer expects Patrick Garcia to accompany her. "Ang mommy ko na lang and some friends ang kasama ko," she says. "Handa na akong haraping mag-isa ang pregnancy ko without the baby’s father helping me out. Balak ko na ring pasimulan ang pag-aayos sa room ng baby ko in our house na magiging nursery niya. I have a big bedroom so I might just divide it para magkatabi kami ng kuwarto. Mas mabuti na ang feeling ko now that I’ve resolved that wala na kami ni Patrick for good."

But she’s happy that her producer-director in "Half Blood Samurai," Jacky Woo, is very supportive. "Willing talaga siyang tumulong in any way he can daw," Jennylyn says. "Pero siyempre, nahihiya naman ako."

We asked Jacky why he’s very helpful to Jen. "Because of her delicate condition. We all have to support her for the sake of her baby," he says.

How come he suddenly went missing after co-producing a movie with Robin Padilla three years ago? "I went to China and that’s where I co-produced some movies," he says. "But I love the Philippines, so I keep on coming back here. I’ve done several films in Manila but I’m proudest of ‘Half Blood Samurai.’ I changed my directing style and even the editing to make it a fast-paced action picture. The action scenes are good but since I’m also a singer and a dancer, I also have musical scenes in the movie with Jennylyn."

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Nina Jose plays only a supporting role in "Half Blood Samurai" as the best friend of Jennylyn Mercado, who’s paired with Jacky Woo, but she says she enjoyed the experience as this is her first movie. "In fairness, kahit newcomer ako, they gave me importance at isinali ako sa presscon, sa TV promos, pati sa mall tour," Nina says.

She’s also elated with the positive feedback her sexy pictorial for FHM is generating. "Sa March 7 pa ang autograph signing namin ni Hazel Ann Mendoza sa Robinsons Galleria at 5 p.m., pero ngayon pa lang, ang dami na raw bumibili ng magazine."

The usual comment is she’s bosomy (what with her 36-26-36 vital stats) and how long-legged she is.

"It’s all very encouraging and I promise when I do my launching movie with Regal, I will show more," she adds gleefully.

Nina and Hazel Ann have signed an exclusive eight-picture contract with Mother Lily. Their first assignment is "Sweet Papa" which is about sugar daddies.

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Is it true there’s intense sibling rivalry between sisters Ehra and Michelle Madrigal? "None," said Ehra as the guest in the Hot Seat portion of "Showbiz Central" last Sunday. "Mga tao lang naman ang nagko-compare sa amin. We really support each other and I was even the one who referred her to my manager, Tita Annabelle Rama, para dito na rin siya magpa-manage at hayan nga, dumami na rin ang trabaho niya."

But who has the "magnet" when it comes to attracting guys? "Definitely, siya. She has plenty of suitors," exclaimed Ehra. "Ako naman ang mas masunuring anak sa mommy namin."

Ehra gamely revealed the Killer Question addressed to her: Totoo bang kinukulit-kulit ka ngayong ligawan ni Janno Gibbs? "Hindi nanliligaw si Kuya Janno sa akin ngayon," she says. "But when we did ‘Lupin’ together, he told me na crush niya ko then texted me some smiley faces. Pero dinedma ko lang siya kasi kilala ko si Tita Bing Loyzaga and I have so much respect for their family."

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This is an email from Dang, Sydney, Australia (as is):

"Hello,

"I am writing in response to the topic: A lesson for Angel Locsin.

"I’m from Sydney Australia. It’s been awhile that we have TFC here. I’ve been reading reports about "Lobo" having a low rating there in the Philippines, well maybe that’s really the case in the Philippines but to those of us here overseas we only have TFC, (GMA is not available here in Australia).So when ever we read entertainment news here, we really don’t know GMA talents, in terms of angel exposure in TFC I think it’s a great move for her because we Pinoys overseas get to know her and how good actress she is. She looks even pretty.

"What I’m trying to say is Angel’s move in ABS CBN is a good thing. Other overseas Pinoys get to know her. I think LOBO is doing good overall ratings because we have only TFC teleserye here. If they include Global ratings I think TFC will have advantage over GMA.

"One more point, almost all Filipino movies in TFC/Star Cinema are being shown in a major theater in Sydney. And Filipinos support them only because they watched the actors and actresses in other programs in ABS-CBN.

"Well thanks for the time reading this."