Paolo not ready to strip to his briefs

"Totoo 'yun," she says. "Kasi, akala niya, lalandiin ko siya. E, sa set, nasa isang sulok lang ako, hindi ako nagsasalita. Ganun naman talaga ako, kahit sa bahay, hindi rin ako nagsasalita. Sa bagay, maski sa mga lalaking comedian, sino ba ang nakita n'yong maingay? Sina Tito Dolphy at Bossing Vic Sotto, lagi ring quiet ang mga 'yan. Pero hindi ko naman tinatangging type ko rin si Robin. Masarap siyang katrabaho dahil gentleman at maalaga talaga sa kapareha niya. Kung siya ang mauunang magbigay ng motibo sa akin, 'di hindi ko na siya pakakawalan."

At the movie's presscon at Jayjay Steakhouse, the press noticed that Ai Ai and Robin were caressing each other's thighs, but they became conscious and quickly let go when their attention was called about this. "Ay sorry," says Ai Ai. "Hindi ko napansing may nakakakita sa amin."

Right after "Ikaw Pa Rin," she's doing her movie with former President Joseph Estrada. "We saw each other sa birthday party ni Rudy Fernandez at nang hahalikan, tumakbo. Pero nakorner ko rin siya at ang bango-bango niya. Humingi pa muna ko ng permiso kay Sen. Loi Ejercito bago ko siya kiniss at sabi ni Sen. Loi, ay, o sige, at sinabihan sina Sen. Jinggoy ng 'O, piktyuran n'yo, piktyuran n'yo'. Pinakunan talaga ng litrato 'yung kissing namin."

***

Paolo Contis turned 24 on March 14, and he considers his role in "Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita" a good birthday gift for him. After Dingdong Dantes, Paolo is the next actor being considered to be an underwear model but he demurred. Is his girlfriend, Isabel Oli, against it?

"No, ayoko simply because I am not ready for it yet," he says. "Kailangang ihanda ko muna ang katawan ko bago ako magpa-pictorial nang naka-briefs lang."

Paolo was earlier announced to be part of the movie Gabby Concepcion and Jolina Mag-dangal will be shooting in Europe, but he had to beg off. "Mahirap umalis and work abroad when you're taping a soap like 'Babangon Ako.' Very demanding kasi ang schedule namin at madalas na out-of-town pa ang taping. This is also the reason why I was not able to accept the invitation of 'Maalaala Mo Kaya' to tape an episode for them with Roxanne Guinoo. Siempre, priority ko ang trabaho kong ito sa GMA-7 dahil it's a big project on primetime.

"I play a very meaty role as Tyrone, the rapist of Diana Zubiri, who plays Julie. Bad guy ako rito and I pin the blame on Ian de Leon. Si Diana naman, nabaliw dahil sa akin."

***

The love team of Yasmien Kurdi and JC de Vera has had two hit serials in the afternoon, "Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso" and "Pasan Ko ang Daigdig," both remakes of Sharon Cuneta movies. Now, they're remaking another Sharon flick, "Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita," but this time, it's for primetime on GMA Telebabad. Do they think they can also rate high in the evening?

"We're doing our best para maging interesado ang tao na panoorin kami," says Yasmien. "With the help of our director, Joel Lamangan, I am sure hindi naman kami mapapahiya as we have a bigger cast and an even more engrossing story full of intriguing twists."

"Actually, talagang nakakakaba as we are replacing 'Marimar' na sobrang taas ng ratings," says JC. "Pero sabi nga ni Direk Joel, dapat, huwag kaming kabahan. Basta do our best na lang para panoorin kami ng viewers at mapantayan namin eventually ang ratings ng 'Marimar'."

Aside from "Ba-bangon Ako't Du-durugin Kita," JC is also shooting the movie "Love Is All That Matters" with Yasmien for Regal Entertainment. Despite his busy sche-dule, JC is dead-set on going back to school. He's taking the entrance exams soon at the UP Open University, where the likes of Sharon Cuneta and Sarah Geronimo are now enrolled, and he wants to pass it so he can get a college education. "If other stars like Ate Sharon, Rhian Ramos and Rachelle Ann Go can do it, work and study at the same time, I'm sure magagawa ko rin 'yan," he adds.

JC's manager, Annabelle Rama, is happy that her ward is very diligent not only with his career but with his desire to get a college degree. We'd also like to thank Annabelle for all the help.

***

The tables are turned on Ryan Agoncillo, who's a well known TV host. Now, he'll be the main player in tonight's "1 vs. 100" hosted by Edu Manzano. What's his reaction when he got invited to join it?

"Siempre natuwa ako," he says. "I've seen some episodes before and I like the idea na wala itong roleta, hindi pabilisin pumindot, not really a game of chance as it's totally up to you if you know the answer. I find it a challenging but fair battle so that excites me."

Did going against a mob of 100 opponents intimidate him? "No. I think it's fun. When I watch kasi, the mob has varied at nakakatuwang reactions. Enjoy ako."

Didn't you worry it might affect your image if you'd lose? "Nobody knows naman talaga what will happen and it's just a game, so okay lang. Katuwaan lang."

What would you do if you'd win the P2 million jackpot?

"'Di magsu-swimming ako sa pera," he laughs. "Seriously, I want to help Cuyo Island, where Judy Ann (Santos) is shooting a movie now, 'yung 'Ploning.' I've been there and their medical facilities, kulang talaga kaya I want to help the people there. We should all share with our poor countrymen in remote areas."

Will Ryan succeed in his aim to help the needy people of Cuyo, especially now that winning has become more difficult because of the added Ten Picks requirement where he has to pick ten names from the mob that he all has to defeat first? Find out in "1 vs. 100" this Saturday night after the climactic last telecast of Ai Ai de las Alas' "Volta" on ABS-CBN.

***

Nikki Bacolod initially gained fame at 15 as runner-up in "Search for a Star in a Million" which was won by Jerome Sala. Now, Jerome has faded away but Viva Records continues to support Nikki's career with a new album. This good-looking girl from Iligan City turned 18 last August 18 and we told her she should have auditioned for the next PBB Teen Edition or Celebrity Edition.

"I'd like to," she says. "Sayang nga, hindi ko alam ang auditions. Right now kasi, I'm also hosting a Saturday TV show in Davao, 'Kapamilya Winner Ka,' kaya I fly there often."

Isn't she impatient with the slow pace of her career?

"Hindi naman po as I still have projects naman like I tried acting in 'Pangarap na Bituin' and 'Cute ng Ina Mo.' I believe, in God's own time, mabibigyan din ako ng bigger chance sa showbiz."

She's hoping her second album, "Not That Kind of Girl," will be a bigger hit.

"The title song says I'm no longer the sweet teener who sang syrupy ballads. Even my sound is now more mature, more edgy na may pagka-rock. The album has 12 tracks, all produced by topnotch music man Christian de Walden, and only two are ballads, the rest are danceable tunes. They're adaptations of foreign songs. The carrier single is 'Nalilito, Ginugulo' which is from 'You're My Mystery'."

Other cuts are "Malapit Na" (from "Never Go Insane"), "Away from it All" ("Mas Fuerte Que Tu"), "Bola" ("Coming to an End"), "Somebody" (A Veces), "Rock Me Tonight" ("Dime Que Quieres"), "Dreaming My Own Dream," "Step It Up," "Wild Girl," and "A Little Nervous."