Kris stays cool despite
family’s health problems

Now, 24 years later, GMA-7 is remaking it as part of its "Dramarama sa Hapon," replacing "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan" starting this Monday, with Yasmien Kurdi as Shayne, and Lani Mercado and Joel Torre as her parents. The adopted boy played by JP De Guzman then is now played by Jacob Rica, the boy who played Camille Prats’ dying son in "Gaano Kadalas." And for the first time in the history of "Sine Novela," the director of the original film is also directing the remake, Maryo J. de los Reyes.

"I am glad to be chosen by GMA to also direct the remake as we were able to expand the material," he says. "Mas na-explore namin ang relationships ng mga tauhan at nabigyang ng proper background. In the TV version, we added several characters. Ruben, the character of Joel Torre, is given his own family. Their family’s patriarch is Don Leonardo, played by Charlie Davao, a rich businessman in the real estate business. Aside from Joel, he has another son, Dindo, played by Gary Estrada. May sibling rivalry ang two brothers because Joel is successful and Gary is not. Joel is a caring husband to Lorrie, Lani Mercado, and their daughter, Yasmien. Gary is married to Agatha, played by Pinky Amador, but he’s frustrated with her dahil hindi magkaanak, so he has an affair with his secretary, Myleen, played by Shirley Fuentes. They have a son, si Jacob, na napunta sa orphanage. Joel and Lani want so much to have another child, but Lani cannot get pregnant anymore so they just adopt one, at si Jacob nga ang nakuha nila without knowing it’s really Gary’s illegitimate son. So, mas maraming conflict ang story rito and also, mas na-explore namin ang love story between Yasmien and Raul, the role played by Raymond Lauchengco and which is now portrayed by Dion Ignacio. I’m sure mas tututukan ito ng viewers ngayon as the story has become richer and more complicated."

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When you watch Kris Aquino in "Kapamilya Deal or No Deal," you won’t think she’s having problems at all. But the past couple of days have really been tough for her due to health problems of her husband James and sons Joshua and Baby James.

"Doctors first thought James was having a problem with his thyroid," she says. "It’s good it was diagnosed later as mere acid reflux, which is easier to treat. Soon after that, James had an accident while playing basketball and sprained his leg. They had to do a lot of tests on him and it’s good his spine was not at all affected. Sumunod naman ‘yung dalawang bata. They kept on vomiting and the doctors can’t detect why. ‘Yun pala, may bacterial infection, pero ang hirap nilang lagyan ng dextrose. So pabalik-balik talaga kami sa hospital. Sabi nga ng mommy ko (President Cory Aquino): Ano ba yan? Lagi na lang may sakit sa inyo. Buti na lang you don’t get stressed out with your constant visit sa hospitals.’ I told her I have to be brave, being the wife and mother. Siempre, important sa’kin ang health ng family ko and I don’t want seeing them sick or suffering. Kaya nga thankful ako they’re all well now, including my mom. My prayer when she got sick was sana makasama pa namin siya this Christmas and I’m thankful God granted that kasi bumuti nang bumuti ang health niya. So we’ll all be going to Christmas Eve together with her as a whole family."

Kris is thankful that "Kapamilya Deal or No Deal" continues to enjoy wide viewership. This week, her guests include Cherie Gil of "Pieta" and the Ms. Earth beauty pageant finalists.

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Rufa Mae Quinto revealed in last Sunday’s "Showbiz Central" that her Hispanic-American boyfriend named Bobby, who’s based in Hong Kong, has broken up with her and she felt hurt because he only did it by email. "Mahirap talaga ang long-distance relationship," she tells co-host DJ Mo. "Alangan namang pilitin ko kung hindi talaga para sa akin. Mahabang-mahaba ang email niya and it took time bago ko binasa. Siempre, masakit. Nag-usap na kami the other day and I told him na huwag namang ganun na sa email lang niya ko binreak. He said he regrets it but wala raw kasi akong time lagi, which is true naman. Kasi ang dami kong TV shows, tapos I’m shooting two movies, ‘Desperadas 2’ and ‘Civil Status: Single.’ Madalas, when he calls me, I’ll tell him, I’ll call you back kasi I’m in a meeting or shooting or taping. Anyway, doon ko na-realize na hindi ko pa talaga priority ang magpakasal at mag-asawa kasi ako pa rin ang breadwinner ng family ko. So ngayon, puro trabaho na lang muna uli ako."

***

Pia Guanio had a live one-on-one interview with Mrs. Bing Garcia, the mother of Patrick Garcia. Pia asked her how Patrick feels about Jennylyn’s decision not to show him their son. "Si Patrick kasi, tahimik na tao," says his mom. "Si Jennylyn naman ang nagdesisyon na tuldukan na ang relationship nila."

How about her, wouldn’t she like to help her grandchild?

"Nag-offer na ako ng help noon, but I was rejected." She adds that she personally doesn’t want to interfere with what’s happening to Patrick and Jen. "They’re not children anymore. They’re adults na. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano talaga ang naging problema nila."

What can she say about Jen’s decision to use Mercado as the child’s family name?

"If that’s what makes her happy, it’s up to her to do so."

Honestly, we got the impression that it was a futile interview. Pia wasn’t able to successfully get anything controversial from Mrs. Garcia and we’re really wondering why she consented to guest in the show when she didn’t really say anything new.

***

The castaway who got eliminated from "Survivor" last Friday, the balikbayan gym instructor from Hawaii called Jace, took the Hot Seat and was interviewed by Central Jurors Rufa Mae Quinto and DJ Mo. Jace has already been signed up by GMA to be an actor and he’ll be a mainstay in "Luna Mystica" starring Heart Evangelista. How did he feel being voted out? "I felt betrayed kasi may pinag-usapan kayong alliance, pero hindi nila tinupad," he says. "But I also felt relieved kasi ngayon makakakain ako at makakatulog nang husto. Pero hindi naman ako galit sa tribemates ko."

Is it true he is romancing Veronica?

"She’s pretty and we’re good friends. But she’s just like a sister to me."

Who does he think will win as Survivor?

"Si Nanay Zita kasi she’s humble and she bested me, or si JC."

What’s his plan now? "To join showbusiness."

For the Killer Task and Killer Question, Jace chose to tackle both. He was asked to remove his shirt and he quickly did, revealing his muscled torso. One thing that can turn off a lot of people, though, is that his body is full of ugly tattoo.

The Killer Question asks if he really has a crush on Heart Evangelista, who plays Luna in "Luna Mystica." He readily admitted that yes, he has a crush on Heart.

***

"Eat Bulaga" comedians Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola, took the lie detector test simultaneously in the "Face Off" edition of "Don’t Lie to Me." All their answers to every question of host John Lapus turned out to be lies. Here are the questions: Totoo bang pareho kayong "takusa" (takot sa asawa)? They both said no and it’s a lie.

One month daw kayong hindi nag-usap dahil isa sa inyo ay tumatanggap ng racket without telling the other one about it? They both said no and it’s a lie.

Nai-insecure nga ba si Wally dahil mas malaki ang talent fee ni Jose sa kanya? They both said no and it’s a lie.

Sa tingin n’yo ba, ikakasal na sina Vic Sotto and Pia Guanio? They both said no and it’s a lie.

Not once did their answers register as true, so John Lapus had to do a lot of dancing and we must compliment him for his energy. He was lifted high up in the air and thrown this way and that several times by the dancers who should also be praised for their perfect timing.

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It was Vilma Santos’ 55th birthday last Monday and this coming Sunday, as a tribute to her, "Pinaka" on Q 11 will survey which are the ten best films of the "Star for All Seasons." This is a must for all diehard Vilmanians so be sure not to miss it. "Pinaka" is hosted by Rovilson Fernandez.

Ate Vi is also Charlene Gonzales’ special guest in her Q 11 show this weekend. She will share many intimate aspects of her life in showbiz and politics and how she survived all the trials that came her way. Will she be running as vice president in 2010? Watch Charlene’s show and find out.