No marriage proposal yet

"No, ni hindi pa nga nagpo-propose," she says. "Tingnan n’yo, ni wala pa kong engagement ring. He’s now busy preparing to run as congressman in Caloocan City at mahirap pagsabayin ang politika at pagpapakasal. He comes from a family of politicians and this is the reason why he studied law in UP and public administration in Columbia University in the US. He knows balang araw, papasok siya sa politics."

What if people would say Bebong is just using her to gain popularity? "Sino pa ba naman ang magtutulungan kundi the two of us? Okay lang if people would say that dahil mahal ko ‘yung tao."

Her new show with Marvin Agustin, "Hoooo U?" will start airing this Sunday after "Mahiwagang Baul." A special Halloween offering, it is directed by Rico Gutierrez and will run until November 5. They star with Patrick Garcia, Teri Onor and Princess Violago. They play five friends who return to an old house where they used to play hide and seek as children, without knowing it’s now haunted by ghosts. "But it’s not totally horror kundi hinaluan ng comedy and adventure," says Jolina. "Kaya puede ito kahit sa mga bata."

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Denise Laurel is one of Star Magic’s most talented young stars. She started in "Ang TV" and became a contravida in "Pangako sa Iyo" when she was only 11 as Ina Raymundo’s daughter. She then did "Click" with GMA-7 and was also seen briefly in "Mulawin" and "Encantadia." When MTV Asia held an audition here, she took it and was hired as part of "Rouge," a TV shown aired all over Asia where she played a singer called Pat. She stayed there for one year and when she returned home, she went back to ABS-CBN and became part of Star Magic. She’s in the movie "First Day High" and was seen opposite Sam Milby, with whom she earlier appeared in his Close-Up commercial, in "Star Magic Presents" last Saturday. She also appeared in "ASAP."

Denise is the youngest child of David, younger brother of Cocoy Laurel. We tell her she looks so much like her Lola Celia Diaz-Laurel. Her grandpa, the late Doy Laurel, passed away last year and she came home from Singapore to help take care of him. Denise turned 19 on September 30. She admits going steady with AJ, the youngest son of Gina Alajar, for three years. "But we decided we’re still too young to be in a serious relationship so we now want to grow muna individually," she adds. "Aside from acting, I’m also now busy recording my first album."

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We were surprised when we saw PBB big winner Nene Tamayo at Star Magic’s birthday presscon. She’s in full make up with a new hairdo, making her look like a sophisticated lady and not the tomboyish housemate in Kuya’s house. "It’s Say Alonzo and Chx Alcala who taught me how to fix myself," she says. "I didn’t really think I’d have a showbiz career after winning. But everywhere I go, magandang reception sa ‘kin ng tao. When I won as Texters Choice sa ‘U Can Dance,’ sa lahat ng personal appearances ko, I’m required to do ballroom dancing na. Before that, I was not even sure if I knew how to dance, but now I’m enjoying it very much. I’m also about to finish the acting workshops I’m taking with ABS-CBN. Before, sabi ko, hindi ako mahilig sa acting kaya I only did hosting jobs like in ‘MUP’ and as part of Citizen Patrol ng ‘TV Patrol.’ But since I’m already here, I might as well give it a try. So after the workshops, I feel na ready na akong isabak sa acting."

What happened to the house and lot she won? "It’s in Binangonan and my siblings live there. I’m renting an apartment in Quezon City para nearer sa ABS. The Ink for Less business I own is doing very well. It’s located right across Sienna College in Banawe St."

How about her love affair with Bob de la Cruz? "We’re very close, but we’re not officially on. I spent New Year with his family at kilala na ko ng parents niya. He went home naman with me to my mom in Romblon. When I turned 25 on September 27, he surprised me with a birthday party. He had his water business inaugurated last Tuesday and special guest din niya ako. Pero wala naman siyang officially na panliligaw sa’kin and I don’t want to jump into conclusion."

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Another Star Magic celebrant is Neri Naig, who turned 22 on September 7. After doing "SCQ Reload" and "Panday," she was seen in "Pedro Penduko" and will be included in the Kim Chiu-Gerald Anderson soap, "My Destiny." She’s done films like "Now That I Have You" and "Nasaan Ka Man," but she considers the episode of "Maalaala Mo Kaya" where she was paired with John Lloyd Cruz one of her most memorable appearances so far. She’s a tall morena beauty who’d be perfect for beauty pageants. Would she like to try joining one? "Marami ngang nagsasabi but I’m not sure," she says. "What I really want to focus on is my acting career. I wish they’d give more demanding dramatic roles."

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Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo may have broken up as sweethearts but they are together again in "3 Minutes," this Saturday’s episode of "Star Magic Presents." They play contestants in a game called speed dating who were only forced to join by their friends, but unexpectedly, they click even if they’re paired with other partners. They realize that they both deserve a better partner: each other.

Unfortunately, they had to part ways after they had a misunderstanding. But another speed dating event leads them again into each other’s arms. This time, though, they both want to take it slow and easy to let romance blossom naturally. "3 Minutes" is written by Maribel Ilag and directed by Don Cuaresma. Supporting Joross and Roxanne are Janus del Prado, Neri Naig, Ryan Ramos, Joyce So and Jaymee Joaquin, this Saturday at 4:45 pm on ABS-CBN.

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If you want great music and relaxing songs, don’t miss the Raymond Lauchengco-Ayen Munji Laurel concert, "The Best of Us," that starts this Saturday at Teatrino in Promenade Greenhills, with repeats on October 14 and 21, 8:30 p.m.