Heart proud of her new man

We told Juday she’s now the bonafide Rated A Queen after "Kasal Kasali," "Sakal Sakali," "Ouija," "Ploning" and "Kulam" all got A ratings. "Nakaka-pressure nga baka mag-expect ang tao na laging A ang movies na ginagawa ko. Kaya ngayon, namimili kami ng magagandang projects talaga. There’s an offer sa Regal na kami ni Ryan (Agoncillo) at meron din sa OctoArts. Uunahin namin kung alin ang mas may magandang script."

She delivers top caliber performances in both "Kulam" and "Ploning." In which one would she want to be nominated next year? "Hindi ba puedeng in both? Para dalawa ang nominations ko," she laughs.

She was so effective in the climax of "Kulam" where one of her characters is laughing like a mad woman. "Nag-let go lang talaga ako sa pagkabaliw ko. Lahat naman ng tao, may part ng kabaliwan ‘di ba? So I just enjoyed being baliw kasi hindi naman all the time, puede kang magbaliw-baliwan sa movie."

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KC Concepcion can now rest assured that the rumor linking Heart Evangelista to "Codename: Asero" leading man Richard Gutierrez is just that, a rumor. It seems Heart is now more open in admitting her relationship with the scion of a buena familia, Francisco Delgado. Earlier, she was linked to Mark Villar, son of Sen. Manny Villar, but this proved to be a dud. It’s Francisco who’s really serious with her and he’s been visiting her on the set of TV show and commercial shoots. Heart doesn’t hide him but even proudly introduces him to her co-stars. Even the parents of Heart are obviously fond of Francisco, unlike before when they were so against her last boyfriend, Jericho Rosales.

"Malayong-malayo naman kasi si Francisco kay Echo," says one writer. "Well bred, edukado, a real gentleman, galing sa good family, what more can you ask for?"

"Height," replies another writer. "Parang mataas pa sa kanya si Heart, ‘no?"

The truth is they’re almost of the same height, which should not be a problem as in love and age, height doesn’t matter. And for Heart, height is really a non-issue as what’s more important for her is the goodness of the character of the man to whom she’ll commit herself. This Sunday, Heart is the featured actress in "Dear Friend" after "SOP" and she’s paired for the first time with another former Kapamilya, Dennis Trillo.

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Last Monday night’s special contestant in "Kapamilya Deal or No Deal" was Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. Before him, other senators who guested in the show were Jinggoy Estrada, Chiz Escudero and Mar Roxas, also ex-presidents Erap Estrada and Cory Aquino. All Sen. Kiko’s staffers came to root for him and cheer him on. "KDOND" continues to get high ratings and one of the reasons viewers tune in is the presence of the sexy and seductive 26 K Girls. We got to interview one of them, Beverly Ann Dungo, nicknamed Bevs. Do you know that she’s a business management graduate from La Salle and is now taking up Masters in Education at UP Diliman? So why did she join "KDOND" as a 26K girl?

"I really love dancing and it’s my means to go back into dancing that’s why I tried out," she says. "Fortunately, I was able to get in and become one of the girls. That’s basically what I want. Also, watching the 26K Girls on TV, I can say that they are not just like any other girl group but they are a group of girls dancing in a very sophisticated and classy way, na parang you just can’t help but admire them and want to be one of them."

Has she been watching KDOND ever since?

"Yes, since season one. Sabi ko nga, parang kaya ko naman ang ginagawa nila so when my friends, Ruby and Dang, who are already with 26K, asked me to audition, I said yes agad and ‘yun na nga, they got me."

Who was her favorite 26K girl before she joined the group?

"Actually, I find all of the girls pretty. Wala talagang particular na isa lang na gusto, kaya wala akong favorites at all."

And what’s her plan after her stint in KDOND?

"I really plan to finish my master’s degree. I want to be a teacher and also to have a business of my own. Simple life lang. Kung wala ng KDOND, ganun ang plan ko, pero habang meron pa, go pa rin ako mag-26K dahil enjoy ako rito. This is an experience na dadalhin ko hanggang sa pagtanda ko."

What does she consider as "a deal of a lifetime"?

"It’ll definitely concern love. Long term goal ko is to have a family and marry someone I really love so for me I will really gamble for love. One’s career will always be there, but love is something that you really have to look for and hold in your hands. ‘Pag nakita ko na si Mr. Right, magdi-deal na ako agad. Kahit may P2 million pa, magdi-deal na ako! After all, love is what makes the world go round."

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Miss Earth 2006 Priscilla Meirelles was so touched when "ASAP" gave her a special birthday celebration as she turned 25 on September 5.

"I really felt like a Kapamilya," she says. Her beau, John Estrada, serenaded her on air and there was a live phone patch so her parents from Brazil could greet her. Now a Star Magic talent who dances regularly in "Wowowee" and "ASAP," she’s been on the cover of various magazines like Uno, People Asia, Manifesto, Playboy Philippines and many more. She’s also a much sought-after endorser for Bench Body, Avon Jewelry, Block & White, and many more. She wants to try acting, too, but first, she has to learn to speak Tagalog fluently.

Ketchup Eusebio is better known as a comedian but he won his Urian best supporting actor award for a drama film, "Nang Magising sa Kamulatan." His last film was also a drama, the country’s entry in the Oscars, "Ploning." He’s now shooting "Rakenrol" for director Quark Henares and he plans to produce a youth-oriented TV show with friends Boy 2 Quizon and Borgy Manotoc. He turned 26 on Sept. 8.

Two younger stars also celebrated their birthday. John Manalo turned 13 on Sept. 6. He won a best child actor award as Kris Aquino’s son in "Feng Shui" and was able to go to London playing Sharon Cuneta’s son in "Caregiver." He’s now doing "Land Down Under" with Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual.

CJ Novato was discovered in "Star Circle Kid Quest" and is one of the gay anchors in the "Sinech Itey" segment of "Goin’ Bulilit." He played the young John Lloyd Cruz in "Maging Sino Ka Man" and is now in "Ligaw na Bulaklak." He turned 12 on Sept. 13.

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The love team of Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson tackles a more serious dramatic vehicle in "Your Song Presents: My Only Hope" that started airing last Sunday after "ASAP." Kim plays April, an optimistic girl who brings sunshine wherever she goes. Gerald is Keeno, a rich boy who’s so cynical in life and has serious issues with dad Tommy Abuel and brother Xian Lim. The show was previewed by the press and it’s really the most challenging roles Kim and Gerald have played so far.

The series starts in Boracay, with Gerald disgusted with girlfriend Nina Jose who pretended to be drowning. In a flashback, we learn that while having a joyride in Manila, they run over a man and they choose to run away and not take him to a hospital. Cut to Kim offering prayers for her dead dad and it’s easy to guess that her dad is Gerald’s hit and run victim.

Kim wins a "Prinsesa ng Boracay" contest on radio and she’s able to bring her brother, David Chua, friend Enchong Dee and David’s girlfriend. In Boracay, Gerald becomes Kim’s designated Prince Charming as his family owns the resort where they stay. Gerald laughs at Kim’s sunny disposition and makes fun of her when she is able to relate with the plight of the beef steak they’re about to eat. She realizes the family of the cow from whom the steak came must now be sad after being orphaned, just like her.

Kim looks as dainty as ever but Gerald projects a new screen persona as a rugged and unshaven young man who is "galit sa mundo." Nina Jose is also given an angst-filled character with an ugly scar on her face that she got from the accident she and Gerald met after they hit a man. She’s feels so saddled with guilt over what happened and cannot find peace even amidst the beauty of Boracay.

Supporting them are "Be Bench" winner Carlo Guevarra as Nina’s brother and newcomer Xian Lim as Gerald’s brother. You don’t know how they become brothers since one looks Caucasian and other one looks so Asian, but Xian is one neophyte to watch out for as he has that X factor called star quality, what with his high cheekbones and lantern jaws. He’s also taller than most newcomers and we won’t be surprised if many ABS young actors will feel insecure with his entry on the scene.

Debuting in the show is Star Studio editor-ABS adprom manager (and now, actor) Biboy Arboleda as the manager of the resort owned by Gerald’s family. He comes across as a less flamboyant, more restrained version of Manny Castaneda and Soxie Topacio when they were still active in playing gay roles.

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The Urian Awards Night was held at CCP Little Theater last Wednesday without any publicity, without any sponsors, not at all televised, and a very modest list of guest performers. Take note that all the films honored were indie digital films, not a single one from a big mainstream studio.

"Halos walang stars other than the winners, who should have been informed beforehand," says our photographer friend.