Not a few have a notion that showbiz is a make believe world where no truthful camaraderie existing and pretentious actuations abound. At that, the consensus has it that there’s no lasting friendship transpires, particularly these days. However, in my more than five decades as movie journalist, this writer can attest the presence of real chums in the entertainment field.
To recount, aside from Amalia Fuentes and the late Nida Blanca whom I had worked with as their publicist, several veteran stars came to the fore to genuinely showcase the meaning of loyalty within friends. Through thick and thin, hours of trials they never took their back on me.
Albeit we met during Sharon Cuneta’s pre-teen years, I didn’t’ expect to be attached to Sharon, much more so when she turned megastar. Be it on TV, recording or the celluloid strips. Two unforgettable incidents in my life occurred, putting me in bad light yet Sharon elucidated how dependable friend she was.
One time, Sharon invited me at her TV program Sharon Show, unknowing that its director Johnny Manahan had a misunderstanding with this writer. She felt the unpleasant look, heard the negative words thrown to me by Manahan. Instantly Sharon mediated, told him that I was her personal guest and deserved respect.
Then cropped out anew Sharon’s invitation for me to grace the press con of her starrer produced by Viva Films in spite of her knowledge its pro Baby Gil banned me due to what I wrote before which displeased her. True to Sharon’s promise, before the confab, she let Baby and me to settle our differences that ended up favorably. Such act that only a real chum could manifest with sincerity.
More than that, Sharon had assiduously assisted Movie Writers, Press Photographers Association of the Philippines at the time I headed the said club which helped financially out of job, disabled and hospitalized media men. Sharon was our principal sponsor, together with the deceased Fernando Poe Jr.
Even my stay in Canada for years hasn’t ceased our communication. Sharon once contacted during her concert in Toronto. Sadly, we did not see each other for I was then on vacation in U.S. at my daughter’s digs.
The first actress I befriended in the ‘50s was multi-awarded veteran actress Perla Bautista. We chanced upon each other through her sibling Ariston, an Asian karate champ who’s an actor-director as well. What was endearing about Perla could be her tireless efforts to defend me to those who deprecated me in and out of showbiz. And she did not reject my invitation to grace this and that gatherings.
An unexpected experience happened when Perla’s intimate chum actress Caridad Sanchez had the plan to sue me, out of my wrong write up that Caridad suffered a heart attack which led her family from Cebu to worry, and hurriedly left for Manila. But Perla insisted my mistake was unintentional, made a move to prove my sincerity to apologize. Through Perla, Caridad weighed things to exculpate my name and drop my supposed libel case. Today, Perla remains a good friend via frequent communication with me in Canada via Facebook and phone.
Lasting friendship won’t end with one’s departure for abroad. Just like Perla, ex-actress Beverly Vergel constantly kept in touch with me in my 10 years in Canada. What more Bev went out of her way to drop by my place in New Market. That was when she joined her daughters Paula and Sidney in Mississauga. Oftentimes even if she’s busy on her new job as film director, she manages to be present in my family’s special days, showing to the hilt she values our long years of closeness.
Special mention also to Susan Roces, Vilma Santos, Boots Anson Roa, Helen Gamboa, Charo Santos, Lani Mercado, Imelda Papin and ex-actress Shirley Moreno for their enduring soft-heartedness to shower assistance to others which this writers witnessed.
Shaina Defends Piolo-Inigo Kissing Photo
Shaina Magdayao comes out to defend her rumored boyfriend Piolo Pascual. This is on the viral lips to lips shot of Piolo and his teenage son Inigo that led incongruous comments from netizens about Piolo’s gender. She felt sad that some people are malicious, saying that this Holy Week they should repent for their immoral thinking.
“For one, Many times I’ve seen how the Pascual family has shown affectionate nature. Piolo often kisses his mom on the lips. Common gesture of love ng pamilya ang ganyang halik. Good thing, both Piolo and Inigo take the false accusation in stride.” Says Shaina to writer-chums but remains mum on the real score on her talk- about romance with Piolo.
Blind Item:
A source did hush-hush to this writer the latest misunderstanding which erupts anew within a famous showbiz clan. Reportedly, there’s ongoing Court case of sole guardianship for the sick, disabled matriarch of the family filed by her grandson and questioned by other members of the clan.
The siblings of the matriarch allegedly found out that the grandson had already withdrew an unexplained huge sum from the matriarch’s funds. They echoed, “we don’t want to happen that when she recovers, konti na lang natira sa savings niya. We’re always protective of her ever since.”
James-Nadine U.S. Shows Ignite Controversies
Despite its big success, the U.S. shows of James Reid-Nadine Lustre team ignited controversies. It’s an aftermath of the accusations of the producer Elaine Crisostomo (ex lesbian partner of actress Desiree del Valle) that the duo treated her sans respect by ignoring her many times and even didn’t show up in the scheduled meet and greet with the fans.
However, stand-up comedian Chad Kinis countered that Elaine’s a liar, should be called a scammer for all her alleged misdeeds. Reportedly, Viva Entertainment who manages James-Nadine pair evoked to eschew the allegations, not to make a big issue. But Chad came out in defense of James and Nadine. Now social media users copiously enjoy the arguments between Nadine and Elaine.
Andi, Jake Court Case Affects Jaclyn
Days past, Andi Eigennman’s ex-lover Jake Ejercito filed a motion of joint custody for their daughter Ellie. Reports have it that Jake has been bothered by talks that Andi would often leave alone Ellie while she goes outing with her boyfriend Emilio Arambulo. If anything, Andi negates the rumor as baseless.
The bottom line, their misunderstanding all the more affects Andi’s actress-mom Jaclyn Jose. Latest news has it that Jaclyn asks why Jake questions the rectitude of Andi that brings about her silent feud with his mom, ex-actress Laarni Enriguez.
Derrick’s Long Time Crush
GM A-7 actor Derrick Monasterio, admits to the movie press that his long time crush is Kapamilya actress Jessy Mendiola. Derrick does not hide the fact he yearns to work with Jessy to befriend her and possibly to court her. Just asking, how would her bf Luis Manzano react, knowing him to be the jealous type?
Incidentally, during his tyro years in showbiz, Derrick had been rumored to be the son of Senator Ping Lacson which has not been proven to this day. Derrick’s mom happened to be erstwhile lovely actress Tina Monasterio.
Latest Tidbits:
What do you know? Heard that Kim Chiu eases out the umbrage of Xian Lim and not to feel uncomfortable with her reteaming with her former sweetheart Gerald Anderson. Kim still considers Xian her Mr. Right, nothing would change, so she reportedly told him. Looks like Kim’s relationship with Xian goes stronger albeit not working together in a project for quite a time.
Did you know who’s the boyfriend of the winner of the TV show Wowowin Gandang Pilipina beauty tilt Michelle Arceo? He’s ABS-CBN actor Albie Casino who for a time kept away from the limelight out of his involvement with Andi Eigenmman’s daughter Ellie as her dad. That was prior to the admission of Jake Ejercito that he’s the real dad.
Talking of Michelle, with her beauty, talents, height and personality, many opine that if she joins the Bb. Pilipinas for sure she’ll be a strong contender. A half-breed, she grew up in California but makes effort to speak in Tagalog.