Saturday, July 17, 2010

A Repost From GMA News.TV


Cesar Montano on coming back to GMA-7: "I need a job."

Cesar Montano on coming back to GMA-7: "I need a job."
Slideshow: Showbiz Photos

Maituturing na "homecoming" ang pagpirma ng one-year exclusive contract ni Cesar Montano sa Kapuso network.

Bago kasi nagtrabaho si Cesar sa ABS-CBN ay nakagawa na siya ng ilang proyekto para sa GMA-7 at sa film arm nitong GMA Films. Sino nga ba naman ang makakalimot sa mga pinagbidahang pelikulang ni Cesar na Jose Rizal (1998) at Muro Ami (1999)? Ang dalawang pelikulang ito na parehong idinirek ni Marilou Diaz Abaya ay umani ng papuri at awards hindi lamang sa Pilipinas kundi maging sa ibang bansa.

At pagkatapos nga ng sampung taon ay nagbabalik si Cesar sa bakuran ng GMA-7 upang maging isa nang ganap na Kapuso.

Ginanap ang contract signing ni Cesar sa 17th floor ng GMA Network Center kaninang hapon, July 15. Kasama sa contract signing ang top executives ng GMA Network na sina Atty. Felipe Gozon (Chairman, President and CEO), Mr. Jimmy Duavit (Executive Vice President and COO), at Ms. Wilma Galvante (SVP for Entertainment TV), at ang tumatayong co-manager ni Cesar na si Shirley Pizarro.

BACK TO GMA-7. Masayang-masaya si Cesar sa kanyang pagbabalik sa GMA-7.

"I really feel glad and happy to be back again here in GMA... It's an honor again to be back and accepted again here in GMA-7, be part of Kapuso. Mahirap pong mabuhay nang walang puso kaya dapat laging may puso," pahayag ng aktor sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at iba pang miyembro ng press pagkatapos ng contract signing.

Ayon pa kay Cesar, hindi na siya kailangang kumbinsihin na bumalik sa Kapuso network dahil nakapagtrabaho na nga siya rito noon.

"If I remember it right, yung unang-unang trabaho ko po rito was with the late brilliant director Ishmael Bernal, Maynila [a drama special]," pagbabalik-tanaw niya. "Doon nagsimula ang trabaho ko, at talagang parte na po ako dito... Isang malaking karangalan at kaligayahan po para sa akin at mase-share ko na naman ulit ang akin pong hiram na talent sa inyo, dito sa GMA."

Nagpahayag din ng kanilang kasiyahan ang mga executive ng GMA-7 sa pagbabalik ni Cesar sa kanilang network.

Atty. Gozon: "Nakita n'yo naman ang tawa ko, from ear to ear. Sabi nga nila, action speaks louder than words. Gusto ko lang sabihin na dati naman nang nandito si Buboy at nadiskubre ko kamakailan lang na masyado pala siyang napakaraming alam, e... Yung Jose Rizal, yun ang pinaka-Buboy sa lahat ng Buboy. I think it's still the movie that holds the most number of awards. Talagang pinili si Cesar do'n."

Mr. Duavit: "Kami ni Buboy, matagal na kaming magkaibigan. In fact, ikinararangal ko rin na maging ninong sa kasal nila ni Shine [Sunshine Cruz, Cesar's wife]. Isa ako sa pinakamakalaking tagahanga ni Buboy. Iba yung napapanood mo ang isang artista, iba yung nakakatrabaho mo. Well, professionalism, bukod-tangi talaga si Buboy. This is an opportunity I personally have been waiting for a long, long time. Sabi ko nga kanina, sampung taon na ang lumipas subalit may kasabihan nga na better late than never. So, nasisiyahan ako. Sa ngalan ng aking mga kasamahan na Kapuso, ikinagagalak namin na si Buboy ngayon, e, kabahagi muli sa Kapuso."

Ms. Galvante: "Actually, two years ago, muntik na, e, nandiyan na siya. Papunta na nga ng pictorial kaso ipinatawag [sa MalacaƱang] kaya hindi 'yon natuloy. Pero ngayon, nung tinanong namin kung okay ba siya, puwede ba siya. Tapos sabi ko ulit sa kanya nung nag-meeting kami, 'Matagal ka nang nawala, subukan mo kami uli.' From there, nagkaintindihan and now, he's with us."

Matatandaang noon pa sanang 2007 naging Kapuso si Cesar. Papunta na siya noon sa GMA Network Center para mag-pictorial, pero tinawagan siya ng MalacaƱang para maging isa sa senatorial bets ng administration party that time.

Tumakbong senador si Cesar, pero hindi siya pinalad na manalo sa kanyang unang sabak sa pulitika. Nung bumalik siya sa showbiz ay sa ABS-CBN pa rin siya lumabas.

ABRUPT TRANSFER. Nilinaw ni Cesar ang sinasabing "abrupt" transfer niya mula sa ABS-CBN papuntang GMA-7. Noon lamang kasing nakaraang linggo ay napanood pa siya bilang special guest host ng noontime show ng ABS-CBN na Wowowee. At pagkalipas lamang ng ilang araw ay pumirma na siya ng kontrata sa GMA-7.

"I guested on Wowowee. I was there as guest host, not a regular host," paglilinaw ni Cesar. "But while I was doing that, wala na talaga akong... Hindi na ako nakatali, I don't have any contract, wala. I've been waiting but, of course, ako kasi yung tao na I need to move on, I need to move up. Kailangan kong gumalaw... I need to decide. A man has to decide. I had to feed my family and send some children to school also."

Iginiit ng aktor na walang offer talaga sa kanya ang Kapamilya network para sa isang regular program. Ang huling regular show niya sa ABS-CBN ay ang Singing Bee, pero dahil sa eleksyon ay kinailangan niya munang magpahinga sa telebisyon. Pero nang natapos daw ang eleksyon ay wala pa ring ibinibigay na show sa kanya ang dati niyang network.

"Yung eleksyon natapos May, July na ngayon. So, I need a job," paliwanag ni Cesar. "Sayang po para sa akin na marami po akong magagawa to share my talent, pero wala po akong nagagawa. It's not a good idea. So, 'eto po, when I talked to Wilma and to GMA, they have a ready project for me so I grabbed it right away."

Umasa ba siyang bibigyan ng regular show pagkatapos niyang mag-guest host sa Wowowee at nang hindi siya offer-an ay nagdesisyon siyang tanggapin ang alok ng GMA-7?

"I didn't take it negatively. I refuse to be skeptic about it," sagot ni Cesar. "Ako, I'm working there, in-offer sa akin 'yon. It's a good show. Maganda serbisyo sa tao. I guested for several days. That's it. Wala pa rin kayong show dito, merong offer sa akin, I have to go there. Ganun kasimple."

Hindi ba siya inalok ng ABS-CBN na mag-host ng isang game show?

"Wala, e. Nung nag-usap kami like three weeks ago, ibabalik muna daw yung Game KNB? with Kris [Aquino] bago ibabalik yung Singing Bee. Pero wala pang definite date, puro negotiations lang. Walang absolute certainty," sabi ng actor-TV host.

Nagpaalam ba siya sa ABS-CBN na lilipat na siya sa GMA-7?

"Nagpaalam ako. Tumawag ako kay Linggit Tan [ABS-CBN business unit head]. Tumawag ako kay Ninang Cory Vidanes [channel head], okay naman sa kanya. Tapos yung another consultative manager ko do'n, si Boy Abunda, sabi niya. 'Okay 'yan, kesa naman ano ka, idle. Grab the opportunity.'"

Tinanong ng PEP si Cesar kung inasahan ba niya na magka-counter offer ang ABS-CBN nang magpaalam siya.

"Well, inaasahan ko 'yon," pag-amin niya. "Pero meron na silang sinabi sa akin before, pero I know hindi sila prepared. I think puwede na lang nating tawagin 'to na impeccable timing to come back again to GMA-7."

Sinabi rin ni Cesar na nagsilbing senyales ang reaksiyon ng ABS-CBN sa kanyang pagpapaalam sa desisyon niyang lumipat na nga sa GMA-7.

"Nung nagpaalam ako, yung sign na nakuha ko, smooth, walang violent reaction. Okay naman sila. 'Basta hihintayin ka namin ulit dito pagbalik mo.' Ganun sila. 'Pag tapos ka na dun, balik ka lang dito. You're welcome again here.'"

FIRST PROJECT. Nakahanda na si Cesar sa mga proyektong gagawin niya sa Kapuso network. Sa katunayan, nakapag-taping na nga siya para sa isang telenovela kung saan makakasama niya ang young stars na sina Aljur Abrenica at Rhian Ramos. Hindi na raw Romana Santa ang title ng primetime series na ito, na tinatampukan din nina Jean Garcia, Ara Mina, Jackie Rice, at Christopher de Leon. Ito ay mula sa direksiyon ni Mark Reyes.

Bukod dito ay nakatakda ring gumawa ng isang sitcom si Cesar. Hindi pa alam ng aktor kung ano ang titulo nito o kung sino ang makakasama niya.

Pero may lumabas nang report dito sa PEP na Ander de Saya ang magiging titulo ng sitcom na gagawin ni Cesar. Malaki rin ang posibilidad na makasama niya rito si Maricel Soriano, lalo na't lumalabas na rin sa Kapuso network ang Diamond Star.

Sa posibilidad na makatrabahong muli si Maricel, ito ang sinabi ni Cesar: "Well, it's not a bad idea. Pag Maricel saka ako, nakakatawa 'yan. Si Marya, nami-miss ko na rin, matagal ko nang hindi nakikita 'yan. We can make beautiful music together again here in GMA-7."

Matatandaang nakagawa na sina Cesar at Maricel ng isang pelikula (Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin) at dalawang sitcoms (Kaya Ni Mister, Kaya Ni Misis at Bida Si Mister, Bida Si Misis).

Bukod kay Maricel, gusto rin daw makatrabaho ni Cesar sa Kapuso network sina Carla Abellana, Marian River ("one of the most beautiful faces in the entertainment industry"), at Iza Calzado ("very fine actress").

Hindi rin ikinaila ni Cesar na isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit siya bumalik sa GMA-7 ay ang kagustuhan niyang makagawa muli ng pelikula gaya ng Jose Rizal at Muro Ami.

"Gusto ko talagang gumawa ulit ng epic na pelikula," sambit niya.

Sa katunayan, meron na raw siyang dalawang movie projects na inihain sa executives ng GMA-7, partikular na kay Mr. Duavit na naging bahagi ng mga pelikulang ginawa ni Cesar para sa GMA Films noon. Ang una ay tungkol sa buhay ng bayaning si Francisco Dagohoy, at ang pangalawa ay ang tungkol sa 15 Filipinos mula sa Ilocos na unang nagpunta sa Amerika (Hawaii) at naging sakada roon.

"Eto kasing mga ganitong pelikula, e, GMA-7 ang gumagawa ng mga ito. I'm hoping and praying na mangyari ito," sabi ni Cesar.

Pero totoo bang hindi na tumawad ang GMA-7 sa presyong hiningi niya kaya naging mabilis ang negosasyon sa kanyang paglipat?

"Sayang nga, nung hindi na tumawad, hindi na ganun, sana mas mataas na pala dapat!" biro naman ng aktor.

CESAR'S MANAGER. Isa pang pinalinaw ng entertainment press kay Cesar ay ang nabalitang masama raw ang loob sa kanya ng kanyang manager for 26 years na si Norma Japitana. Sa diyaryo lang daw kasi nalaman ng manager na pipirma ng kontrata si Cesar sa GMA-7.

Pinabulaanan naman ito ng aktor. Aniya, "She's part of this [transfer]. Anytime pagdating niya dito, mag-uusap kami. She knows." .

Pero inamin ni Cesar na ang PR manager niya at entertainment columnist na si Shirley Pizarro ang nakipagnegosasyon sa pamunuan ng GMA-7 para sa kanyang paglipat.

"Si Shirley Pizarro ang kausap ng GMA-7, pero pinaalam ko kay Ate Norma," sabi ng aktor. "Right now, kasi si Ate Norma is very busy 'yan, e. Yung labas, trip sa ibang bansa. Nagpapatulong ako with Shirley Pizarro... Andiyan pa rin si Ate Norma."

Binanggit din ni Cesar na si Norma ang kausap sa pelikulang gagawin niya sana sa Star Cinema, pero hindi nga lang ito nag-materialize.

Inamin din ni Cesar na nag-offer din sa kanya ang TV5. Pero para raw ito sa pelikula at hindi TV projects.

"Pinitch ko rin yung film dun na pini-pitch ko rin dito [GMA-7]. Kung interesado silang gawin yung pelikula, wala namang problema," sabi ni Cesar.

Dahil network contract ang pinirmahan ni Cesar sa GMA-7 ay maaari siyang gumawa ng pelikula sa anumang film outfits.

Tungkol naman sa pulitika, sinabi ni Cesar na: "I'm not closing my doors, pero tinanggal ko muna siya sa isip ko talaga. Wala muna. I want to concentrate on doing... I believe maraming mga pelikulang dapat gawin ngayon."

Reposted From GMA News.TV

Friday, July 16, 2010

A Repost From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

In Kris vs. James saga, both are losers

By Gerry Plaza – July 16th, 2010
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Showbiz Eye
by Gerry Plaza, Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

The continuing saga of Kris Aquino’s intent to end her marriage to James Yap has reached a dramatic turn after the TV host-actress’ lawyer, Anna Liza Logan, announced that her client was seeking nullity of marriage, saying that their marriage was void from the beginning.

Proving this will definitely open a sort of Pandora’s Box in their marriage.

While other grounds for nullity of marriage may not seem to apply to them, such as the age requirement or the qualification of the person who solemnized their bond as husband and wife (then Quezon City mayor Sonny Belmonte, no less), her lawyers would seem to have no other recourse but to push for the obvious bases — either psychological incapacity or bigamous or polygamous marriages.

According to the Family Code: “Any psychological incapacity at the time of the marriage celebration, which prevents either the husband or wife from fulfilling the essential marital obligations of marriage, shall also be void even if such incapacity becomes manifest only after the solemnization.”

This means the petition Kris will file before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court will include allegations of psychological incapacity against James after their marriage that should consist of incidents that prove such — certainly presenting a never-before-seen or heard inside look on this popular yet controversial union. Who knows? Maybe allegations of a previous “bigamous or polygamous” marriage against James may crop up.

As with Liz Almoro’s successful nullity of marriage petition against ex-husband Willie Revillame in 2006, the details should be as ghastly and turbid as one can imagine. Probably even more so , as Liz and Willie’s marriage lasted just over a year, while Kris and James’ union lasted for five years, which would bring a grander, expanded presentation of their alleged woes. For sure, details on James’ alleged past affairs could come to the fore as with Kris’ own shortcomings as a mother or wife, in addition to other shocking incidents or lurid facts that would surely scorch TV talk shows, news programs, daily broadsheets and tabloids in the weeks or months to come.

Unlike Liz’s case, however, it is quite unlikely that this nullity of marriage petition will carry a charge in violation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act. But expect those nasty rumors through the years on James’ alleged infidelity to receive striking emphasis. With previous allegations against James of infidelity, it is expected that the case will raise James’ alleged affiliations with other women, most notably Hope Centeno, a former receptionist at the Belo Medical Clinic, and the more recent alleged romance with fan Mayen Austria. But expect more of those alleged “affairs” to emerge as the case goes to court.

Sadly, this case will further place the family under close public scrutiny and may even bring up closely guarded secrets that may affect ultimately the whole Aquino clan, not just James Yap. In fact, James can file countercharges of his own, which should bring up allegations that would also put his popular spouse in a bad light. As the case wears on, it is obvious no one will really emerge a victor in their respective families. Only losers.

Winners? Well, the media will surely have a frenzy and happy trips to the bank, and those talkative regulars in neighborhood sari-sari stores, a field day in juicy exchanges that would last a lifetime.

While one party, in this case Kris, may be granted the petition, just imagine the damage, and the collateral damage that could happen.

What could be a better option for both of them? Maybe they could learn a thing or two from couples like Yayo Aguila and William Martinez, who despite their separation, still constructively worked things out in terms of rearing their children and other family matters. In other words, the family still exists despite the separation.

Of course, we do not know or take the rightful place in deciding the best option for them. But isn’t giving it another thought, or a few minutes of dialogue, to saving their marriage still worth it?

I believe it is.

Reposted From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Thursday, July 15, 2010

A Repost From Thea Alberto Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Aquino admits getting random text messages

By Yahoo! Southeast Asia Editors – July 15th, 2010
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By Thea Alberto, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Text message scammers, beware. Your random text messages asking for prepaid load might have reached President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Aquino admitted he has been getting weird text messages. He also once replied to someone pretending to be his relative.

“Ang masakit pati scam. Kamusta na kayo diyan, ito na ang bagong roaming ko. Paulit-ulit din. Noong isang beses, nang hindi ko pa alam na scam ‘yon, sinagot ko na, ‘Who is this please? Mukha hong missend.’ Sagot, kapatid mo,” Aquino told reporters when asked if he still has the time to send text messages.

Amused, Aquino sent the apparent scammer a reply: “Wala akong kapatid sa abroad, good night sa inyo.”

Aquino’s sisters Ballsy, Pinky, Viel, and Kris all live in the Philippines.

“Noong una, naaawa ako na baka nagkakamali ito, hindi pa niya nakausap ang kamag-anak niya. Pero nakabalik ng tatlong beses, loko itong mga ito,” Aquino said.

Aquino said he has also been getting text messages that were offering car or housing loans.

Aquino said he is now tempted to change his number.

The President said he is now checking or replying to text messages in the morning and in the evening before he goes to sleep.

“So ang pinaka-practical, umpisa ng araw at bago matapos ang araw,” said Aquino.

Reposted From Thea Alberto Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Monday, July 12, 2010

A Repost From Gerry Plaza Of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Kris says it’s also final: ‘It’s over’

By Gerry Plaza – July 12th, 2010
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Showbiz Talk
by Gerry Plaza, Special to Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Despite James Yap’s statement that his decision was “final” that he would “fight to save” his marriage to Kris Aquino, the actress-TV host made this clear in a statement Boy Abunda read on ‘The Buzz’ last July 11.

Kris released the statement amid speculation about her next move amid James’ pronouncements. She went to the US recently for a vacation and was unreachable for any comment. Her trip obviously served as a means to think things over and plan her next action.

But after taking all things into consideration—including the view of her family, the future of their son Baby James, and the pros and cons of reconciling or ending their marriage, Kris has now reached a “final” decision.

The statement, composed by her lawyers, reads:

“Ms. Kris Aquino has recently announced that she has decided to end her marriage to James Yap and asked us to initiate the appropriate proceedings for the purpose she believes that this is the best interest of all concerned especially her children. We shall take the necessary steps at the soonest possible time and request everybody to respect the privacy of the parties and let the legal process take its course.”

While she did not mention the specific “proceedings” she was referring to—a mere legal separation or annulling their near six-year marriage, Kris reiterated she was not departing from her June 27 statement, which emphasized that for her part, her marriage to James is “over.”

This announcement came a day after their sixth wedding anniversary.

Interestingly on the other channel, another ex-husband of Kris spoke about their separation:

“Ah, sa ating lahat, Diyos lang naman ang nakakaalam ng lahat, ng totoong kuwento sa ating buhay and ang sa amin lang, we need to continue praying for them, not just for Kris and for James, kasi sayang naman,” actor Phillip Salvador says.

“Mahaba na ang itinakbo ng relasyon nila, ang dami na nilang bagyong pinagdaanan. Pero nasa kanila pa rin ‘yan,” he adds.

Asked who he pities more if the separation indeed pushes through, Kris or James, Phillip says:

“I don’t know this person (James) kaya hindi ako puwedeng magkumento ng kahit na anupaman tungkol sa kanya. I don’t know him, I know Kris, kaya naaawa ako sa kanya.”

Gerry Plaza is a longtime entertainment editor and writer who followed the Kris-James love story from day one and was sad to see its ending…well, hopefully not.

Reposted From Gerry Plaza of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

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