Raymond Gutierrez to host "Pinoy Idol"

We heard, though unofficially, that GMA-7 has finally picked Raymond Gutierrez to host "Pinoy Idol" which will commence in March in its new home network in the country.

With this news comes the confirmation that Ryan Agoncillo (who successfully hosted "Philippine Idol" on ABC 5) has been taken in by ABS-CBN to host the second season of the network's answer to the reality talent search, " Pinoy Dream Academy ."

As it is Paolo Bediones got eliminated also from the list. We just don't know if Paolo takes it any harder since his game show "Whammy, Push Your Luck" with Rufa Mae Quinto on GMA 7 was not doing so well after it got clobbered by Kris Aquino's "Wheel of Fortune" during the pilot week of the game show on ABS-CBN.

This bit of news also puts to rest the long-circulating rumor that Regine Velasquez will be the one to host the said show. According to those in the know, the Idol guidelines carry that the host must not be a singer so Regine, basically, was disqualified right at the onset. So is Ogie Alcasid.

We heard that Raymond considers this latest development in his career as the greatest birthday gift ever accorded to him. He is just excited about his new hosting chore, which, in fact, is a highly-coveted position.

We tried to contact the Gutierrez's publicist Jun Lalin for details of this news, but he refused to say anything not wanting to preempt any move by the network.

In the meantime, let's all wait, with bated breath, the commencement of the local idol's second season in the Philippines in the next couple of months.

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KC-Lino split-up confirmed

Our friend Noel Ferrer told us that KC Concepcion and Lino Cayetano have finally broken up. He said this was revealed to him by someone very, very close to KC. Reason remains unknown, however.

But could it be true that Lino has resumed seeing former girlfriend Bianca Gonzales? If it is, then maybe these two are destined to be together after all.

Remember they used to be an item before Bianca got "involved" with Zanjoe Marudo inside Big Brother's house a couple of years back which led to their eventual splitup when she got out of the house?

Maybe they believe that love is lovelier the second time around?

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Marian a better actress - Mother Lily

Mother Lily Monteverde seems to be favoring the Richard Gutierrez-Marian Rivera tandem more than the Richard Gutierrez-Angel Locsin loveteam for whom she produced movies under her film outfit.

She was quoted during the press conference of Richard and Marian's new movie "Valentine" as saying that Marian is a better actress. In effect, our source said Mother Lily means that Marian has a wider range of acting depth, and can tackle both comedy and drama easily.

We hope that the Regal matriarch was not saying that just to spite Angel. It is no secret that Mother Lily has held a grudge against Angel for a long time now, since the question of an alleged existing contract with her had been brought forth as an offshoot of Angel's switching networks.

However, a lot are excited about the team-up of Richard and Marian, who are GMA's hottest properties at this time of their toprating primetime series. The timing they say is perfect, since both are unattached and will be together at a most romantic time of the year promoting their movie.

Let's wait and see.