Jean Garcia 'no bad bones' for Alwyn

VETERAN character actress Jean Garcia does not believe the news circulating right now that Alwyn Uytingco is a bad influence to her daughter Jennica.

During the press conference of "Ilumina" where Jean will play the role of an evil sorcerer, the actress told reporters that what she knows is Jennica is still the same.

"Wala akong nakikita kay Jennica na negative ngayon ha para sabihin ko na bad influence si Alwyn sa kanya. Ang akin lang eh sana hindi totoo yung bali-balita," she said.

She shared that Alwyn has been very respectful to her and to her daughter and she doesn't have any bad bones for the actor.

According to Jean, the young actor is always asking her approval if they have plans of going out or when he will drive home her daughter.

"They go out and nagpapaalam naman sila sa akin kaya okay lang. Nakikita ko din eh kasi pagpumupunta sya sa bahay eh ok naman."

She meantime admitted that she really made it a point to talk to Alwyn so he knows also her point of view about him going out with her daughter.

Jean told Alwyn to never forget to respect their family and especially Jennica because they gave their trust in him.

"Okay naman sya, walang dating na parang 'I don't like you' kasi okay naman eh, wala pa naman akong nakikita."

Jennica is not the only one who's seeing someone right now. This as Jean confirmed that she's also openly dating right now.

Jean said she is dating someone not from the entertainment industry.

Though she's happy with her love and career life, the actress wants to focus more on her job because it is not every day when artists are being offered big roles on TV.

Watch Jean starting August 2 on GMA-7's newest fantaserye "Ilumina" after Endless Love.

Rhian on JC's statements: Forgive and forget

YOUNG Kapuso star Rhian Ramos doesn't want to comment much on the issue involving her and then co-star and love team JC de Vera.

In an interview with Sun.Star, Rhian said she really doesn't know why all of the news are starting to come out only now and not when the actor was still in GMA 7.

To recall, JC compared Rhian to an "eraser" when he was asked to define his past relationships.

JC was quick to point out that she compared his then co-star to "eraser" because he doesn't want to remember anything between them.

He added that he will not say hi when their path crosses because "hindi ako plastic", saying he will think twice before talking again with the Rhian.

For her part, Rhian said she was advised by her father to just forgive and forget and not be overly affected by the issue and just get some lessons from what she's been through.

"My dad told me not to get angry at tama naman yung advice ng dad ko na wag maging bitter kasi at a certain point eh tinulungan nya akong maging masaya yun nga lang hindi nag last," she said.

Rhian's upon learning this issue was shocked because she really didn't expect hurtful words from JC.

"Nung una nagulat ako, sa ngayon tanggap ko naman yung mga nangyayari kasi matagal na din kasi eh. Hindi ko lang inexpect yun from a guy like him."

The actress just want to keep quiet on their history and said that she doesn't want to erase all their memories together because she also felt special and cared when they were still close to eh other.

"Yung JC noon kilala ko sya, friend ko sya, close ko sya... lampas pa nga sa friend eh. Minahal ko naman sya," she reiterated.

Rhian added: "Binigyan ko yun ng importance at time, ng effort. May mga masasakit na nangyari pero pano yung mga una, eh masasaya naman."

When asked if the relationship was an official boyfriend-girlfriend thing, she said it was mutual and exclusive but they never put label on it.

On another issue, Rhian denied that she received an expensive shoes from close friend Mo Twister.

The Kapuso actress however confirmed that she and Mo are very close now.

Rachel does an Olivia Newton-John

Pop singer and theater artist Rachel Alejandro is gearing up for the most demanding performance of her life — roller skating to Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra songs in Atlantis Productions’ upcoming Broadway musical comedy

Xanadu which opens at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City on Sept. 3.

Xanadu follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time — the first Roller Disco…hey, it’s 1980! But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds.

This hilarious, roller skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you, rolls along to the original hit score composed by pop-rock legends Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, and includes Magic, All Over The World, Suddenly, I’m Alive, Evil Woman, Have You Never Been Mellow and Xanadu to name a few, and is based on the Universal Pictures’ cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.

Rachel captured audience’s hearts in the dual role of Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut in Avenue Q and now takes on the lead role in Xanadu. She has started her skating classes and is supervised by choreographer Cecile Martinez and skating supervisor Anthony Ong, who studied skating in New York with the Broadway production’s skating instructor Lezly Zeiring. Rachel says, “The biggest challenge here is the roller skating by far. I’m not as well-coordinated as some of you might imagine. But I am quite excited as it is such a fun musical people of all ages can enjoy!”

Bobby Garcia, who will direct Xanadu says, “I’m thrilled to be directing Xanadu. It is a musical I was instantly smitten with when I saw it in New York in 2007. I suspect it will be one of the zaniest rehearsal periods I have had and I look forward to the fun with this amazing cast!”

She will also be returning to the recording studio to record tracks from Olivia Newton-John’s catalog which Sony BMG will release as a five-track CD available at the theater.

New show replaces Wowowee July 31

As Funfare Update correctly predicted, Willie Revillame will not return to Wowowee on Saturday, July 31, as widely reported in the tabs. Instead, a new show called Pilipinas For The Win (PFTW) will take Wowowee’s timeslot (after Showtime), to be hosted by Robin Padilla, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, Pokwang and Kris Aquino.

“It’s a game and variety show that will surely bring joy, energy and hope to Filipinos all over the world,” according to the ABS-CBN official statement.

The same people behind Wowowee are also involved in the new show —Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan as director, Bobot Mortiz as creative director, Jay Montelibano as business unit head and Phoebe Anievas and Rancy Recato as executive producers.

Rating of Wowowee has been slipping since Willie took a three-month vacation (some sources said that he was actually “suspended” without pay) after he demanded that the network fire Jobert Sucaldito whom he accused of hitting him on Jobert’s radio program on dzMM, sister company of ABS-CBN. There are reports that advertisers

have been pulling out of Wowowee, which is being clobbered in the ratings game by its competition Eat, Bulaga! (on rival station GMA), and promised to return only if Willie was back on the show.

According to Funfare Update’s VDPA (Very Deep Penetration Agent), Willie has been spotted having a serious meeting with an executive of a rival station in Forbes Park and, on another occasion, with an executive of another network.

“Willie was being given an offer hard to refuse,” said the VDPA — that is, to the tune of P8-M monthly with a P100-M signing bonus from one station, and P6-M monthly and as co-producer from another station.

Willie was not available for comment. He doesn’t text back or return calls and is presumed to have been changing his celfone number to evade the press.

ABS-CBN official statement said that Willie, through his manager Arlene de Castro, was already informed about the replacement of Wowowee with a new show.

“He was also notified about a new program being planned for him and this will be announced in due time,” added the statement which didn’t mention if Willie was amenable to the idea.

Meanwhile, Kris is expected back home tomorrow from the US where she and sons Joshua and Baby James are on a holiday.

Ex-sweethearts ill at ease at presscon

Can ex-lovers be friends? Well, maybe not right away.

Un-couple Zanjoe Marudo and Mariel Rodriguez, who broke up last month, looked ill at ease as they were put on the spot at the presscon of their movie, Star Cinema’s 5-in-1 horror movie, "Cinco."

Although featured in separate episodes – he in "Puso" and she in "Mukha" – all eyes were on the two during the Q&A. Those present were asked to refrain from asking about their just-concluded love affair, but when Mariel spoke about karma, there was a follow up about pagtataksil.

Tension filled the air. Pokwang, one of Zanjoe’s leading ladies in "Puso" and Mariel’s co-host in the daily TV show, "Wowowee," decided to speak in behalf of her friend. The comedienne, seated in between the ex-sweethearts, butted in to say: "Wala naming nanloko kay Mariel," but then Mariel chided her: "Ikaw si Mariel?" Mariel proceeded to say that she is thankful for all the projects coming her way. A short while after, the organizers signaled the end of the question and answer, asking for the other stars – including Bangs Garcia, Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador and the Gigger Boys (Robi Domingo, Sam Concepcion and AJ Perez) – to say their final message to the press.

Mariel stars as a mean boss in "Mukha," which features her solo, while Zanjoe has two leading ladies – Pokwang and Bangs – in "Puso."

"Nakagamit ka na ba ng gayuma para sa taong sobrang mahal mo?" asks Pokwang, who locks lips with Zanjoe in their episode, "Kung hindi pa, mag-ingat ka. Baka hindi mo alam kung anong ginagawa mo."

"Maganda po ang story nung sa amin ni Pokwang. Ipakikita kung ano ang maaaring maging epekto sa buhay nung mga taong gagawin ang lahat makuha lang ang atensyon at pagmamahal ng kanilang gusting maging partner," Zanjoe relates.

Will "Cinco" – directed by five directors, newbies Frasco Mortiz, Enrico Santos, Ato Bautista, Nick Olanka and the more senior Cathy Garcia-Molina – deliver the chills and become a blockbuster or at least be as exciting as its presscon? Find out on July 14.

Judy Ann tells Sarah: Love can wait

THEY’RE superstars and have loads of talent, but aside from sharing star power and undeniable acting gifts, Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo are first and foremost known as obedient daughters and generous sisters.

It is common knowledge that they are their families’ breadwinners but instead of being ashamed of the fact, the two show no bitterness and are vocal about feeling lucky for having the opportunity to help their loved ones.

"May pact kaming apat (Mommy Carol and her two siblings) na share sa lahat," reveals Judy Ann, now a very happy wife and mother, "At para sa akin pinaka achievement ko ang napag-aral at napagtapos ko ang ate ko dahil ‘di makukuha sa kanya ‘yun."

Sarah, in her twenties, shares the sentiment. "Nagtratrabaho po ako para sa pamilya ko at masarap po ang pakiramdam na blessed kaming lahat."

If there was something that the older Judy Ann wants to tell Sarah, it is to learn to loosen up.

"Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanya to try to enjoy life kasi di mo mababalik ang kabataan mo," she says, "‘Yung love life, darating ‘yan. Maraming manloloko sa ‘yo pero may isang lalaking darating na ipaglalaban siya.

Judy Ann tells Sarah her secret against something that drains any artist: burnout.

"I tell her to rest. Magpahinga siya kung hindi mabu-burnout siya," she cautions the Pop Princess.

This sisterly love from Judy Ann translates to the big screen in Viva Films’ "Hating Kapatid," a touching comedy that opens on July 21.

Viva’s Vic del Rosario is mighty proud of "Hating Kapatid." "This is the first time that Juday and Sarah will be seen in one movie. That is a casting coup in itself. But other than the two, we also enlisted veteran actress Gina Pareno and Tonton Gutierrez and young actors Luis Manzano, JC de Vera and top comedian Vice Ganda to join the cast. This is big."

The major movie project, about sisters Rica and Cecilia, features not only one winning tandem but also box-office director Wenn Deramas and scriptwriter Mel del Rosario, who have partnered in several successful projects.

"Hating Kapatid" tells the story of two siblings who sacrifice even their personal happiness to keep intact the bond that they share." It will be holding premiere nights in Austria on July 24 at the Plus City Hollywood Megaplex, Pasching and July 25 at the Hollywood Megaplexx Gasometer, Vienna. It is also scheduled to unreel in Switzerland on July 31 and Aug. 7 at the Kino Uto in Zurich and then on Aug. 8 at the Uptown Cinema in Geneva and in Spain on Aug. 21 and 22 at the Cine Comedia, Barcelona.

Ricketts doing better than expected

Since the appointment of Ronnie Ricketts as Chairman of the Optical Media Board in October, 2009, he has earned commendations from several film and non-film people and that is because he has been very effective and faithful in the discharge of his duties. During the Manila Film Festival Philippines 2009 he received accolades from the Film Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) President Angelo Eloy Padua and several colleagues in the movie industry for having prevented piracy of the MMFF entries.

This year, Chairman Ricketts has lined up several anti-film piracy awareness activities. Among them the now much-awaited by several NCR universities, the All-Star Basketball series in which Ronnie along with his OMB team of movie stars will play friendly matches with teams from De La Salle, Adamson U, Emilio Aguinaldo, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and even teams from places outside the Metro with All-Star games in Ilocos and La Union as well as an All-Star friendship game with the U.S. Embassy Champions at the Arellano University with U.S. Ambassador Thomas at the VIP area.

The OMB under Chairman Ricketts also donated tower burners to Carlos Albert School and Manuel A. Roxas High School and has been visible in the Launch of the Pilipinas Anti-Piracy Team on March 18, in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Anti-Book Piracy at the Makati Cinema Square on May 26, at the U.S. Memorial Day Ceremony at the American Cemetery, Taguig City on May 30 and the 3rd Kawani ng Gobyerno National Sports Cup on June 1 all for the sake of raising awareness on Anti-Film and all other forms of piracy.

The Optical Media Board conducted multiple raids in different areas around the metro on June 4. They raided Makati Cinema Square, Alphaland Guadalupe, Ruins in Paranaque, and Muntinlupa. The Philippine National Police assisted the agency in the raids. The agency would like to commend Makati Chief of Police Col. Bonifacio, Paranaque Chief of Police Col. Valdez, and Muntinlupa Chief of Police Col. Sapitula for a very successful partnership to stop piracy in our country.

Following several raids in Metro Manila and several provincial operations which include joint OMB/law-enforcement operations in Baguio City, a Veterans center warehouse in Taguig City, a printing machine in Quirino Highway, Baesa Q.C., the Quiapo Palanca warehouse operation in May, and the June operations, a ceremonial destruction of counterfeit and pirated products was done jointly by the PNP, the NBI, the OMB headed by Chairman Ricketts and the Intellectual Property Office during the 12th Anniversary of the IPO at the PNP grounds, Camp Crame, Quezon City on June 23.

With the ever low-key but strong-willed Chairman Ronnie Ricketts at the helm of the OMB, many famous film industry, concerned individuals and groups, as well as political, personalities such as former President Fidel V. Ramos and wife Ming, Senator Bong Revilla, Senator Miguel Zubiri, Senator Manuel ‘Lito’ M. Lapid, Jennifer Niedhart of the U.S. Embassy Economic Section, the Motion Picture Anti-Film Piracy Council, Inc. headed by Leonard Monteverde, the Film Academy of the Philippines headed by Leo G. Martinez, Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association headed by Orlando Ilacad, Movie Producers Distributors Association of the Philippines headed by Wilson Tieng, National Cinema Association of the Philippines headed by Roesholm D. Camaligan, Association of Video Distributors of the Philippines headed by Ed Sazon, and Director General Ricardo Blancaflor of the Intellectual Property Office, and Philippine Association of Recording Industry headed by Ramon Chuaying are among those who have voiced full support behind Ricketts’ continued stay at the Optical Media Board.