Melai Cantiveros says she will always have time for Jason Francisco

As part of ABS-CBN’s newest noontime variety show Happy Yipee Yehey!, Melai Cantiveros shared that her boyfriend Jason Francisco is both happy and excited about her newest project.

“Sabay kami na-shock din siya nung nalaman namin. Siyempre masaya naman siya para sa akin kasi may noontime show na ako,” she said.

Melai said that she is nervous about how the show will do and shared that the entire cast and crew have been working very hard to come up with a good show.

“Kinabahan nga ako eh. Sana makayanan namin para mag-rate. Si God na ang bahala sa atin dito,” she added.

Until now, Melai says she cannot believe she was chosen to be part of the Happy Yipee Yehey! ensemble.

“Nasuwertehan lang siguro ako na nalagay ako dito. Siyempre deserve ko naman siguro pero na-shock ako na parang sino ba ako para mapili ‘di ba? pero choks lang, thank you very much na lang. Yun na lang iniisip ko,” she said.

Even with her new daily show and other projects, Melai isn’t bothered by the fact that she might not have as much time for Jason anymore since they still have another project they’re doing together, Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Mana Po.

“Mabuti nga ngayon meron akong noontime show, dati kasi di ba parati kami magkasama sa aming mga show? Dahil magkasama kami palagi, kesa magkasawaan kami, mag-away kami ganyan-ganyan, mabuti ito para medyo magkahiwalay kami ng konti. At least mami-miss namin ang isa’t isa, ganun. Pero kahit papano meron pa rin naman kami time para sa isa’t isa kasi may indie film tapos meron din kaming Mana Po so choks lang yun,” she said.

The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate said that having a little distance between them will actually be beneficial for their relationship.

“Hindi naman ako nababahala kasi mas gusto namin ngayon na maghiwalay din minsan kasi lagi na kami magkasama. Minsan nag-aaway kami kasi hindi na mabigay yung kinakailangan ng isa’t isa so mabuti ngayon mami-miss namin ang isa’t isa. Para meron kaming thrill sa aming relationship. Naisip ko rin yun,” she explained.

This coming Valentine’s Day, Melai said she prefers that Jason be the one to make plans for the both of them.

“Siya na bahala. Alangan naman ako pa ang magplano. May regalo na ako naiisip para sa kanya pero secret pa. Siyempre may naiisip isip na ako na gusto niya,” she said.

But if she were the one to decide, Melai said spending quality time together is what she considers the best gift he could give to her.

“Siyempre ang sa akin lang is gusto ko mag-spend kami ng time together. Kahit saan kami magpunta, kahit sa kalsada pa yan, basta maka-spend time kami together. Siyempre ang gusto ng babae romantic naman talaga. Kahit saan, kahit sa CR basta maraming flowers ‘di ba? (laughs) Hindi naman kailangan the best yung lugar. Kahit saan basta romantic na may flowers, nakaka-touch naman. Yan ang gusto ng babae. Yun lang ang aking choice, romantic,” she said. (report from Rhea Manila P. Santos, Push.com.ph)

Sarah Geronimo on Gerald Anderson and Matteo Guidicelli: ‘Pareho silang professional at gentleman’

Sarah Geronimo admitted that she had a heart-to-heart talk with director Mae Cruz together with her co-stars Gerald Anderson and Matteo Guidicelli before they started shooting their movie with Star Cinema.

But the Pop Star Princess didn’t say if she opened up to them about her past heartbreak as well, to help her internalize deep emotions for her character.

“Ano lang ‘yon, kasama si direk Mae nun, kami ni Gerald at Matteo, parang getting to know conversation. Nakapag-shooting na kami ng few days. Masaya po sa set, everyone’s positive, walang nakasimangot. Hopefully, ganun na rin ‘pag malapit na yung playdate,” said Sarah, who’s very careful when it comes to the media’s questions related to her love life.

Sarah also refused to comment on the fact that she used to be romantically linked to Matteo who had a huge crush on her.

But she was quick to say that she has good rapport with both of her leading men.

“Pareho silang professional at pareho silang gentleman, inaalalayan ka nila, yung respeto sa babae na co-star makikita mo sa kanila. Masaya, para nga kaming magkakaptid dun sa set, nagkagaanan kami ng loob agad. Pero sa ngayon hindi ko pa masabi yung mga bagay na napagkakasunduan namin kasi nasa proseso pa rin kami ng getting to know each other.”

As the current box office queen, there’s really pressure for Sarah to come up with another hit movie.

In the same way that Gerald is challenged to measure up to Sarah’s former ka-love team, John Lloyd Cruz.

But Sarah remains optimistic that their fans will support them no matter what.

“Ang pressure lagi namang nand’yan ‘yan. Yun nga, sabi ni Gerald let’s take it as a challenge, para pagbutihan ang trabaho namin para hindi ma-disappoint ang mga tao. Bahala na si Lord kung ano ang magiging outcome ng proyektong ito, kung ma-appreciate ng mga tao. Pero alam namin sa sarili namin binigay namin ang makakaya namin para pagandahin ang pelikula.”

Despite the intrigues about her love life and showbiz career, Sarah didn’t fail to entertain the guests of the 16th Jollibee Maaga Ang Pasko thanksgiving event at the Mandarin hotel last February 8.

She wowed them with her renditions of “Firework,” “Love Will Keep Us Together” and “Number One.”

“I feel so blessed na bahagi pa rin ako ng Jollibee family. Every Christmas nand’yan ang ‘Maaga Ang Pasko’ para bigyan ng happiness ang mga batang Pinoy. Aside from giving away toys and books, we also marked the turnover of the proceeds from the Jollibee and Friends dolls novelty promo to the Department of Education to build public school rooms in 2011. So I’m really proud to be part of a meaningful cause na tulad nito,” she cheerfully added. (report from Rachelle Siazon, Push.com.ph)

Venus Raj admits being star-struck in her first interview with Piolo Pascual

Venus Raj described her first week as segment host of Umagang Kay Ganda as happy.

She said that she is still adjusting to her new job, but is grateful that her fellow co-hosts are more than willing to assist to perform her job well.

The beauty-queen-turned-TV-host even joked that it is more difficult to be the interviewer than to be the interviewee.

“Kasi nasanay ako na kami ‘yung tinatanong, tapos ngayon kami ang mag-i-interview, magre-report, kung ano ang nangyayari. Kasi ‘pag interviewee ka sagot ka lang, hindi ka na mag-iisip ng itatanong mo… Nakakatuwa. Dati sanay na sanay ako ang ini-intervew. Ngayon ako naman ang nagtatanong. At least alam mo na ‘yung mga bagay na ‘di dapat tinatanong. Minsan may mga tanong na ayaw mo na ring sagutin pero kailangan mong sumagot.”

Last February 10, Thursday, Venus did her first celebrity interview which happened to be with Piolo Pascual.

Venus confessed that she was star-struck by the ultimate heartthrob.

“Sobra siyang makatingin,” she said giggling.

“Nakakaloka. Pero ang saya. Kasi ako, ‘yun lang ‘yung first time ko na nakita ko siya nang harapan.” She shared that she was touched by Piolo’s concern for her since the actor knew that she is still adjusting. “Sobrang bait niya, kasi sinasabi niya, ‘Okay relax ka lang kasi alam ko first time mo ‘to.’ Dream come true na ma-interview siya.”

Venus also wished that she could have the opportunity to interview the actor again.

Venus said that right now, she may still be falling short of other people’s expectations, but she is not affected.

“Alam naman nila siguro kung ano naman ang kakayanan ko, ‘yun din naman ang gagawin ko.”

She justified that she is still learning.

“Sobrang willing ako mag-improve kaya kung anuman ‘yung itinuturo nila, like nagpa-practice ako ng prompter reading araw-araw para at least kung ‘yun ang inaasahan nila, ibibigay ko sa show at sa mga viewers din, magagawa ko nang maayos.”

The Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up continued that she is also taking people’s criticisms constructively to make herself better.

“Kung ano ang gusto nilang ma-improve sa akin, tama lang na ginagawa nila ‘yon kesa naman sa nagkakamali ako on air tapos hindi nila sasabihin, ako naman ang mapapahiya. Para at least may improvement everyday.”

Venus also firmly believes that she was given this job because ABS-CBN can see that she can do it well. (report from Bernie Franco, Push.com.ph)

John Estrada reveals some details of his upcoming wedding to Priscilla Meirelles

Sobrang pinaghahandaan na ngayon nina John Estrada at Priscilla Meirelles ang kanilang garden wedding na gaganapin sa Thunderbird Resort sa La Union on February 26.

Exclusive na mapapanood sa Kapamilya network ang coverage ng kasal ng dalawa.

“Di pa namin napapag-usapan kung kailan ipapalabas pero yes, exclusive sa ABS-CBN. Nakaka-stress din pala ang pag-aayos ng wedding pero masaya dahil kasama ko si Priscilla,” pahayag ni John.

Magiging bahagi ng wedding entourage nina John at Priscilla ang ilan sa mga taong malapit sa kanila.

“Sa ABS-CBN of course si Tita Cory Vidanes, Mr. M, Ms. Kris Aquino, parang inspirational message sa amin at bible siya. Nandiyan si Lorna Tolentino, Randy Santiago, Anjo Yllana, Aiai Delas Alas, tapos Sharon Cuneta tapos Gabby. Yung best man ko dalawa, si Willie at si Richard,” pagde-detalye pa ni John.

Very special din ang participation ng mga anak nina Janice De Belen at John sa kasalang ito.

“Yung tatlong Maria ko, three daughters will be part of bridesmaids tapos yung anak kong lalaki, junior best man ‘yun,” dagdag pa ni John. Hindi rin daw muna matutuloy ang plano ng mommy ni Priscilla na ipakasal ang dalawa sa Brazil dahil sa bagong noon time show na gagawin ng aktor.

Saan naman kaya ang pina-planong honeymoon nina John at Priscilla after their garden wedding?

“Okay na yun, matagal naman kami nag-honeymoon. Hindi importante yun, ang importante kasal kami, nagmamahalan kami. Mga taong mahal din kami, yun ang importante,” pagtatapos ni John. (report from James Cantos, Push.com.ph)

Mariel Rodriguez is happy about Zanjoe Marudo and Bea Alonzo’s budding romance

Given her husband’s reputation as a certified ladies’ man, rumor has it that Mariel Rodriguez has been frequenting the set of Guns and Roses so that she could keep an eye on Robin Padilla and his leading lady Bea Alonzo.

But Mariel claimed that there’s no truth to such reports because she knows that the two are complete professionals.

“Although wala pa naman talaga akong naririnig na ganon, pero siguro ganon talaga, yun ang interpretation nila. But I am very excited for their show. We respect Bea, we respect Robin’s work. Robin has good work ethics. Siguro hindi naman siya tatagal for the last 25 years in the movie industry kung wala siyang work ethics ‘di ba? Hindi [ako nabo-bother na baka magkadevelopan sila], ngayon pa,” said Mariel in an interview with Push.com.ph.

Incidentally, Bea is currently dating Mariel’s ex-boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo.

When asked how she feels that the two are now an item, Mariel said that she’s really thrilled that Zanjoe has improved a lot when it comes to expressing his feelings.

“I am happy na nasasabi niya yung nararamdaman niya openly, that’s good.”

For the record, the bubbly TV host stressed that she has no angst towards Zanjoe even though they didn’t exactly part on good terms last year.

“Wala naman talagang issue kasi Zanjoe and I were no longer together when I met Robin last year. So kumbaga may closure naman kaya there are no issues for us to worry about.”

In fact, Mariel can see herself being good friends with Zanjoe again.

But there would have to be certain limitations because of her status as a married woman.

“E sa akin naman lahat ng nakilala mo na tao dapat talaga meron kayong friendship, what more towards someone that you had a relationship with? It’s just that we have to respect na I’m married now, parang hindi rin proper na lalabas kayo, parang hindi ko nakita na ganon ‘di ba?”

In the meantime, Mariel’s excited to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with Robin.

Although she’s been working almost 24/7 for Happy Yipee Yehey!, she made sure that they would still have quality time together at home.

“Everyday is Valentine’s for us, kinikilig ako. Siyempre mag-uumpisa pa lang yung noontime show, so ang ang sabi lang niya sa akin, ‘Think of your work, don’t think about me first,’ very supportive naman siya. On my part, sinabihan ko din naman ang handler ko na basta Sunday and Monday ‘wag mo ko iko-commit ha. Wife ako n’yan. I’m really happy,” she beamed. (report from Rachelle Siazon, Push.com.ph)