Jennylyn: There’s a reason behind cancelled Cebu trip

Jennylyn Mercado is not losing sleep over her botched trip with her family and boyfriend Luis Manzano to Cebu for the Ironman 70.3 Philippine Triathlon Race last August.

“Kesa problemahin ko pa yon, iniisip ko na lang na may rason kung bakit hindi yon natuloy,” the Belo endorser said.

Jennylyn may not have recovered the P300,000 she spent for booking the trip, which included a stay at the Shangri-La Mactan Hotel. Her (former) close friend, whom she entrusted the money with, sent a long email a day before the trip to say the funds were lost.

The actress’ manager, Becky Aguila, said Jennylyn recovered part of the money, and that’s fine with the Kapuso star. But the trust can no longer be restored because Jennylyn’felt her confidence betrayed.

“Ang daming araw para masabi niya kay Jennylyn na nawala ang pera. Why say it the day before the whole family and Luis were all set to leave for Cebu?” Becky explained.

“Last year pa ako kinukulit ni Jennylyn na i-block off ang one week for the triathlon, which she didn’t want to miss, no matter what.”

Like Jennylyn, Becky thinks everything happens for a reason. And that reason is for Jennylyn’s own good.

Instead of risking getting sick again because of the rainy weather and witnessing a tragedy that cost one of the biker’s death, Becky reports that Jennylyn was able to rest and attend the launch of GMA’s new showbiz-oriented show, “Hot TV.”

“Hot TV” is just one of the many shows that keep the 24-year-old singer-actress-host busy. She tapes the afternoon soap “Hindi Ka na Mag-iisa” Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are for are “Protégé”; Saturdays are for shoots, pictorials and Regal Films’ “The Bride and the Lover”. Sundays are reserved for “H.O.T. TV” and “Party Pilipinas.”

Aguila adds that Jennylyn will start work on the high-budget TV series “Indio” by October and November.

Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Eddie supports Annabelle’s political plans

Eddie Gutierrez has given his go signal to wife Annabelle Rama’s plans of running for Congress in the 2013 elections and is confident of her chances of winning.

“Wala naman sa plano namin na she will run for congresswoman of Cebu. Pero itong mga nakaraang araw na I was with her and I see that the masa of Cebu, they kind of like her. They reciprocate Annabelle’s being a Cebuana. They like her, parang ganoon. Nag-e-enjoy sila sa kanya,” Eddie told Yahoo! Philippines OMG at the pictorial of ABS-CBN’s newest drama “Ina, Kapatid, Anak” on Friday, Sept. 7.

He described how Cebuanos support Annabelle.

“Lumalabas yung mga tao from their windows and doors. They know that she is really a Cebuana. She tells her story, kung saan siya lumaki, kung saan siya nag-aral, kung ano nangyari sa buhay niya.”

This prompted Eddie to say “I think she has a chance.”

Soft spot

Eddie defended his wife from detractors, saying that Annabelle may be known as a “frank and strong person,” but she has a soft spot especially for fellow Cebuanos whom she wants to serve.

“I know that if she wins, she will do something for the poor people of her district. Sabi nila matapang, pala-away. Pero, nowadays I don’t see any setback. Especially now, parang ganado siya.”

Eddie advises Annabelle in her clashes with various personalities.

“I talk to her in a nice way. Meron siyang mga battles na, ‘Relax ka lang,’ you know? ‘I-avoid mo na 'yan.’ Kung merong gustong mag-provoke ng away sa kanya, (I tell her) ‘Refrain.”

Eddie is excited for “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” where he is paired with Pilar Pilapil.

“In ‘Walang Hanggan,’ I shot only for ten days. Here, I’ve been taping for more than 20 days. Continuing pa. My role is (someone who is) very strong, powerful and very rich. I did a role sa isang pelikula na ginawa ko kay Carlito Siguion-Reyna, where I won Best Actor. Yung role na iyon was similar, but this is stronger,” Eddie said.

“Ina, Kapatid, Anak” also stars Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee.

Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Love makes Liezel Garcia a better singer

Liezel Garcia, who admitted she and fellow singer Bugoy Drilon are in a relationship, shared that being in the same profession has more pluses than minuses.

“Ang advantages kasi nakakapagturuan kami, nagpupunaan kami, nagsasabihan kami ng what to improve. Ang disadvantages yung mga ibang tao pinapagcompare kami, like ‘Si ganyan mas magaling, mas okay.’ Pero mas more on advantages sa relationship namin,” Liezel said in a pocket interview at the launch of her self-titled debut album under Star Records.

She thinks love makes her a better singer..

“Malaki ang difference(kapag in-love). Kapag nagpeperform ako, mararamdaman ng mga tao iyon kapag masaya ka. Mas okay magperform kung masaya ka kasi na-aappreciate ng mga tao.”

Liezel dismissed rivalry issues between her and her first boyfriend.

“Siguro kasi friends naman kami from the very start, so wala namang inggitan,” she said.

How it started

Liezel and Bugoy’s friendship blossomed in “Pinoy Dream Academy.” After that they always sang together in TV guestings and mall shows.

It’s just been a year since they started their relationship and Liezel says that too early for them to get married.

“Trabaho muna, tsaka family, kasi kailangan pa naming mag-ipon, tumulong sa family. Siya kasi nagpapatayo ng bahay sa province (nila). Ako medyo tapos na magpatayo ng house sa Puerto Galera kasi katulong ko naman si Kuya.”

Liezel has been singing teleserye themes regularly. She is thankful for the opportunity since people remember her for these songs even though she doesn’t have a regular TV show.

“Super blessing iyan sa akin at thankful kasi kahit papaano natatandaan pa rin ako ng mga tao. Naririnig nila yung boses ko, nakikita nila yung name ko sa screen kapag pinapatugtog yung song, so malaking tulong iyon sa akin.”

Like other singers, Liezel tried acting via the defunct TV show “Wako Wako.” But even if she loves acting, singing and promoting her album is tops on her list.

“Pwedeng pagsabayin yung acting and singing. Pero mas focused muna ako sa singing kasi wala pa namang offer (sa acting). Nagho-hope ako na maging successful talaga.”

Liezel’s nine-track album carries six teleserye themes: “Wag Ka Lang Mawawala” from “Walang Hanggan” (a duet with Bugoy); ‘Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo”; “Bakit Pa”; “Gisingin ang Puso”; “PHR Presents’ “Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin”; ‘Kristine’s “Di Ko Kayang Limutin”; and her carrier single “Ngayong Alam Ko Na.”

Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom