Mark: I'm not using Jennylyn

Now that they have a reunion project (GMA 7’s “Rhodora X”) Mark Herras knows people are thinking he is using former girlfriend Jennlyn Mercado to boost his career.

"Sa totoo lang, hindi naman kami nakikipag-plastikan sa media or sa mga tao na kailangan sweet tayo kasi may bago tayong teleserye. Hindi eh. Kung ano yung nakikita ninyo off cam, mas nadadagdagan lang iyon kapag on cam. Wala kaming problema ni Jenn ngayon," Mark said at the press launch of the new show Monday, January 20.

Offended

And he feels offended some people are questioning his motives.

”Wala naman silang karapatan para pakialamanan yung buhay ko. Nakakapikon na din yung ibang tao na sinasabi na ginagamit ko daw si Jenn para bumalik yung career ko. Never kong ginamit si Jenn sa trabaho. Everytime na magkakatrabaho kami, trabaho lang ang ginagawa namin ng maayos."

Mark and Jennylyn, who met each other in the talent competition "Starstruck," were together for two years before they broke up in 2005.  Mark had a relationship with Ynna Asistio and Jennylyn fell in love with Luis Manzano after that.  But both relationships ended in separation.

Meanwhile, Mark and Jennylyn continued to communicate.

"Doon sa mga panahon na hindi kami ang magka love team, hindi kami magka trabaho, still nagkikita pa rin kami sa GMA or sa labas. Iba talaga yung pinagsamahan namin. Kahit ano pa yung mangyari sa amin ni Jenn, andiyan kami sa isa't isa and hindi mawawala iyon," he said.

Together again?

Is there a possibility of them getting back together?

"Ayaw ko munang lagyan or bigyan ng complication kung ano man meron kami ni Jenn ngayon, kasi wala kaming problema sa trabaho. Kung sakali dumating yung panahon na may something na puntahan itong relationship or pagkakaibigan namin ni Jenn, kung lumampas man doon, malalaman ninyo."

Mark is also aware of criticisms about his closeness to Jennylyn and Ynna. He admitted that he gets to meet Ynna and her family to this day.

"Doon sa mga tao na masyadong pinapakialaman yung personal kong buhay, wala naman silang pakialam. Kasi naging sobrang close ako sa pamilya ni Ynna, nila Tita Nads (Nadia Montenegro, Ynna's mom). Kung pumupunta ako doon nung Pasko, nung New Year, or kahit kailan na walang okasyon, gagawin ko kasi hindi ko naman kailangan pagbawalan yung sarili ko na makipag kaibigan sa mga taong iyon kasi mahal ko din sila."

He denied that he and Ynna are back in each other's arms.

"Sabi nga nila 'magka-akbay sila (Mark and Ynna) sa picture!' Magkaakbay lang nagkabalikan na ulit? Sana pakialamanan na lang nila yung sarili nilang buhay. Kung fan sila ng Mark and Jenn, maraming salamat. Pero kung may hinanakit sa akin na ginagawa sa personal kong buhay, wala na silang pakialam doon," he said.

By Karen Valeza | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

Sharon answers speculations on KC's US trip

Sharon Cuneta quashed rumors that her daughter, KC Concepcion, left for the U.S. due to ABS-CBN's decision to choose Anne Curtis over her for the coveted role of Dyesbel.

“We didn’t discuss it (the Dyesebel issue).  But I know she discussed her plans with Boss Vic (del Rosario, Viva Entertainment head) nung wala pang Dyesebel.  She did it before or during the shooting of “Boy Golden” (KC’s Metro Manila filmfest entry),” Sharon told the press at the set visit of her TV5 show “Madam Chairman.”

Sharon was referring to KC's plans of taking up acting in New York. Mother and daughter have been swapping text messages. That’s how Sharon knows KC is enjoying New York.

“She’s on her own. She thrives on going around the city.  She’s  excited about learning from a different side of the world and from different teachers.  May mapupulot siya na  mauuwi dito.  And she might have some surprises up her sleeve.”

Proud mom

The proud mom is happy citics have noticed KC’s acting in “Boy Golden.”
“She did a good job. Sulit ang training ni direk Chito (Rono). I’m happy she has that feather in her cap.”

While saying she can’t speak for KC, Sharon knows her daughter is disappointed at failing to bag the Best Actress award (Maricel Soriano won) in the Metro Manila Filmfest for Boy Golden.  And while she can’t chart her daughter’s career path, Sharon would like KC to focus on other genres besides drama. 

For one, KC can try to do more action films, since she did a lot of running and chasing in “Boy Golden,” with no less than Angelina Jolie’s trainer in “Salt” guiding her.

That would take mother and daughter on different career paths. As it is, Sharon  and KC belong to different networks.  Sharon is with TV5 while KC is an ABS or  Kapamilya talent.

Network transfer rumors

Sharon is so happy as a  Kapatid, she vehemently denied rumors that she has been talking to ABS-CBN bosses for a possible transfer to the Kapamilya network.

“Nakakagulat, ang pangit,” she described the rumors.

TV5 is taking good care of her, thank you. She has an upcoming tawaserye.  Another show will see her performing songs based on a story other stars will dramatize on TV.

And of course, she’s extra fond of her primetime series “Madam Chairman,” where former love team and real-life ex-boyfriend Richard Gomez is appearing as the first love of Sharon’s character, Bebeth.

“It’s like wearing an old shoe. I’m so comfortable working with Richard. Hindi kami nag-away (when they were still sweethearts). Iyak lang ako tapos break na kami.”
Sharon is looking forward to a year-end concert that will mark her 35th anniversary in showbiz, plus a movie whose title and genre she’s keeping under wraps for now.

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom

Alden looks forward to getting 'intimate' with Marian

Young actor Alden Richards got an unexpected but truly memorable coming-of-age present when he and his “Carmela” leading lady Marian Rivera locked lips for the teaser of the soap opera.

"Our kissing scenes on the teaser wasn’t part of any scenes from ‘Carmela.’ It was just for (public) presentation,” shared Alden.

Alden just turned 21 last Jan. 21, and he admitted that he is looking forward to doing “intimate scenes” with Marian, dubbed the Kapuso Network’s Primetime Queen.

“As per our creatives (writers), marami raw kaming intimate scenes,” quipped Alden. “If ever man magkaroon kami ng mga intimate scenes, that would also be my first love scene on television."

But “Carmela” director Dominic Zapata cautioned Kapuso televiewers that Alden and Marian would only have “intimate scenes” if and when the story eventually calls for it. It would never be included just to sell “Carmela” to mass audiences.

In “Carmela,” Alden plays the role of Yago, the grandson of Fernando (Roi Vinzon) and Fides (Ms. Laurice Guillen) who disowned his mother (played by Jaclyn Jose) for marrying someone his grandparents didn’t approve of. He may have affluent grandparents, but Yago had to struggle in life especially when his father left them. He will fall in love with Carmela.

Alden stressed that Yago is a "challenging character."

"As of now po light pa lang ang scenes na ginagawa ng character ko so I’m still enjoying it. As we go on doon ko siguro ma-discover yung challenges ng role ko. Like sa family ni Yago, yun po ang point of conflict ko,” he described.

Apparently, Alden identifies with Yago's playful, happy-go-lucky persona.

“Ako po ito in real life,” remarked Alden. “Of course binigyan ko rin ng Alden touch yung character. Kasi ako naman din yun in real life - playful, makulit and someone who doesn't take life too seriously. Enjoy every single day. Pero siyempre si Yago ang karga niya magkahiwalay ang parents niya so nandun ang drama. Pero mostly ang personality niya is playful and fun.”

Alden admitted that working with Marian was intimidating at first -- not because the latter is eight years older than him but rather due to her stature in showbiz, her experiences as an actress and the awards she has received through the years. In fact, he was more than surprised that a newbie like him was cast as Marian’s leading man in “Carmela.”

“Napakalaking artista ng GMA7 si Marian Rivera so nagulat po ako na ako ang kinuha. Kasi sobrang bago pa rin ako. Three years pa lang ako,” he related.

But Alden is glad that after working together on “Carmela” for several weeks already, he and Marian are now more comfortable with each other.

So was there any interesting facets of Marian that he discovered on the set?

“Sobrang on time sa set. An hour or 30 minutes before nasa set na siya. Na-pressure po ako kasi aminado naman ako before na na-li-late ako minsan. Pero not to the point na na-dedelay ang shoot. Ngayon, I took that as a challenge para di na maging late,” he replied.

Also in “Carmela” are Agot Isidro, Raymond Bagatsing, Jennica Garcia, Rochelle Pangilinan, Freddie Webb, Eva Darren, Krystal Reyes, Ana Feleo and RJ Padilla. 

-- Manila Bulletin