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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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MANILA --- The break-up of Ara Mina and Jomari Yllana, sent Jomari’s ex-wife, Quezon City Councilor Aiko Melendez, laughing in the dark.
Aiko, indeed, was laughing not in the dark but on the phone when she was interviewed.
"Oh," she asked (feigning innocence?), "have they broken up? Is it true?"
Told that it was confirmed, Aiko said, "Oh, I see," refusing to comment any further.
Sources said that Ara and Jomari have been "off" for more than a week now, following an ugly verbal clash (no, there was no physical violence) at Venezia in Makati City where Jomari caught Ara with a (dashing) businessman who’s the ex-husband of a bold actress and the current boyfriend of another sexy actress.
Ara and Jomari’s romance seemed to have been built on distrust – that is, if we are to believe reports that Jomari hired a detective to track down Ara’s movements while Ara reportedly has a cellphone that can monitor Jomari’s whereabouts.
Did Aiko hire her own detective?
"Why should I?" Aiko was still laughing.
Aiko cited Jomari’s relationship with Ara as one of the grounds why she filed a petition for the annulment of her and Jomari’s marriage. They have a son, Andre.
Asked if it’s true that Jomari is sending "feelers" for a "second time around," Aiko laughed some more.
"I couldn’t feel it."
But, yes, she admitted, Jomari and I often see each other because of Andre.
"He visits Andre in my house but he doesn’t sleep there," laughed Aiko.
What if, just if, Jomari courts her again?
"I don’t know," said Aiko who admitted dating (but not yet going steady) with a non-showbiz guy.
In the next breath, Aiko wondered, "What will happen to their movie (MLR Films’ initial venture, Minsan Pa, directed by Jeffrey Jeturian)?"
I told her it’s showing next month and the producers (lawyers Dot Ramos-Gancayco and Joji Alonso) can always advertise it as "Ara and Jomari’s last movie before the big breakup (where did they go wrong?)."
The movie’s plot is portentous. Ara as a pre-school teacher is torn between two guys, Jomari as a tourist guide and Christian Vasquez as Ara’s fiance. Guess who Ara ends up with. (PS)
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MANILA --- Diether Ocampo feels like he is on top of the world with his recent win as best actor in a drama series (“Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas”) in the Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards for TV.
His girlfriend, Kristine Hermosa, shares his elation. In fact, after the awards ceremony, which was held at the Aliw Theater, they were super sweet to each other.
Kristine knows how long Diether has dreamt of winning an award, that’s why she understands his excitement. “Di rin naman kasi basta-basta ang kanyang mga nakalaban,” she reasons.
Diether won for his performance in “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” the drama series where he was paired with Kristine. It will always be memorable for Diether and Kristine. There’s no doubt that it was while they were doing the soap that their romance blossomed. Although she ended up with Jericho Rosales in the soap, it is Diether who won her heart in real life.
Now both are looking forward to the release of “Bcuz of U,” their first movie together, co-starring them with two other love teams, Heart Evangelista and Geoff Eigenmann and Hero Angeles and Sandara Park.
“Bcuz of U” is a trilogy with John D. Lazatin, Mae Cruz and Cathy Garcia-Molina sharing directorial duties. It is produced by Star Cinema. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Guess who Angelica Panganiban’s escort will be on her debut next week.
Piolo Pascual.
Are they on?
“Hindi ah,” Angelica blushed. “Kaibigan lang kami ni Piolo. Although, we became close while we were doing our first soap together, ‘Mangarap Ka.’Madali kasing pakisamahan si Piolo,” she continued. “Mabait siya.”
Piolo admitted he himself volunteered to be Angelica’s escort. And he’s glad she didn’t turn him down.
Former boyfriend Carlo Aquino will be part of Angelica’s 18 roses. How come she didn’t ask Carlo to be her escort?
“Friends na lang kami,” Angelica replied.
Two people whom Angelica expects to grace the event are Direk Carlo Caparas and his wife, Donna Villa. They were the ones who gave Angelica her break in showbiz. “I was eight years old when I appeared in two of their movies, ‘The Antipolo Massacre’ and ‘Lipa Massacre’,” she said.
“The Antipolo Massacre” also starred Cesar Montano, Dawn Zulueta and Liezl Martinez. “Lipa Massacre” had Vilma Santos and Joel Torre.
“I personally invited Direk Carlo and Tita Donna. Sana nga, makadalo sila. I would appreciate it very much,” Angelica disclosed. (MNS)
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