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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, May 10, 2005 --- Diana Zubiri is happy to be reunited with Francine Prieto in “Bikini Open.”
“After doing ‘Liberated l and 2’ with her, naging close friends talaga kami, lalo’t pareho rin kaming taga-GMA-7,” she says. “Kaya lang she’s not allowed to go out to gimmicks by her mom. Talagang bahay-trabaho lang siya. Buti nga ang three sisters ko in ‘Encantadia,’ sina Sunshine Dizon, Karylle and Iza Calzado, we were able to go out together on my birthday last April 15.
"Maganda ang bonding namin doon as the daughters of Dawn Zulueta dahil halos pareho ang age namin."
Now 20, Diana was only 16 when she did her first solo starrers with Seiko like "Itlog" and "Kasiping." She credits her manager, Jojo Gabinete, for her successful stay in showbiz.
"He even helps me control my finances," she says. "With his guidance, I was able to buy a house for my mom and stepfather, a new house for myself in Xavierville, and a new car."
She now has three regular shows on GMA-7. Aside from "Encantadia," she’s also in "Bubble Gang" and in "Eat Bulaga" every Friday. In "Bikini Open," she plays a good role as Gail. "We’re poor and I have a demanding
stepmother, Marissa Delgado, so pinapasok ko lahat ng raket para kumita. I joined a bikini contest to make it a stepping stone sa showbiz as I want to be a movie star. I’m paired with Alfred Vargas, a tricycle driver who also joined the contest para lang maprotektahan niya ako."
She’s directed by Jeffrey Jeturian for the first time. "He’s very good and I enjoyed working with him. He’s very relaxed sa set so you won’t be tense and you’d be able to act better. I hope we can work again and next time, sana drama namin as ‘Bikini Open’ is a rollicking comedy."
What happened to her father who demands money from her? "Ayun, nanghihingi pa rin. One time, he went to my taping to ask money. Pero ang mama ko na lang ang humaharap sa kanya when it comes to financial matters."
Is it true she has broken up with Vhong Navarro? Diana initially refuses to answer. "Let’s not talk about him na lang."
We heard she got hurt because Vhong’s ex, Bianca Lapuz, has herself interviewed on TV all the time about her but Vhong won’t defend her at all.
How true? She just smiles. "Hindi nga ako nagpa-interview noon about that. Ngayon pang tapos na? Basta, huwag na lang. I’ve moved on." (MNS)
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MANILA, May 7, 2005 --- GMA-7’s “Encantadia” has two love teams who admit they are really in a
relationship: Dingdong Dantes-Karylle and Mark Herras-Jennylyn Mercado.
Dingdong says he and Karylle officially went steady only last month.
"Actually, we’ve known each other a few years back kasi pareho kaming taga-Ateneo," says Dingdong. "But we got really close to each other when we were paired in ‘Love to Love’ and later, in the movie ‘Bahay ni Lola,’ where we played husband and wife."
Dingdong dispels the rumor that he’s still on with Antoinette Taus. "Matagal na kaming wala," he says. "It’s difficult to have a long-distance relationship since she’s based in the US."
Karylle’s mom, Zsa Zsa Padilla, approves of the match and Dingdong is their special guest in their "From K to Z" concert at the Music Museum.
Mark and Jen celebrated their first anniversary last week amidst rumors that they’ve already split and are just keeping up appearances for the sake of their movie, "Say That You Love Me."
"Totoong nagkakaroon kami ng tampuhan pero naaayos din agad," says Mark. "Noong hindi pa kami ‘on,’ pilit kaming pinagpe-pair. Now that we’ve admitted we’re ‘on,’ gusto naman kaming paghiwalayin. Ano ba ‘yan?"
"Our relationship is stronger than ever," says Jen. "On our first anniversary, he surprised me because when I got home, the gate, the hallway, the stairs are all full of rose petals leading to my room. Sa room ko, he has set up a dinner table with my favorite foods and with candlelight. He also filled the room with big pictures of us together and with a heart saying I love you. Now, I feel we’re more mature and serious. Hindi na kami puro away like before." (MNS)
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MANILA, May 9, 2005 --- Mickey Ferriols has announced that she is three months pregnant.
Ferriols, whose boyfriend is Star Dance host Archie Alemania, said she is happy that she will be a mother soon.
"When it finally happened, happy na ako," Ferriols said.
Ferriols said she and Alemania planned the pregnancy. "I think that Archie is the right one for me," she said.
"I prayed to God na sana eto na nga siya," she added.
The two are so excited with the baby that they already thought of a name for the little one.
"If he's a boy, [we will call him] Gran Draco. If she's a girl, Erin Francesca," Ferriols said.
Asked if she is affected by Alemania's having kids in previous relationships, Ferriols said no.
"Hindi ako affected because Archie didn't make me feel like I was one of those girls," she said.
Ferriols said she relates well with her boyfriend's children. (MNS)
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