My favorite comic book of all time finally has its own limited edition makeup line! Yes, the lot of us have been anxiously awaiting its launch since we heard about it last year. And yay! We finally have it in the Philippines (its sold out everywhere in the world, by the way). Archie’s Girls (hello, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge!) x MAC Cosmetics is now available at all MAC stores nationwide, and its the cutest collection, ever!

Okay, okay. Maybe I’m this excited because I’ve been a die-hard crazy Archie fan from the moment I could read. I spent all my allowance on Archie comics, and I would befriend my classmates who brought them to school so I could “overnight” them (hahaha user!). I remember I would spend hours and hours reading my cousin’s vast Archie collection whenever we would visit her at her house. And I didn’t even talk or budge during those visits. I was glued for hours on end, reading one digest/issue after the other. Oh and she eventually gave me this collection as a gift on my bridal shower, and I was the happiest girl in the world! (Thanks, KC!!!)

Now you get why I am just sooooooo deliriously excited about this! But seriously, the collection is really beyond cute. The lippies are just to-die for! I was so happy I was able to snap up Betty Bright (this pretty creme coral shade) and Daddy’s Little Girl (a wearable bright purple hue) before it got sold out at the event. Celebrity makeup artist Jigs Mayuga tipped me on what to get, and I’m so happy I listened!

As expected, the event was so much fun! It was held at Mall of Asia last weekend, and it was as “Archie” as it could get. Fun 50′s music played from a jukebox; they had a photo booth where you can have your picture taken with Archie, Betty and Veronica; and they served rootbeer floats, mini hotdog sandwiches and bite-sized chocolate cakes. And of course, there were makeup counters all around where you can try “Betty” or “Veronica” makeup. Now as much as I feel like I’m more like Betty than Veronica, I love both collections equally. I feel like you can wear Betty during the day, and at night you can become Veronica. I think I was as confused as Archie at the event. I couldn’t decide which collection was better! So I opted for both.

Are you a Betty or a Veronica?

Love both palettes!

Veronica Lodge: reds, purples and blues.

Betty Cooper: creams, pinks and corals.

Jigs applied Betty Bright lipstick on me. It was bright and pretty, great for everyday wear.

Betty Bright.

Such adorable packaging. Love!

And… a jukebox!

My yummy rootbeer float. The stripe straws are so cute!

There was dancing! These two danced the Boogie and the Twist.

Yummy candies given away.

And so I headed to the store to get to business. I had to get my hands on those lippies!

Love this loud purple shade: Daddy’s Little Girl.

The event wont be complete without the ultimate love triangle: Betty, Archie and Veronica.

Spotted at the event: Megan Young, who says she is a “Veronica”.

Lauren Young, who claims she is a “Betty”.

Nicole Andersson.

Bella Padilla and Jigs Mayuga.

Daphne Osena-Paez and her lovely daughters pose with Archie, Betty and Veronica.

Of course, I had to have my photo taken, too!

1. THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE RISE OF THE BUTLEG

That’s Jackie Rice’s sweat themed cover, and while it was apparent on the top part, the same can’t be said there below. I mean take a look:

I mean look closerrrrrrr…

O ayan nag-mukhang mga butlig at allergies yung tubig sa singit ni Jackie. Tsk tsk.

2. THE 99 CURSE

Sa FHM 100 list, kabugan ang labanan at talagng pinagtatalunan kung mamemaintain ang #1 status. However, the same can’t be said sa #99 na mukhang dinomina na ni Jem Milton sa kanyang 2nd consecutive year sa #99. Aba naman fans, boto pa ng mas masipag next year!

 3. HAVING TOO MUCH ISN’T ALWAYS GOOD

Take the case of FHM Beauty #85 na si Aze Sasaki:

Isa pa ulit na closer inspection:

Hindi na ka-aya ayang tignan ang mala-bukol na tumubo sa likuran ni Aze. Goes to show na hindi lahat ng sobra ay maganda.

4. MAKE SHAINA YOUR VICE

Yung totoo. Paano nakalusot si Vice Ganda dito? Ay shet Shaina pala. Buti may nakalagay sa baba. Pati kasi yung caption na Hot Property, mas naga-apply kay Vice. Sorry Shaina. Wag mo ko sampalin nung parang sa teleserye mo.

5. IT ONLY COUNTS IF YOU SEE A NIPPLE

Sabi nga sa Mean Girls, it only counts if you see the nipple. Gone are the days sa 100 Sexiest Women booklet na may nagtatopless. As a matter of fact, dalawa lang ang nagtopless at nagbuyangyang ng kanilang buong pantaas ng walang takip sa buong list. Eto sila:

6. THE MINI STOP SPONSORSHIP AWARD IS GIVEN TO…

IWA MOTO para sa kanyang free endorsements sa mga sumusunod na produkto: C2, Gardenia, Tropicana, Minute Pulp, at Wilkins. Salamat Iwa sa iyong mabuting kalooban.

7. THE JUSTIFY YOUR PLACEMENT AWARD

Alam kong marami ang aalma na ang taas ni KC, pero subjective naman ang taste kaya hahayaan ko na. Pero naman. Ito na ang pinakasexy na photo na nahanap niyo sa kanya? Uhm. Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy.

8. THE OBLIGATORY ANGEL LOCSIN PHOTO

Siya talaga ang number 1 para sa akin. Don’t worry Angel, naniniwala ako na  ikaw ang makakaunang 3 first place finish sa history ng listahan na ito. Bago pa yan, sobrang proud ko kasi 10 years ka nang nasa Top 10 at walang mintis dahil nasa Top 10 ka sa lahat ng taon na yun meaning isang dekada mo nang dino-dominate ang listahang ito. Yehey! For the record ito ang history ni Angel dito:

2003: #10
2004: #6
2005: #1
2006: #3
2007: #3
2008: #4
2009: #4
2010: #1
2011: #3
2012: #2
2013: ? Sana umber 1 ulit!

Anyway, alam kong kating kati ka na malaman ang buong listahan so eto na. Special mention ang Top 20 kasi uhm wala lang.

At eto ang rest ng listahan:

21. Junri Park
22. Bianca King
23. Bianca Manalo
24. Diana Meneses
25. Iza Calzado
26. Jef Gaitan
27. Stef Prescott
28. Carla Abellana
29. Toni Gonzaga
30. Kim Chiu
31. Ornusa Cadness
32. Aubrey Miles
33. Jessy Mendiola
34. Eula Valdez
35. Sarah Geronimo
36. Niña Jose
37. Diana Zubiri
38. Rachelle Ann Go
39. Jacq Yu
40. Erich Gonzales
41. Georgina Wilson
42. Valerie Concepcion
43. Priscilla Meirelles
44. Melissa Ricks
45. Sarah Lahbati
46. Danielle Castaño
47. Jahziel Manabat
48. Carla Humphries
49. Bea Alonzo
50. Pauleen Luna
51. Iya Villania
52. Jade Lopez
53. Kaye Abad
54. Paulene Go
55. Rhian Ramos
56. Arianne Celeste
57. LJ Reyes
58. Maja Salvador
59. Shaina Magdayao
60. Alyssa Milano
61. Kris Bernal
62. Bianca Gonzales
63. Kristel Moreno
64. Heart Evangelista
65. Wendy Valdez
66. Mariel Rodriguez
67. Shamcey Supsup
68. Julia Montes
69. Abby Poblador
70. Kim Lee
71. Julia Clarete
72. Sanya Smith
73. Isabelle Daza
74. Saicy Aguila
75. Gwendolyn Ruais
76. Mercedez Cabral
77. Rich Asuncion
78. Linda Persson
79. Jean Garcia
80. Jasmine Curtis-Smith
81. Eda Nolan
82. Chariz Solomon
83. Kylie Padilla
84. Alessandra de Rossi
85. Aze Sasaki
86. Alodia Gosiengfiao
87. Paloma
88. Karylle
89. Gwen Zamora
90. Rufa Mae Quinto
91. Kit Barraquias
92. Jed Montero
93. Jill Yulo
94. Maxene Magalona
95. Kristine Santamena
96. Maricar Reyes
97. Aifha Medina
98. Alex Gonzaga
99. Jen Milton
100. Dorina Groh

Photos taken with Nikon! Enjoy.

Hosts KC Montero and Rhian Ramos

Smart’s Gio Bacareza

Nokia’s Mike Smith

Andi Manzano

GP Reyes and Andi

Brent Javier and Karen Pamintuan

Robbie Becroft

Don Allado and Paolo Bugia

Danielle Castano

Mia “899″

Ian King and Joey Mead-King

Carlo Ople

Jayvee Fernandez

Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero

Sarah Labahti

Bella Padilla

Champ

Denise Laurel

DJ Mars Miranda

Backstage with Jon Herrera, Rhian, KC, Louie Ang and Pam Soli

DJ Erick Morillo with Louie

Alex Escat with DJ Erick and Jon

DJ Erick Morillo on deck

While Erick Murillo was on deck, this…

Laureen Uy and Camille Co

Ornusa Cadness, Bianca Santiago Reynoso, BB (Rustom Padilla) and Kelly Misa

JM Rodriguez, Bubbles Paraiso, and Batangas Vice Gov. Leviste

Tim Yap and the Republiq(/Prive/Opus) girls

Wendell “Vans”, Rona Ofiana and Maricar De Mesa

L for Leviste with Denisse Oca and Jinno Rufino

Lovebirds

Kelly, Bianca, Mars and Ornusa

Tim, Jon and Alex

Robbie with Erick

Camille and Champ

Danielle, Karen, Denise and Aubrey

CJ Javarata

Wendell and Brent

Jon, KC, Rhian, and ___?

Robbie and Laureen

Patricia Prieto, Laureen, Tim and Camille

Tony Atayde, Don and Aaron Atayde (aka Josh Strike)

Kelly and Carlos Fernandez

Tim with the girls…lots of them

Photos taken with Nikon.

Magnum Royalty

Joe-Con

Raymond Gutierrez

Solenn Heusaff

Liz Uy

Rajo Laurel

Tessa Prieto Valdez

Erwann Heusaff

Magnum’s Jean Madrid

Bianca Gonzales

Kim Chiu

Gretchen Fullido

Jewel Mische

Victor Basa and Divine Lee

Nicole Jacinto

Ornusa Cadness

Ces Olondriz

Xeng Zuleuta

Aljur Abrenica

Nix Alanon

Mike Concepcion

Jess Wilson

Ava Daza

Megan Young

Wendy Tabusalla

Bella Padilla

Sarah Labahti

Lauren Young

Pia Guanio

Bianca Valerio and Carlos Concepcion

Andi Eigenmann

Bea Soriano

Maxene Magalona

Nicole Andersson

Girlie Benitez

Richard Gutierrez

Champ

Marco Lobregat

Carla Humphries

Rhian Ramos

Bubble Paraiso

"On Saturday, February 25, we uploaded the March issue with Bela Padilla on the cover on our Facebook page. Just hours later, a slew of comments on the supposed "racism" of the cover image and cover line flooded the magazine page, prompting the editorial team to re-examine the cover so that we could put into context its execution and assuage the concerns of our readers and non-readers as well who've weighed in on the issue.

"We apologize and thank those who have raised their points. We apologize to Bela Padilla for any distress this may have caused her.
In our pursuit to come up with edgier covers, we will strive to be more sensitive next time." – FHM
***

From this…. on the cover of Rogue in February

To this….yesterday in ASAP

photo via Master Diwara

To this….on the cover of Cosmopolitan in March

Cheers!

I was astounded to see the March 2012 cover of the FHM Philippines. At first glance, you would really notice actress Bella Padilla on the cover because of her bright pink swimsuit and her fair skin but reading what’s written under her name is just cringe-worthy! Stepping out of the shadows?? What were they thinking? Plus using dark-skinned models as extras? What’s that supposed to mean? This is seriously a poor concept from FHM. I’m sorry. I can’t….at this cover.

The people behind this cover may think differently but the cover is class-less.  Hello creative director????? Are you guys trying to say that she’s stepping out of the Padilla’s shadows? I mean, that’s fine but the concept is horrendous. Okay, I’m gonna stop here. I mean, it’s not like I’m such a puritan dissing the cover. These are just my personal views – I collect your  yearly 100 sexiest edition and this cover literally made me swear! 

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

I just thought of updating this post about the massive reaction this cover has gotten from the last couple of weeks, FHM Philippines apparently made a “wise” decision to change the lay-out of its March 2012 cover.  Personally, I’m happy that they made such action because the cover really did offend some people and although the harm has been done   I think it’s commendable that they at least did something to appease the ire of the majority.

 via FHM Philippines Facebook Page

According to reports, this top female star not only berated and humiliated the neophyte actress, she also held her hostage in a resort toilet.  If this is true, what kind of show biz icon can do such a thing? Who’s the hapless beginner?

For some, these allegations would not come as a surprise. But for the millions who watched Marian Rivera grow from a budding character actress to a television network’s prized star, the charges come as a shock, especially to the object of her rage, Bela Padilla, a show biz newcomer who is from the famous show biz clan.

This is the climax of a series of incidents Bela’s camp alleged in recent interviews with media. The supposed harassment, Bela’s talent manager Claire dela Fuente said, happened in the last three months while Marian and Bela were taping episodes for the primetime drama series they star together, GMA-7’s “Endless Love.”

The cause of these incessant verbal assaults? Fits of jealousy, according to insiders, who say that Bela’s love scenes with Marian’s real-life boyfriend Dingdong Dantes had incensed the top GMA female artist to no end.  Bela plays Dingdong’s girlfriend in current episodes of the series.

According to Claire in her interviews, Bela had been subject of the “endless” insults and indirect tirades. Marian, she said, had been approaching Bela several times and berates her to a pulp.

In an exclusive interview with Philippine Entertainment Portal, Claire quoted Marian in her supposed encounters with her talent:

“Bakit hindi mo ako binati? Nandoon ako sa dressing room ko, bakit hindi mo binati ako?… ‘Makakarating ito kay Mrs. Annette Abrogar (president of GMA Films).” (Marian did tell, Claire said)

“Ang pangit-pangit mo! Ang bobo-bobo mo umarte! Hindi kita ka-level, huwag mo akong babatiin!”

“Sa tingin mo papatulan ka ni Dingdong? Kahit kailan hindi ka papatulan ni Dingdong!’”

According to Claire, Marian even threatened Bela that she would be removed from the series and that sources have told her that Bela’s character’s “death” is being plotted.

The most serious charge against Marian is for locking Bela up in a public toilet at the Fontana Resort in Pampanga during one of their tapings.

After doing a love scene with Dingdong, Bela was “ordered” to get into the toilet. “Pasok,” Marian was again quoted by Claire in her interview with PEP. Bela followed, only because she thought it was an opportunity to straighten things out with Marian and make peace.  But what happened was the exact opposite.

“Lumabas kayo. Lumabas kayo lahat rito,” Marian ordered other occupants of the toilet, who were either part of the TV production crew, employees of the resort, and paying guests.

Claire said Marian then locked the door and pushed Bela to a corner then dragged her to a sink.  Marian then pointed a finger in Bela’s face saying: “’Ang landi-landi mo! Ang pangit-pangit mo! Kahit kailan, huwag mong iiisipin na mai-insecure ako sa ‘yo! Hindi ka magugustuhan ni Dingdong kasi diring-diri ‘yan kapag may eksena kayo!”

Again, these are mere allegations. As the controversy involving the Kapuso centerpiece actress, who has recently signed a new contract with GMA 7, rages, Marian chose to remain silent.

But with more protagonists joining the fray, especially Bela’s grandaunt and Padilla matriarch Eva Cariño, Marian may soon change her mind.

“Hindi sila puwedeng manahimik! Kailangan nilang sagutin ang mga akusasyon ng apo ko para malaman ng mga tao kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo!” Eva told PEP in a separate interview.

If Marian does make a statement, Mommy Eva only demands one thing: an apology: “Dapat mag-apologize si Marian dahil kung hindi niya ito gagawin, medyo mabigat ang magiging resulta.”

Source:  Yahoo Philippines News

Sa exclusive interview ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) kay Claire sa telepono kahapon, September 9, sinabi niyang kamakailan lamang niya nalaman ang mga napapabalitang insidente sa pagitan ng new talent na si Bela Padilla, 19, at ng lead actress ng primetime series Endless Love, si Marian Rivera, 26.

Ito ay may kinalaman diumano sa “pagseselos” ni Marian kay Bela, na gumaganap bilang girlfriend ni Dingdong Dantes sa serye. Si Dingdong ay boyfriend ni Marian sa totoong buhay.

Matatandaang naunang nagsalita si Bela tungkol sa isyu, sa pocket presscon para sa kanya ng GMA Artist Center noong August 31. Magkatulong ang GMA Artist Center at si Claire dela Fuente sa pamamahala ng career ni Bela, na pamangkin ng action superstar na si Robin Padilla.

Bagamat hindi kinumpirma ni Bela ang napapabalitang “harassment” sa kanya ni Marian, inamin ng baguhang aktres na madalas ay umiiwas siya kay Marian at sa boyfriend nitong si Dingdong tuwing matatapos ang kanyang eksena.

Pahayag ni Bela, “She [Marian] didn’t do anything physical to me. I’m okay naman with her… Siguro mga three or four times lang kaming nagkasama sa eksena ni Ate Yan dahil we work in different units.

“Ako, madalas sa unit ni Direk Andoy Ranay, sila ni Dingdong sa unit ni Direk Mac [Alejandre].”

BITS AND PIECES. Pero ngayon ay ibang-iba ang kuwento ng talent manager ni Bela na si Claire dela Fuente. Ayon sa beteranang singer/manager, nagulat daw siya dahil kamakailan din lang niya nalamang may dinadaing pala ang alaga sa set ng Endless Love.

“We didn’t know that this is happening for three months. Tinatago-tago lang niya,” mahinahong bungad ni Claire sa PEP.

Patuloy niya, “Actually, lately lang ‘yon lumabas. Actually, bits and pieces lang ‘yong nakukuha ko. Una, I think, I first heard of something like this maybe a week ago..

“Kasi, ganito ‘yon nag-start, e. Basta na lang nag-text sa akin [ang road manager ko], sabi niya sa akin, ‘Nanay, I think you should read this. Text ito ni Bela sa akin. Gusto mo i-forward ko sa ‘yo?’ So, sabi ko, ‘Sige, paki-forward na lang.’

“Noong finorward niya sa akin, I was so shocked kasi she [Bela] was on this tone, e: ‘Ate Shawie [road manager], puwede ba kitang makausap? Kasi, I don’t know who to talk to and I’ve been bothered.’

“Hirap na hirap na daw siya and she wanted to talk to someone because she needed to at least confide something. Ang sabi niya, ‘Ang Mommy ko, lalo na si Tita Claire, baka magalit sa akin. Baka sabihin niya gumagawa ako ng gulo.’

“Sabi ko, ‘What’s wrong kaya?’ Sabi ko [sa road manager], ‘Check her out first.’ Kasi, baka sabihin ni Bela nagsusumbong siya sa akin.”

Ayon pa rin kay Claire, ang text message ni Bela sa kanyang road manager ay patungkol sa pagpapahirap diumano sa kanya ni Marian sa set ng Endless Love.

“I think tinext niya that she’s being, you know, harassed,” sabi ni Claire. “Hirap na hirap siya sa set because Marian is giving her a hard time. I thought all the while… alam mo, hindi ako basta-basta naniniwala sa salita ng mga tao. I have to investigate.”

Dahil hindi pa raw nakukumpirma ni Claire ang alegasyon, sinabihan lang muna niya si Bela na makisama nang mahusay sa mga kasamang artista.

Aniya, “I told Shawie na, ‘Can you please tell her na makisama na lang siya nang maigi, but I will also check what’s going on. Sabihin mo sa kanya na mag-meet kami para ma-advice ko siya.

“‘Tell her na pagbutihan na lang niya muna ang pag-arte niya, and iwasan na lang muna niya ‘yong encounter nila ni Marian and all.’”

HOW IT STARTED. Noong una, hindi raw inakala ni Claire na isang malaking isyu na ito, hanggang sa nalaman niyang naisusulat na ito sa ilang pahayagan.

“I didn’t know that it was that big already because even her mom doesn’t know anything. Bigla na lang may mga naglabasan sa diyaryo na may ganito, may ganyan. ‘Yon pala, ang sabi nila…

“Kasi, si Bela naman is very secluded, hindi naman ‘yan lumalabas nang gano’n. Ako lang ang naglalabas ng story about her sa mga tabloid, sa mga publicity,” pahayag ni Claire.

Sinabi ba ni Bela kung ano at gaano kadalas ang sinasabing “harassment” ni Marian sa kanya?

“Almost every day ‘yon. Almost every day na ginaganun siya, pinaparinggan siya,” sagot ni Claire.

Kasunod nito, inisa-isa na ni Claire ang mga insidente umano sa pagitan nina Bela at Marian. Ito raw ay ayon sa mga nakalap niyang impormasyon.

“It all started, I think, noong magkakaroon na sila ng eksena ni Dingdong, na yayakap siya kay Dingdong. ‘Tapos ang balita pa nila, pinagpapalitan kung ano ang laman ng script—itong day na ito iba ang script, the next day, iba na rin.

“So, hindi na lang siya kumikibo, kasi iniisip niya, siyempre, big star ‘yon. Maliit lang naman siyang tao, mamaya ano’ng mangyari, baka sabihin basagulera siya and all. Tahimik lang siya,” kuwento ni Claire sa PEP.

“Isang beses naman daw, nandoon si Bela sa Party Pilipinas,” pagpapatuloy ni Claire, na ang tinutukoy ay ang Sunday musical-variety show ng GMA-7. “Sinabi raw sa kanya [ni Marian], ‘Bakit hindi mo ako binati? Nandoon ako sa dressing room ko, bakit hindi mo binati ako?’

“Kaya ang sabi raw ni Bela sa sarili niya, ‘Teka, hindi ko naman alam na nandoon ka.’ [Sabi ni Marian] ‘Makakarating ito kay Mrs. Annette Abrogar.’ Actually, nakarating nga! Nagsumbong siya the next day.”

Dagdag pa ng co-manager ni Bela, “Actually, kapag nagsu-shoot daw, palagi daw sinasabi sa kanya [ni Marian], ‘Ang pangit-pangit mo! Ang bobo-bobo mo umarte! Hindi kita ka-level, huwag mo akong babatiin!’

“Puro ganun daw ang sinasabi sa kanya. Paulit-ulit ‘yon. ‘Tapos, sometimes she [Marian] storms in, ‘Sa tingin mo papatulan ka ni Dingdong? Kahit kailan hindi ka papatulan ni Dingdong!’”

Hindi ito ang unang project na pinagsamahan nina Bela at Marian. Bago nagkaroon ng Endless Love, nauna na silang magkasama sa pelikulang You To Me Are Everything. Gumanap rito si Bela bilang nakababatang kapatid ni Marian. Kasama rin dito ang screen partner at boyfriend ni Marian na si Dingdong.

THE COMFORT-ROOM INCIDENT. Marami pa raw ang nangyaring mga kaganapang katulad nito, ayon kay Claire. Pero ang pinakahuli raw ay ang pagkukulong diumano nina Marian at Bela sa loob ng comfort room, na kumakalat na sa tabloids.

Totoo ang pangyayaring ito, ayon kay Claire. Ayon pa rin sa kanya, naganap ito sa taping ng Endless Love, sa Fontana Leisure Park sa Pampanga.

Salaysay ni Claire sa PEP, “Actually, ang pinakahuli sa lahat…kasi, umabot nga ng three months, kaya sumobra na sigurong dami. ‘Yong ibang tao, hindi na makatiis dahil marami nang incidents. Ang pinakamabigat sa lahat ay ‘yong kinulong siya sa CR.”

Nang araw daw na iyon, may love scene sina Bela at Dingdong. “Actually, ‘yong sa CR daw…may eksena si Bela at si Dingdong dapat. I don’t know kung ano ‘yon, pero parang magyayakapan sila and all.

“‘Yong kuwarto daw na ‘yon [na pagkukuhanan ng eksena], nakasara. Ang nagbantay daw sa labas ay si Jana Dominguez.” Si Jana ay co-star nina Bela at Marian sa Endless Love.

“Sabi raw ni Jana, ‘Maganda ito, panonoorin ko ito.’” Ang tinutukoy nga raw ay ang love scene nina Dingdong at Bella.

“So, naghintay daw sila [Bela]. Hindi sila pinapapasok! Ang feeling daw nila, hindi sila makapasok sa loob dahil nakaharang sa may pinto si Jana.

“So, ngayon, noong pumasok na siya [Bela] sa loob, sinabi raw niya, ‘Jana, papasok na ako kasi tinatawag na ako ni Direk Andoy!’

“So, pumasok siya sa loob. Tapos na ang eksena. Lumabas na siya. Nakita raw niya si Marian at si Jana, nandoon sa may pinto.

“Pagkatapos, I think, they [Marian and Jana] went right, and she [Bela] went left. Kasi, kaya she went left, kasi wala ang mommy niya, nasa parking lot yata.

“Parang natatakot siya to have another encounter kasi katatapos lang ng eksena na ‘yon. So, parang may icky feeling siya na, ‘Teka muna, baka mayroon na naman.’ Actually, kasi magkasama nga ‘yong dalawa, si Jana and Marian.

“Then, at the end of the hall sa left side, nakita niya si Marian nandoon, inaabangan siya sa dulo ng hall. Pagkatapos, paglapit daw niya, akala raw niya lalampasan lang siya ni Marian.

“Bigla raw sumigaw si Marian na, ‘Pasok!’ Tinuturo daw ‘yong CR.”

Sumunod naman daw si Bela.

Patuloy na kuwento ni Claire, “Tinanong namin sa kanya, ‘Bakit ka pumasok?’ So what kung gusto niyang papasukin ka sa CR?

“Ang sagot niya sa akin, kasi, she was thinking at that time na baka sakaling puwede nang ayusin, mag-e-explain na siya na, ‘Ate Marian, hindi ko gusto si Dingdong.  Hindi ko plano ‘yan na agawin siya sa ‘yo or anything.’

“Sasabihin daw sana niya ‘yon…that she can do something to appease her. Magso-sorry na lang siya, magpapakumbaba na lang siya.

“Pumasok din daw siya. At saka isa pa, noong pumasok naman daw siya, marami din namang tao.”

INSIDE THE COMFORT ROOM. Ano ang kuwento ni Bela sa pangyayari pagkapasok nila sa CR?

“Ang ginawa raw ni Marian pagpasok, pinaalis daw lahat ng tao sa loob ng CR. ‘Lumabas kayo. Lamabas lahat kayo.’

“Pinaalis daw lahat ng tao, pagkatapos ni-lock daw ang pinto. Pagka-lock ng pinto, natulak na siya [Bela], hanggang she was put into a corner.

“Siguro, mga ilang inches lang daw kay Marian. At ang mukha ni Marian ay dikit na dikit sa mukha niya. She was put, I think, at the sink, in between the sink and Marian.

“Ganun na daw, na hindi na siya makaalis talaga. At nakaliyad na raw siya, nilalayo na raw niya talaga ang face niya, dahil talagang akala niya sasaktan siya ni Marian at that time, e.

“Dinuduru-duro daw siya, at ang sabi raw sa kanya, ‘Ang landi-landi mo! Ang pangit-pangit mo! Kahit kailan, huwag mong iiisipin na mai-insecure ako sa ‘yo! Hindi ka magugustuhan ni Dingdong kasi diring-diri ‘yan kapag may eksena kayo!’”

Dagdag pa ni Claire, na nagsabing worried na siya dahil naaapektuhan na ang trabaho ng alaga, “Kung anu-ano ang sinasabi sa kanya. ‘Alam mo, every time na nakikita kita, gusto na kitang saktan.! Ang mga kaibigan ko, gusto ka nang bugbugin!’

“Si Nadine [Samonte] daw at saka si Jana. ‘Huwag ka nang magpapakita kahit kailan sa set!’ ganun daw ang sabi ni Marian sa kanya. ‘Huwag ka nang babalik dito!’ Ganyan daw ang sabi.”

Wala bang nagtangkang pumasok sa CR, kahit si Dingdong, na kaeksena ni Bela bago ang insidenteng ito?

“Wala si Dingdong at that time. At saka si Dingdong, he’s such a gentleman, hindi nagsasalita ‘yan,” sagot ni Claire.

Dagdag niya, “Wala naman doon si Dingdong, e. I don’t know if he knows about it. I don’t think he knows about it. Siguro nagpaalam sa kanya na magsi-CR. I don’t know, I cannot speculate on that. Basta mga 10 to 15 minutes sila nandoon [sa loob]. Kung anu-ano ang sinasabi sa kanya.”

Ano naman ang naging reaksiyon ng staff ng Endless Love sa mga insidenteng ito?

“Siyempre, tahimik din kasi natatakot, because in the past marami rin naman ginanyan si Marian na, e. Pero hindi na kumibo, hindi na nakarating sa press ‘yong iba.

“Talagang alam nila ‘yan, na lahat ng leading ladies ni Dingdong, nagkakaproblema talaga kay Marian,” sagot ni Claire.

COMING OUT TO DEFEND BELA. Isa raw dahilan kung bakit nagsalita na si Claire ay upang depensahan ang alagang si Bela sa mga negatibong balitang lumalabas.

Kasama na rito ang balitang ginagamit umano ng bagong aktres si Marian para mapag-usapan siya.

Ito raw ang kinaiinis talaga ni Claire. “The only reason why we came out in the open is because kami na nga ang naagrabyado—si Marian pa ang nagsasabi na ginagamit namin siya, on TV. Sinabi niya ‘yon sa Showbiz Central [September 5]. So, sobra namang sakit no’n.

“Sabi ko nga, e, there are hundreds of people there. It’s a public place, sa Fontana Pampanga. Public place ‘yan and ang dami-raming tao sa set that day.

“Sabi ko nga kay Bela, ‘Why did you try to hide it? E, samantalang marami namang tao doon!’

“And ‘yon namang mga taong iyon ang mismong nag-report sa mga reporter, hanggang sa nakarating na nga sa kung sinu-sinong reporter!

“Ang dami raw pa lang tao sa labas ng CR—’yong mga guest, staff, lahat—nakikinig sa lahat ng pinagsasabi ni Marian sa kanya.”

Pagpapatuloy ni Claire, hindi lang daw “pangbu-bully” ang inabot ng 19-year-old na alaga. Nakatanggap din daw ito ng banta mula sa lead actress na matatanggal na siya sa show.

Kuwento ng mahinahong magsalita ngunit galit na manager, “‘Huwag ka nang magpapakita kahit kailan sa set!’ ganun daw ang sabi ni Marian sa kanya. ‘Huwag ka nang babalik dito!’ ganyan daw ang sabi.

“‘Yon daw ang huling words sa kanya: ‘Huwag ka nang babalik sa set na ito.’

“‘Tapos, after that, narinig na niya na ipatatanggal siya sa show. Mga kuwento lang naman sa staff ‘yon, hindi naman natin alam kung totoo ‘yon.

“‘Tapos, parang nagkaroon na ng tensiyon sa set. Pagkatapos, ang sabi pa raw sa kanya, e, mawawalan na siya ng trabaho. ‘Yon na ang last day niya, papatayin na siya sa [Endless Love], puro ganun.”

A CO-MANAGER’S ADVICE. Sabi pa ni Claire sa PEP, hindi siya nagkulang bilang co-manager sa pagpapaalala kay Bela na umiwas sa mga ganitong isyu sa mga makakasama sa trabaho.

“Actually, I told her na, ‘I need you to know that whatever it is that you’re hearing about your co-stars, basta ang importante sa akin, anak, wala akong madinig tungkol sa ‘yo.

“‘Ang gusto ko, ang maririnig ko lang tungkol sa ‘yo, lahat puri, lahat mabait ka, lahat professional ka. Because puwede ang ibang tao, pero ayaw ko na ikaw ang napipintasan.’”

Dagdag pa niya, “I always tell her na, ‘We’re just starting and we have to be very nice because the way we impress them is itong mga unang araw mo sa showbiz.

“‘Yong impression will always last, e. Sabi ko, huwag tayong maging pabaya sa trabaho natin.’

“Siguro dahil doon, natakot siya na magkaroon ng intriga. So, itinago niya by herself lahat ng ginagawa sa kanya ni Marian. Up to the point na ang dami na palang ginagawa sa kanya!”

GMA-7 TALENT CENTER. Sinubukan na ba nilang kausapin ang panig ni Marian upang linawin ang isyu?

Hindi raw, pag-amin ni Claire. Sa halip, dumulog daw siya kamakailan sa mga opisyal ng GMA network para humingi ng “proteksyon” para sa kanyang talent. Sina Marian at Bela ay parehong may kontrata sa network.

Hindi sinabi ni Claire ang mga tiyak na hiniling niya. Ang sabi lang niya ay, “Actually, they’re trying to help us out in this situation, na iayos kung anuman ‘yon. Kasi, nagko-contemplate na to go to court ang pamilya niya [Bela].”

Nang kumustahin naman ng PEP ang relasyon nina Bela at Marian ngayon sa set, sabi ni Claire, “I have yet to see that. I’m sure that this is known to the network na.

“Naniniwala ako sa kanila, kaya nga ako nakipag-co-management sa kanila ng artist ko. Kasi alam ko na hindi nila pababayaan ang artist ko.”

Sa huli, muli niyang sinabi, “Ang ni-request lang namin ay proteksyon sa artist ko. ‘Yon lang naman ang ni-request ko.

“Very thankful kami sa GMA-7 for giving us such an opportunity for Bela, that they believe in her. Napaka-thankful namin doon. Ang amin lang request is maging safe lang siya in the workplace.”

MARIAN’S SIDE. Sinikap kunin ng PEP ang panig ni Marian, sa pamamagitan ng kanyang manager at kaibigang si Popoy Caritativo.

Matapos ang tatlong text messages na ipinadala namin sa kanya—dalawa kahapon (Sept. 9) at isa kaninang tanghali (Sept. 10)—sinagot ni Popoy ang aming ikatlong text message ngayong hapon, 2:37 p.m.

Ayon kay Popoy: “We have no comment at the moment. We will answer at the right time and at the proper forum. Thanks.”

Truth be told, the premise of the koreanovela Endless Love Autumn in my Heart didn’t appeal to me that much. I find the idea of “brothers and sisters passionately in love” weird and somewhat freaky. Alright, they’re not really siblings but the fact that they were raised as such makes it kind of incestuous, at least for me. And I super duper hate the ending. It’s only because of Song Hye Kyo that I watched this show. (And because of Won Bin too! Haha) I liked Winter Somata a whole lot better.
I’ve cursed GMA a lot of times before for remaking koreanovelas and ruining them in the process. I’ve watched Ako Si Kim Sam Soon and was greatly disappointed. Cyrus’ ex-girlfriend is not that bad in the original series but in the Filipino version, they made her so unrealistically evil. When I learned GMA was going to adapt Full House, I was furious! Haha. That’s the first koreanovela I fell in love with and then they’re gonna ruin it?! But then, I decided to give a GMA a chance, to my further disappointment. Heart didn’t even make me laugh like Song Hye Kyo did. Richard is a miscast for the role of Lee Young Jae. The only saving grace of the show is John Lapus, hehe.

I just wish GMA would do better this time. Endless Love has captured many people’s hearts, don’t they dare mess it up. As for me, I’ll just continue relishing koreanovelas on DVD.