Echo on matters of the Heart

The film bio of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, to be produced by FLT Films and Star Cinema, will include the issue regarding the woman claiming that the popular boxer is the father of her son. Director Joel Lamangan who is at the helm of the project said they will stick to the truth regarding the life of the world champion, who's also the idol of the masses. "There will be a revelation, exposition and we believe the people will learn many things about Manny based on the research that will be done by the team," said direk Joel at the movie's presscon held Sunday noon at the Crowne Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

"The movie will show how a community makes a Manny Pacquiao and why do we need heroes like him during this time," added the director who also did the film bio of Flor Contemplacion, the OFW hanged in Singapore after being convicted of murder. The said movie won a number of awards, including an international best actress award for Nora Aunor. Playing the role of Pacquiao is Jericho Rosales, who is the personal choice of the boxer to essay his role in the big screen.

"Since this is a film bio, it is important that we stick to the truth. I think the truth itself is a statement," said award-winning scriptwriter Roy Iglesias, whose most recent work was the comedy "Ako Legal Wife" shown at the Metro Manila Film Festival last December. Of course, direk Joel and Roy were asked if politics would be touched since Pacquiao is very identified with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. But both of them said that politics need not be focused in the film even if the boxer is deemed close to the First Couple.

When Manny was asked if the item regarding the woman who claims that her child was sired by him, he said, "Kung iyan po ay para sa ikagaganda ng pelikula, bakit hindi? Basta totoo lang, hindi gawa-gawa lang."

Direk Joel likewise said that the Manny that they will present on the film would be a multi-dimensional character. "He is a person, not a monument. He's a human being, not a cardboard. A person has his faults. He will undergo hardships and there will be feeling of remorse. All of that is included in the component of a person," the director added.

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On the same presscon, lead actor Jericho Rosales admitted of having a relationship with Heart Evangelista, his leading lady in the ABS-CBN TV series "Panday." We admire Jericho for having the guts to admit it when asked. He said it is his decision to speak the truth and no one could stop him from doing so. It was a few months after they started working in "Panday" that he and Heart got close. But he can't tell when they became on since they haven't been counting the days since they fell for each other. But he believes that the fans are more mature now and would understand what he and Heart are into now.

"If before I chose not to answer any of the questions regarding this matter or just kept quiet, it's because I was trying to protect somebody. I'm not blaming the fans for how they reacted to the matter, [it just shows] how much the fans care for their idols," said the actor. "The fans could react so differently. I don't want to create chaos. But I believe that time it was best to keep quiet. Now is the time for me to talk and admit that Heart and I have something good together. We are both in the right age and we are not doing anything wrong. That's all I can say."

But Echo corrects impressions that he was instrumental in Heart's decision not to renew her contract with Star Magic. Heart is now being managed by Manila Genesis, the management outfit of Gary Valenciano, Donita Rose, Hilda Koronel, et cetera, while Echo continues to be handled by Star Magic of ABS-CBN. "There's no issue that needs to be resolved regarding Heart's decision to sign up with another company. That's her call. I didn't have anything to do with that. Her parting of ways with Star Magic has been smooth and cordial."

It was Heart's birthday yesterday and Echo planned to give her a motorbike as present. But Heart had an asthma attack recently, which landed her in the hospital, so Echo decided to select another gift for his girlfriend. "Hindi siya puwedeng maalikabukan kasi baka she might have another attack so I'll just think of something to give her after I get back from Malaysia," added the actor who flew to Malaysia right after the presscon for the launching of his album titled "Loose Fit" in Malaysia. He left together with the members of his band called Jericho's Jeans.

EMI Music-Malaysia is the producer of his brand-new album and his trip to the said Asian country is part of the promo tour of his album that will also be launched in Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei and Indonesia. After a month or two, "Loose Fit" will be released here in the Philippines. On March 12 and 18, he will have a show in Kuala Lumpur.

The album has four Tagalog songs aside from the English cuts, all of which were composed by Jericho himself. The songs were recorded here in Manila but mixed in Malaysia.

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Megastar Sharon Cuneta had a successful, well-attended Valentine show at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday. The audience went home mesmerized by the beautiful medleys done by Sharon together with her guests Kuh Ledesma, Christopher de Leon and Christian Bautista, as well as Sharon's solo spot numbers like her classics hits "Bituing Walang Ningning" and "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas."

The concert was star-studded with Sharon's colleagues in the industry showing their support for the megastar's return to the concert scene. Among those who came to watch were boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinky, Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, Gary Valenciano, Jaya and her boyfriend, "Pinoy Big Brother" director Lauren Dyogi, Beth Tamayo, ABS-CBN executive Cory Vidanes, Karen Davila and husband David Sta. Ana, Ara Mina, Faith Cuneta, and Mommy Carol, the mother of Judy Ann Santos. Also present were the parents of Regine Velasquez.

Of course, Sharon's family was there, namely Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, her mom Elaine Cuneta, and her daughters Frankie and Miel. Her brother Chet came home from the US with his family to watch the concert.

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An actress is not aware that her management outfit is no longer renewing her contract. The company has reportedly tasked the mother of the actress to inform her daughter of the sad news. However, the mother has yet to tell her daughter the dire predicament, as she doesn't have the heart to break the shocking news to her.

The actress is only aware that her contract is due to expire soon and since she's still doing a movie for the film arm of her mother studio, the actress is confident her contract will be renewed. We wonder how the actress would take the shocking news. She's very busy preparing for a big event that will take place very, very soon.

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Actress-singer Ara Mina wouldn't want to comment on the issue that Pops Fernandez and Jomari Yllana are playing beautiful music together. She has moved on and wouldn't want to dip her fingers on issues involving her past. She'd rather talk about her latest project, a new album titled "Moving On," which had a successful launching at the new concert venue called Teatrino (located in Promenade in Greenhills).

Although she doesn't have a boyfriend yet, Ara admits going out with Polo Ravales (who arrived at the album launch a few minutes after most of the press people who attended the launch left) and Jimmy Bondoc (who graced the launch of Ara's album since he helped supervise the recording of the said acoustic album released under Sony BMG Music).

"I am excited to revive my singing career since it has been five years since I last released an album," said Ara. "I think it's about time that I remind the public that I am also a singer."

Ara is soon embarking on a concert tour in the US. The carrier single of the album is the song "Paalam Na," which aptly demonstrates that Ara has forgotten the sad memories of her failed relationship and is ready to face the challenges that a new love might bring.