All going rosy for

Polo Ravales is doing great with his career. He was recently taken in as the first male endorser of Folded and Hung (F&H) brand of apparel-a feat that warmed the heart of the former teenybopper idol. He went a little bit sexy with his pictorial for the said clothing brand, which suited Polo's fine physique.

Aside from the fact that he really likes the F&H line, he admitted to have been wearing the clothes since he first started wearing them some four years ago. "I was really surprised when Folded and Hung got me as endorser. I've been buying their clothes for the last four years. That was even before they got Claudine (Barretto) as their female endorser. I didn't know F&H is a local brand. I thought it was an imported that was not too expensive but is of high quality," recalled Polo. He even inquired that time if F&H is interested to sponsor celebrities.

"During that time, they didn't have plans yet of getting celebrities to endorse their line. But early this year, I learned the people from F&H wanted to meet and talk to me regarding their desire to get me as endorser," said Polo.

He's very much elated with the chance given him by the company to be endorser. "I am their first male celebrity endorser and it's very flattering that they chose me. They have big plans for me and I am glad that they gave me this chance. This is a dream come true for me," revealed Polo.

He also recognizes the fact that the company took the risk in taking him as endorser. "I really want to thank them for trusting me," added Polo.

Aside from being a mainstay of "Majika" on GMA 7, Polo has also started work on the Regal Entertainment movie "Manay Po" where he plays one of the gay sons of Cherry Pie Picache (the two others being John Prats and Jiro Manio). He plays a closet gay, a role that he's doing for the first time.

The movie is directed by Joel Lamangan who also directed him in the stage play "Penis Talks 2" staged at the Music Museum last year, and in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Blue Moon," where he played the best friend of Mark Herras. He's more comfortable now working with direk Joel unlike the first time he did when he admitted having the jitters working with the award-winning filmmaker.

"He brings out the best in me, the actor in me," said Polo. "He has a way of motivating his actors and you will really be inspired to give your best. I believe that I grow as an actor whenever I work with him."

ASIDE FROM "MANAY PO," POLO'S ALSO DOING THE MANNY PACQUIAO STORY UNDER FLT FILMS AND STAR CINEMA WHERE HE PLAYS PACQUIAO'S TRAINER AND BEST FRIEND OF PACQUIAO. HE'S ALSO DOING AN INDIE FILM ALA "BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN." BOTH PROJECTS WILL BE DIRECTED BY JOEL LAMANGAN.

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Comedy Concert Queen Ai Ai de las Alas, the new Maggi Magic Sarap endorser is being dubbed as the "palengke queen." Ai Ai tours public markets as she endorses the unique all-in-one Maggi Magic Sarap granule seasoning. She also hosts the "Ginang Diskarte Beauty Pageant," which will happen in selected malls all over the country.

A working mother, Ai Ai has learned to plan and schedule her activities including her cooking. "Kailangan ng diskarte," she said. In showbiz, she has had learned to be madiskarte in everything that she does. "I have learned to make use of my time while waiting on the set. I solve crossword puzzles or I read. I try to keep abreast with the latest trends in showbiz, otherwise, mapag-iiwanan ka. Look at Madonna, she always has a gimmick."

Ai Ai will bring her palengke tour to La Paz Public Market and Jaro Plaza in Iloilo on April 30. She will be at the Lapu-Lapu City Public Market and SM City Cebu on June 11. Her other schedules include Agdao Public Market and Gaisano Mall in Davao on June 25; and Carmen/Cogon Public Market and Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City on July 2.

Ai Ai is busy taping for the new ABS-CBN series "Bituing Walang Ningning" topbilling Sarah Geronimo.

She will be leaving for US soon with Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid and Rico J. Puno for a concert tour this May. The concert tour happens on May 13 in Los Angeles, May 19 in Chicago, May 20 in Atlantic City, May 27 in Reno, May 28 in Las Vegas and June 2 in Las Vegas. On July 7, Ai Ai joins Sheryn Regis, Frenchie Dy and Erik Santos in Qatar.

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Actress Rufa Mae Quinto is facing her biggest challenge yet as she attempts to conquer the concert stage when she mounts "RMQ: Bombshell Unleashed" to be held at the Aliw Theater on May 27. Rufa Mae will prove to all and sundry that there is more to her than being the sexy comedienne we've always known her to be. The concert chronicles Rufa Mae's colorful beginnings as a showbiz wannabe, who moved on to become one of the country's hottest actress-comediennes.

"Todo na ito," exclaimed Rufa Mae with a laugh. "I promise that I will do my best to prove myself worthy of setting foot in the concert stage. I am nervous kasi hindi naman biro itong gagawin ko."

While she's very excited with her foray into the concert stage, Rufa Mae admitted to getting the jitters. After all, she added that she's not exactly known to be a singer. "I am no Regine Velasquez or Ogie Alcasid, who are both very good concert artists but I promise to do my best. Kailangan kayanin ito powers ko."

In fact, she's taking voice lessons at UP Diliman to prepare herself for the big event. And guess what her voice teacher told her concert director Peter Serrano? "She's a good singer. She's a soprano. She really has it. What she needs is to develop her singing technique but she really has it," Peter Serrano quoted Rufa Mae's voice coach as saying.

Joining the sexy bombshell in her big concert are Hotlegs, John Lapus, Teri Onor, Polo Ravales, Paolo Contis, Alfred Vargas, Wendell Ramos, Antonio Aquitania, Jay-R, Mark Bautista, Janno Gibbs and Mr. Martin Nievera.

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Joseph Bitangcol is very happy with the break Star Cinema has given him, which is to be the leading man of real-life girlfriend Sandara Park in the comedy "D' Lucky Ones." The film will launch their tandem on the big screen.

"I know it's a big gamble on Star Cinema's part to pair me with Sandara since her loveteam with Hero (Angeles) resulted in two blockbuster movies but I am keeping my fingers crossed that the public will give our tandem a chance," said Joseph.

"I am nervous but also excited that our opening is happening on Black Saturday. I have high hopes for the movie kasi we did our best. We know the people will enjoy the movie," added Joseph.

He's aware that not all of the Sandara-Hero fans approve of him as Sandy's boyfriend, hence picturing him as an intruder into the once successful tandem. But since Hero's out of the picture now, Joseph is hopeful that Sandy's fans will give him the chance to prove his worth, not only as Sandy's partner in real life, but as screen partner as well.

Joseph said that it's a big challenge for him to carry the load in helping make "D' Lucky Ones" a blockbuster. "But I am quite confident I will be able to do it. With prayers, I certainly hope we can make it."

"D' Lucky Ones," directed by Wenn Deramas, also stars Eugene Domingo, Pokwang, Candy Pangilinan, and JR Valentin.