The good, the bad and the controversial of showbiz 2006

As the year 2006 draws to a close, we can't say that things have been good for the local film industry in general. Only a handful of film producers continue to make movies, with Regal Entertainment and Star Cinema being the most active.

GMA Films joined the fray when it fielded an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival last year and this year, the film arm of GMA 7 produced two movies, a love story that featured Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez, a period love story with Dingdong Dantes, Karylle and Iza Calzado, and co-production venture with Viva Films, the Regine Velasquez-Robin Padilla starrer "Till I Met You" which did well at the box-office.

Star Cinema opened the year with the Judy Ann Santos-Piolo Pascual starrer "Don't Give Up On Us" which also did very well at the box-office. But the biggest earner so far was the Chito Roño horror flick "Sukob" which starred Kris Aquino and Claudine Barretto. It reportedly earned close to P300 million nationwide.

The current Metro Manila Film Festival, with nine film entries, is being lorded over by perennial box-office champion "Enteng Kabisote 3 (Okay Ka Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes On and On and On)" starring Vic Sotto and Kristine Hermosa which reportedly earned P20 million on its opening day last December 25. Also doing very well is the Star Cinema entry "Kasal Kasali Kasalo" featuring the real-life tandem of Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.

But 2006 would be best remembered for the controversies that rocked the year and the personalities who figured in the headline-hogging situations that left a mark in the history of local showbiz.

Easily one of the biggest news of 2006 was the "Wowowee" tragedy which happened at the Ultra grounds last February. What was hoped to be a fun-filled and joyous occasion in celebration of the first year anniversary of the widely-followed program of Willie Revillame ended in a tragic stampede that occurred in the venue of the anniversary show. More than 70 people died and scores of others were wounded in a mad dash to be the first on line among a throng of unwashed and underprivileged Filipinos who tried their best to be among the first to enter the huge venue. Men, women, children were trampled upon, their bodies pinned to the ground.

When the smoke cleared, husbands lost their wives, sons and daughters lost their parents, and countless others lost their relatives, all because of the fabulous prizes in store for the impoverished lot who were enticed to make a beeline for the attractive package that included a house and lot package, a passenger jeepney and other exciting prizes.

After the investigation into the unfortunate incident, the Department of Justice recommended the filing of charges against the organizers of the event, ABS-CBN and the main people behind the show, Willie Revillame and ABS-CBN executives Charo S. Concio, Cory Vidanez and the head of the Security of ABS-CBN who took charge of the event. While ABS-CBN president Mr. Gabby Lopez took responsibility for the tragedy, the DOJ stood pat on their decision to take ABS-CBN to task for their failure to handle the situation with utmost care. The decision was appealed by the network's lawyers.

"Wowowee" stopped airing temporarily but was soon back on air as if nothing happened. To the victims of the tragedy, the ghost of the tragedy continues to haunt them. Meanwhile, scores of people continue to flock to "Wowowee" as if, again, nothing happened, hoping to win more attractive prizes that are up for grabs.

The issue didn't stop. Willie Revillame was sued by two dancers of the show for sexual harassment. And before the year ended, Willie was sued by his own wife Liz Almoro for wife-battery and physical abuse. On the basis of a court order, Willie vacated their conjugal home and for a while made ABS-CBN his living quarters.

An event that also made the news was the fabulous wedding of Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago-but not without a specter of intrigue. Gretchen Barretto did not attend the wedding after she figured in a misunderstanding with her sisters Claudine and Marjorie. Their mom sided with the two, leaving Greta alone in the middle of the fight. The rift between the sisters has yet to be resolved.

Gretchen made her film comeback via the filmfest entry of Canary Films titled "Matakot Ka Sa Karma" and she said quite a mouthful of intriguing statements at her solo presscon, which dragged the name of Sen. Bong Revilla. She would have been Bong's leading lady in the comedy film produced by Imus Productions but controversies also got in the way. She was replaced by Precious Lara Quigaman, the 2005 Miss International.

While thick in the promo of "Matakot Ka Sa Karma," news came out that Gretchen acted like a primadonna on the pictorial for the shampoo commercial she did with Angel Aquino, Ruffa Gutierrez and Dawn Zulueta. It was Dawn who allegedly said Greta acted like a primadonna, coming to the set with a coterie of bodyguards, loads of clothes, makeup, food with matching microwave oven to boot. The two ladies have since patched up their differences but both of them backed out of the movie they were supposed to do for Regal Entertainment.

Other stars who tied the knot in 2006 were Mark Anthony Fernandez and his live-in partner Melissa. Aiko Melendez and Martin Jickain, a commercial model, sexy star Maricar de Mesa and her boyfriend Don Allado, a popular PBA player.

Sexy comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto and singer Erik Santos came out in the open and admitted their relationship even if Erik continues to be hounded by gay rumors. Richard Gomez made a comment about Erik's gender that did not sit well with Rufa and this sparked a controversy that became a fodder for talk shows. While Richard eventually said yes, some showbiz observers felt that the apology lacked sincerity.

Another much-talked "gay" news was Rustom Padilla's coming out in the open that he's gay, which happened at Celebrity Edition of "Pinoy Big Brother." When he was new in showbiz, Rustom parried questions about his masculinity, even holding a presscon to dispel the rumors. But this time, Rustom decided to tell the truth and tell the world that he's gay. His revelation drew varied reactions but he was accepted by his brother Robin Padilla and his mom Eva Cariño Padilla. His revelation set him free.

Rustom's revelation also paid off. He was offered the lead role of Ada, the gay "parlorista," in the movie "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah," with the Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla, playing his alter ego, Zaturnnah, the superhero. Alfred Vargas plays his love interest but their kissing scene was deleted for the movie to get a GP rating.

Still on the subject of being gay, Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby were rumored to be playing sweet music together. Although Piolo has denied many times in the past this issue, it always resurfaces. Even Sam, one of the popular winners of "Pinoy Big Brother," was rumored to be gay.

A much-talked about scandal in showbiz involved Ethel Booba and her boyfriend Alex Crisano. The two even fought in Boracay last Holy Week, with Ethel even smashing a beer bottle on the head of Alex because of the altercation. But after exchanging hurting words on TV, the two eventually reconciled. But this row with her boyfriend affected Ethel's career. In the eyes of showbiz observers, Ethel's frequent clashes with her boyfriend affected her credibility as a TV host. "Extra Challenge" bowed out of the boob tube and she was left with an empty bag. Even her two shows were axed.

DJ Mo Twister got himself enmeshed in a controversy and some of the stars featured in his radio show wherein he asks them to answer forbidden questions. Among those who got dragged into controversies were Jay-R and KC Montero who allegedly said that Raymond Gutierrez (the twin brother of Richard Gutierrez) is gay, which drew a protest from Captain Barbell.

Vina Morales got mad at Borgy Manotoc who claimed that he had a one-night stand with Vina. In a chance encounter in a mall in Makati, Vina gave Borgy a resounding slap on the face that made his mouth bleed.

There's a baby boom in showbiz. Kris Aquino, who is already wed in civil rites to James Yap, is already pregnant. Also awaiting her date with the stork is Julia Clarete, while Mickey Ferriols recently gave birth to her and Archie Alemania's firstborn. Also a brand-new mom is Queen of Soul Jaya.

Not all news are happy. Parting ways after some months of happy togetherness were Alessandra de Rossi and Jeremy Marquez, Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras, Joey Marquez and Alicia Mayer, Paolo Paraiso and Mylene Dizon, Mike Tan and LJ Reyes, Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo, and Snooky Serna and Ricardo Cepeda. Snooky got married to a band member but she also broke up with him. Bing Loyzaga confirmed she and Janno Gibbs have called it quits but they remain friends.

But those who admitted playing sweet music together include Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo who managed to keep their head above the water despite the intrigues, even appearing in a movie, "Kasal Kasali Kasalo," Star Cinema's entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival. Also admitting they were on were LJ Reyes and Alfred Vargas, Ara Mina and Polo Ravales, Iwa Moto and Yexel Sebastian, and of course, Vic Sotto and Pia Guanio. Rumored to be playing sweet music together are Jennylyn Mercado and Patrick Garcia.

Marvin Agustin admitted courting Pauleen Luna, same with Piolo Pascual who is said to be courting Rica Peralejo. But Rica denied Polo is courting her, saying they are just close friends. Meanwhile, Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid continue to be rumored as having a relationship, which both of them denied.

Posing sexy in men's magazine became the in thing among young stars. Among those who had posed include Katrina Halili in FHM, followed by Camille Prats and Iwa Moto. Angelica Panganiban did it for Maxim Magazine but this became controversial because the photos were allegedly digitally enhanced to make her appear sexy, especially the photos she did for the calendar of a popular liquor brand. Pauleen Luna posed for Uno Magazine, owned by Diether Ocampo who was once linked to Pauleen and reportedly made Kristine Hermosa jealous.

Gina Pareño's performance in the digital film "Kubrador" won awards in various international film festivals that's why many are saying that she's the frontrunner when the awards season opens.

But also giving noteworthy performances were Cherry Pie Picache (who played a tomboy in "Kaleldo"), Maricel Soriano (who is very good in her role as a nanny in "Inang Yaya"), plus Zsa Zsa Padilla in the musical-comedy "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh" and Judy Ann Santos as the young wife in "Kasal Kasali Kasalo."