In 'Celebrity Duets 2': MMDA chair Bayani close to victory

PLUS: Kris Aquino says no to movies for family; Unlikely love story contender in Cinema One Originals

Kris Aquino was given a warm welcome when she came back to “The Buzz” last Sunday. It was a memorable comeback for Kris as her return to the show also coincided with the birthday celebration of her friend and The Buzz co-host Boy Abunda.

In an interview with Kris while on a commercial break, Kris said she’s not yet ready to do another movie or a TV series because it’s time consuming. Besides, it was only her stint on The Buzz that she and James agreed upon.

Kris admitted she turned down a number of movie offers. Even if the offers were really tempting, Kris decided that she focused on her family life, instead of sacrificing her time and giving in. Of course, it would fatten her coffers, but Kris chose her family.

She interviewed Gabby on the new segment of “The Buzz” called Tough Ten, where a guest celebrity faces the host and answers 10 controversial questions. Kris showed displeasure when Gabby tried to drag her name in a controversy. Kris parried off Gabby by saying that she ought not to comment, as a sign of respect to her husband and to Gabby’s wife, Gimby.

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As GMA 7’s top-rating popularity singing contest, “Celebrity Duets” has revealed its top three finalists last Saturday, it looks like MMDA Chairman Bayani “BF NG BAYAN” Fernando’s race to victory is almost secure.

BF, along with comedian Joey Marquez and presidential fashion designer JC Buendia, bested Carlene Aguilar, the last woman standing, when she was booted out of the show for garnering the lowest number of votes in that elimination week.

BF, for his part, said he’s glad that he has agreed to join this event because he has been learning so much from the people he works with week after week. “I realized that there were still so many things I haven’t been exposed to about singing and performing after this experience even though I have been singing with our group Three Tenors for years now. I really learned a lot. For that alone, I am very grateful that they asked me to join,” he candidly said.

BF is already happy to land in the Top 3. “Sabi nila basta nasa top 3 ka na, okay na yun. But if we become blessed even more to win the grand prize, then that will be great. I can use the prize money to help out some charitable organizations like Cancer Haus and Rudy Fernandez Cancer Foundation.”

If the loud cheers given him by his supporters are an indication of BF’s strength, then it’s safe to say he’s indeed on the way of becoming the next Celebrity Duets 2 Grand champion.

To vote for BF, text DUETS (space) BF and send to 2344 if you’re a Globe subscriber, and 367 if you’re a Smart Talk and Text subscriber.

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This year has brought in a number of very brilliant and strong contenders for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Film Festival. One of them is the unlikely love story “Dose” by writer/director Senedy Que.

“Dose” revolves around the premise that “Love knows no age or gender.” With this, viewers already have an idea on what the story is about. When an unlikely friendship develops between a curious 12-year-old boy named Edy (Fritz Chavez) and a lonely gardener named Danny (Yul Servo), the line that defines love and abuse intersects, resulting in a complex relationship.

At first glance, most people might have negative reactions with the very sensitive and controversial storyline, as already expected by director/ writer Senedy Que. “But the fact of the matter is, this is happening in our society today. I have friends who have experienced this. I am not making this film as a sort of exploitation but I want people to be informed, be warned and be enlightened with the abuses that are happening today.”

As Senedy’s directorial debut, he shared that this is very personal to him. He also firmly stated, “I want people to talk about this, discuss and debate over this film. I want people to be aware and be conscious of these kinds of true events.”

Senedy was also surprised that he was able to get indie mainstay and now Councilor Yul Servo as his main character. Yul shares, “I know that this film is very courageous in presenting a story like this. But as I read the script, I knew that it was very good. This is more than just a mere love story. The film wants to educate Filipinos around the country of an undeniable reality.”

With Yul being in his cast, Senedy shares that this completely makes his film different. If he decided to cast just anybody to portray the role, it wouldn’t have the respect and dignity that Yul Servo brings into the film.