Is marriage in the cards for Noynoy?

Star Cinema lost one of its own in the sinking of the Superferry 9 two Saturdays ago.

Cameraman Fernando Estrada was among the Star Cinema crew of 29 that had shot some scenes in General Santos for the movie Ang Tanging Pamilya starring former President Joseph Estrada and AiAi delas Alas. The group had taken the Superferry 9 for the trip back to Manila.

Tragedy struck while the ferry was in the waters off Zamboanga del Norte. The ship began to list dangerously and slowly began to sink.

Estrada, whom friends called Kulot, jumped into the water as the ferry began to go under. He did not know how to swim. According to Director Olive Lamasan, one of the film crew recalled that Kulot was still clutching the bag that contained his camera and was thrashing in the water. Finally, he told his companion he couldn’t hold on anymore and he began to sink.

Direk Olive said the last time she saw Kulot was on her set before he set out for GenSan.

“We were kidding each other. I was ribbing him, ‘Leave me alone. I’m shooting a scene.’ Had I known that it would be the last time I would be seeing him, I would have hugged him.”

Direk Olive said the passing of Kulot made her realize how short life can be. “I get to appreciate my co-workers more.”

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Dennis Trillo was lucky to have cheated death last week while vacationing in Boracay.

The actor was swimming with two companions, Jolly Bee Bordajo and Maxin Eigenman, several meters offshore when huge waves generated by Storm “Maring” swamped them. The three got separated, and Dennis and Eigenman were immediately rescued. Bordajo was found later, unconscious. He was taken to hospital but the doctors failed to save him.

Reports said Dennis took the death of his friend real hard.

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Mo Twister should be more careful about what he says on Twitter. The celebrity DJ is taking the heat once again for his remark about Noynoy Aquino’s looks. “Noynoy’s haircut kinda confuses me,” he tweeted. “…before he comes to terms w/ possibly being the next Phil. President, I think he first needs to come to terms w/ his baldness.”

Some sensitive fans of Noynoy might find Mo’s comment offensive, so I expect he’ll be getting a flood of strong reactions.

Mo recently got into trouble after quipping that Rufa Mae Quinto and Mikey Arroyo were engaged. He readily apologized, saying it was a joke, but Rufa Mae, his co-host in “Showbiz Central,” is said to be fuming mad. Watch your tongue, Mo.

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Perhaps to make up for imploring that Noynoy stay single, Kris Aquino last week offered to foot the bill if Noynoy decides to marry his sweetheart, Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad.

I have no doubt Kris can back up what she says. But the question is, is marriage in the cards for Noynoy? Now that he has announced that he is running for the presidency, his attention for the next few months will definitely be focused on his candidacy.

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For comedian Ellen DeGeneres, getting into the “American Idol” is a dream come true.

DeGeneres has been chosen as the replacement of Paula Abdul, who quit after seven seasons in the widely popular talent show because she didn’t get a raise.

“Getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text my vote,” DeGeneres said in a statement. She admitted that she has been a a longtime fan of “American Idol,” which is aired in about 100 countries including the Philippines.

She will be joining old hands Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi, who got in as the fourth judge last season.

Ryan Seacrest is also returning as the show’s host.