Red-hot newcomer Jessy Mendiola

Jessy Mendiola was first seen on television via the series Abt Ur Love. But she got her biggest break in her role as Cristina in the ongoing top-rating series Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo, where she plays the love interest of Coco Martin.

Her teamup with Coco is getting good feedback from the followers of the top-rating soap opera. A lot of viewers are requesting that Jessy and Coco be featured in more scenes together in Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo. This is certainly a good opportunity for Jessy who stands to gain more exposure via Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo and this should further open opportunities to get movie assignments, TV guest stints, and even endorsements.

Jessy will also be a mainstay of a youth-oriented show that will be shown on ABS-CBN in the coming months.

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Gian Carlo Sotto, the only son of Senator Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa, said he never dreamed of entering politics. It was not his ambition to enter the political scene. But look at him now — he is running as councilor in the 3rd District of Quezon City under the Liberal Party. He said that joining politics came like an obligation to him because his Dad is a politician and his sister Lala was a councilor for nine years.

“A lot of people were asking me for help as well. And they were also the ones who told me that why don’t I enter politics? But it was really never my intention to do so. Even if I was born to a family that has its roots in showbiz and politics, I remained humble because that was how our father brought us up. I don’t go around with bodyguards. I am also very easy to approach,” said Gian whom we got to talk at the birthday presscon held for March-born talents of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic.

His foray into politics, Gian added, is to continue the legacy of his dad who is running for reelection. His sister Lala has completed nine years as QC councilor and decided not to run this time to concentrate on her family. It now falls on Gian’s shoulders to continue the legacy of the Sottos in the political landscape of Quezon City.

“Last term na rin ni Ate Lala. Marami na rin ang kumausap sa kanya for her to run sa Congress or as vice mayor pero she begged off. Gusto muna niya mag-concentrate sa family niya. Ako naman po, noong una ang idea po sa akin ng politika ay parang marumi ang dating. Pero since kinausap nina Daddy at iba pang kapamilya, hindi nila ako pino-force to enter politics. Pero sinabi nila sa akin na baka raw gamitin akong instrumento ng Diyos para mabago ang takbo ng traditional politics,” he related.

It seemed providential that Gian made it to the line-up of the Liberal Party, where good governance and good politics is being espoused by its leaders Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas. He believes in the tandem of Noynoy and Mar.

Gian finished an Entrepreneurial Management course at the University of Asia and Management. He attended high school at the Letran College.

What are your expectations on your entry to politics?

“Ini-expect ko po na maraming virus diyan. Ini-expect ko po na maging matatag ako sa prinsipyo at paninindigan. Pero naniniwala po ako sa grupong pinasukan ko like si Mayor Sonny Belmonte, isa po siya sa lumaban sa corruption. Kasi noong pumasok siya as Mayor of Quezon City, baon ito sa utang. Pero ngayon, may laman ang kaban ng QC kaya lahat kami ay hanga sa kanyang ginawa. Kaya naman pala gawin,” said Gian.

For now, Gian is just setting his sights in being a councilor and is not thinking ahead of what the future would hold.

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Three Star Magic talents are nominated in the 7th Golden Screen Awards to be held on May 5 at Teatrino in Greenhills.

Vying for the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Drama) are Sam Milby (And I Love You So) and John Lloyd Cruz (In My Life).

John Lloyd Cruz is also nominated as Best Actor in a Leading Role (Musical or Comedy) for You Changed My Life.

Also making it to the elite list of Golden Screen Awards is Bea Alonzo in the Best Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) for And I Love You So.