The truth about Cherie

Curtain-raisers:

• Paolo Bediones – and his fans – can sit back now and relax. He’ll stay on as S-Files co-host (of Janice de Belen, Richard Gomez and Joey Marquez). In fact, the four of them will be shooting the new OBB (Opening Billboard) for the show tomorrow.

• Now, could it be true that Pops Fernandez has resigned from A.S.A.P.? Is that why she was missing in the show last Sunday? Is she and ex-husband Martin Nievera fighting over the repertoire of their forthcoming "twogether" concert? Tsk, tsk, tsk! The ex-couple should stop bickering and be thankful that, after all is said and done, they’re still accepted (and patronized) by the public.

• While there’s a rumor that Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa are still in the process of patching things up, the good news is that Luis Alandy and Tintin Arnaldo are back in each other’s arms. It’s Valentine season so Jericho and Kristine should get back together again (and not only for the sake of their new Star Cinema movie, Ngayong Nandito Ka) – that is, unless somebody is holding Jericho back.

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Last year, Funfare put out a "blind item" about Cherie Gil and Roni Rogoff having marital problems. Those close to Cherie confirmed that, yes, the couple was going through "trying times" but their problems were not insurmountable.

In a recent chat with Funfare, Cherie said that "everything’s okay" now between her and Roni, even if they are "geographically" separated. Cherie is here with her 16-year-old son Jayme, while Roni and their two daughters (Bianca, 7, and Raphael, 5) are in Italy. (Roni has another daughter, Renee, with ex-wife Ping Valencia.)

"It’s a temporary arrangement," explained Cherie. "It’s because of the children’s education, you know. Jayme is enrolled at Brent (high school junior) while our two daughters are studying in Italy. Jayme wants to continue his studies in Stanford. My work is here and Roni’s work is there. So you see, we have to make sacrifices because of this situation."

Cherie and Roni came for the Christmas season three years ago. When Cherie came back a year later, she was swamped with movie and TV offers which proved too tempting to turn down. She has done two movies (Sugatang Puso for which she won a Best Supporting Actress award and May Bukas Pa) and two ABS-CBN soaps (Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka and Bituin which is good for only one season).

"I went to Italy twice last year," said Cherie (who has "RR" tattooed on her buttocks). "I stayed three weeks each time. The whole family spent last Christmas in Egypt."

Turning 40 in June, Cherie might star in a concert, tentatively called Contra-Diva at the PICC, with Freddie Santos as director.

"Let me say it again," smiled Cherie. "Roni and I are still together. We haven’t and we are not separated."

Marissa slims down

If heavyweight singer-comedienne Marissa Sanchez shed half of her old weight (200 pounds-plus), would she still be as funny and as cute/cuddlesome?

"I’d be the same," swore Marissa who happily reported that she is down to 160 pounds and is determined to lose 30 more (down to 130, her ideal weight). "The funny part of me comes not from my weight but from my heart and soul. O, di ba?"

The "lighter" Marissa will surely stun the audience when she mounts two concerts next week, both produced by Golden Circle Ad Com. The first, Naughty Me & My Spirit, will be held Feb. 13 at Le Pavillon (at Metropolitan Park, Roxas Blvd.) with the Spirit of ’67 as co-performer. The second, Diva-Stating Valentine, is slated the next day, Feb. 14, at the ballroom of the Hotel Intercontinental, with Marissa going solo. (Both shows are sponsored by PAGCOR, Nextel Communications Phils., Slimmers World, Magic 89.9, Monster Radio RX 93.1 and Golden Circle Properties. For tickets, call 891-5610, 911-5555 or 636-1427/636-1264.)

The Spirit of ’67 has been wowing crowds in various venues with its repertoire of ’60s and ’70 songs (The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, Bee Gees, Herman’s Hermits, etc.) while Marissa is noted for her hilarious impersonation (of, among others, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, Lea Salonga and Alice Dixson).

"I’m green at medyo bastos only onstage, at depende sa audience," admitted Marissa who is living happily ever after with boyfriend Ian Nava (cousin of Roselle Nava). "Desente ako sa bahay. Itanong mo kay Ian."

Married once (and legally separated), Marissa claimed that she had found happiness, at last.

"Magto-two years na kami ni Ian," smiled Marissa. "Now that I’m slimmer, the tables have been turned. Before, ako ang selosa. Pati magagandang babae sa TV pinagseselosan ko. Now, it’s Ian who’s jealous. Flattered ako when he asks me, ‘O, saan ang punta mo? Sino ang kausap mo sa cellphone?’ Sometimes, I talk to an imaginary guy on my cellphone para pagselosin si Ian. Tumaas ang self-esteem ko after I lost weight."

On her Feb. 13 show, Marissa will "roast" the mistresses (so beware!) and on her Feb. 14 show, she will do the same to "legal" wives (come on, be a good sport!).

Although she finds it peanuts impersonating this celebrity and that star, Marissa said she just couldn’t do it with the likes of Pops Fernandez, Assunta de Rossi and Nora Aunor.

"Walang trademark si Pops kaya mahirap gayahin," said Marissa, "just like Assunta whose facial expressions are hard to imitate. It’s easy to ape Nora’s acting but not her voice."

Marissa’s ultimate dream is to impersonate Marilyn Monroe.

"But first," she laughed, "I have to shed more pounds."

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