That’s why when John Lloyd and real-life girlfriend Ciara Sotto, both into their early 20’s, were rumored (proven to be, yes, "false alarm") to have broken up, some people suspected Bea to be the "third party". There were even speculations (also proven to be groundless) that Talent Center advised John Lloyd to lie low on his romance with Ciara and focus his attention on his team-up with Bea.
Asked about the John Lloyd/Ciara issue which was nipped in the bud when John Lloyd showed up at Ciara’s 22nd birthday bash last week and gave her a diamond-studded ruby ring as gift, Bea flashed a sweet Close-Up smile (she’ll make a perfect endorser of that toothpaste, won’t she?), as if to say, "No, I’m not guilty!"
Yes, Ciara invited her to the party but Bea begged off because she was tied down with work.
"I was surprised that my name was dragged into the issue," added Bea whose father is Briton and mother, a Filipina (Bea’s real name is Angellie Phylbert Ranollo). "But I understand that it’s one of the hazards of the trade, part of the job. The truth is that there’s nothing between John Lloyd and me. John Lloyd draws a clear line between the professional and the personal. In fact, on the Kay Tagal set, we never talked about the issue at all."
Describing Ciara and John Lloyd as inteligent (matalino), Bea said that they – and, hopefully, the fans, too, who would rather see "Katrina" and "Yuri" end up in each other’s arms – should know what the truth is. "I have nothing to explain."
Bea, who claimed that she has never had any boyfriend (too young, you know), did meet Ciara once at Starbucks at the ground floor of the Eugenio Lopez, Jr. Communication Center (adjacent to the ABS-CBN studios). They were there during a break from a taping (Bea) and a recording (Ciara). It was Shaina Magdayao (Vina Morales’ sister) who introduced them to each other. "Mukha naman siyang mabait," Bea said.
Same with John Lloyd with whom Bea has been working for seven months now on Kay Tagal (supposed to end last month but was extended up to the end of September), oftentimes taping 24 hours straight twice or thrice a week.
"I can’t say that John Lloyd and I are close; we’re friends pero hindi kami close. On the set, we don’t open up to each other. We discuss our roles but we never talk about anything personal. John Lloyd is quiet, deep, secretive, moody and very mysterious. I never intrude into his space – and vice-versa."
Saying she was ready for anything when she joined showbiz, Bea at a tender age has learned how not to be adversely affected by intrigues and controversies. "When you know yourself," said Bea who’s a cross between Jestoni Alarcon and Lara Fabregas, "you have nothing to worry about. I focus myself on my work. I keep in mind the best advice that somebody has given me – If you set a goal for yourself, go for it, give it your best."
Followers of Kay Tagal shouldn’t sulk once the soap closes in September. The loveteam might topbill another soap. But before that, they’ll star in their first movie together, First Romance, possibly with another young loveteam, John Prats and Heart Evangelista, as co-stars, with Don Cuaresma (Kay Tagal second unit director) at the helm. Bea is now also busy promoting the Kara Nina Cosmetic Kits (available at all SM outlets nationwide) which is very popular among people her age. It’s her "debut" as a solo product endorser (she and John Lloyd are image models of Outland footwear).
Another source of showbiz material
Besides the female beauty contests, another rich source of showbiz material are the male beauty contests, such as the Ginoong Pilipinas, the Bodyshots and, yes, the Mr. Philippines-World (also managed by the same group behind the Bb. Pilipinas search) whose winner will be chosen tonight on Kuya Germs (Moreno’s) Master Showman on GMA 7 and will represent the country in the Mr. World contest before the year is over (venue not known just yet). Past winners include Christopher Celis (1996), Rico Miguel Lee (1998) and Roderick Dilla Salvador (2000, current title-holder) who have been offered movie roles which they politely declined.
Funfare’s "beauty experts" Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping, Francis Calubaquib and Felix Manuel (currently working as a nurse in UK) have decided not to pick their usual "most likely" winners but simply made a roll call of the candidates, namely:
* No. 1 – Johannes Velasco Magbitang, 22, from Marikina City, an Architecture graduate from UP whose hobbies include bodybuilding, painting and playing the guitar. Height: 5’8"; weight: 155 lbs.
* No. 2 – Gian Carlo Gardenera Javelona, 18, from Manila, a Computer Science student at Access Computer School in Quezon City. Height: 5’8"; weight: 145 lbs.
* No. 3 – Dennis Centeno, 26, from Quezon City, a Business Management graduate from PSBA (Q.C.) and a Manhunt Philippines candidate last year. Height: 5’9"; weight: 160 lbs.
* No. 4 – Francis Pamintuan Casingal, 23, from Marilao (Bulacan), a B.S. Psychology graduate from Our Lady of Fatima College and the reigning Mr. Bulacan. Height: 5’10"; weight: 165 lbs.
* No. 5 – Mikhail Joshua Fernandez Calinawan, 17, from Pasig City, a freshman at La Salle’s College of St. Benilde who loves to play basketball and aspires to be a PBA player. Height: 5’10"; weight: 175 lbs.
* No. 6 – Giovanni Ramirez Dimaano, 26, from Lipa City, a Nursing student at CEU who is the reigning Binatang Batangueño (2003) and second runner-up in the 2003 Mr. Globe Philippines contest. Height: 5’10.5"; weight: 160 lbs.
* No. 7 – Alexis Jim Clemente Fortuna, 25, from Cainta, Rizal, an HRM graduate from PUP. Height: 5’11.5"; weight: 173 lbs.
* No. 8 – Marco Antonio Hetalia Tamayo, 25, a Physical Therapy graduate from Davao Doctors College (Davao City) and a fitness instructor in that city. Height: 6’1"; weight: 168 lbs.
* No. 9 – Raymund Reyes Vergara, 19, from Valenzuela City, a Business Management student at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and a 2003 Mr. Globe Philippines finalist. Height: 5’11"; weight: 170 lbs.
* No.10 – Ian Tio Bitor, 22, from Sogod (Southern Leyte), an Industrial Engineering graduate from Adamson University (he was last year’s Mr. Adamson U and concurrently Mr. University 2002 who represented the country at the Mr. University International contest in Korea) and first runner-up in the 2002 Ginoong Pilipinas contest.
* No. 11 – Jan Joseph Cirdon Sta. Barbara, 21, from Parañaque City, and a Civil Engineering graduate from La Salle. Height: 5’10"; weight: 155 lbs.
* No. 12 – Paulo Martin Ortiz, 18, from Bulacan, an Electrical Engineering student from Mapua and a 2003 Mr. Bulacan first runner-up. Height: 5’.9.5"; weight: 165 lbs.
* No. 13 – Richard Perez Gustillo, 25, a La Salle graduate and model who first joined the Mr. Philippines-World Search in 1996, winning as Mr. Friendship. He was Aubrey Miles’ partner in the GMA 7 show Best Friend. Height: 5’8"; weight: 155 lbs.
* No. 14 – Randy Bedania Panotes, 26, from Quezon City, an HRM graduate from Southern Asian College and presently working for his master’s degree in Business Administration at PSBA. Height: 5’8"; weight: 137 lbs.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)