They’re nice, courteous & polite

(First of two parts)

There is something about achieving fame at a young age that results in arrogance. Fortunately, in today’s showbiz landscape – populated mostly by young stars – there are still a lot of nice people who are courteous and polite toward their co-workers and to everyone in general.

Now, I have no idea how they are at work (and even at home) but I can give you a list of the young stars I’ve encountered who are nice and pleasant. Here it is:

Dingdong Dantes – I never had any unpleasant encounter with this fellow – not during all those years he was hosting the Gawad Urian show for the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Every time he guests in Startalk, he is always polite and courteous and would take time out to say hello to me even if I’m not handling his segment. He is just as pleasant to the other Startalk hosts and staff. A true gentleman.

Karylle – I haven’t had that many encounters with this young singer, but the few times we bump into each other, she would be as nice as boyfriend Dingdong Dantes. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because Karylle must have taken this very positive trait from parents Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari and, especially, Zsa Zsa Padilla, who is a truly sweet person.

Gabby Eigenmann – He is Mr. Polite and Courteous – just like his father, Mark Girl (even aunt Cherie Gil is very nice, too). Anywhere we see each other – at the mall or even outside Gold’s gym once – he would always have a very warm hello for me. An incredibly well-bred person brought up well by his family.

Sid Lucero – I guess good breeding runs in the family. (Come to think of it, even grandparents Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil are also among the nicest in this profession.) One time, he approached me to introduce himself and I was so touched by this gesture because some showbiz kids these days just totally ignore those who had been ahead of them in this profession – and that’s terrible. Like I always say, even if it’s Madam Auring, you have to get up from your chair to give your respect because she’s been around longer than most of us. I’m not saying everything she does is exemplary (to begin with, who are we to judge her behavior?). But she still deserves some courtesy from us.

Assunta de Rossi – Hey, she’s still young (marriage somehow makes us think she no longer belongs to the young crowd) and this entitles her to be part of this list – and how deservingly she does. In December 2001, after winning Best Actress in the Metro Manila Film Festival for Hubog, I bumped into her and her sister Alessandra de Rossi, and she thanked me profusely for the very positive review I wrote about the movie, her performance and that of Alessandra’s, too. Then, turning to her sister, she nudged her and said, "Magpasalamat ka din." I thought it was so cute seeing her play big sister to Alessandra, but really I was so touched by the fact that she sought me out in my corner of that restaurant (Country Waffles, I think) to say thank you for supporting her and her sister in their respective careers. And now, Assunta is married to a wonderful man, Jules Ledesma. Okay, didn’t we say some nasty things about him before? Well, he turned out to be a good person after all – at least if you ask me.

Alessandra de Rossi – She may be loquacious, but that really is her charm. She may not be the prim and proper type, but she is never rude. When you bump into her, she doesn’t only show you courtesy, but makes you laugh as well. What else do you want from her?

Jeremy Marquez – A fine young man, who was taught proper manners by his family. Sure he is accused of being a playboy – but I don’t know about that. Fortunately, that is no longer my lookout.

(To be continued)