Oh, what a kiss!

After a year long hiatus, Claudine Barretto is back in harness and is ready to face the TV cameras again. She already shot scenes for her new teleserye Iisa Pa Lamang that will cast her opposite comebacking actor Gabby Concepcion.

Claudine starred in ABS-CBN top rating teleseryes Mula Sa Puso, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, Marina, Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin, Walang Kapalit. She is both bankable and brilliant as an actress.

“Iisa Pa Lamang is my comeback teleserye after I gave birth to Santino,” she said on The Buzz. Claudine is paired with Gabby whom she had a kissing scene that lasted 10 minutes. “Sobrang gwapo pa rin si Gabby,” Claudine said. Asked by Ruffa Gutierrez if Gabby is “mabango,” Claudine retorted, “Sobra. Palaging naliligo sa set.” When further asked by Ruffa how many times does Gabby take a bath, Claudine replied, “four times.”

Aside from Gabby, Claudine also kisses Diether Ocampo. With Diether, the kiss lasted seven minutes. Iisa Pa Lamang also stars Ms. Susan Roces, Laurice Guillen and Angelica Panganiban.

A perfect wedding

Another ABS-CBN reporter who recently married is Niña Corpus. Niña married Vince Rodriguez, a Studio 23 executive producer whom she met while working as a trainee at the station. Last year, Vince made his marriage proposal. May of this year, they were wed at an 11th century church in Paris attended by friends and family who flew in from Canada, the US and the  Philippines. “It was a dream wedding talaga. Hindi namin akalain na magagawa namin yon sa isang lugar na ganun kalayo at napakaganda. It is an old church, one of the oldest in Paris,” said Niña. She and her entourage wore gowns made by her friend Debbie Go. Niña said the wedding was perfect. “I got so emotional while walking down the aisle. Si Vince, pagtingin ko nung papalapit na ako sa kanya umiiyak din. It is one of the happiest moments in our life.” The reception was held in a venue just 20 steps from where they were married. They spent their honeymoon in France, Italy and Spain.

Kristine Garcia’s new life

Former actress Kristine Garcia sent me an e-mail updating me on what’s happening to her. Kristine left the country two years ago amidst various controversies. Before she left, Kristine admitted that she was sick and this added to her depression. In America, Kristine underwent  treatment but after only a few months, she was back to her old form. She also got married to a 41-year-old bachelor who is the grandson of the late Gov. Jose Villarama of Bulacan.

Here is Kristine’s e-mail:

Hi Kuya Boy,

My main reason for getting in touch with you is because I want to fulfill my promise to you before I left two years ago that once maayos na ako ikaw ang unang makakaalam. I want to thank you for being there for me especially from 2002 to 2005, which were the worst years of my life. I will never forget and I will always treasure that segment that you gave me on The Buzz about my suicide attempt. You presented my story with so much love and sensitivity.

After my situation got worse, I left Manila with my kids and stayed with my mom in L.A. Surprisingly, after a few months of treatment, I started feeling better again. I know God didn’t let me die a few years ago. Meron pala siyang magandang plano para sa akin. Even though I lost all the material wealth that I had, I gained naman the one thing that is truly important in this world. I finally found a wonderful, decent 41-year-old bachelor. He is the grandson of the late Gov. Jose Villarama. Like me, he too is just starting in life again that is why sa dinami-dami ng pinagdaaanan ko, God finally gave me someone whom I know will love not only me but all of my children.

Very simple ang takbo ng buhay ko. Wala na yong karangyaan but I can now say straight from my heart that I am very happy and at peace with my self.”

We are very happy for you, Kristine!

Powerdance photo exhibit

Four Seasons, the Douglas Nierras Powerdance Photo Exhibit, was held at the Fourth Level Activity Area of the Shangri-La Mall in Ortigas.

The exhibit featured the finest works of ace photographers Raymund Isaac, Jun de Leon and Joel del Sol, as they captured the dynamism of the country’s best dance group. Lens men De Leon and Isaac photographed the dance group in the middle of action above ground, in the theater, and while basking in the splendor of nature.

The exhibit, along with the launching of the coffee-table book titled En L’er (In the Air), paved the way for the celebration of 20 years of excellence in the art of dance by the Douglas Nierras Powerdance. The photographs on exhibit provided a glimpse of the colorful life of premier choreographer Nierras and his dancers, which are also featured in the book.