The difference is Gretchen

After a long rest from acting, Gretchen Barretto opens the anniversary celebration of the ABS-CBN’s award-winning series Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) with an episode about forbidden love. It took a while before Gretchen faced the TV cameras again. A new and different Gretchen will be seen on Maalaala. “Iba ang kulay, pananalita at pananamit ko dito. Misis ni Tonton (Gutierrez) ang role ko na nagkaroon ng affair sa amo kong si Phillip (Salvador),” she says.

Gretchen requested Phillip to be part of the show. “Ni-request ko talaga si Kuya Ipe kasi 15 years ago, nagkaroon kami ng MMK. With Tonton, I have worked with him in so many projects before kaya nakakatuwang magkasama kami uli,” she enthuses. Both Phillip and Tonton are proud to be part of Gretchen’s episode. “It’s an honor and a privilege. And who wouldn’t want to be part of a highly-watched show?” says Tonton.

Nuel Naval who is directing Gretchen is all praises for the actress. “I am very impressed with her. She should do more acting jobs. Nakaka-miss yung makita siya sa TV. Her acting has sensitivity and maturity. I am looking forward to working with her again.”

Maalaala Mo Kaya is now on a new timeslot every Saturday after Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2.

Dulce returns to musical theater in Hairspray

Dulce, one of the country’s finest and most awarded singers, marks her 30th year in the business by returning to the musical theater stage in Atlantis Productions’ staging of the Tony Award winning musical Hairspray.

Dulce, who began her career in 1978, last appeared on stage several years ago in the first run of Himala The Musical. She was thrilled when she received a call from Hairspray director Bobby Garcia asking her if she would be interested to play Motormouth Maybelle, the role made famous in the film by Queen Latifah.

Bobby, who is directing the Broadway Asia tour of Cinderella, says, “I never dreamed she would say yes, but I had to try. You make a list in your head of the people you someday hope to work with, and Dulce has always been on top of mine.”

Dulce, who has spent the last few years focusing on her ministry work, admits though she was not too familiar with Hairspray when she got the offer. But when her children told her all about it with great excitement she was convinced that it would be perfect for her.

She thinks Maybelle is the perfect role for her at this point in her life and shares the sentiments of her Act Two showstopper song I Know Where I’ve Been. Dulce says she is looking forward to working with so many new people, as well as fellow performers she has not worked with for some time. She says, “I’m actually a very shy person, so I’m looking forward to being in a room with people I don’t know too well and collaborating with them. It will force me to overcome my shyness. Plus the sense of accomplishment in working with others to put on a show is really special.”

Hairspray is about Tracy Turnblad, who wins a spot on the local TV dance program The Corny Collins Show. This big girl with big hair and big dreams becomes a teen celebrity overnight. Soon Tracy finds herself pitted against the show’s reigning princess for the title Miss Teenage Hairspray 1962. Based on the John Waters film, Hairspray is the winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

After 30 years of standing ovations, gold statues and thunderous applause Dulce is set to thrill theatergoers again in Hairspray.

Hairspray runs from Nov. 14 to Dec. 7 at Star Theatre, CCP Complex. Tickets on sale now by calling Atlantis Productions at 892-7078, 840-1187 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Kris stands by James

Kris Aquino stood by her man when her cager husband James Yap went afoul with Talk and Text import Terence Leather. It all started when import Terence threw a ball on the face of James’ Purefoods teammate Jondan Salvador. James ran to Jondan’s rescue and kicked the import’s leg. “Nung nakita ko na binato sa mukha ng bola yong teammate ko, kailangan i-defend ko. Tapos yong bumato hindi pa tagarito,” explained James. “Hindi ko naisip na mali pala yong ginawa ko. Humihingi po ako ng pasensiya. Hopefully hindi na mauulit. Alam ko na mali ang ginawa ko.”

But Kris was quick to defend her man. “No, kasi kung mauulit pa, sapakin mo na talaga. I was watching nanonood kami ni Baby James sa TV,” said Kris. James said Kris is “matapang.”

“Sasabihin ng ibang wife, wag ka makipag-away, ako talaga, go Babe sapakin mo,” Kris jested. Kris explained, “May impression ang ilan na pag celebrity ka, pag sikat ka, may special treatment. Eto kabaligtaran. Kasi nga sikat si James, magaling siya, siya ang pinakamaraming fans, ang feeling ko masyado siyang hinihigpitan. Kailangan talaga handa ka. Be more responsible kasi that’s what is expected of you. Sana lang kung ano ang rule kay Juan ganun din kay Pedro.”