2008 marked by Bombshells Baby Boom and Break-ups

2008, Year of the Rat, ended the way it started — on a sad note.

In early January, the showbiz world was shocked by the discovery of Heath Ledger, 28, dead in his sleep in his New York apartment due to what was later confirmed an overdose of prescription drugs. Ledger is being touted as a shoo-in for the Best Actor plum in next year’s Oscars for his landmark performance as The Joker in Batman The Dark Knight.

In early December, the showbiz world was rocked by a similar tragedy when StarStruck Marky Cielo, 20, was found dead one Sunday morning while everybody was glued to their TV sets, cheering Manny Pacquiao “Right on!” in a non-title bout with Mexico’s Oscar de la Hoya until his eighth-round victory. Up to now, mystery continues to surround Marky’s untimely death.

Here in capsule form are the headliners of 2008:

Rudy Fernandez succumbs to the Big C.

The country’s most amiable, most wholesome and most friendly action superstar ended his brave two-year battle with pancreatic cancer in June, leaving a void that may take years to fill up. The whole country mourned his passing along with his wife Lorna Tolentino (the epitome of grace in grief) and their sons Ralphe, Renz and Mark Anthony.

Other fond farewells: Lou Salvador Jr.; Tiya Dely (Magpayo); directors Felix Dalay, Gilbert Perez, Abbo dela Cruz and Khryss Adalia; actress Joy Soler; producer Cirio Santiago; comedienne Zorayda Sanchez; singer Didith Reyes; and movie writers Billy Balbastro and Gil Villasana.

The Gabby Concepcion factor

Who would have thought that Gabby Concepcion’s much-awaited homecoming from his 13-year “exile” in California would stir up an Intensity-10 shaker? The boyish ’80s Regal Baby got entangled in a court case filed by his manager, Rose Flaminiano. Together, they dragged into the mess other people, including Gabby’s friend Nadia Montenegro and Flaminiano’s “defender” Cristy Fermin who was slapped with a three-month suspension by ABS-CBN in the process. Nobody emerged a winner from the “free-for-all.” The loser? Gabby’s ailing father Rollie Concepcion whose heart condition was reportedly aggravated by the ugly incident.

Passing mention: Baron Geisler sued for “sexual harassment” by Patricia Martinez, daughter of William Martinez and Yayo Aguila.

The never-ending real-life ‘teleserye’ starring Gretchen Barretto and Tonyboy Cojuangco

Newsmaker for all seasons this year and years before and, for sure, in the years ahead, Gretchen Barretto proves true to her image as “The Paris Hilton of the Philippines,” with her every move and every word faithfully monitored by the media. Whether he likes it or not, her beloved Tonyboy Cojuangco — along with a popular playboy-businessman — is (reluctantly) caught in the eye of the storm.

The Willie Revillame-Joey de Leon ratings game

They have both cried on their respective noontime shows on separate occasions, Willie Revillame on ABS-CBN’s Wowowee and Joey de Leon on GMA’s Eat, Bulaga!, in the thick of the fierce ratings rivalry. But during the Supreme Awards that highlighted the first anniversary of this paper’s Supreme section, the “bitter” rivals kissed and made up, with Supreme boss Tim Yap acting as “bridge.”

Baby Boom

The stork was unusually busy delivering babies conceived in liberty, those by Aubrey Miles (and Troy Montero), Sheree (and Gian Magdangal), Alicia Meyer (and a Bulacan politician), Jennylyn Mercado (and Patrick Garcia), Jenny Hernandez, two (unidentified) Sexbomb girls and the non-showbiz girlfriend of Paolo Ballesteros. Those born “within wedlock” were those by Camille Prats, Nanette Medved, Inah Revilla, Danica Sotto and Jennifer Sevilla. Expectant unwed moms (who proudly announced their “achievement” on national television): Angelika dela Cruz, Nancy Jane (formerly Castiglione), Mylene Dizon (again by Paolo Paraiso like her first baby) and Vina Morales (by a controversial businessman); and “wed moms” Dawn Zulueta (by husband Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo, their second child) and Jaya (by non-showbiz husband, also their second).

Those who tied the knot: Jude Estrada and Rowena Ocampo (non-showbiz), Bernadette Sembrano and Emilio Aguinaldo IV (non-showbiz), Inah Revilla and Vince del Rosario (non-showbiz), Joyce Jimenez and Paul Ely Egbalic (non-showbiz), Chesca Garcia and basketball player Doug Kramer, and Nina Corpuz and Vince Rodriguez.

The Karylle-Dingdong Dantes-Marian Rivera triangle

Where does love go when it dies? To showbiz headlines, that’s where! The most celebrated break-up was that of Karylle and Dingdong Dantes, with Marian Rivera accused as the “third party” even if neither she nor Dingdong has confirmed up to now if they are really “on” (although showbiz-observers say that their action speaks louder than their words).

Other break-ups: Jericho Rosales and Heart Evangelista, Paolo Contis and Isabel Oli, Dennis Trillo and Carlene Aguilar (with Cristine Reyes thrown in for good measure), Iza Calzado and her US-based non-showbiz boyfriend, Sam Milby and Anne Curtis, Pauleen Luna and Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Sheryl Cruz and John Norman Bustos, Anjo Yllana and Jackie Manzano (reconciled), Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz (reconciled), and Jolo Revilla and Lovi Poe (reconciled).

The Ces Drilon kidnapping

We followed every detail, and every twist and turn, of this headline-making incident, didn’t we? Ces is back as co-anchor of the ABS-CBN late-night newscast Bandila after having been suspended, following her release by Muslim rebels.

The rudely-interrupted eraserheads reunion concert

Halfway into the much-awaited reunion concert of the Eraserheads, vocalist Ely Buendia complained of chest pains and breathing difficulty, and rushed to the hospital where he underwent an angioplasty. Will there be another “re-reunion” concert with other E-Heads Buddy Zabala, Raimund Marasigan and Marcus Adoro? Abangan!

The family ‘feud’ between the Revillas and the Del Rosarios

Did you know that the May wedding of Inah Revilla (daughter of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Lani Mercado) and Vince del Rosario was almost scrapped at the last minute because of the intrigue that nearly ripped the two families apart? All was well that ended well. Inah and Vince’s first child was born on Sept. 30, the same day former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. (now well on the road to recovery) was rushed to the hospital due to a stroke.

The Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho files

Ho-hum! Aren’t we tired of these lovebirds who have broken up and who have kissed and made up; and who have broken up (again!), driving Dr. Hayden to a suicide attempt by over-dosing on unidentified pills, and who just might kiss and make up (oh no, not) again!?! Next “patient,” please!

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