Why Christian picked Paula as MTV partner

Check out Christian Bautista in the music video of Tell Me Your Name, one of the 20 songs on Romance Revisited: The Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan (released by Universal Records), his tribute to the Original Romantic Balladeer, and you will notice the unmistakable glow in his eyes as he strolls around the Manila Ocean Park with MTV girl Paula Taylor, singing “You’re lovely, tell me your name” to her.

Paula, last seen as Vic Sotto’s leading lady in the comedy-romance Love On Line, was Christian’s personal choice because he happens to have a big crush on her.

No problem, said Christian.

“I’m single,” he said, and happily so.

He has broken up with Rachelle Ann Go (who is currently going steady with Gab Valenciano...or have they split up, too?) and is not in a hurry to find a new girlfriend.

“I’m not desperately seeking,” said Christian, adding, “I’m happy for Rachelle and Gab.”

Well and good, because even if he wanted to, Christian couldn’t have a love life because he’s prevented from having one by those charting his career (Audie Gemora and Carlo Orosa of Trumpets Inc., the group charting Christian’s career).

Christian is being touted as (the new) Romantic Balladeer.

“So he has to be fancy-free,” said Audie to, you know, sustain the illusion that he’s “available” (as in “up for grabs”). “So hindi maganda sa image niya ang nakatali sa isang girl.”

Romance Revisited should affirm Christian’s image as a Romantic Balladeer. He has given Jose Mari’s classic hits a new interpretation while at the same time retaining the Jose Mari Chan “mellow” trademark.

“I’ve been a Jose Mari Chan fan since I was a kid. I know all his songs by heart.”

Among Jose Mari’s songs, Christian’s favorite is, like everybody else’s, Beautiful Girl.

“It’s so romantic,” said Christian, “ I like the longing for love that’s right there in front of you na ayaw mong pakawalan. Ang sarap kantahin sa isang babae.” Like Paula Taylor, you know.

The album is Christian’s first for Universal Records to which he transferred from Warner Music.

“No bad blood between Warner and me,” assured Christian. “I will forever be grateful to Warner for building me up, for taking care of me.”

Incidentally, did you know that Christian is an ectomorph (that’s why his posture seems to be somewhat crooked)?

“It’s a condition characterized by a lean, slender body build with slight muscular development. If I work out for more than one hour, mahihirapan na ako mag-gain ng weight even if I eat a lot, not to mention the fact na mabilis ang metabolism ko. I burn everything I eat; I just sweat and sweat and sweat. The opposite of ectomorph is endomorph. ‘Yon naman, mabilis lumaki pero mahirap magpapayat.”

(Note: Catch Christian Bautista at SM Fairview on Sunday, Oct. 11, and SM Baguio on Nov. 20. Also, if you buy the Romance Revisited CD at Odyssey outlets, you get a free minus-one CD.)

Richard for the environment

Because of his impressive hosting work on three GMA Public Affairs documentaries on preserving the environment (Signos, Full Force and Planet Philippines), Richard Gutierrez has been tapped anew to co-host a similar docu, Ondoy Environmental Special Report, with Vicky Morales which is airing on Saturday, Oct. 10, 9:30 p.m., after Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

In the Ondoy special, Richard and Vicky dwell on the problems and tragedies brought about by the super typhoon which flooded the entire Metro Manila area and nearby provinces. They will also enumerate the do’s and don’t’s during a typhoon.

Richard will relate the complete story of how he rescued Patient X leading lady Cristine Reyes from the rooftop of her house in Provident Village, Marikina City.

Ella Evangelista-Marcelino, program unit manager of GMA News and Public Affairs, said Richard right away came to mind when the Ondoy special was planned.

Said Ella, “We’ve worked with Richard several times and we were impressed with his professionalism and dedication. He contributed so many useful ideas while doing Planet Philippines.”

Richard said it was his honor and pleasure to work with the people of GMA.

Although he’s busy working on the post-production of Patient X, he took time out to host with Vicky the Ondoy special.

“I’ll always have time for an environmental special, knowing how much benefits it gives to the public.”

Directed and written by Yam Laranas, Patient X is produced by Viva Films, GMA Films and Richard’s newly formed movie outfit, R Gutz Productions.

Why Ronnie is ‘scarce’ these days

These past several months, Ronnie Ricketts has been scarce on the showbiz scene. No, he hasn’t said goodbye to showbiz; it’s just that he and wife Mariz are preoccupied with their real-estate business.

But Ronnie will soon shoot a movie (presumably Ang Probinsyano) with Sen. Lito Lapid while Mariz appears in soaps and occasionally guests in TV shows.

Ronnie supports some charity endeavors, including projects of the Philippine Cancer Society and the anti-drug campaign. He joins all-star basketball exhibitions in the provinces.

The couple’s children, Marella, 14, and Marie, 11, have appeared in a few commercials but no mainstream showbiz yet, thank you.

“We want them to concentrate on their studies,” said Mariz.

Meanwhile, Ronnie’s parents, Max and Edith Ricketts, are busy with their real-estate business in San Diego, California, where they often play host to visiting friends from the Philippines.

“Our friends can call us up anytime they are in San Diego (number is 619-390-9578),” said Edith in an e-mail to Funfare. “Or they can e-mail us at [email protected].”

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