A magnet for controversy

Some people say she seduces controversies. Others say, she thrives in them. But whatever she does, on or off camera, she becomes the talk of tinseltown. Cristine Reyes is one of the most interesting showbiz figures I have known. I like her spontaneity. She does not mince words. She speaks her mind and she has opinions of her own. And whatever issues that come her way, she approaches them head on. She is also very sensual and she is not afraid to show it.

On The Buzz last Sunday, Cristine was my special guest on The Abunda Challenge. Here’s what transpired during that Q&A portion:

Angel Locsin, Marian Rivera, Cristine Reyes, who is the sexiest? Who comes in second and third?

Angel Locsin is second, Marian is third because I am not close to her, ang first ako siempre. Love your own!

Of all the girls Dennis Trillo loved before, can you honestly say that you are the prettiest?

Ako siempre.

Is it true that the reason why you left Ampalaya Anonymous (a group composed of  Angel, Cristine Reyes, Maxene Magalona, Glaiza de Castro, Bianca King, Bubbles Paraiso and Rich Asuncion) is because you felt you were left hanging on the air when you had a misunderstanding with Pauleen Luna?

Yes.

Is it true that you had a falling out with Maxene and Angel because of this?

Yes.

You and Sarah Geronimo have been the subject of intrigues. Is there a reason why you should be guilty about Sarah?

None.

You are in front of Sarah. What would you like to say to her aside from hi and hello?

I talked to her earlier. I told her I don’t have BBM anymore and to please tell our common friend Ate Ana because she might be sending messages through BBM.

Is it true that you tried to commit suicide because of a man?

No.

Which is more important, love or family?

Family.

Who is the hottest among Rayver Cruz, Zanjoe Marudo and Dennis?

For me the hottest among them… yong totoo lang naman si Zanjoe talaga.

Have you loved a man more than you have loved Dennis?

Daddy ko.

Have you been kissed by Rayver on the lips off cam?

Opo, siempre naging kami.

Are you on with Rayver?

No.

Do you love Rayver?

I can’t answer.

Cristine chose to walk away and I was in awe of this girl’s forthrightness. I love Cristine Reyes.

Lea’s biggest challenge

Lea Salonga who was just spectacular when she guested in Ai-Ai delas Alas’ concert at the Araneta Coliseum a few days ago revealed the biggest challenge of her life:

“Noong nasa Ms. Saigon ako, I was about 18 or 19 at hindi ko naranasan na mawalan ng boses ng ganun. It was my first Christmas in London and my voice was going away. It started with a cold and then you go back to work while you’re still sick and all of a sudden you start swelling in the vocal cords. And when you don’t know what’s happening to you, it leads to waking up at 2 a.m., you’re having a nervous breakdown and you’re having cold sweats. It’s good thing my mom was with me. She called one of her good friends who said she needs to see a doctor. I saw somebody, then Cameron Mackintosh sent me to another doctor, one of the people that they normally work with who said that “she cannot sing, she cannot speak for three weeks, after for two weeks, pwede na sya mag-vocal therapy tapos mag-umpisa sa singing teacher. It was through that where I learned vocal technique.” That woman took my voice apart, parang Lego na binaklas and put together everything.”

Lea who was under contract to do Ms. Saigon at that time continued, “Paano ko matatapos ang kontrata mabuti na lang they sent me to a doctor. They changed my schedule from eight shows a week to five shows a week. We didn’t know what to do. It was tough. My mom when she remembers it, would start to cry. Kami lang dalawa doon. And the friends that we had were the friends I had on the show.”

Lea who has a new album titled Lea Salonga Your Song under Sony BMG joins the ranks of Celine Dion, Susan Sarandon as United Nations Ambassador Against Hunger.