Albie 'clueless' about being a dad

Since last June when the news about Andi Eigenmann’s pregnancy broke out (no thanks to Andi’s mom Jaclyn Jose who confirmed instead of simply keeping mum about it), Albie Casiño has been mum about the issue even if Andi initially pointed to him as her baby’s father even without naming him.

But Albie couldn’t help but confront the issue last Wednesday when he showed up for the presscon of Regal Films’ undas release, Aswang (topbilling Lovi Poe and Paulo Avelino, opening on Wednesday, Nov. 2), his movie debut directed by Jerrold Tarog. He couldn’t continue being evasive especially since Andi is reportedly giving birth third week of November.

Still, Albie was tentative in his answers, saying only “I don’t know” to most of the questions.

Asked if he’s “the father” (as Andi herself identified him in her Twitter, calling him Baby Daddy, and promptly deleted the entry, but not before the whole world had read it), Albie said, “I don’t know.”

Would he agree to a DNA test if and when?

“I don’t know.”

Is he ready to be a father?

“I don’t know,” adding, “of course, not!”

He said that he and Andi went steady for one year and a half, and they had already broken up when Jaclyn confirmed Andi’s pregnancy in a TV newscast.

“I was 17 then,” confirmed Albie (who turned 18 last May 14) and therefore a minor; while Andi was 21.

What if, Andi’s baby grew up looking like him (no need for a DNA test then), how would he feel (lukso ng dugo, as they would say)?

“I don’t know.”

Contrary to suspicion, ABS-CBN didn’t reduce Albie into a “frozen delight” after the controversy broke out.

“After Mara Clara,” said Albie who has an existing contract with the company, “I did an episode for Maalaala Mo Kaya and the Magic Wallet episode in Wansapanataym, and appeared in 100 Days To Heaven with Christopher de Leon and Coney Reyes. It was a big honor working with them.”

Didn’t he feel bypassed when Star Cinema replaced him with Enrique Gil in Mara Clara’s movie version?

“No, not at all. No regrets. May mas maganda namang kapalit,” referring to Aswang which is the first of the three-picture contract he has signed with Regal. “Mas maganda ang role, mas bigger.”

Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde said she believes that Albie has the makings of a leading man.

“He’s an innocent boy; he reminds me of Anthony Perkins (of Psycho fame),” added Mother Lily. “I’m impressed by his professionalism and potential as an actor. I believe that life’s challenges will only make him a better actor and a person. His experiences will hopefully give his acting depth.”

Perhaps not many people know that Albie comes from a decent family (his mother, Rina, belongs to the prominent Lee clan of Sorsogon) that includes politicians, judges and businessmen. He’s a La Salle Greenhills high school graduate who has put college on hold while he’s focused on his showbiz career.

After he and Andi broke up, Albie said he hasn’t had a new girlfriend (he had two before he met Andi).

And what’s the best lesson that he has learned from the experience?

“I should be more careful,” Albie smiled, adding, “It’s true what they say…What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Inside story of Kimerald’s graduation

Not many people know that matinee idols Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, fondly called “Kimerald” by their legions of fans, graduated from high school last March without much fanfare. It was the fulfillment of their long-time dream to get their diploma despite having such busy and hectic showbiz schedules which prevented them from attending class as full-time students.

Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu proudly show their high school diploma which they obtained with the help of Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara (center)

In their quest, they were assisted by an unlikely source — the office of Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara. A member of Sonny’s staff turned out to be a friend of Kim and Gerald. By coincidence, Sonny was also working on several measures in Congress to strengthen the country’s educational programs, one of them the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems or BALS of the Department of Education which provides education to students uniquely situated or out-of-school youths.

Kim and Gerald did not know that there was a way for them to graduate from school without sacrificing their highly successful careers. Kim was the first to signify her intention to take the High School Accreditation and Equivalency Exam of the BALS under DepEd. When Gerald found out about this, he didn’t hesitate to do the same. The rest, as they say, is history. Both stars passed and Kim was the commencement speaker for her batch during the graduation ceremony. The diploma they received was signed by no other than DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro.

In a heart-warming speech, Kim detailed how it had been her life-long dream to finish her studies. “Libre po ang mangarap,” she said.

Those in the audience were touched when Kim had to stop in the middle of her speech when she turned emotional and had to pause to stop from bursting into tears.

Interestingly, Gerald’s new sitcom Budoy deals with a special child?whose dream is to continue his education. “I salute Gerald for taking on a deglamorized role in order to bring across this message,” said Sonny.

“Sana sa tulong nila, at naming mga mambabatas, mabigyan ng nararapat na atensyon ang mga problema ukol sa pangangailangan ng kabataan at ng edukasyon.”?Sonny is happy that he was able to act as intermediary between the stars and the government. “Maraming magagandang programa ang gobyerno, di lang alam ng iba, so we are only too happy to do our bit,” said Sonny.

Kim and Gerald have certainly come a long way. From mere students on vacation and trying their luck in Pinoy Big Brother, they have now become role models for the Filipino youth. “Nakakatuwa na kahit gaano na silang kasikat, na-prioritize pa rin nila Kim at Gerald ang kanilang edukasyon at ang pagkuha ng kanilang high school diploma. It sends such a good message to the Filipino youth,” said Sonny.

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