Gretch & Marjorie on the ‘warpath?’

This just in:

An oven-hot story reached Funfare that the Barretto sisters Gretchen and Marjorie are…on the “warpath?”

The story should come as a surprise to showbiz-watchers who know that Gretchen and Marjorie are on one side against their sister Claudine and their mom Inday in the long-prolonged family feud that has yet to see its resolution or closure, with the world standing by as if watching a teleserye with headline-hogging twists and turns.

So how come Gretchen and Marjorie are now on opposite sides?

What Funfare heard is this:

While in London with her beloved Tonyboy Cojuangco, Gretchen regularly watched Forevermore, the hit ABS-CBN teleserye starring Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano (real name: Hope Elizabeth), who is the Kapamilya network’s newest hot property, not just pretty but also talented, whose following is fast growing by the day. Gretchen has a soft spot for Enrique with whom she co-starred in Princess & I, another ABS-CBN teleserye, and who was the lead actor in Mirabella, an afternoon soap with Julia Barretto, Marjorie’s daughter/Gretchen’s niece, as co-star.

In a post on her Instagram, Gretchen congratulated Enrique for a job well done (in Forevermore), as well as the whole cast including Liza, naturally. Marjorie didn’t like it since she is said to consider Liza as Julia’s “rival,” and she told Gretchen about her displeasure.

Liza Soberano on the cover of Benchmark magazine, reprinted from Bench Boss Ben Chan’s Instagram

The social-media “war” has begun.

A photo of Liza posted by Ben Chan on Instagram got the attention of Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco (who is a Waray from Catbalogan, Western Samar) and that of Gretchen who, again on her Instagram, described Liza as “awesome-looking young lady.” You can just imagine how Marjorie felt about Gretchen’s comment.

Incidentally, Michael has reportedly been commissioned by Marjorie to design three gowns (guess how much they are worth) for Julia’s debut early next month, an event surrounded by lurking controversy involving Julia’s estranged father, Dennis Padilla, who was deeply hurt when Julia agreed to have her surname (Baldivia) legally changed to Barretto.

The dilemma: Will Julia invite Dennis to her debut? If she does, it will lessen the impact of how she reportedly snubbed her father during a Christmas party last December, a disrespectful act contrary to the Filipino tradition of honoring one’s parents (or the elderly in general). But according to reports, Dennis may decline the invitation because he might just be “used” to “sanitize” Julia’s image badly tarnished by that snubbing incident.

Meanwhile, while without any new Kapamilya show, Julia will play second lead to Nadine Lustre (and James Reid) in a movie to be co-produced by Star Cinema (Julia’s home studio) and Viva Films, as Liza Soberano’s star continues to grow bigger and brighter.

Jennylyn: Happily single

English Only, Please Best Actor and Best Actress Derek Ramsay and Jennylyn Mercado are together again in Jennylyn’s concert Oo Na! Ako Na Mag-isa! Samahan N’yo Naman Ako! on Friday, Feb. 13, at the SM Skydome

Inspired by the surprise success of her 2014 Metro Filmfest movie English Only, Please (with Derek Ramsay, both of them won Best Actress/Actor), Jennylyn Mercado is starring in Oo Na! Ako Na Mag-isa! Samahan N’yo Naman Ako!, which is derived from one of the memorable lines delivered by her character in the movie, at the SM Skydome at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13.

Presented by GMA Network in cooperation with SM North Skydome, Becky Aguila Entertainment & Marketing Services, Quantum Music, Tuko Film Productions and MJM Productions, the concert has as guests Jennylyn’s exes Mark Herras and Dennis Trillo, Kean Cipriano, Gloc-9, Jerald Napoles, Nico Antonio, Papa Jack, Cai Cortez (who is also in the cast of English Only, Please) and Derek, directed by Calvin Neria with Louie Ocampo as musical director and Georcelle of G Force as choreographer.

After breaking up with Luis Manzano (now happily reconciled with Angel Locsin), Jennylyn has remained fancy-free, so a Funfare Q&A with her focused on her present state of being.

How long do you think you can survive being single?

“I am not in a rush. Pero gusto ko sanang i-clarify na hindi maganda na ma-associate ang pagiging single with survival. Hindi dahil single ka, malungkot ka o may kulang. Whatever your relationship status is, as long as you’re happy then you know everything will be all right.”

With you, once a relationship is over, it’s over na ba talaga, no more second time around?

“I don’t know. It’s hard to say. Pero definitely if you break up with someone, ibig sabihin something went wrong, mahirap balikan ang pagkakamali. But who knows, di ba? Pero so far, wala pa akong binabalikan or binalikan na ex.”

What lessons (or “mistakes”) did you learn from past relationships that will guide you in your future relationship?

“Two lessons po. One, always put yourself first; and two, never let anyone make you feel that you are not good enough.”

How does a single girl spend Valentine’s?

“With my family. Date ko si Jazz, my son. But this Valentine’s Day, I will be in Balesin Island for the wedding of Heart and Chiz. No, I will not sing; I will be one of the secondary sponsors.”

What’s your most memorable Valentine?

“Lahat ay memorable for different reasons. Mahirap mamili.”

Is it a “must” for a guy courting you to love not only you but also your son (you know, “love me, love my son”)?

“Definitely! Non-negotiable.”

(Note: According to lawyer-producer Joji Alonso [of Quantum Films], one of the producers of Jennylyn’s concert, VIP and Gold tickets have long been sold out; only very few Silver tickets at P1,000 each are available, call 470-2222 if interested. Former Pres./Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada bought three tickets and Jennylyn is expecting him to show up. When Erap teased Jennylyn as he presented her the Best Actress award at last December’s Metrofest Gabi ng Parangal, they became a fodder for the showbiz gossip mill.)

Derek happy to be back at ABS-CBN

Derek Ramsay’s contract with the Kapatid Network is expiring in a few months and he doesn’t say if he’s renewing it or not. His new Kapatid show, Mac & Chiz (with Empoy Marquez), is attracting followers.

But Derek is definitely happy to be working again with ABS-CBN, in a movie with his good friend Kris Aquino (for Star Cinema).

Here’s Derek’s statement:

I am very happy to have the opportunity to work again with ABS-CBN through Star Cinema. I am always consistent in saying that the network played a big part in making who I am today as an actor. I know that with the renewed relationship with me and my manager, not only good things but bigger and better things will come. Salamat kay Sir Gabby (Lopez), Ma’am Charo (Santos-Concio), Ma’am Malou (Santos) and Tita Cory (Vidanes), and the whole Channel 2 family, for opening their doors to us again. God bless their good hearts. I am grateful…salamat talaga!

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