Heart on leave from showbiz

Curtain-raiser:

• This blind item won’t mention the “what” and the “when” but only the “why” and the “how.” After winning an award, an actress suddenly aimed high…much too high!...so she dropped the manager that gave her biggest break in local showbiz and got another manager. Reason? The actress dreams to be as a big star as her kababayan who is recognized internationally. Her first manager frankly told her that it’s an “impossible dream” since it’s a bit too late to start now. Can the new manager push the overly ambitious actress to, ehem, greater heights?

***

Heart Evangelista and husband Sen. Chiz Escudero are set for their ‘joint venture.

Her contract with GMA has expired (last project was My Korean Jagiya with K-Pop star Alexander Lee) so Heart Evangelista is deadset on finally buckling down to her and husband Sen. Chiz Escudero’s oft-postponed joint venture — working on their first child. It’s about time since they have just marked their third wedding anniversary last month. Heart has been acting as mom to her stepchildren (Chiz’s twin son and daughter from a previous marriage) and she’s ready to be a mom to her own child.

The GMA bosses have given Heart their blessing but made sure that Heart renewed her contract.

Away from showbiz, Heart is pre-occupied with several projects, starting with her second exhibit titled Love Marie: In Full Bloom at the New Art Exhibit at Ayala Museum’s Artspace from March 27 to April 12. Her subjects show more maturity, are more aggressive, and that’s because, according to Heart (whose first exhibit was a sell-out), “I have found myself and I am now more sure about the path that I am taking as an artist; I have also become more comfortable in baring more of myself.”

She’s also ready to open Marie x Maison which sells bags and home products that she herself designs. After her Nescafé Gold, her latest, Heart is slated to do more endorsements. The advocacies she’s supporting include Balikatang Thalassemia, Corridor of Hope, PAWS, Cerebral Palsy Association of Sorsogon and Kusina ng Kalinga ng Gawad Kalinga.

“I just learned a new dish,” Heart proudly announced. “I don’t really cook but the Kusina ng Kalinga team was kind enough to teach me their recipe. Anyone who wants to help and to volunteer should visit the @gawadkalinga Facebook page.”

Aicelle all set for Miss Saigon tour

Aicelle Santos on her five-day training with choreographer Arnold Trinidad before she leaves for UK to play bar girl Gigi van Tranh in the Miss Saigon tour.

Thursday (March 22) next week, Aicelle Santos will leave for the UK to start rehearsals for the Miss Saigon tour in which she will play Gigi van Tranh, the bar girl originated by Isay Alvarez on London’s West End. Effective April 30, Aicelle will replace Na-Young Jeon, the Dutch-South Korean actress who has also played Kim in the same Cameron Mackintosh musical.

Asked what tip she would give Aicelle, Isay (whose husband Robert Seña has played Thuy in Saigon) told Funfare, “Robert and I are happy that Aicelle is doing this. She will learn a lot more from the experience. I suggest that she brushes up on her dance skill and the rest she can swing it very well. That is the only challenge she will encounter.”

Aicelle saying ‘Yes!’ to boyfriend Mark Zambrano’s proposal.

That’s why these past few days, after winding up her performance as Elsa in the Himala musical, Aicelle has been training with choreographer Arnold Trinidad at 8th Note Studio in Quezon City.

“Arnold is a former cast member,” said Carlo Orosa, Aicelle’s manager. “The Miss Saigon production requires Aicelle to undergo five days of preparation before she leaves for Manchester where she will be transitioning with the UK cast for one month prior to the opening.”

In an interview with The STAR, Aicelle admitted that she had to train physically because she would be wearing bikinis in the musical, her first time to be “exposed” onstage.

“Aicelle will feel right at home in the musical,” added Carlo, “because she will be performing with some kababayan including Red Concepcion (as The Engineer), Christian Rey Marbella (alternates as The Engineer) and Gerald Santos (as Thuy).”

Last March 7, Mark Zambrano caught Aicelle by surprise when he proposed to her at the rooftop of Seda Hotel.

“Aicelle shouldn’t let herself be distracted by her love life,” noted a theater veteran. “At least for the one year that she’s in UK, she should be focused on her performance.”

Kiana, other Filipinas barred from L.A. show

Seven Filipinas including Kiana Valenciano (photo) were not allowed to participate in the LA Fashion Week.

This piece of bad news was related to Funfare by Chuck Gomez, PR guy of the Valencianos, who enclosed an official statement from Kiana’s mom-manager Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano:

I am so sad that Kiana was not able to participate in the opening day of the prestigious LA Fashion Week as she was invited for a very special cause — the AIDS Foundation. Seven Filipinas (including Miss Earth Jamie Herrell and Kiana) were not allowed to walk the ramp for the opening fashion show at the Macarthur at 9 p.m. of Elie Madi, and ironically, also two top Filipino designers, Resty Lagare and Rocky Gathercole.

All of them flew to L.A. for the fund-raiser from the Middle East and the Philippines. Due to this situation, Jacob Meir, the owner of For the Stars Fashion House, the “home” of the three designers on Melrose Avenue, refused to allow the designers to continue with the fashion show because he would not allow the Filipino models. He is planning another event instead.

I believe, however, that everything happens for a reason and that God has better plans for Kiana. In behalf of Manila Genesis and Kiana, Gary and I would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all those who continue to believe in and support her. After hearing about the incident, the local Fil-Am media flocked to the store of Mr. Meir and interviewed the designers, Mr. Meir and Kiana.

What could be the reason for the sad incident?

“Racism,” said Chuck, “dahil Filipina daw po si Kiana.”

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