Utang na loob nangibabaw, John nakonsensiyang layasan ang Kapamilya

Inamin ni John Prats that there really was an attempt on his part to leave ABS-CBN at lumipat ng GMA-7, where younger sister Camille Prats have been under contract to for three years now.

But an executive of the Network, which he would rather not mention who, John revealed ang nagkumbinse sa kanyang mag-stay.

‘‘Actually,’’ said John. ‘‘The idea alone that I was going to leave the Kapamilya saddened me.

‘‘For the more than 20 years that I’ve been with the Network, ‘di lang I considered ABS-CBN home, labis na ring napamahal ito sa akin.

‘‘But sometimes nga, you want more than to just move on. Lalo’t on my part na I’m about to get married na.

‘‘In the end, however, ang nanaig sa akin ay ‘di lang utang na loob sa ABS-CBN, kundi ang pagmamahal ko na ring nadarama at ipinuhunan dito,’’ pahayag pa ni John.

Angelica at JM parehong escortless sa premiere ng kanilang pelikula

We got the chance to have a short conversation with John at the premiere of the now showing That Thing Called Tadhana, starring Angelica Panganiban, a fellow mainstay of the two gag show, Banana Nite and Banana Split (Extra Scoop).

Like him, Angelica also started as a child performer at the Kapamilya. Kaya, talaga raw parang magkapamilya na raw sila si Angelica.

Another mainstay of the two gag shows na dumalo sa event was Jason Gainza.

Other celebrity guests present ang newly-wed couple Dingdong Dantes at Marian Rivera, Pokwang, Vice Ganda, Mark Bautista, Empoy Marquez, Meg Imperial, Bea Alonzo, Sofia Andres, Kechup Eusebio, Igi Boy Flores, and Eliza Pineda, former child actress and a graduating college student from U.P., eager to stage a comeback in showbiz.

By the way, both Angelica at JM de Guzman arrived ‘‘escortless.’’

John Lloyd Cruz was at a taping for his sitcom kasama si Toni Gonzaga, Home Sweetie Home, ayon kay Angelica.

JM on the other hand said, wala naman daw talagang somebody special na puwede niyang isama sa event.

Loveless in short, at the moment si JM.

Meanwhile, Direk Antoinette Jadaone’s presence at the premiere of her movie, That Thing…, was not, kumbaga, ‘‘felt.’’

Dumating natural si Direk Joyce Bernal, director Antoinette’s supposed mentor, and very vocal about her admiration for her now famous protégé.

That Thing… is not Direk Antoinette’s first directorial job. She was also at the helm of the Iñigo Pascual-Sofia Andres first starrer, Relax, It’s Just Pag-ibig.

Neither is That Thing… her first film with Angelica bilang bida. She was at the helm too, ng unang pinagbidahang indie film ng aktres na Beauty in a Bottle.

But the movie, which director Antoinette herself admit, kung saan nagkaroon ng malaking impact sa mga manonood, carrying her name so to speak, was English Only, Please.

A Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry last year, English Only, Please won for its lead performers, Derek Ramsay at Jennylyn Mercado, a best actor and best actress trophy, respectively.

Director of photography Dan Villegas, who marks his directorial debut with English Only…, romped away with the best director’s plum.

‘‘Ako naman, ‘di ba I won both the best story and screenplay trophy for the movie,’’ ungkat ni Direk Antoinette.