Soon-to-be moms na sina Ciara at Melissa, babae ang gustong panganay

Two new moms, who both hope their panganays will be a girl are Ciara Sotto at Melissa Ricks.

Ciara, who is married to Eat Bulaga executive Joe Oconer, is reportedly nine weeks pregnant. In the case of Melissa, halata na raw ang pagbubuntis ng dalaga.

Currently in Cebu, walang report kung sino ang ama ng magiging anak ni Melissa. Although before she took a leave from work, sinabi niya sa mga interviews, she had a new boyfriend, a former classmate.

The last celebrity linked to Melissa was Jake Paul Castillo, dating Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate, who is often seen in the long-running series, Be Careful With My Heart.

Jake’s current girlfriend is Kaye Abad, na ex ng singer na si Guji Lorenzana.

Helen sabik sa babaeng apo!

Matutuwa si Helen Gamboa, kapag ang magiging apo niya kay Ciara ay babae. Halos pawang lalaki ang mga apo nila ni Senator Tito Sotto. Sa anak lang na si Gian, tatlo na at pawang ang guguwapo ng kanilang mga apo.

Gian is Helen and Senator Sotto’s only son sa apat nilang anak. He is currently a Councilor ng 3rd district ng Quezon City.

Magpinsang Rafa at Cris nag-enjoy sa Tondo

We got the chance na ma-meet last Tuesday si Ciara sa presscon ng Hari ng Tondo, which is Direk Carlitos Siguion-Reyna’s first indie film.

The presscon was held at the residence nina Direk Carlitos at Bibeth Orteza sa Forbes Park.

A Cinemalaya X’s Directors’ Showcase entry, Hari ng Tondo, aside from Ciara, also stars Robert Arevalo, who plays the title role, kasama rin sina Liza Lorena, Aiza Seguerra, Eric Quizon, Ali Sotto, Rez Cortez, Lorenz Martinez, Audie Gemorna, Gian Magdangal, at Lui Manzala.

Two Siguion-Reyna kids, Cris (Villonco) and Rafa (Siguion-Reyna), ang gumanap na apo ni Robert bilang Hari ng Tondo.

Tondo may marka pa rin ni Direk Carlitos

Directing a movie with Tondo as backdrop is a dream come true para kay Direk Carlitos. Ipinanganak siya sa Tondo, he said, but grew up in Tinajeros, Malabon.

Then the family, he narrated, transferred to Makati, where he and his two siblings grew up.

Siya ang panganay ni Tita Midz (Armida Siguion-Reyna).

Robert in the movie, scripted by Bibeth, is the story of a father, who came from a poor beginning pero dahil sa hard work at perseverance ay naging matagumpay sa kanyang business. He amassed wealth.

Unfortunately, he grew up one day to discover na saddled na siya with debt.

Thus, he had no choice but to return to his birthplace.

During the presscon, we were shown a few scenes ng pelikula at na-realize namin that Direk Carlitos has not lost his touch as a director.

Several films of his na idinirek won for him not just good reviews, but awards as well. Such as Azucena, Ikaw Pa Lang Ang Minahal, Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin, at Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, which saw the birth of the still much-admired love team to date, Richard Gomez at Dawn Zulueta.

Robert Arevalo umaariba

Of Robert, he started his showbiz career, he said, exactly on April 2, 1960.

His first film, Huwag Mo Akong Limutin, ay idinerehe by his late uncle, Gerry de Leon, a National Artist for Films.

Tinampukan din ang pelikula of the late Arsenia Francisco and Aura Aurea.

Robert is married to Barbara Perez, an equally award-winning performer. Mayroon silang dalawang daughter.

He first worked with Liza (Lorena), he said, in one of Mother Lily’s entries in the early years of the Metro Manila Filmfest (MMFF), Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Kasalukuyan siyang kasama sa Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real, aired daily on GMA 7, starring Maricel Soriano, Lovi Poe, and Dingdong Dantes.