Man with a midas touch
He is known to have the magic touch. Any movie or TV project John Lloyd Cruz does turns to gold, which is why he has been crowned "box office king" since 2007. Many are saying he is a shoo-in for the award yet again for blockbuster hits such as My Amnesia Girl and I Miss You Like Crazy.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Cruz is cooking up something this year. "It's an off-beat role, one that I haven't done before that's why I'm thrilled," he told tabloid!. He has been meeting with ABS-CBN's creative group for the planned movie project.
"And I'm also busy with Imortal," he says of his ongoing TV series opposite Angel Locsin. The vampire-themed show had a great start, but has been losing steam of late.
"I cannot deny we were inspired by Twilight, but ours has a different story altogether. We're doing our best to sustain the momentum, but you also cannot control competition. Within ABS-CBN alone there are so many good shows, but we're confident our viewers will stick to us as we reveal more highlights in the days to come," says Cruz.
Professionally, 2010 was a good year for the young superstar, but he was bogged down by rumours alleging that he and his actress girlfriend, Shaina Magdayao, were taken to a hospital in a rather compromising situation. Although Cruz and Magdayao have already issued denials, the story persisted.
"We dare people to come out with any evidence. People won't think twice taking videos or pictures of us in that situation — that's a big story. Where are the videos or the pictures?"
Cruz says he has been in the business so long he can take things in stride. "But I wish they wouldn't involve people I love. If it were just me, I can take on anything."
Mercado Snubbed
Jennylyn Mercado has denied she was deeply hurt after failing to get a nomination in the hotly-contested best actress category at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The award went to Ai-Ai de las Alas, whose lobbying in the days prior to the festival paid off handsomely. Many expected the young actress to win the award for her stirring performance in Rosario, but come awards night, she wasn't even on the list of nominees. Mercado did a wonderful job in the movie, and she is sure to get acting nominations in the awards circuit this year, so the festival awards shouldn't be a big loss to her. Since the organisation of the MMFF was handed over to the government, it has been perceived as a commercial undertaking rather than a celebration of artistic and cinematic excellence.
Loverboy jake
Jake Cuenca has apparently shed his playboy image after finally admitting that he and actress Melissa Ricks are dating. He also revealed that he loves lavishing his girlfriend with expensive gifts, making Ricks the envy of many. "I just want her to know how special she is, that's all. It's not really about how expensive the gift is, it's more of her knowing how important and valuable she is to me that I don't want to lose her," the actor said.
Bea back into the Dating game
After her traumatic experience dating teen star Gerald Anderson, drama princess Bea Alonzo is now said to be dating Zanjoe Marudo. Alonzo received death threats from fans of the Gerald Anderson-Kim Chiu love team and according to sources, Alonzo and Anderson decided to go their separate ways before anything serious developed. As soon as he heard the news, Marudo made it known that he had an eye for Alonzo. Friends arranged a date, and the two have been dating since. Neither Marudo nor Alonzo have issued any confirmation, but they have been seen on several occasions displaying their affection in public.
Angel Staying on
Angel Locsin says she's not leaving ABS-CBN for TV5. The actress, who stars in the ongoing series Imortal, says she is happy where she is. According to the actress' publicist, it's not quite possible for Locsin to move as she is bound by a contract. Now, the actress is filming Huling Sayaw (Last Dance) with Aga Muhlach for Star Cinema, the film arm of ABS-CBN. We wonder, how Muhlach was able to transfer when he is also filming the same movie?That is for Ethel Ramos, manager of both Muhlach and Locsin, to answer.
