Manila Magic - April 19, 2006

Fantasy role

Precious Lara Quigaman will be Richard Gutierrez's leading lady in the upcoming GMA fantasy TV series Captain Barbell. Quigaman, who is also the reigning Miss International, is expected to shoot for advance episodes before leaving for China in August to relinquish her Miss International crown.

A full kitty

Iza Calzado will be starring in a movie with Richard Gutierrez. The actress, fresh from the success of her last release Moments Of Love, has been getting lots of offers from directors to star in their films but she is taking them one at a time. Calzado is currently shooting with Robin Padilla for the movie Blackout.

It's all about money, honey

"I'm sad. not because of our relationship but because of the situation we are in," says Assunta De Rossi referring to rumours of her marriage breaking up. "As husband and wife, we are working as a team, but in my heart I want everything to be ironed out. I always hope that my husband will get support not only from me but from everybody around us," adds Rossi. The actress says that their relationship is in trouble because of money, since her husband, Jules Ledesma, is the sole heir to his mom's wealth.

No exposure please!

Lolit Solis has warned Alfred Vargas to show restraint if asked by directors to accept projects that require shooting explicit scenes. Says Vargas: "Solis feels I might get stereotyped if I accept such projects. She showed me the way and she knows what's good for me."

Love triangle?

Dennis Trillo says he has not only met the lady of his dreams but also worked with her. The actor says - without divulging names - that he happened to work with his dream girl in a television commercial. "I am inspired by her. She really is beautiful. But the truth is, I was a bit shy before we did the commercial. We haven't seen each other for a while, but I'm looking forward to doing a commercial with her again," says Trillo. Meanwhile, the actor has patched up with ex-girlfriend Carlene Aguilar, though he is emphatic that they are not into a serious relationship now.

Revelations on a project

Gretchen Baretto received a huge bouquet from Lani Mercado with an apology note. Mercado was in the dark about a film that her husband Bong Revilla and Baretto were to star in. When she came to know about it, she promptly called up Baretto and asked her if she and Revilla were into a relationship. Baretto was taken aback and chose not to respond. Later, Revilla owned up saying he was at fault for not having revealed details about the project to his wife. Baretto has accepted Mercado's apology and says she has spoken to Mercado and forgiven her.