Tsismis: Latest gossip from the Pinoy world

After an eight-year self-exile stint in the US, superstar Nora Aunor has made a triumphant return to Philippine show business.

Everyone, fans and foes alike, had been waiting for her return. She was welcomed with open arms, like a prodigal daughter returning home. Her first big project, the made-for-TV movie Sa Ngalan ng Ina (In the Name of the Mother), was a big success in the Philippines and will now have its Middle East premiere in the UAE on November 3, at an exclusive by-invitation-only screening at Gloria Hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road.

You're back, and in a big way. How do you feel?

I am happy. I've been gone for a long time, and I miss my fans and my work. I'm delighted and happy that I was given another chance.

How do you react when people say this could be your last chance?

I know where they are coming from. Even I realise that I have wasted a lot of opportunities, and I know that I am not getting any younger so, whether you believe it or not, I will make this work. Just ask the people I am working with now if I have been a headache on the set.

I am determined to make this work, I owe it to my fans who continue to support me.

Your co-stars are all praise for you. And everybody seems to want to work with you — it's the chance, they say, to work with a living legend and perhaps the greatest actor the Philippines has produced.

Thank you, thank you. I just really wanted to work again. I am inspired and happy with the people I now work with in Sa Ngalan ng Ina. A lot of them I have worked with before, but even the new and young artists, I am happy to work with them.

The film has been well received in Manila. Now, it's going to have a Middle East premiere. Any message for your fans here?

First of all, thank you once again for the fans from the Middle East who continue to support me. We have received a lot of requests for Sa Naglan ng Ina to finally be aired.

It will now be shown next month on Orbit Showtime Network. I hope you will watch and support it.

Battle of the exes?

Beauty queen-turned actress Ruffa Gutierrez posted some pretty intriguing tweets about her ex-boyfriend's current girlfriend.

The three shared an awkward moment when they met at a showbiz function last week. Sources say John Lloyd Cruz — Gutierrez' ex, who is now dating Shaina Magdayao — tried hard to get a private moment with his former love. But the former beauty queen would have none of it. Gutierrez also showed some class when she just ignored Magdayao's crazy text messages telling her to stay away from them.

Gutierrez couldn't resist tweeting about the incident, however, and days after the party posted, as if to tease how she is more statuesque and beautiful than Lloyd's apparently "insecure" girlfriend, "My gosh, there's nothing I can do if my legs are longer than yours!"

Gutierrez will be in Abu Dhabi on November 4 for the Kapatid Fans Day at the Abu Dhabi National Theatre.

Willie's moving on

It's been a year since Willie Revillame returned to TV with a new show on TV5. He has struggled after leaving ABS CBN, what with all the multi-million lawsuits he faced from his home network — from breach of contract to copyright infringement.

The copyright issue has been dismissed, although still on appeal, and there is still the pending issue of breach of contract. But Revillame seems to be moving on, as he celebrated the first anniversary of his return to TV with WilTime BigTime at the Araneta Coliseum.

The show was packed, all 12,000 seats taken, and thousands more waiting and watching outside. During the show, Revillame admitted it has been a challenging year, but he's moving on and said, "I just want to work, entertain and be of service to the people."

Anne: on a roll

Everything's coming up roses for Anne Curtis these days. Her movie with Cristine Reyes and Derek Ramsey, No Other Woman, is still raking in money at the box office and with almost Dh23.5 million at the box office in four weeks, it could be the highest grossing Filipino movie of all time.

Curtis is also happy her first album, Annebisyosa, has been certified gold. A self-confessed lousy singer, she couldn't believe her album has been awarded gold status. "Everyone knows how awful I am as a singer, so this is a big thing for me," said the Filipino-Australian actress.

"The fact that I was given the chance to do it is already a dream come true, I could not have asked for anything more."

Talentadong Pinoy Auditions

A quick update on the popular Talentadong Pinoy show hosted by Ryan Agoncillo: Pinoy expats in the UAE will now have a chance to showcase their talents at the top-rating show when it stages a UAE edition, its first in the Middle East.

The auditions will be held at Boracay Club, Asiana Hotel in Deira, Dubai, on November 5 from noon to 6pm.

Interested parties can submit registration forms at the OSN Kiosk in Deira City Centre. Call 050-4945743.