Three years have passed and yet actress Katrina Halili still has not recovered from the video sex scandal she got involved in with then celebrity doctor Hayden Kho — her projects seem to be too few and far between. Unlike in the pre-scandal days, when she would have two different shows and a movie simultaneously, Halili's career has dimmed. tabloid! finds out how she is coping.
Hayden Kho has announced he's eager to get back to show business. Your reaction?
I really don't want to dwell on that any more. Although I have moved on from that incident, I just don't want anything to do with him any more.
Do you feel that life has treated you unfairly because of what happened?
In a way, yes. Before it happened, I had a blossoming career. Now, I'd be lucky if I have a show on TV.
How are you coping?
I'm glad I made a few investments, but still they are not enough. That's why it pains me to hear that that guy can just easily say he wants to come back, and everybody seems to be okay; whereas I never left and I've been struggling to get to where I was.
What have you learned from this experience?
A lot of things. I realise that no matter how much you love a person you still have to protect yourself. You're not 100 per cent sure that love is going to go back your way. You could still be hurt on so many levels.
What are your projects at the moment?
I'm back on TV in My Beloved with Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. It's good to be working with them again, and I am looking forward to doing a lot more projects this year. But it has been quite difficult getting projects, and I don't know what to do differently just to be considered for one. There are so many new aspiring actors now.
Is there an offer to transfer to a different network/studio?
There are offers, but I would like to stay where I am. I'm in a stage where I am not yet ready to experience new things, establish new relationships. Where I am now is my comfort zone, and I'd like to get back on my feet here. And then perhaps transfer. Although I may soon transfer if I don't get any work.
What makes you happy nowadays?
Good question. My family — they have been my joy and inspiration. I thank them for their unwavering support.
I would not have gone through what I had if not for them. And I'm learning how to bake and cook; it's been my therapy.
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New show
Game N Go — that's the title of the new noontime show that Edu Manzano will be hosting on TV5, the network's flagship programme on the highly competitive noontime block which will go up against frontrunner Eat Bulaga on GMA7 and It's Showtime on ABS CBN. When Willie Revillame transferred to TV5, many thought he would be given a show in the same time slot. So far he's the only one who has succeeded in getting close to Eat Bulaga's TV ratings, but was instead assigned a prime time slot, where he is happily competing against news programmes. Manzano says there is no pressure for him and his other co-hosts — Gelli de Belen, Tuesday Vargas, Arnell Ignacio, Pretty Trizsa, Wendy Valdez, and Shalani Soledad-Romulo — to beat Eat Bulaga. The well-loved TV host said there's always room in the industry for artists who want to entertain people.
Successful operation
Superstar Nora Aunor, who had a throat operation in Boston, is currently undergoing therapy and voice lessons. A botched cosmetic procedure done on Aunor's face two years back caused the superstar to lose her voice. After the successful operation, many are hoping she can regain the golden voice that catapulted her to fame. It will take a few more months before she comes back, and when she does she will resume taping for the movie El President and will host a new talent search on TV.
Break-up blues
Fast-rising star Danita Paner is thankful she has a lot of work so she can forget about her break-up with actor J.C. de Vera. The teen star admitted she initially had a hard time when they agreed to separate early this month, but life has to move on, especially now that she's getting good breaks in her career. Paner also denied there was a third party involved, and only said it was a mutual decision between her and her ex-boyfriend. She also did not discount the possibility that they will be together again. "I'm not closing any doors," she said.
Dating Sarah
It looks like young actor Gerald Anderson has found favour with the parents of pop diva Sarah Geronimo. Anderson revealed Geronimo was his Valentine, and, although the singer had her family as chaperone, Anderson was happy that he was able to spend some time with the new apple of his eye. Geronimo's super strict parents have been the reason the singer has not had a boyfriend, even though she's already 24 years old. Anderson, however, is willing to wait.
