Tsismis: Latest gossip from the Pinoy world

I am no longer a sexy star, I am a dramatic actress," so declares Gretchen Barretto, who is now about to do another TV series following her successful fashion drama series, Magkaribal (Rivals).

There was a point in Barretto's career when she was considered the country's top sexy actress — an honour, she admits, "no one really wants to have".

"But people love giving celebrities titles, so I guess I had to have one," she recalls.

Nobody took her seriously as an actress, until she had her belated "coming of age" role in Magkaribal, in which she was cast as a fashion model-turned designer who had a rags-to-riches story.

Everyone had doubts about her being able to essay the role properly. The "riches" part, she can play to a T. She's even hated most of the time for flaunting her wealth, which a lot of people say is not really hers, but her partner's, business tycoon Tony Boy Cojuangco.

The "rags" part, critics noted before the show was aired, would be her doom.

Surprisingly, Barretto did really well on the show, and even got an acting nomination for her performance. "I have always believed I could make it as an actress. I just gave up easily when everything wasn't really going my way before," she says.

‘Intensive workshops'

She left showbiz for a while, got involved with Cojuangco, and has quietly avoided the limelight. "But I couldn't resist my true calling," she says, laughing her signature laugh. She said she had to give Magkaribal at least a try.

Now, she's in for another dramatic challenge with Alta, a series that will see her opposite Angelica Panganiban, who recently won an acting award for her role in the movie Here Comes the Bride, and KC Concepcion, the daughter of megastar Sharon Cuneta.

Barretto is intent on keeping her new reputation as a dramatic actress. "I am doing intensive workshops to be ready for the role," she continues.

Production starts some time in May or June, and the cast have all done pictorials and look tests. "It's going to be exciting. It's all new to me, being taken seriously as an actress, and I intend to get better. Watch me," she dares.

Well, when Barretto speaks, everybody listens. Let's see if she'll come out of this one laughing. Otherwise, she'll have to find ways to reinvent herself yet again.

Expectant Dad

Ogie Alcasid is probably one of the happiest people on the planet today. It's because the object of his affection, Regine Velasquez, is pregnant (into her sixth week now, and not five months as previously reported).

Alcasid is more busy now, seeing to Velasquez' needs over his showbiz commitments. According to the dad-to-be, her latest craving is for hamburgers — not from one of the fast food chains, but from one of Manila's five star hotels. The singer-actor says he has to be on his toes all the time, because Velasquez can just ask for anything.

Something else he's going to be busy with soon is a new TV programme he will be hosting — a special four-week series on Mind Masters, which excites him because "it's one of those that's really mind-boggling".

Cannes Bound

Alessandra de Rossi is on her way to Cannes.

The actress excitedly revealed that the film Busong (Fate) directed by Auraeus Solito was selected for screening at the Directors' Fortnight at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Alex, as she's known, is the lead in the movie, which was shot entirely in Palawan, an island paradise in the Philippines.

Prior to accepting the role, De Rossi watched Solito's award-winning indie movie Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros). Apparently, the director has also wanted to work with De Rossi after seeing her in Joel Lamangan's 2001 film Hubog (Wretched Lives).

Undeterred

Award-winning actress Vilma Santos revealed one of her staff was ambushed last month, apparently in an attempt to get to her.

The now semi-retired actress is the full-time governor of Batangas, a province south of Manila, but comes out occasionally in films. According to her, it will not deter her from implementing her reform agenda.

Santos also announced she is set to do a film with another big star, Sharon Cuneta, for Star Cinema. If it pushes through, it will be the first time the two award-winning artists and box office stars will appear in a film together.

Goodbye, Aj

The industry is still grieving over the untimely death of promising actor AJ Perez, one of the young stars who was being groomed by ABS CBN.

Perez died in a tragic accident on April 17 while on his way to Manila after a brief appearance in Dagupan, north of Manila.

Initial police reports say the actor died from multiple head injuries when the van he was in collided with a truck. Investigators say a bone pierced his heart, killing him on the spot.

Just minutes before the accident, Perez posted a message on his Twitter account to thank the fans who came to see him and to say he was now on "a long drive ahead" back to Manila.