Tsismis: Latest gossip from the Pinoy world

'I'm happy'

In her last film, A Mother's Story, Pokwang showed a more serious side. Unfortunately, it wasn't the Pokwang audiences wanted.

The film had little success at the box office, but the comedienne, born Marieta Subong, isn't about to give up.

A Mother's Story was a breakthrough of sorts for you as an artist. But it wasn't much of a commercial success. What's your reaction?

It was a little disappointing to be honest. But we were very happy with the quality of the film, and the fact that we were able to do a movie with a powerful message about an overseas Filipino worker's story.

It would have been great if we made a lot of money, but the producers are happy with the results, and so am I.

There are a lot of changes happening in your career. Can you give us an update on what you're doing?

I am thankful that after Happy Yipee Yehey ended its run, other projects materialised.

I'm in [a] movie starring Vilma Santos, and I'm really proud of that. We're still filming, and we're having a great time in production. She's an acclaimed actress, so it's a great learning experience. Plus, she is a wonderful person inside out, so it's nice to have friends like that in the business.

What's the title of the movie and what is it about?

The Healing. It's a horror movie directed by Chito Rono. It's an exciting project for me. I've done a lot of horror flicks in the past, but it still had a comic ring to it.

This time, it's a scary movie through and through, and I was in fact told to give it a new attack. And I promise they will really see a different side of me here.

You've been maligned for allegedly neglecting your brother in Dubai. What's the real story?

I've cried over this many times. It's not true that I have not extended any help to my brother who is in jail in Dubai for a loan he wasn't able to pay. I gave some assistance, but I also have a family to take care of. And we're helping his children in the Philippines. We can only help so much, but I did help. I don't have to announce it, I am just saying it now because people [have] thrown baseless accusations at me.

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Big relief

Producers of David Archuleta's TV show heaved a sigh of relief when the programme, Nandito Ako, successfully premiered last week.

Although the American Idol finalist has quite a following in Manila, it was the singer's first acting project. The show even became a trending topic on social networking sites in Malaysia, Singapore, the US and the Philippines.

Archuleta is now in the US, but is monitoring the show's progress; it will run for only one season.

Gretchen's couture casualty

It's final. The TV soap that would have starred three of the prettiest faces on the local showbusiness scene — Gretchen Barretto, Angelica Panganiban and KC Concepcion — is no longer happening.

Lead star Barretto was said to be miffed as she has already ordered a closet-full of designer clothes for the series. But all that haute couture will not be wasted as she was promised another project, with award-winning actor Albert Martinez and teen star Kathryn Bernardo, titled You're Always in My Heart, which will be shot in the Middle East. It might be done in Abu Dhabi.

Erich's set to have a busy year

Teen star Erich Gonzales will soon wrap up her work for her afternoon series, Maria La del Barrio, to start on a new project — a film with popular Thai actor Mario Maurer.

The movie, titled Suddenly It's Magic, will be produced by Star Cinema and will be shot in Manila and Bangkok.

It looks like 2012 is shaping up to be a busy year for Gonzales. She also has another movie currently in production — Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang (Corazon: The First Vampire), where she plays the lead role opposite Derek Ramsey.

Ruffa's single again

Ruffa Gutierrez's marriage to Turkish business tycoon Yilmaz Bektas was annulled last week.

This was a bittersweet victory for Gutierrez, who has long wanted to be officially separated from her allegedly abusive husband. The beauty queen-turned actress will have custody of their two children, Lorin and Venice.

Gutierrez was vacationing with her daughters when she found out about her annulment. According to her publicist, she's very happy she's single again, although the news was still somewhat of a shock to her. The marriage was annulled due to psychological incapacity on the part of Bektas. The couple wed in March 2003.