March is said to be the start of the hot, sunny season that is summer. Indeed, March is scorchin,' what with all the sizzling, burning showbiz news from the premier entertainment website PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
Make a run through of this report to know what we're talking about. Don't forget your shades and sunblock now...
LOLIT VS. ANNABELLE. Colorful TV host-talent manager Lolit Solis and Ruffa Gutierrez's mom, Annabelle Rama, got engaged in a war of words that nearly came to a "mano-y-mano" match.
It all started when Ruffa claimed on The Buzz last March 2, that she was snubbed by Lani Mercado in a showbiz party. Lani is one of Lolit's talents. Although there was no immediate reaction from Lani, Lolit, in her usual garrulous self, talked about the "isnaban issue" in a radio show. Lolit defended Lani's actions and even went through sensitive issues involving Bong.
Annabelle found Lolit's statements in the radio show offensive and disrespectful to her family. She challenged Lolit to a fistfight. Lolit said she's not afraid of Annabelle but said there is no need for her and Annabelle to fight.
Lani finally broke her silence and sends her apology to Ruffa for what happened in the showbiz party. She explained she has no intention of snubbing Ruffa and said she would even approach Ruffa the next time she sees her. Lani also appealed to Annabelle to end her war with Lolit.
Ruffa also expressed her desire to put the whole issue to an end. She also apologized to Lani and appealed to both her mom and Lolit to patch things up.
Lolit and Annabelle's talents were also affected by their managers' feud. Rumors went around that Annabelle have forbidden her artists to work with Lolit's talents. Annabelle later clarified that her ban to work with Lolit's talents only apply to her son Richard.
There were also news saying Ruffa will file a suit against Lolit, but Ruffa's brother Raymond clarified no such action will be taken by Ruffa.
Until now, Lolit and Annabelle have not seen each other face-to-face. Although Lolit did not give in to Annabelle's demand for a public apology, she insisted her radio interview were just taken out of context and that she did not mean to make it sound like Ruffa was drooling after Bong. She did not mention such a thing in her interview and said she loves Ruffa and respects the Gutierrezes.
CORY'S CANCER, KRIS'S MISCARRIAGE. The later part of March saw one of the saddest announcements in Philippine history. Cory Aquino, former Philippine president, widow of national hero Benigno Aquino, mother of actress-TV host Kris Aquino, and to a lot of Filipinos, the symbol of the restoration of democracy in the Philippines, was announced to have colon cancer.
Kris and her brother Senator Noynoy Aquino made the announcement on March 24, Monday. An outpouring of support and prayers for Cory followed. Cory is now undergoing treatment.
But a day after the announcement of Cory's condition, another sad news came to the Aquinos. This time, the family member concerned is Kris herself.
Kris lost her seven-and-a half week pregnancy. It was supposed to be her and James Yap's second baby and her third after Joshua (from Phillip Salvador) and Baby James.
Kris's statement about her miscarriage were sent to her friends afterwards. She explained what happened to her, and said she accepts her fate as God's will, for her to better take of her ailing mother.
PACQUIAO BEATS MARQUEZ ANEW. Manny Pacquiao settled his unfinished business with Juan Manuel Marquez with a split decision win over the Mexican boxer on March 16 in Las Vegas. This was his rematch with Marquez whom he fought earlier in his career. Although their first fight was ruled a draw, many believed Pacquiao won because of the three knockdowns he imposed on the Mexican fighter. In their rematch, Manny sealed the deal, finished their business, and took home Marquez's WBC Super Featherweight belt.
However, Manny was saddened by the news of Filipino boxing analysts casting doubts on his win. The Doubting Thomases claimed the counterpunching Marquez landed more punches than the heavy-hitting Pacquiao. Manny said this was just the "crab mentality" of some Filipinos working. He even joked about the investigation clamored by the doubters.
Manny's fight with Marquez, as usual, showed strong presence in the ratings. Although Marquez expressed his desire for a rematch, Pacman and his camp has set their crosshairs for the WBC lightweight champ David Diaz.
I AM KC. Since signing up with ABS-CBN last year, KC Concepcion continues to be one of the hottest, if not the hottest property of the station.
That's why after her TV special was shown last year, the Kapamilya network cooked up I Am KC to exploit further KC's popularity. I Am KC is a month-long anthology that will feature KC acting in four different episodes with four different directors and casts. The anthology was supposed to run for the month of April only, but it started with its first episode on March 29 with "Binibining Palengke" a comedy starring KC with Ai-Ai delas Alas and Jake Cuenca.
KC was picked by YES! Magazine readers this year as the Most Beautiful Female Celebrity along with rumored suitor Richard Gutierrez who was chosen as the Most Handsome and Most Fashionable Young Male Celebrity. KC is also featured in a 24-page interview and pictorial in YES! Magazine's 8th Anniversary issue. In this 10-hour interview by the YES! team, KC names her two serious romances, shares the memories of her growing up years, her studies abroad, and shows the photos of her trips and more.
KC also hinted of his dad Gabby Concepcion's return to the Philippines. She did not say what the exact date is, but she assured the press who interviewed her that Gabby is definitely coming home.
GABO IS BACK! Just before the month ended, local showbiz got a big surprise in Gabby Concepcion's sudden arrival. PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) got the scoop and Gabo's return was first read on PEP.
Earlier in March, GMA Films have announced that Gabby will do a movie with them initially titled Love Cruise. Gabby was to star with Jolina Magdangal and Rufa Mae Quinto. It was supposed to be shot in Italy because Gabby cannot set foot on Philippine soil. He has live criminal cases filed against him and he can be arrested if comes home. But on March 14, PEP reported Gabby was out of the Love Cruise project.
Jolina said Gabby was not happy with the script. She asked the actor, what if they change the script to suit his demands. Jolina said Gabby did not answer back.
GMA Films brushed off rumors saying Gabby will not do a movie with them. They said they are confident Gabby is an honorable man and would fulfill the contract he signed with GMA Films.
But upon Gabby's suprise return to the Philippines on March 30, he surprised everyone again when he announced he is an exclusive Kapamilya star and will do his comeback movie with Star Cinema. His new agent and manager, FLT Films producer Rose Flaminiano confirmed Gabby have signed contracts with ABS-CBN and Star Cinema for co-management and movies.
PEP reported however, that GMA Films maintains Gabby cannot work with any other film outfit until he finishes his project with them. It says so in the contract he signed with GMA Films.
Rose Flaminiano, on the other hand, said the contract Gabby signed with GMA Films is for a movie to be shot abroad. She said Gabby will fulfill his contract with GMA, but the movie with Star Cinema comes first.
In his interview with The Buzz, Gabby said he's back to start a new life. He said he will still do a movie with GMA Films provided they change the script in his favor. He also asked for forgiveness to the people he did wrong in the past, especially, his ex-wife Sharon Cuneta. He expressed his desire to do a movie with Sharon and KC.
BB. PILIPINAS BLOOPERS. Janina San Miguel suddenly became the toast of Pinoy youtube viewers around the world last month after her disastrous Q&A performance in the coronation night of the Bb. Pilipinas 2008 Beauty Pageant.
PEP reported on March 10, what beauty pageant experts view as a suprising result of the yearly prestigious beauty pageant. Critics and observers of the pageant said there were other candidates that were more deserving of the titles. But people who support Bb. Pilipinas defended that the criterias for each crown differ from each other and the winners were really deserving.
Janina's Q&A moment became an instant hit in the video-sharing website youtube.com and was the butt of jokes of those who claim beauty pageant contestants should not only have beauty but also brains.
CASES AND CELEBS. Joey Marquez's guilty verdict for his graft charges was affirmed by the Sandiganbayan fourth division court on March 12. The case was in relation to the Commission of Audit investigation on the anomalous "walis ting-ting" transactions the Parañaque government went through during Joey's term as mayor.
John Estrada was arrested for illegally carrying handgun ammunitions in his backpack on March 20 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). He was to attend a racing event in Malaysia with friends and current girlfriend Priscilla Meirelles, when the airport X-ray detected the bullets in his bag. He was later released and was allowed to fly to Malaysia.
Claudine Barretto was charged with libel and perjury by her former personal assistant. PEP reported on March 12, Claudine was the first to file charges against her ex-P.A. Nancy Jiji Cruz, for stolen items amounting to more than Php500,00. But Nancy shot back at Claudine and claimed Claudine's accusations against her all false and physically impossible for her to commit, citing her built and the tight security the place where Claudine lives has. Nancy also filed charges of violation of Social Security Act of 1997 against Claudine. She claimed the youngest of the Barretto sisters failed to remit her contributions to the SSS, hence denying her to enjoy the benefits of an SSS member.
Ai-Ai delas Alas was slapped with a perjury case by the man she charged for mauling her teenage son in a convenient shop last year. PEP reported on March 19 that Ai-Ai had the chance to meet face-to-face, but the comedienne chose not to look at the man for fear that she might do something violent to the man. Ai-ai said the perjury case is the counter-charge of his son's assailant
IN OTHER NEWS. The final episode of Marimar broke its own record of 49.5 percent in viewership ratings when it generated a 52.6 percent rating. GMA-7 reportedly spent millions of pesos for that episode alone for it to be memorable for everyone. The wedding scene which was done at the beautiful and historic San Agustin Church was almost real, complete with a celebrity sponsors, entourage, and a real wedding reception at GMA-7's Studio 3. The cast, crew, and even the guests were emotional during the taping and live telecast of the show. Marian Rivera who played Marimar and Dingdong Dantes who played Sergio will be seen together again in GMA-7's remake of Dyesebel which will begin sometime in the last week of April.
First read on PEP was Rufa Mae Quinto's announcement of the new man she's going out with, Mattel executive Robert "Bobby" Lopez. Near the end of the month, Rufa Mae engaged once again in a word war with Jessa Zaragoza over her YES! Magazine revelations.
Viva Hot Babe Scarlet Garcia was found brutally murdered with three others in her apartment in Olongapo. Co-Hot Babes Jaycee Parker and Anna Scott remembered the moments they shared with Scarlet when she was alive.
Purefoods cager Rommel Adducul was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer. His teammates and coach first noticed the changes in Rommel's performance and physical appearance. Rommel is now undergoing treatment for his cancer.
After the dancing inmates of Cebu, the world once again is picking up on the coolest dance moves from Pinoys with the popularity of Edu Manzano's "Papaya Dance" steps. The U.S. morning show, Good Morning America featured "Papaya Dance"'s popularity in the video-sharing website youtube.com and even tried the steps themselves.
These are just some of the biggest news stories PEP covered during the hot month of March. For more latest showbiz news, bookmark and keep on logging on to www.pep.ph.