You don’t have to, Charice

CHARICE deserves better. ARNOLD ALMACEN

We recently watched Charice’s nth television interview after that celebrated coming-out. We pray that it was the last, until she has reclaimed her rightful place on the global stage.

That she has lately been wrung like laundry—made to sing at the snap of a finger, pushed to say things that she might regret later on, even driven to tears in shameless exploitation—is disagreeable on all levels.

This is the girl that made Oprah Winfrey (Forbes’ most influential celebrity again this year) and world pop superstar Celine Dion (recipient of a French Legion D’Honneur medal) cry from sheer joy over her remarkable singing.

This petite Pinay has brought to their feet international audiences in North America and Europe, even when appearing alongside the likes of Andrea Bocelli and David Foster’s usual blockbuster lineup of artists.

Charice deserves more respect from television hosts than they accord lesser singing and acting talents, and celebrities who offer too little to earn the distinction. She does not owe anyone any more explanations about her sexual preference, her girlfriend, her family and all her dispositions henceforth, with regard to either her career or her personal life.

What she does owe her fans and countrymen is a focused, earnest bid for worldwide acclaim for her unmistakable gift, if only because she once gave them that and made them very proud, indeed.

Star undervalued

Top Star was renegotiating his contract with Major Studio, hoping to score a P50-million deal. Much to TS’ handlers’ shock (and dismay!), MS offered P5M. Adding insult to injury, Big Bosses told TS’ manager, “Take it or leave it.”

Apparently, MS was no longer keen on TS, whose past projects BBs had found disappointing. Was the spectacularly low offer a subtle way of giving him the boot?

A day’s work

This story is the exact opposite: Acclaimed Actress’ team met with Neophyte Producers, who are pulling out all the stops for a mammoth project.

Impressed, NPs agreed to AA’s asking price for one day of work: a whopping P500,000 for the gig.

Well, AA deserves every centavo, being one of the most competent thespians in the biz.

Snooty sirens

Glamorous Siren brought Gorgeous Friend to lunch in a hip hangout.

Naturally, people started to crowd the place, waiting to ask for souvenir snapshots.

GS and GF coolly declined. When the star-struck fans lingered, the duo’s PAs shooed them away.

“Suplada (snooty),” Rushes overheard them complaining.

Kitchen raider

Heard on the Radyo Inquirer program “Kliq Showbiz” (dzIQ 990 AM, Monday to Friday, 3 to 5 p.m.):

Rambunctious Performer has gained an embarrassing reputation among clients. RP is often hired to top-bill lavish events.

RP arrives minutes before the call time, but that’s because she heads straight to the buffet table. She isn’t hungry, a mole insists; she just wants to pack doggie bags before the guests arrive. RP brings several plastic containers in a portable cooler.

Maybe she wants to cut the household’s food budget.

Ah, that’s why she’s wealthy.

Mate makeover

Picked up from the Inquirer tabloid Bandera:

Controversial Celebrity’s Former Mate is certain they’ll still get back together.

Why is FM oozing with confidence? FM claims CC can never survive nights alone.

Actually, foul-mouthed FM used much more graphic terms, and CC’s friends were not surprised. Turns out, FM isn’t really from a decent, much less affluent, family.

When they hooked up, CC gave FM a makeover (starting with an expensive wardrobe) and lied to friends about the uncouth lover’s seedy background.

MARIAN Rivera (with Richard Gutierrez in “My Lady Boss”) visits the City of Love.

 ‘Lady Boss’ in Iloilo

Marian Rivera visits her fans in Iloilo today to promote her latest romantic comedy flick from GMA Films/Regal Films, “My Lady Boss.”

From 4 p.m., Marian will be at the Robinson’s Place in Iloilo for Kapuso Fans’ Day. Activities will include a Marian Rivera look-alike search, a dance showdown showcasing Marian’s dance moves, an act-like-Marian Rivera challenge, and a search for the most unique memorabilia collection.

Voice of Globe

Globe Rewards “ambassador” Bianca Gonzalez has announced a bigger and better MyRewards, MyGlobe promo.

Subscribers can now use rewards points as cash with a 1-1 points-to-peso conversion in redeeming movie tickets from Ayala Malls Cinemas for a minimum of 100 points, or food and beverage items from Figaro Coffee and Wendy’s for a minimum of 50 points.

Enchanted Kingdom and Sunglass Hut recently joined the list of partner-merchants.

Top of the Bandera

The top show biz news in Inquirer tabloid Bandera (and why we are moved, if we are moved.)

YENG Constantino has never been kissed.
RICHARD A. REYES

Yeng virgin na virgin, di pa nahahalikan ng bagong boyfriend. (Are we to understand why this is news?)

Christian Bautista malas talaga sa GMA 7. (We heard otherwise.)

Kahit hiwalay na kay LJ Reyes… Paulo Avelino hindi naging iresponsable at pabayang  tatay. (More often than not, fatherhood brings out the best in a man.)

IS CHRISTIAN Bautista battling bad luck?
RICHARD A. REYES

Julie Anne, Alden nag-isnaban sa party ng GMA, tumindi ang away. (Sus, nag-isnaban lang e.)

Juday sa mga misis: hindi sa lahat ng oras, lalaki ang nasusunod! (Spin a win!)

JM de Guzman napariwara, nanghihingi na lang ng pamasahe sa mga pasahero ng bus. (Nasa’n ang mga Kapatid at Kapamilya?)

Aljur dinapuan ng sakit: Hirap akong makatulog! (Ay, kuya, eight out of 10 people are similarly afflicted.)

Napapayag sa pustahan ng mga kaibigan, Matteo, pinaglalaruan lang daw si Jessy, iginanti ang kaapihan ni JM. (Ano raw?)

Richard Guttierez gagastos ng dolyares para maging doktor. (Doktor naman ngayon?)

Andi Eigenmann, Jake Ejercito nagkabalikan na. (Sino’ng natauhan?)

Jinkee Pacquiao “kinatatakutan” ng mga taga-Sarangani, laging nakasimangot, mukhang maldita. (Ayan na…)

Tinanggal sa pwesto kahit regular na, nalulugi na raw kasi ang kompanya; Pacman idedemanda ng mga dating empleyado, nagreklamo sa labor? (Ah, kaya pala.)