Direk Paul ready to marry Toni anytime

Director Paul Soriano is mighty proud of his indie film “Thelma,” top-billed by Maja Salvador. He says he “saw the fire in Maja,” who “exceeded his expectations.”

“It’s like my baby because aside from directing it, I also coproduced it,” he says of the film, which opens in theaters tomorrow. “It’s based on various stories we gathered from competitive runners.”

How did he react to rumors linking him to the young actress? “Maja and I didn’t let it affect our work, he says. “We believe the film alone will sell itself. We don’t need nasty rumors to draw attention to it.”

Direk Paul neither needs a Thelma or a Maja because he is totally happy with his girlfriend, Toni Gonzaga. “I am ready to marry her anytime,” he says. “But she told me to wait for three more years. That’s fine so I would have more time to save. Of course, from the proposal to the wedding day, I want it to be nothing short of spectacular.”

Among Toni’s leading men, he admits it’s Sam Milby he got most jealous of. “Toni and Sam have this certain kind of chemistry,” he says. “I’ve watched all their films and at some point believed that they’re really a couple based on how good they are together onscreen.”

He and Toni make it a point not to cramp each other’s style so they don’t visit each other on the set. “I even told John Lloyd, ‘Toni is all yours when you’re on-cam with her.’ Though I make my presence felt by sending food. She does the same to me when I’m at work.”

Would he be willing to direct Toni even if the movie would have a love scene? “Offhand, I’d say yes,” he says. “But I think it would be awkward for all of us when it’s time for the kissing scene.”

Don’t they have unspoken professional rivalry? “Toni’s world is in front of the camera,” he says. “Mine is behind the scenes. So we complement each other. We are able to share different aspects of the same world we work in.”

Direk Paul and Toni let each other shine. Their combined sparkle makes them glow whether they are together or on their own.

New romance

It was good to see my friend from way back, Senator Koko Pimentel, at the dinner hosted by the Lees upon the invitation of a family friend, Robert Castañeda. After Koko topped the bar, he took me to one of his Ateneo batch parties where I said in jest to his friends, “I also topped the bar… the kind that serves cocktails.”

What a delight it was to meet Koko’s fab wife, Jewel. Spotted at the fete were Cesar Montano, Bayani Agbayani, Rommel Montano, Gary Estrada and wife Bernadette Alyson, Louie Cruz and Mike and Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad with constant date, Rep. Roman Romulo (I also saw them together recently at Cafe Juanita).

So does it mean that Shalani’s brewing romance with Willie Revillame has been thwarted? From one R(evillame) to another R(omulo)?

Next rising star

I immensely enjoyed being one of the judges of the Miss Resorts World 2011 held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. The pageant, successfully mounted by Scribbleworks, will be aired on September 11, 10:30 p.m. on ABS-CBN.

I was lucky to be seated beside Azkals heartthrob Anton del Rosario, a fellow judge. He told me he would rather stick to football and modeling than join show biz.

Vincent del Rosario had a hard time picking Viva Films’ next rising star. A beauty title and a movie contract will make Miss RW 2011 live la vida diyosa.

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