Pushy parent showers insiders with gifts to boost child’s career

KATRINA Halili has moved on from that nasty scandal.

Enterprising Parent learned the tricks of the trade from the most notorious wheeler-dealers in the biz.

EP desperately wanting to fast-track Cute Child’s climb to the top, sends all sorts of gifts to middle-management decision-makers.

One factotum received plane tickets to a shopping destination abroad.

Alas, EP’s machinations are unnecessary because CC actually has what it takes. Perhaps EP is just making sure that CC will not get lost in the shuffle.

Blame game

A multimillion deal between Controversial Star and Major Company reportedly went pfft, and CS’ Loyal Pal was blamed. LP has vehemently denied the scuttlebutt.

The contract would be a coup, if it pushed through. Hopefully, MC resumes pursuit of CS who is once again “hot” these days, and certainly deserves the high-profile project more than mediocre scandal magnets who rule the scene.

BELA Padilla denies snubbing cousin’s alleged rival.

Payback

Seasoned Personality has kept mum about a falling out with Influential Celeb.

SP’s Concerned Relative, however, cannot stomach IC’s behavior. It seems IC forgot that SP was once a faithful, avid and trustworthy supporter.

“SP helped IC when times were bad,” a spy said. Alas, loyalty and integrity are lost on people like IC. CR is sure, “Wealth and power have gone to IC’s head.”

Karma was swift in giving IC a debilitating comeuppance.

Enabler, protector

Showbiz Insider who ran afoul of the law was bailed out by Celebrity Friend, a mole relates.

There’s a fine line between being a loyal pal and enabling, the source notes, and CF is dangerously close to breaching that line.

RICHARD Yap gave his daughter a Mercedes Benz.

Someone who had similar gripes against SI is worried. “SI should learn from the past. Friends do not help by turning a blind eye on the problem.”

One brave friend tried to intervene, but was labeled a villain instead. Fine line, indeed.

Berserk

From the Inquirer tabloid Bandera:

Veteran Performer regularly “visits” the penitentiary, apparently involved in some shady activities there.

An official allegedly banned VP from the premises and VP went ballistic, spewing out profanities against the jail guards.

Well-meaning friends hope VP would get over this rough patch soon. After all, VP is a gifted artist.

Top of the Talk Shows

For those who missed this week’s TV gabfests (and why we are moved, if we are moved):

• Dennis Padilla’s message to Marjorie Barretto, about their daughter Julia’s petition to drop her father’s surname: “I’m just fighting for my family name na dala-dala ng mga anak ko.” (What’s wrong with Padilla? Calling Daniel, Robin, Bela, Kylie, Zsa Zsa…)

• Dennis, asked if he considers this a crack in his relationship with Julia: “Oo… masakit ’yun—anak ko ’yun.” (Agree.)
  

  JODI Sta. Maria remains cordial with her ex for her son.

• Bela Padilla on rumors that she snubbed Louise de los Reyes, who allegedly caused Aljur Abrenica and Kylie Padilla’s (Bella’s cousin) breakup. “Ang weird… ako pa nga ang unang nakipag-usap.” (Next time, turn up the volume and recruit witnesses.)

• Eugene Domingo on her “Celebrity Bluff” “love team” with Jose Manalo: “Ako honest lang ako sa nararamdaman ko. Kung ano ’yung nakikita ninyo sa TV , ’yun ’yon. ’Di naman siya mahirap magustuhan.” (Quick, Jose, speak up, or forever hold your peace.)

• Jose to Eugene: “Habang tumatagal nade-develop ang mga bagay-bagay, natutunan. Magkamukha na nga tayo, ’di ba? Ayaw mo pa? Lugi pa nga ako!” (That was quick.)

• Richard Yap, “Be Careful with My Heart” star, who gave his 18-year-old daughter a Mercedes Benz: “It was a more practical choice than a debut party. I’d have spent almost as much.” (Uh, not for most dads but, inggit lang tayo.)

• Richard on female fans screaming, “Anakan mo ako!”: “You just have to smile.” (Ignore, ignore, ignore.)

• Jodi Sta. Maria on her “healthy” relationship with son Thirdy’s father, Pampi Lacson: “Maayos kami, salamat sa Diyos. Para si Thirdy, lumaki na maayos ang sitwasyon.” (Win-win. Sounds good.)

• Katrina Halili on Hayden Kho being reinstated as a doctor: “Masaya ako para sa kanya; may karapatan naman siya. Ang selfish ko naman kung ayaw kong sumaya siya.” (Now we can put this issue to rest. Moving on…)

• Katrina, asked if she was planning to file an appeal: “Masaya na ako sa buhay ko, ayoko na ng nega masyado.” (At sayang din ang legal fees and filing fees.)

• Hayden Kho, asked if he still cared what people said about him: “I wish I could say I didn’t. But the truth is, I do—only because I represent Somebody more important than myself. I represent Christ now.” (Burning bush, thunder and lightning.)

• Piolo Pascual on saying he wanted to marry a woman in her 20s and have four more children: “Slip of the tongue! Preference lang naman ’yun!” (Slips of the tongue are always sooo telling.)

Startalk and The Buzz