‘Hunk’ hides behind clueless partner–again

ZANJOE Marudo unfazed by intrigues.

Nosy Visitor noticed that Closeted Cutie was a bit too swishy. Brutally frank NV asked, “Are you gay?” CC shook his head vigorously, insisting that Screen Partner had been his “girlfriend” for the past two years.

In another event, Inquisitive Insider asked SP if she and CC were an item. SP tripped all over herself trying to reply to the simple yes-or-no query. Interestingly, SP said CC couldn’t escort her to the event because he was busy in a project “with the boys.” Ah.

Debt wish

Handsome Newcomer has a nasty rep in the biz: He has the tendency to not pay back loans from ex-girlfriends.

Before his career took off, HN often had cash-flow problems. Now that he is making hay, he definitely should pay up!

MARK Bautista avoids distractions in London.

Thing is, HN is likewise rumored to be a closet case, and was never really into the girls he wooed in the past.

Quick retort

Haughty Celeb, who can be an overbearing bully, tried to mess with Show biz Insider, who proved to be a formidable match.

HC complained that SI bungled a dramatic highlight in one project: “Why did you cut my moment short?”

SI retorted: “I was trying to make you look good.”

Thus, SI achieved the impossible: HC was speechless, for once.

Authentic

No wonder Hot Charmer is effective in gay roles. Although rather masculine-looking, he has had several same-sex affairs.

RACHELLE Ann Go is too busy with work to fall in love.

But HC insists he is not gay; just “bi-curious.” Well, HC certainly looks “curious” in those scorching love scenes with fellow hunks.

The trouble with Legends

On Friday night, Rico Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison and Rey Valera—they call themselves “Legends”—concluded at the Solaire Ballroom a concert series that began overseas.

Where was the fifth member of this erstwhile quintet, Nonoy Zuñiga? Nonoy’s manager Nelia Lim gave Rushes a long, detailed account of the surprise split-up, which we are squeezing into a two-sentence nutshell: “Magulo sila. I had to protect my talent.”

Uh-oh.

Ocular inspection

From the Inquirer tabloid Bandera:

GEOFF Eigenmann doesn’t think he and his ex can be friends.

Influential Gay was known among Tinseltown hunks as a big spender. IG, however, learned to be more prudent with money after an unfortunate dalliance with Pretty Boy.

IG showered PB with moolah even before their first date. When they finally hooked up, IG was disappointed: PB was neither gifted nor skillful where it mattered.

Now, IG demands to inspect what he’s paying for before making a down payment.

Top of the Talk Shows

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

Mark Bautista, asked if he still has time to date despite his packed schedule for “Here Lies Love”: “Dapat walang distractions. Kasi, make or break ito. May kailangan pa akong patunayan.” (What a pro!)

“Miss Saigon” cast member Rachelle Ann Go, asked if she’s seeing someone: “Ang trabaho ko naman eight shows a week!” (That’s not exactly a “no.”)

GARY Valenciano, with Mandaluyong Children’s Choir in the photo, showed his support for the rights of children, by composing “Bawat Isa sa Atin,” which the Unicef ambassador dedicated to Filipino kids.

Geoff Eigenmann, asked if he has moved on from his breakup with Carla Abellana: “If I talk, it may open [old wounds].” (Parang hindi pa recovered, ano?)

Geoff, asked if it’s possible for him and Carla to be friends: “Not anytime soon. It’s something I don’t think about or plan to think about.” (Confirmed!)

Geoff, asked what he would do if he chanced upon Carla: “I don’t really know. Confrontations, crossing paths—sana wala. But if it happens, it happens.” (Afraid.)

Carla, asked if she could still be friends with Geoff: “Hindi ko alam. Sa ngayon ayoko siyang pag-usapan.” (Parang di pa rin naka-move on ito.)

CARLA Abellana stays mum about her ex.

Carla on her rumored romance with Tom Rodriguez: “Marami pa kaming dapat pagdaanan. Kailangan pa naming makilala ang isa’t isa outside work.” (That’s artista talk, neither a confirmation nor a denial.)

Ai-Ai de las Alas, who’s with a 20-year-old non-show biz guy now, asked about her youthful looks: “Sabi nila, dahil sa osmosis, ’pag meron kang ka-relasyon na—huwag na tayong magpakaplastik—super bata!” (Super osmosis!)

Ai-Ai on her boyfriend’s parents: “Okey naman sila. Sinasabi nila sa anak nila, ‘Malaki ka na. Alam mo na ang tama at mali.’” (Parang, hands off?)

Zanjoe Marudo, asked if he still got affected by nasty rumors: “Hindi na, lalo na kapag hindi totoo.” (But have you, or haven’t you broken up?)

Xian Lim on the first time he saw Kim Chiu: “Na-starstruck ako. She was wearing white pants and a purple top, tapos kulot-kulot ’yung buhok niya.” (Fashion sense ang unang na-gets?)

Kim on Xian: “Sobrang kumportable na kami sa isa’t isa. Kahit ’di kami mag-usap alam na namin kung ano gusto ng isa’t isa.” (Kindred spirits kasi?)

XIAN Lim says he was “starstruck” the first time he met Kim Chiu.

Startalk, The Buzz