Jen still hurting from split-up

What’s the real score between Jennylyn Mercado and Luis Manzano? They were spotted together recently at Maroon 5’s concert.

“We hang out a lot. Just because we are dating doesn’t mean we’re a couple,” Jen clarifies. “I don’t know why some people are insinuating na on na kami.”

She insists that she’s not ready yet to enter into another relationship. “’Di naman ako nagmamadali. I’m still in the healing process after my split-up with Dennis (Trillo). Luis makes me laugh a lot and that’s a big help for my wounds to heal.”

Has she met Luis’ mom, Ate Vi? “Yup, I met her on Luis’ birthday,” says Jen. “Na-starstruck nga ako. Napakabait nilang mag-ina.”

What lessons has she learned from her previous relationships? “Dapat magtira para sa sarili,” she muses. “At kilalanin muna mabuti ang isang lalaki bago makipagrelasyon.”

If and when Jen and Luis fall for each other, hopefully both of them will apply all the love lessons they’ve learned, so it won’t be just a Repeat with the same happily-Never-after ending.

Edu, Pinky together again

Like father, like son. If Luis is smitten by Jen’s charms, his dad, Edu, has reconciled with Pinky Webb. They were spotted shopping at Shangri-La Plaza recently.

But did they really split up at all? Was their breakup during election time when Edu ran for Vice President all for show, since his candidacy and her being a newscaster would have caused conflict of interest? So it’s Take Two for the fab twosome who have no room for a “Number 2.”

Diana calls GB ‘Daddy’

Birthday boy director GB Sampedro is super-inspired. What better birthday gift could he get than a brand-new inspiration in Diana Meneses? Lately, Diana posted a picture of them on Twitter with the caption: “Thanks for feeding me, Daddy. You cook so well.”

I could almost hear their hearts burping!

Swelling tummy

Sisters-in-law Danica Sotto-Pingris and Kristine Hermosa Sotto are both preggy. Danica is five months big with child while Tin is 1½ months into her own pregnancy.

Danica told me that she’s having a baby girl this time. “Dapat masundan na son ko,” she says. “He’s so big na. I told Tin to read books about pregnancy. She has to learn a lot ’cause it’s her first time.”

Adds Danica: “Mom (Dina Bonnevie) and Dad (Vic Sotto) are happy about both pregnancies namin ni Tin, kahit magiging lolong lolo at lolang lola na sila (laughs), with one apo and two more coming soon.”
Swelling tummy, overjoyed mommy!

‘Amaya’ premieres Monday night

GMA 7 premieres “Amaya” (tonight on the Kapuso Network’s Telebabad Block), an “epicserye” starring Marian Rivera who has a twin snake in the story.

Sid Lucero plays Bagani, Amaya’s dashing warrior lover, and model-turned-actor Mikael Daez portrays Lumad, Amaya’s protector who falls in love with her.

The pioneering historical epic is set in Central Visayas in the 1500s during the reign of Rajah Mangubat, an undefeated warrior until a village priestess foretells that there will come a day when a woman will depose him.

Marian is feisty in real life so portraying Amaya would be second nature to her.

Jackie Rice as pearl diver

Jackie Rice graces GMA 7’s afternoon block in the drama “Sisid” (premieres Monday after “Nita Negrita” on Dramarama sa Hapon). Ricky Davao directs.

Jackie plays Eden, the only pearl diver on the island. She took up extreme diving lessons and acting workshops to prepare for the series. Her three leading men are Dominic Roco as Sigfried (Eden’s true love), JC Tiuseco as Ahmed (her childhood friend who secretly desires her) and Ian Batherson as Dexter (Sigfried’s best friend who will also fall for her).

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