Celebs come a long and hard way to achieve fame. But the irony is, when they finally become famous, some stars resent being recognized wherever they go. Being mobbed or hounded by intrigues or autograph-seeking fans—public scrutiny comes with the package, after all.
Those are part of what they signed up for, although celebs also have a right to privacy
because they’re people, too.
The demarcation line between their private and public personae just gets blurry when they are spotted in restaurants, malls, bars, airports, etc. Considering how “photo op-crazy” Pinoys are, celebs get hounded with “selfie” requests wherever they go.
The Ellen Adarna “paparazzo” brouhaha prompted me to ask celebs what their sentiments are about “stolen shots.” I wonder how many of them have snapped because of an unauthorized “snap.”
‘Un-selfie’ or unselfish?
AUBREY MILES: I don’t mind faraway shots. I just remain natural. I just don’t like “in your face” photos, or when Troy (Montero) and I are asleep on the plane. As for Troy’s and my naked photos on Instagram, we make sure we pose in a hidden place. But if by any chance someone is lurking somewhere to take a pic of us naked, he/she better make sure that Troy and I look good in those shots.
Aubrey Miles
CHINA COJUANGCO-GONZALEZ: In this day and age of social media, we cannot control what other people do with their gadgets. We, on the other hand, chose this path of life—public service, politics and show business. It’s part of what we accept as consequences. At the end of the day, I’d think of it as a compliment.
China Cojuangco-Gonzalez
DEREK RAMSAY: I just smile and flash my pearly whites.
Derek Ramsay
ARA MINA: I just let them be, except when they take stolen shots while I’m eating. That feels awkward, so I turn my back or ask my companion to cover me.
Ara Mina
Cherie fumes over misspelled name
One of Cherie Gil’s Facebook posts caught my attention. Just like in her award-winning portrayals, Cherie is in fighting form—and she has every right to be combative. As Eddie Garcia once told me during an interview, “I don’t care much about billing, as long as my name is spelled right.”
Here’s what Cherie posted: “People have asked, ‘What’s in a name?’ To me, it’s all I’ve got. It’s my identity. So, when my name is not spelled or pronounced correctly, I cringe. It’s my biggest pet peeve now and puts me in a bad mood.
“This morning wasn’t an exception. I walked into the dubbing room with my name spelled, ‘Cheery Gil’ on the first frame. Sorry, guys. No matter what that name should mean, it doesn’t put me at all in that zone as it can’t get any worse than that!
“Man! Forty years and more in the entertainment business, and I still have to contend with this. And I can’t help but still get irked. Calling all my fellow Filipinos [whom] I cried, laughed, shouted, killed, slapped, sang and danced for [with] every character I put my heart and soul into, please take note once and for all: It’s spelled C-H-E-R-I-E, pronounced “Sheh-Ree” (accent on the second syllable). One more time, and over and over again—until it [sinks] in!”
Don’t miss Richard Poon’s 10th anniversary concert, “RP 10,” on May 18, Friday at Resorts World Manila (call 891-9999). It features a 21-piece orchestra and includes guests Erik Santos, Nyoy Volante, Kean Cipriano, Christian Bautista and Sitti.