Dubious deals mar ‘prestige project’

DANIEL Matsunaga and Heart Evangelista: Breakup unexpected?

Drumbeaters touted it as a  Prestige Project.

Regrettably, the high-profile, mega-budget PP was marred by questionable deals that pushed the bosses to investigate.

According to a source, the chaotic affair led to the departure of several people who worked on PP.

Bosses were reportedly appalled to learn that one Project Proponent was able to buy a house worth millions, the fruit of dubious accounting.

Another was sacked for forging checks. Messy, messy.

The bosses have allegedly blacklisted the offenders and sent a copy of the memorandum to a rival company.

Potty-mouthed miss

The raging battle between two Feisty Women in the biz was inevitable, according to their associates.

ARA MINA: “I’m dying inside.”

FW1 had been trying to contain her resentment over FW2’s shortcomings for so long—until FW2 pushed FW1 over the edge.

The current word war has confirmed that FW2 is quite the pottymouth. Earlier, she resorted to harsh, off-color invectives when she fought with Sweet Star and Popular Celebrity.

Now, FW1 is the target of FW2’s venom. FW2 promises to expose salacious secrets regarding FW1’s past affairs.

FW2 alleges that FW1 tried to steal Prodigious Lover. FW2 was bitter about breaking up with PL, who is said to be tireless in the boudoir!

Trash talk

RUFFA Gutierrez: Incredulous

Show biz Insider is known for being soft-spoken and gentle. She is everyone’s friend in the industry.

Kibitzers were stunned, therefore, when SI bared heretofore hidden fangs. At a gathering, a relative made the unfortunate mistake of calling Controversial Celebrity

“Tita.”

SI was heard snapping, “Don’t call her ‘Tita.’ She’s not your aunt. She’s trash!”

Seems SI has learned to fight back. She’s no doormat, that’s for sure.

Late delivery

If the rumor is true, Vanishing Star could well make medical history.

It’s been ages since VS headlined any project of note. All of a sudden, there’s talk that she’s awaiting a visit from the stork.

Actually, VS is a tad too “mature” for this kind of tattletale. Insiders are concerned— and for good reason. At around the time the child graduates from college, VS will be a certified senior citizen.

File under D, for Delayed. Or is it Disturbing?

KC CONCEPCION: Make-believe

Double chin

Another rumor making the rounds is that a Pretty Starlet has gone under the knife to make her chin less prominent.

Netizens point to two suspects—one a Kapamilya, the other a Kapuso. The

Kapamilya is universally loathed for her prima donna ways.

The Kapuso is currently in the dumps after Cute Suitor left her hanging.

Time to compare old and new photos.

KIM CHIU: Speechless

Top of the Talk Shows

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

Ara Mina on filing libel and grave coercion charges against sister Cristine Reyes: “Masakit itong gagawin ko. Mahal ko siya, eh. Pero kailangan niyang maturuan ng leksyon … Pagod na akong magtakip ng ugali niya, mag-pretend na we’re okay … I’m dying inside … Sana patayin na lang niya ako. Parang wala akong nagawang maganda para sa kanya.” (All is fair [game] in love and war.)

Ara Mina on critics saying that it’s just a publicity stunt: “Hindi ko hangad ang publicity.” (We’ll hold our horses for now.)

Kim Chiu on working in the coming movie “The Healing” with Vilma Santos: “Ang sarap ng feeling …’Yung unang eksena namin, buti na lang wala akong line kasi wala akong masabi!”

Gabby Concepcion on not being able to meet daughter Cloie Syquia during her recent stay in the Philippines: “Humihingi ako ng tulong kay KC, pero nung nakausap niya si Cloie, ang sabi ni Cloie, she wasn’t ready. Nasaktan ako.” (Well, she’s not ready till she is.)

Vice Ganda on rumors that director Bobet Vidanes resigned from “Showtime” because of him: “Si Direk Bobet ang kailangan niyong tanungin … Hindi kami nag-away … ayokong sabihing sweet kami, or OK kami, kasi ’di naman kami nagkikita.” (Hmmm, parang hindi OK.)

VICE Ganda: Evasive

Ruffa Gutierrez on rumors that she gave birth to twins in 2003, but decided to sell one of the babies: “How can a human being invent such things, like where do they get this?” (Show biz.)

Ruffa, asked if she’s willing to be friends again with Nadia Montenegro: “I want to be surrounded by good friends.” (Got that.)

Nadia Montenegro to Annabelle Rama: “You claim that you go to church every day. Pero araw-araw meron ka ring isinusumpang tao. Araw-araw meron kang sinasaktan na tao.” (Anything is possible, it seems.)

Daniel Matsunaga on Heart Evangelista breaking up with him: “This is something that I really didn’t expect to happen. So I apologize to them, the people who are expecting me to be still with Heart.” (Don’t apologize to everyone. Some of us saw it coming.)

Heart Evangelista, asked if she’ll still be friends with Daniel Matsunaga: “For sure. I’ve been down this road many times.” (And some of us saw this statement coming, too.)

Assunta de Rossi on why she and husband Jules Ledesma still don’t have a baby: “We’re taking our time kasi inuuna namin ’yung pagbili ng bagong bahay. Mahirap naman ’yung mag-expand kami ng family tapos wala kaming matitirahan  … Isa pa, ang dami rin kasing  mga obligations na kinailangan naming isalo. That’s been our lives for 10 years—’yung ibang tao muna ’yung laging inuuna namin.” (Take your time.)

Katrina Halili, asked about her recent 4D ultrasound procedure: “Tulala lang ako sa screen. Nakakatuwa na may nabubuhay sa tiyan mo talaga.” (Good for you.)

KC Concepcion, asked if she wants to do a movie with parents Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion: “Ayoko na po. Let’s stay in the world of make-believe and keep it that way.” (That’s saying a lot.)

(Startalk, Paparazzi, Showbiz Central, The Buzz, with Allan Policarpio, Contributor)