Sexy star steals role from indie actress

RUFA Mae Quinto loves hanging out with Willie Revillame.

Indie actress, admired in the movie industry for her depth and sensitivity, lost a plum role in a high-profile film.

IA had it in the bag, but Showbiz Insider orchestrated a sudden script change that benefited Sexy Star. But karma does rectify injustice. SI was eased out of the project as well.

(Mona Lisa smile here.)

Great escape

Mole relates that Hunky Actor plans to migrate. Is HA trying to escape from messy, dubious love affairs?

More precisely, is HA trying to run as far away as possible from Controversial Celebrity, the latest benefactor who is determined to hold him by the neck?

Crying wolf

Cute Performer once claimed that no gay would ever have the pleasure of his company. CP broke the heart of Influential Gay (and got the latter in trouble) in the past.

Now there’s talk that Powerful Benefactor has ensnared him. Is this why CP is being showered with projects in PB’s empire?

Real-life villainess

On the set of a soap opera, cast and crew were bonding inside a makeshift dressing room. Famous Villainess was having a blast chatting with Young Actor.

YA’s Nosy Manager, perhaps suspecting that FV was a cougar and was trying to seduce the kid, kept intruding in the conversation.

Annoyed, FV bared her fangs and told NM, in so many words, to get out of the room. With élan, of course

Gay-friendly

While waiting in line with other wannabes seeking a slot in a reality show, a mole made small talk with Pretty Transgender.

PT claimed that Handsome Hunk was a “friend” before he hit it big in the same reality show. In fact, they used to live in the same building. Quite tellingly, PT’s eyes lit up every time HH’s name was mentioned.

PT also insisted that HH was very “friendly” to the other cross-dressers in the neighborhood.

RUFFA Gutierrez loves being a single parent.

Clueless big sis

At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Rushes spotted Gretchen Barretto at the Mac counter in Rustan’s Makati. Asked for a reaction to the Claudine-Tulfo “Fight Club” scene that morning, Ate Gretch’s jaw dropped: “Huh? Where is she?” Probably at the police precinct, even as we speak, we told her.

Gretchen’s partner, Tonyboy Cojuangco, was intrigued enough to ask, “Nagsuntukan? Talaga?”

Gotcha!

Spotted lunchtime on Monday in Mango Tree at The Fort: Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho. Make of that what you will.

Top of the talk shows

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

Eric Quizon, asked if Dolphy will appear on TV again: “The family has decided na huwag muna siya lumabas hangga’t hindi pa siya talaga ready. Kung palagay namin na he’s ready to come out at magtrabaho ulit, we will give him the go signal. But right now, palakas muna siya.” (Better safe than sorry. Pidol is precious—and beloved.)

Eric on people lobbying for Dolphy to be declared a National Artist: “Ang pinaka-ayaw lang namin mangyari is lagyan ng issue . . . Lahat naman ng nominated deserving . . . Sana this time, makuha namin.” (Spin a win!)

Manny Pacquiao on rumors that his religiosity has given him healing powers: “Kaya nating lahat, hindi lang ako . . . But the problem is people don’t believe and have doubts.” (Can you blame them?)

Garrie Concepcion, asked if her ideal boyfriend is someone like Gabby Concepcion: “Mahirap to be with someone guwapo! Sasaktan ka lang nu’n!” (Uh oh, what’s that saying about Gabby?)

Ara Mina on her rift with sister Cristine Reyes: “Anumang sugat ay napaghihilom ng panahon. Subalit ang pagpapatawad ay ibinibigay lamang sa taong nagsisisi at humihing ng tawad.” (Good answer.)

Krista Kleiner on ex-boyfriend Jay-R trying to win her back: “He’s shown a lot of effort . . . I really care about him and I think that’s why kahit anong nangyari we never lost touch.” (If only every ex-couple behaved this way!)

Marian Rivera on being more comfortable doing comedy than drama: “Kapag comedy ang ginagawa mo, very light at masaya lang. Mas gusto kong magpatawa. Parang mas OK ako du’n.” (Uh, okey kaya kami du’n?)

Marian, asked about the possibility of Dingdong Dantes proposing marriage to her soon: “Kung dumating man ’yan, eh sa tamang panahon. Siguro hindi muna sa ngayon . . . Naniniwala ako na ito ang isang bagay na ’di madalian. Kailangan pinag-iisipan nang mabuti kahit mahal mo ang isang tao.” (Parang scripted.)

Kris Bernal’s advice to ex-boyfriend Jay Perillo: “’Pag nagmahal ka ulit, gusto ko katulad kung paano mo ko minahal.” (Parang gusto mo pa yatang balikan ka, girl.)

Nora Aunor, asked if she felt unsafe while shooting “Thy Womb” in Tawi-Tawi: “Kabaligtaran ng mga nababalitaan natin dito, very, very peaceful ’pag pumunta ka doon.” (It’s more fun in Tawi-Tawi!)

Derek Ramsay, on rumors that his tiff with girlfriend Angelica Panganiban was caused by John Lloyd Cruz: “There’s no third party. Angel and I are OK. We’re gonna sit down and talk.” (Don’t involve us until your respective movies have finished their theatrical runs, OK?)

DOES Pacman have healing powers now? AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Ruffa Gutierrez, asked what she’ll tell ex-husband Yilmaz Bektas if they see each other again: “Siguro magchi-chikahan to death kami over a cup of coffee or tea. Gusto kong malaman kung ano’ng pinaggagagawa niya for the past four years, kung ’di ba niya kami na-miss.” (Four words for you: ’Wag na lang kaya?)

Ruffa, asked how hard it is being a single parent: “I welcome it, I love it. And if I could only have another baby kahit na walang tatay, I’d do it!” (Puwede kaya ’yun?)

Rufa Mae Quinto on rumors that she’s pregnant: “Ang tagal-tagal nang nababalitang buntis ako. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin lumalabas, eh, no!” (Baka . . . Avatar?)

Rufa Mae on her recent guesting on “Wil Time Big Time”: “I always enjoy being with Willie naman. ’Pag kasama ko siya, tawa lang kami nang tawa, kahit minsan ’di ko alam kung nilalait na niya ’ko o ano!” (Pay attention naman.)

Kristine Hermosa, asked if she’d allow her kids to join showbiz: “Endorsements siguro puwede pa . . . Depende rin naman sa interes nila, eh. Kung ’di naman nila gusto, bakit mo pipilitin?” (Oo nga naman.)

G Toengi on being a mother in the United States: “Mahirap maging isang ina lalo na sa America, kasi wala naman tayong mga kasama na tutulong sa ’tin. Pero at the same time, it’s very challenging and fulfilling. Masasabi ko talaga na ako ang nagpalaki ng anak ko.” (You can do that here, too.)

Piolo Pascual on working with “Every Breath U Take” leading lady Angelica Panganiban: “Ang hirap sabayan ng comic timing ni Angelica kasi ’di naman ako komedyante . . . Minsan it takes me a few seconds bago makapagsalita.” (Just make sure you won’t be shortchanging viewers.)

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