Edu Manzano (left) and Cherry Pie Picache
Luis Manzano is thrilled about his dad Edu Manzano’s newfound romance with Cherry Pie Picache. “He probably got envious of Jessy and me,” Luis said in jest. “He and Tita Pie might be pitted against the ‘KathNiel’ loveteam.”
Luis recalled that Pie portrayed his stepmom in the defunct series, “Kampanerang Kuba.” It looks like life is now imitating art.
“I only have good words to say about Tita Pie as a person and an actress,” he pointed out. “Her forgiving the one who murdered her mom speaks volumes about her.”
Luis also said that his dad and Pie’s relationship is proof that show biz is such a small world. And if I may add, their love story shows that it’s not only about finding the right one, but also how special it is when our heart is ripe for love again.
Luis Manzano
Here’s my chat with Luis:
What’s your advice to Pie?
Just be how she is and enjoy the love.
What’s your dad like when he’s in love?
Focused and dedicated.
Were you ever torn between your mom and dad when they parted ways?
Nope, they may have separated as a couple, but not as my parents.
Any new discoveries about your wife Jessy?
She is still pretty much the same, and I guess that’s good since I really got to know her before we got married.
When do you and Jessy plan to have a baby?
When the pandemic is finally over. It’s not conducive for Jessy to get pregnant during these dangerous times. We don’t want to risk it, but we are having fun trying to have a baby.
Clockwise: Maui Taylor, Ara Mina, Alma Moreno and Rosanna Roces
‘Pornstar’ cast’s second coming
“Paglaki Ko Gusto Ko Maging Pornstar” is one of my fave 2021 movies. It tickled my funny bone and tugged at my heartstrings simultaneously. So I can hardly wait to watch its sequel directed by Darryl Yap, “Pornstar 2: Pangalawang Putok” (now streaming on Vivamax, which is already available in the US and Canada).
Don’t let the movie’s vulgar title make you dismiss it as junk. Yap scratches beneath the surface to find secrets that the hearts of legendary sexy stars, Alma Moreno, Rosanna Roces, Maui Taylor and Ara Mina, have never told.
In the second installment, they are joined by Sab Aggabao, Cara Gonzales, Ayana Misola, Stephanie Raz and Lara Morena. “Pornstar” is “livelier” the second time around.
Here are quotes from Ara (A), Rosanna/Osang (O), Maui (M), Ness/Alma (N) & Darryl (D):
D: “Pornstar 2” is a sexy movie debunking sexy movies. It’s actually antisexy movies. We will show how love scenes are really done. It’s all just a camera trick. It’s a trilogy, so watch out for Part 3.
N: My advice to newbie sexy stars is not to act or dress like a sexy star off cam so the public will know that it’s just a role they’re playing. Use bold movies as a stepping stone to become a serious actress.
O: When I was starting in the biz, I had no mentor. An assistant director used to hit me with the script and told me to memorize my lines, instead of making chika on the set. I learned how to deliver lines from Perla Bautista. Rosemarie Gil taught me that show biz is not forever, but family is.
M: The line that hit me most in our movie goes, “Bakit, kayo din naman may baho ang nakaraan.” The sad reality of being in show biz is that your past sins can be used against you.
A: My fave scene in our movie is the press con. We had no script to follow. The four of us spoke our truth. Nagpakatotoo kami ng todo. More than baring our bodies, we bared our souls.
D: I used the term “porn star” instead of “sexy star” because it mirrors how society sees the actors. Just because they figure in a wet look or kissing scene, the public labels them as a porn star right away. It’s a matter of conditioning.
N: In our movie, I did scenes that are more daring than those during my heyday. I thought I could not pull it off, but I did.
O: My apo Onyok enjoyed watching the trailer of our movie. He gushed, “Ang ganda ng lola ko.” Kids are different these days. But of course, it’s a case-to-case basis if parents will allow their kids to watch our film.
Cesar now fully recovered from COVID
My BFF Buboy (Cesar Montano) is back in fighting form after his bout with COVID-19 last August. “BFF, I am already playing golf and basketball,” he beamed. “I also swim and run a lot. So puwede na tayo mag-gulp-gulp (ng wine) with bro Alvin (Anson).”
What sweeter way to celebrate his second lease on life than by bonding with his “Tres Marias.” That’s how he fondly calls Angelina, Chesca and Sam, his daughters with Sunshine Cruz.
“It was Chesca’s 16th birthday last Dec 1. We had dinner at Ogawa, then a nightcap at Cork,” he shared.” I brought my guitarist Renato along, and we serenaded the birthday girl. I gave her a painting, which I made when she was only 6 years old.”
BFF’s health scare has made him relish fatherhood joys all the more. I have never seen him any happier—and that makes me happiest.
Lotlot de Leon (third from left) and Monching Gutierrez (right) with their kids
Monching: Lotlot’s new hubby and I get along well
Janine Gutierrez has better things to do than deal with break-up rumors (with Rayver Cruz). She recently spent quality time with her estranged parents, Lotlot de Leon and Monching Gutierrez, at Landrina Escape in Bataan.
“Lot, her husband Fadi, our grown-up kids and I had a great time,” Monching quipped. “Fadi and I get along well. We are a modern family. These days, there are many other families like us. What’s important is that the respect Lot and I have for each other remains.”
What an ideal ex-couple Lot and Monching are. Keeping the friendship intact is the best way of ex-es to honor the memory of the love they used to share. Even without a happy-ever-after, at least they had a “once-upon-a-time.”