Ricci Rivero on UAAP win and girlfriend Andrea Brillantes

Hardcourt heartthrob Ricci Rivero is on a roll. He captured the heart of Andrea Brillantes, then a few weeks later, his team (UP Fighting Maroons) bagged the UAAP championship after 36 years. He ought to be called Ricci Rich in the happiness department.

Here’s my chat with Ricci:

What was the toughest part in beating the Ateneo Blue Eagles?

The system that they have and the bond of their team. Their championship experience is a big part as well.

How will you reward yourself after bagging the UAAP championship?

Rest and let my injuries heal for now.

What makes you and Andrea click?

We have so much in common, and what we have is real.

How will you avoid getting jealous of Andrea’s leading men?

She knows how to handle those things, and I trust her, so I’m not really thinking about it.

Will Robin prove his detractors wrong?

Since the “Robin Padilla chapter” of my colorful past was headline material many controversies ago, people are asking me how I feel about his topping the senatorial race.

For old times’ sake, I hope that Binoe’s street smarts and good heart would eventually prove his detractors wrong. He cannot rely on charisma alone. Binoe must have something substantial to offer. If the so-called “Bad Boy of Philippine Showbiz” wants it badly enough to happen, it will.

Denise lives a double life in ‘Doblado’

À la Maria Clara by day, à la Maria Ozawa by night. That’s the kind of woman Denise Esteban portrays in “Doblado” (now streaming on Vivamax). She kinds of resembles my amiga, Pri Meirelles-Estrada.

The erotic movie directed by GB Sampedro also stars Josef Elizalde, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Gwen Garci. It will make you think twice about living a double life.

Here are quotes from Denise (D), Josef (J), Gwen (G) and GB:

D: I don’t want to follow in anyone’s footsteps in show biz. I aim to create my own path.

J: I was hesitant at first to do sexy roles because I was not sure if I could pull it off. But I felt the need to reinvent myself and graduate from doing “pa-cutesy” roles.

GB: Our movie has many subplots. Sex is not the focal point. It’s just an added element to the journey of the characters that Denise and Josef portray.

G: The new sexy stars are more daring than my batch back in the day. My advice to them is not to do anything to ruin their name. The booboo they do today will be on social media tomorrow.

D: The hardest scenes for me were the ones when I had to cry and go wild. I don’t care what bashers say because I am too busy enjoying what I do.

J: It’s dangerous to get attached to a character I portray and my partner in the movie. But if we are both single and fall for each other, why not?

GB: Our movie shows the struggle of people who have no choice but to lead a double life in order to survive. Hopefully, it will make us less judgmental of them.

Ayanna Misola (left) and Janelle Tee

Janelle and Ayanna’s girl-to-girl love scenes in ‘Putahe’

Hunger in any form is a dangerous thing. The antidote to that is “Putahe” (now streaming on Vivamax). The sexy coming-of-age film directed by Roman Perez Jr. is topbilled by Ayanna Misola and Janelle Tee. All cravings will be satisfied as Jenny (Ayanna) and Euka (Janelle) cook up a storm in the kitchen—and in bed.

Here are quotes from Ayanna (A), Janelle (J) and Roman (R):

A: We all turned into islanders. It felt like a “workcation” because we shot on a paradise island. No signal and electricity, so no social media. That’s why we were able to focus on our characters.

J: It’s my first out-of-the-box role. I was nervous and excited to see if I gave justice to my girl-to-girl love scenes with Ayanna.

J: Since Ayanna and I are close, we are comfy with each other, so I thought doing love scenes with her would be a breeze. But there was awkwardness at first because it felt like incest since I treat her like my baby sister.

A: I kept teasing Janelle that we should practice our love scenes in her room. During our scenes, I really felt she was in love with me. It made me wonder if she’s straight or not (laughs).

J: If I were a “putahe,” I would be bulalo because I will make you crave for “extra rice.” You can’t have enough of me.

A: If I were a putahe, I would be adobo. May asim pero may toyo din. I’m yummy any time of the day, and I get yummier the next day.

J: As long as there is love, there’s no difference in sex with a girl or a guy. My character used sex for revenge.

R: Our movie is liberating the idea of sex. Let’s be free to “sex-press” ourselves whatever our gender is.