(From left) Dominique Cojuangco with husband Michael Hearn, and Liza Soberano. Images from Instagram
The first week of March was filled with the hottest entertainment news — from the wedding of Dominique Cojuangco to businessman Michael Hearn, to Pokwang’s unceasing diatribe against ex-partner Lee O’Brian, to Liza Soberano’s regret at not getting the role in the film “Hello, Love, Goodbye” when it was offered to her.
Meanwhile, Tito, Vic, and Joey’s singing the “Eat Bulaga” anthem revived talks about the show’s supposed rebranding, and Paolo Contis recalls the time when an ex-girlfriend cheated on him.
Take a look at some of the hottest entertainment news that dominated INQUIRER.net’s headlines from the week of March 3 to 9.
Gretchen’s unica hija says ‘I do’
Dominique Cojuangco and businessman Michael Hearn exchanged “I dos.” Images: Instagram/@mimiyque, Instagram/@stefanalino, Instagram/@entrari.
Dominique Cojuangco — the only daughter of veteran actress Gretchen Barretto and businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco — exchanged “I dos” with the love of her life, businessman Michael Hearn last March 4.
The couple’s wedding was held at the San Agustin Church in Manila, while reception followed at the National Museum of Natural History, also in the capital city. However, details of the ceremony were mostly kept private, with glimpses of the event being shared on social media by their guests.
Among the invited guests include actresses Sofia Andres and Ria Atayde, architect Riza Plaza, socialite Mimi Que, and influencer Paolo Stefano, among others. Curiously, some of her more popular relatives from the Barretto side of her family were not seen in the wedding.
Cojuangco and Hearn first crossed paths while they were studying at the British School Manila, but it was only in 2018 where they started to “look at each other differently.” They eventually got engaged in October 2021.
READ: LOOK: Dominique Cojuangco ties knot with businessman Michael Hearn
Pokwang is yet done with Lee O’Brian
Pokwang and Lee O’Brian with their daughter Malia. Image: Instagram/@leeobrian
Pokwang claimed that her former partner Lee O’Brian was initially displeased when he knew she was pregnant with their daughter Malia, as seen on the comments section of her Instagram post last Feb. 28.
The comedienne responded to other Instagram users who gave their opinions about the former’s relationship with O’Brian, although the netizens appeared to have already taken down their comments from the post.
“Hindi magiging masaya ang anak namin kapag nalaman niya na batugan at ayaw sa kanya ng tatay niya, na nagalit nang malaman na buntis ako!” she claimed. (Our child would not be happy if she learns that her father is lazy and did not want her as he got angry when he learned I was pregnant.)
Pokwang also came to the realization that her ex did not really love her, and only stuck it out with her because he only used her.
On Instagram, she also alleged that she shouldered all the expenses from her prenatal checkup to childbirth.
READ: Pokwang says Lee O’Brian ‘didn’t want’ their daughter: Nagalit siya nung nalaman na buntis ako
The ‘OG dabarkads’
(From left) Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon. Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Eat Bulaga
“Eat Bulaga” hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon — also known as TVJ — wrapped up the Mar. 4 episode of “Eat Bulaga” (EB), amid talks of its supposed rebranding among the show’s producers and hosts.
Minutes after its “Little Miss Grand Finals” segment, hosts Ryan Agoncillo and Allan K called up Tito, Vic, and Joey to sing its popular theme song to end its episode. “At eto na nga, Allan. Ang ating mga judges, musicians, and hosts, the OGs (originals) and legit Dabarkads (barkada or friends), TVJ! Tito, Vic, and Joey,” Agoncillo said before the three mainstays went onstage.
After Tito, Vic, and Joey’s rendition of the show’s theme, the hosts and audience erupted into cheers as they talked about where the song “Eat Bulaga” came from. Fans also expressed their support for the show, as seen in the comments section of the noontime show’s post on Facebook.
Rumors about EB’s alleged internal conflict surfaced on social media after columnist Cristy Fermin alleged that an “executive” was being kicked out from the show, while Tito, Vic, and Joey are said to have been planning to join the aforementioned executive. However, the show has yet to confirm nor deny the speculations, as of this writing.
Tuviera’s APT Tape Inc., which produces the long-running noontime show, is a partner of TAPE Inc., owned by Romeo Jalosjos.
READ: WATCH: Tito, Vic, Joey singing ‘Eat Bulaga’ theme song brings nostalgia amid ‘rebranding’ talks
‘Kung hindi ukol, hindi bubukol’
Liza Soberano and Ogie Diaz. Image: Facebook/Ogie Diaz
Talent manager Ogie Diaz and TV director Jojo Saguin weighed in on an industry practice of offering roles to second-choice artists who were able to deliver and made their projects a commercial success, shortly after Liza Soberano revealed that the 2019 film “Hello, Love, Goodbye” was first offered to her and her boyfriend, actor Enrique Gil.
Saguin, without directly addressing the actress, made a parallelism to the ABS-CBN teleserye “La Vida Lena,” which was originally pitched to Ivana Alawi, but was eventually offered to Erich Gonzales.
“Yung ‘La Vida Lena’ originally was for Ivana Alawi. Naiba ng naiba ang story tapos hindi ready si ivana to do lock in tapings. Kasagsagan kase ng pandemic nun. Tapos we presented the story to Erich [Gonzales] and she said yes. Ayun nag swak naman ang lahat. Pak,” she said.
Meanwhile, Diaz retweeted Saguin’s post, adding that if a film project is not meant for the artist, then it is bound to have consequences.
Soberano had said that she asked Star Cinema to save the movie for her and Enrique Gil, but at that time, they were working on several projects simultaneously, and the film outfit eventually offered the titular role to Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards. “Hello, Love Goodbye” was named the “highest-grossing Filipino film of all time” by the production company.
Ironic? Paolo Contis revealed he got cheated on by an ex
Paolo Contis. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Paolo Contis recalled the time he found out his ex-girlfriend was cheating on him after he incidentally received a package that contained photos of her and the other guy, as seen in an interview with fellow Kapuso actors Kokoy De Santos and Royce Cabrera for Contis’ segment “Just In” last March 1.
The subject was brought up when De Santos talked about his then girlfriend of two years whom he loved deeply but broke up with because of a third party. De Santos said he caught the girl exchanging suggestive photos with the other guy.
“May ganyan ako e. Nangyari sa akin ‘yan,” Contis then said. “Nagbakasyon ‘yung isa sa mga girlfriend ko dati tapos umuwi. Nagpadala ngayon ng photo album ‘yung lalake, parang regalo. Pagbukas ko—hindi siguro alam nung lalake na ako ‘yung magre-receive nung package—puro pictures nila na sunset, nagha-halikan.”
Contis said that his ex-girlfriend, whom he seemingly hinted to also be from showbiz, did not immediately own up to her mistake and reasoned out that the other guy was just a photographer. “Nag-alibi pa e. Ayun, nalaos,” he said. EDV
READ: Paolo Contis recalls ex-girlfriend who cheated on him: ‘Ayun, nalaos’