Politico hits jackpot with reality star

HEART Evangelista “outs” Marian Rivera.

Heart Evangelista said on Thursday that her spat with fellow GMA 7 star Marian Rivera has cost her a few pounds, four endorsement projects and a TV show with Rivera’s boyfriend, Dingdong Dantes.

Heart was accompanied by her mom, Cecille Ongpauco, and lawyers Archimedes Gonzalez and Camille Sevilla to a press conference, where she confirmed she was bullied by Rivera twice on the set of “Temptation Island” in Ilocos Norte. All because she had said she was “excited” about the project with Dantes.

“She shouted at me,” Heart said. “I was scared.” She added that she has also been receiving threats from Rivera’s fans.

Heart said she informed her mom about the altercation upon the advice of Chris Martinez, director of “Temptation.”

Ongpauco denied earlier reports of an exchange of harsh words with Rivera at the airport. But she confirmed that the endorsement deals and the TV show with Dantes had been put on hold.

Evangelista’s family kept mum in compliance with GMA 7’s request to not fan the flames, Sevilla said. But, the lawyer pointed out, Rivera discussed the issue during a press conference three weeks ago.

Said the actress: “The companies [offering endorsement deals] want me to talk and put an end to the issue. I don’t know why I’m in this situation. I’m not competing with anyone … about who’s prettier or more popular.”

In a text message, Martinez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer: “These are grown-ups… my job was to direct.” Popoy Caritativo, Rivera’s manager, also told the Inquirer in a statement sent via SMS: “For the sake of peace and out of respect for GMA 7, [Marian] will no longer comment … Although it’s hard for her to remain silent, she knows that there are times when peace is the better option.”

GMA 7 also acknowledged in a statement that the issue was “personal” and that “the network still hopes… the stars’ friendship will be renewed.”

Mariel’s Baby Binoe

ROBIN Padilla (photo by jodee agoncillo)

For Robin Padilla to text a person, he/she must be important to the actor.

“Kakaunti lang ang tine-text ko. Ang hirap mag-text e. Tatawagan ko na lang sila,” Robin said during his recent launch as the latest endorser of Cherry Mobile.

For a long time, his textmates were just his manager Betchay Vidanes and daughters Queenie and Kylie. And then Mariel Rodriguez, who Robin said he won through messages via text and Twitter, was added to the list. Now they’ve been married almost a year.

“We didn’t meet for two weeks after [we left] ‘Wowowee,’ but I kept monitoring her on Twitter. Once, she tweeted that she was not feeling well. I texted her to say she should take paracetamol, and there our love story began in earnest,” Robin recounted.

Everything between them is cozy, he says, except that Mariel takes care of him too much. “Umiikot ang mundo niya sa akin. Doon ako nagagalit. Dati, ayaw niya nang umalis ng bahay. Paggising ko may pagkain na, maliligo ako, aayusin niya lahat.” Yes, he’s complaining.

“Matanda na naman ako. Hindi ko siya asawa para maging slave,” he said.

Robin was asked about his reported opposition to his daughter Kylie’s reported romance with Aljur Abrenica. His reply indicated a change of heart. His daughters were old enough, he said.

Cyberspace snap

MARIAN Rivera

An incriminating snapshot in cyberspace shows Dashing Politician, supposedly happily married, in a tight embrace with Mestiza Beauty.

MB is a regular in all sorts of beauty pageants, and also joined a major network’s reality talent search. She once said she joined contests to help augment the family income. Seems MB got lucky when she won not just a beauty title, but also DP’s heart.

However, a Netizen scoffed that it’s DP who hit the jackpot with such a youthful and beautiful playmate.

Gay connection

Pretty Starlet is frustrated with Handsome Partner’s Gay Benefactor.

Whenever PS talks publicly about HP, GB requires her to “embellish.”

GB wants to extinguish rumors about his close relationship with HP with the help of PS, that’s why.

However, PS is not keen on being cast as the red herring. Smart girl.

No-show Nora

NORA Aunor (file photo)

For the second time, Nora Aunor was a no-show on her rumored arrival date. She was supposed to plane in last Thursday, but at press time 36 hours later, there was still no sign of her.

Daughter Lotlot de Leon told us her mom’s comeback was not yet final. But a source from a TV network said the return was just moved to July 31.

Apart from an Emilio Aguinaldo bio-pic, Nora is supposed to do projects with TV5 and ABS-CBN.

Those beautiful Barrettos

GRETCHEN Barretto and Lily Monteverde (photo by bayani san diego)

Here’s proof that the beautiful Barretto sisters are on good terms at present: Regal producer Lily Monteverde bumped into Gretchen at the opening of the Cinemalaya fest a week ago.

Mother Lily told the actress, “We should make a movie again.” (Gretchen’s debut “14 Going Steady” was produced by Regal.)

Gretchen said she’s “open” to the idea, and suggested a drama flick with sister Claudine Barretto.

That would be exciting, they both agreed. And controversial.

Ali on Phil

Ali Sotto says Angel Locsin usually tells her about matters of the heart. (Ali’s late son Mico was Angel’s BF.)

Ali explained that Angel would often seek her approval about a new suitor.

“She told me about [ex] Luis Manzano,” Ali said. “But she has yet to talk to me about Phil Younghusband. Last time I asked, Angel said it hasn’t reached that [serious] stage.” (Hmm.)

Top of the tabloids

The top show biz news in the Inquirer tabloid Bandera (and why we are moved if we are moved):

Wendell (Ramos): Hindi lang pera-pera ang show biz. (Tell that to…)

Ruffa (Gutierrez) kailangan ng matinding dasal (for child custody). (Malaki na sila.)

May ‘himala’ sa pag-uwi ni Ate Guy. (Korek. Di siya sumipot sa sarili niyang arrival!)

Sa nalalapit na pag-uwi niya sa Pilipinas, Erap, Ate Guy magkabati na kaya? (Let’s not go there.)

Takot nang makipagkaibigan ang Azkals (dahil sa rape incident). (Let’s NOT go there.)

Joyce Bernal, ‘paghahandaan’ na si Kris. (Matinding paghahanda ’yan.)

Diether: Wala kaming relasyon ni Kris! (E ’di… wala!)

Totoo kayang walang working permit? Daniel Matsunaga isusuplong sa immigration. (Yung ibang tropa kaya niya?)

BB Gandanghari girl na girl sa US. (Why are we not surprised?)

Rufa Mae type makipag-churvahan kay Richard. (Ano kaya yun?)

Xyriel Manabat pinaglilihian ng mga buntis. (Kuha n’yo?)