Sibling revelry

JANICE AND GELLI. Having the time of their lives.

Janice and Gelli de Belen have been stellar performers for many years, but it’s striking to note that the star siblings are currently having one of their best years yet. —Time for some sibling revelry, indeed!

Gelli’s career had a bumpy start this year when her “food appreciation” show was axed. Not to worry, however, it’s been replaced by a number of other programs like

“Face to Face,” of which she’s the replacement host—plus other even newer shows!

A “related” development that should similarly be cited is the fact that Gelli’s husband, Ariel Rivera, is also doing well as an actor. He has a current soap (“Ina, Kapatid, Anak”), and recently acquitted himself well on a “Maala-ala Mo Kaya?” drama.

Projects

For her part, Janice is even busier, with a host of multimedia projects. Her “cooking and celebrity chatfest” show, “Spoon,” is popular with viewers, and she’s also one of the four celebrity panelists on “Showbiz Inside Report.” In addition, she’s in “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” and may have a movie in the works!

Indeed, Janice herself is quite amazed that, at this “late” stage of her career (she started as a child star decades ago), she’s “suddenly” become “in demand” again!

What accounts for the “second spring” she’s experiencing in her career? We believe that her big “reentry point” was her being tapped to play the mother of “Budoy,” the lovable retardate, a couple of TV seasons ago. The show turned out ot be a “sleeper” hit and reminded viewers—and producers—of Janice’s well-honed acting prowess.

Another key factor may be the fact that Janice’s marriage broke up a few years ago, leaving her in the lurch, and the viewing public’s collective heart went out to her.

Career

For Janice’s career to do even better, she should make it a point to keep losing those unwanted, matronly pounds. After all, some of her contemporaries still look years younger than their actual age, so she should do her best to similarly hold back the hands—and avoirdupois—of time.

Adding to Janice’s sense of fulfilment these days is the fact that her and Aga Muhlach’s son, Luigi Muhlach, has finally gotten his act together as a young adult, and even has his own cooking show, “Del Monte Kitchenomics,” which he proficiently co-hosts with Jolina Magdangal.

Janice and Gelli de Belen—from time to time, these stellar siblings’ careers have had more downs than ups, but the tide has turned again for both of them—and they’re having the time of their lives!