Nadine back with ex, admits brief romance with Leandro

Nadine Samonte has reconciled with her longtime boyfriend, young businessman Emerson Chua, whose family runs Ping-Ping Lechon.

“We threshed out all our issues,” she said. “So now magaan na lahat. I told him about my brief romance with Leandro Muñoz at naintindihan naman niya lahat. Para kaming mga bata uli having fun. Enjoy kami mag-scooter at kung ano-ano pang kababawan. Na miss namin ang isa’t-isa. Gusto na nga niya magpakasal pero sabi ko wait muna siya kasi sayang naman lahat ng breaks coming my way.”

How does she feel about working with her ex, Oyo Boy Sotto, in TV5’s remake of Valiente? “Oyo and I are past the awkward stage,” she explained. “Magkapatid ang role namin sa series. His wife Kristine need not worry about anything. Di kami chummy ni Oyo. Civil lang. Focus kami both sa roles namin kasi matindi ang pressure. We have to equal or surpass the original ‘Valiente.’”

Work mode on. Good thing Nadine is too inspired to be tired.

Back on track

DJ Mo Twister is back on radio on Magic 89.9 FM, broadcasting direct from New York from Mondays to Thursdays, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., with Mojo Jojo, Grace Lee and Angelicopter in Manila. Love him or hate him, but you just can’t ignore him.

No matter how others have passed judgment on Mo, I remain his friend. I checked on him and he replied, “Miss you too. Hope all is well in the show. As long as I know I was in the right, I stood up for life… everyone else can say what they want.”

Mo is raring to start his Mozzarella Bar/Diner, iPhone Game App called Mo’s Diner, Podcast Season 2 and his keychain business. After going through the fire, he’s now all fired up. Fiery is the way to go this Year of the Dragon. Enough emo for Mo.

Name that composer

Just as we can name a tune in a few notes, we should also be able to name the composers of Pinoy hits. Allow me to share an e-mail of composer Aaron Paul, which made my day. Kudos to unsung heroes like Aaron.

“I read your piece on ‘Nandito Ako.’ Thanks for mentioning my name. I’m always grateful when a writer takes the time to mention the composer of a song because a lot of times we are left unnoticed. I’m actually surprised you know about the English version [of ‘Nandito Ako’]. Not a lot of people know about that.

“It will be the first time anyone will hear the official English version. It’s just perfect timing that an American Idol should do it, don’t you agree? So I’m very excited about that.

“Come to think of it, with so many beautiful Tagalog songs, when a foreigner picks one and it happens to be mine, that really is a miracle! There seems to be a renewed interest in my songs. ‘Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin’ became an awarded teleserye. ‘Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang’ (cowritten with our friend Ogie Alcasid) continues to be used everywhere, most recently in ‘Enteng Ng Ina Mo.’ Then there’s ‘Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso,’ still a favorite.

“I just feel sad that from what I hear everywhere, less and less original songs are coming out and OPM is suffering. I hope to help turn that around by writing more original songs which I have already submitted to many of the local recording companies. “

PERSONAL: Birthday hugs and kisses to A.S. Thanks for changing my world for the better.

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