This show biz insider’s harem is fit for a queen

SARAH Lahbati laughs off rumors that she caused the John Prats-Bianca Manalo breakup.

Observers wonder how Show biz Insider earned the moolah he used to build his decadent mansion.

Major Company, which employs him, is famously cost-cutting, scrimping on the talent fees of lesser mortals.

But SI is swimming in dough. Asks SI’s frenemy: Is this good leadership by example?

And why does SI need to have so many rooms? Is that luxurious residence doubling as a harem for naïve wannabes, who are sure to be SI’s “special” guests?

It’s a harem fit for a queer … er, queen!

Backsliding

Show biz folks are worried that Handsome Star is back to his old ways.

ENRIQUE Gil is not looking for love, for now.

HS, a competent actor to boot, kicked a nasty drug habit with persistence and staunch family support. But after a major tragedy hit the clan, HS ended up dazed and rudderless.

Concerned friends pray that HS gets back on track, pronto.

Swinger

Kibitzers shouldn’t wonder why Glamorous Celeb and Cute Star parted ways.

There has been incessant talk that CS swings both ways.

Perhaps CS is in the mood for a masculine companion at this time and GC, unfortunately, is all-woman.

BEA Alonzo is thrilled that Zanjoe Marudo wants to marry her.

Notoriously curious

While we’re on the subject of sexual ambiguity, Controversial Star apparently started young.

Apart from Talented Star, CS courted Statuesque Sweetheart when they were in their teens. On the set of a movie they were making, CS made a pass at SS, who was naturally shocked.

Thankfully, SS had the wits to exclaim: “Tigilan mo ako. You must be high or drunk again.”

Enterprising hunk

Remember Aging Lothario, whose wife left when she discovered his affairs with rich gays?

Turned out, AL is an enterprising professional. Apart from targeting closeted politicos and actors, he had a long-running affair with Wealthy Benefactor.

AL set up a small business venture with WB’s help. When AL’s wife learned about the mysterious investor, she naturally went ballistic.

Married McConaughey

MARK Herras is happy with his girlfriend, Ynna Asistio.

LOS ANGELES—Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey married his longtime girlfriend, Brazilian model Camila Alves, on Saturday evening, according to People magazine.

The couple tied the knot at a private ceremony in Texas before close friends and family, including their two young kids, with Alves taking the groom’s last name to become Camila McConaughey, the actor’s rep told the magazine.

McConaughey, 42, and Alves, 30, were engaged in December but kept secret the date of the wedding. AFP

Commander Sutherland

PARIS—Actor Donald Sutherland has been awarded the honor Commander of the Arts in France for his contribution to cinema.

Sutherland, 76, was decorated on Saturday evening at a ceremony in Paris by former French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand, who praised the Canadian star’s “extraordinary” career—with diverse roles in films such as Federico Fellini’s “Casanova.”

ANGELICA Panganiban

There were chuckles as Mitterrand struggled to tie the medallion around the actor, who sported the long silver hair last seen for his role in the blockbuster movie “The Hunger Games.”  AP

Top of the Talk Shows

For those who missed last weekend’s TV gabfests (and why we are moved, if we are moved):

Ronald Singson, asked if he and ex-girlfriend Lovi Poe are still close: “Yes, we’re still fiends, we still go out. It’s hard for us not to see each other because we have common friends.” (Fair enough.)

Ara Mina, asked if sister Cristine Reyes has apologized to her: “’Di naman talaga siya humihingi ng tawad …. wala talaga siyang effort, eh. Magkakaayos din kami sa huli, pero ’di ko nakikita ’yung sincerity na hinahanap ko.” (Time heals all wounds, they say.)

Sarah Lahbati on being linked to the John Prats-Bianca Manalo breakup: “Talagang nagulat ako at natawa … ’di ko po sila kilala nang personal.” (So, dapat kaya matawa rin kami?)

Ogie Alcasid, asked if he has plans to enter politics: “’Di ko naman sinasabing ang artista ’di puwedeng mag-pulitika. Pero ako, personally, hindi ako karapat-dapat sa pulitika.” (We could say the same about three artistas who are now politicos.)

Kris Bernal, asked if she would like to know Mark Herras better if he were single: “P’wede naman po kasi mabait naman po kasi si Mark at gentleman. Ang gusto ko pa sa kanya ang hilig niya magpatawa. Talagang kapag humihirit siya, eh ’yung tawa ko parang wala nang bukas.” (Careful! A sense of humor is sexy.)

Mark Herras on his relationship with girlfriend Ynna Asistio: “Napaka-steady at saya. Four years na kami—’yun ’yung pinakamatagal na relationship sa buhay ko … tumitibay ’yung relationship namin kaya masaya kami.“ (Ah,  ’di na nga siya single.)

KRIS Bernal likes Mark Herras’ sense of humor.

Wynwyn Marquez on people criticizing mom Alma Moreno’s plan to run for Senate: “Hindi naman po nila alam kung gaano ka-importante ’yung pag-serve niya sa mga tao. Tingnan na lang nila dapat muna bago magsalita.” (In short, the proof is in the pudding.)

Nina, asked why she posed for Playboy magazine: “Bakit hindi? Habang intact pa ’yung body ko, wala pang sagging here and there, gusto ko siyang i-immortalize. (Right. And guys will buy the magazine to read the interview.)

Lucy Torres on being a congresswoman: “It’s better than I thought it would be. There are hard days … but at least I’m able to say that I did more than just say, ‘Kawawa naman.’ (Well said. A woman of action right here; not just a woman of prayer.)

Aubrey Miles on her recent Twitter war with Mo Twister: “Hanggang du’n lang siya, eh. ’Yun lang ang ginagawa niya. Sa Twitter lang ’yan …  sana mahanap niya ang kanyang true happiness.” (’Yan nga yata ang happiness niya e.)

Eugene Domingo on adopting a healthier lifestyle: “Kailangan nating alagaan ang ating health,  na puhunan natin bilang artista … I quit smoking, I quit eating beef and pork, I sleep very early! Kaya kong magising ng alas-kwatro ng madaling araw para magwalis ng bakuran. Malapit na nga akong mag-deliver ng dyaryo!” (We’ll send you our address.)

Enrique Gil, asked about his love life: “At this point, I’m not looking; I’m [busy] with work.” (Tatamaan ka rin ng kidlat, anak.)

KC Concepcion, asked if she has suitors right now: “Meron. Non-show biz siya. I’m happy, masarap pala na kinikilig ulit kasi I’m excited to fall in love again. Pero huwag muna ngayon.” (Ano ba talaga?)

Bea Alonzo on Zanjoe Marudo saying he intends to marry her: “Natuwa naman ako! Mas gusto ko naman ’yung seryoso siya kaysa nakikipaglaro lang. Malay natin,  in five years … sana nga siya na.” (Tagal pa nun, okey ka lang?)

Sen. Chiz Escudero, asked about his rumored date with Heart Evangelista: “Sa dami ng problema ng bansa … hahaha!” (Yes or no lang po.)

Angelica Panganiban on rumors that she was spotted kissing John Lloyd Cruz in public: “Imposibleng mangyari. ’Di ako ’yun … ganyan naman ang mga tao, eh … I’m happy for them na nakakagawa sila ng ganyang klaseng intriga at issue.” (Actually, artistas are better at it. Aminin!)

(Startalk, E-Live, Showbiz Central, The Buzz, with Allan Policarpio, Contributor)