Melai Cantiveros is pregnant, report says

MANILA -- Comedienne Melai Cantiveros is pregnant by her boyfriend, Jason Francisco, according to "Showbiz Inside Report" host Ogie Diaz.

"Andami pa ring duda. Yes po, buntis po si Melai Cantiveros ke Jason Francisco. Congrats! A baby is always a blessing!" Diaz wrote on his official website, ogiediaz.net, on Sunday.

"Hindi pa makapaniwala ang iba. Buntis nga ang 25-year old na si Melai Cantiveros courtesy of her boyfriend na si Jason Francisco. Kung ilang buwan? Ayon sa source ko, mga 2 months na raw ito. Ang sabi, made in Singapore nu’ng nagte-taping sila ng KrisTV. Eh, di ba, favorite silang dalawa ni Kris Aquino? Kaya ayun na nga, nakabuo na rin sila, finally," Diaz said.

ABS-CBNnews.com tried to get confirmation from Cantiveros and Francisco, but they refused to take our calls.

Cantiveros reconciled with Francisco last June, more than a year after they broke up. The couple met as contestants in the hit ABS-CBN reality series "Pinoy Big Brother."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Piolo Pascual won't settle down yet

MANILA -- Piolo Pascual brought up a "promise" he made to his son, Iñigo, in explaining why he has opted not to settle down yet at 36.

The actor, dubbed the country's "Ultimate Heartthrob," said he intends to devote his attention to his only child with his former non-showbiz partner until he comes of age.

"Of course. Gusto ko po sana bago ako mag-40," Pascual said an interview on "Showbiz Inside Report" aired Saturday, when asked whether he still hopes to start a new family.

"[Although] I'm at an age na pwede na, not a lot of people know na I promised my son, when he's 18, that's the only time na magko-concentrate ako sa magiging future ko with a family," he said.

Iñigo, who is based in California with his mother, is turning 16 on September 14. "So I'm giving myself four years [to settle down]," Pascual said. "I'm 36. I'm not getting any younger."

Asked how he feels about being a single dad, Pascual said, "Okay naman. Minsan hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na mayroon akong anak na 16 anyos."

"Kasi feeling ko, parang binata pa naman ako. Pero may anak na ako. Pero ang sarap ng pakiramdam," he added.

Pascual has said that while Iñigo is based in the United States, he maintains constant communication with him and makes frequent visits there. In an interview in February, the actor said he also remains civil with Iñigo's mother, who updates him on their son's education.

Now that Iñigo has expressed interest in joining showbiz -- Pascual would only allow him to go full-time once he turns 18 -- the actor said he tries "to set an example."

"You have to make things right for him. Para, at least, you know na 'yung susundan niyang yapak is hindi siya maliligaw," said Pascual, who is approaching his 20th year in showbiz.

Pascual is currently doing promotions for his latest film, the crime-thriller "OTJ," which premieres on August 28. He is also filming a Star Cinema movie with actress Toni Gonzaga and director Olivia Lamasan.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Erik Santos addresses gay rumors

MANILA, Philippines -- Erik Santos said he is past feeling offended by persistent rumors that he is gay.

The 30-year-old singer, in an interview on "Showbiz Inside Report" aired Saturday, said he has conceded that his critics are not likely to change their opinion of his sexuality.

"Noong una, siyempre [napipikon ako], pero ngayon, kung anuman 'yung ipakita mo sa kanila, hindi mo naman sila mapi-please," he said.

"Kung anuman 'yung paniniwalaan nila, 'yung pa rin naman 'yung pinaniniwalaan nila eh. Bahala na kayo sa buhay niyo," said Santos, who is celebrating his 10th anniversary as a professional singer.

To mark his decade-long career, the "ASAP" mainstay is releasing two albums -- "The Erik Santos Collection," a compilation of all the film and TV series theme songs he has performed, which is now out in stores; and a new all-original album.

Ten years since he emerged champion in the Kapamilya singing contest "Star in a Million," Santos has a clear vision of where he wants to take his career.

"[Singing is what I do best] and feeling ko 'yun ang strength ko," he said in an earlier interview. "Mag-offer nang mag-offer ng kanta, masaya o malungkot. Iyon ang direksyon ng career ko. 'Yun pa rin."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

After 'coming out,' Charice breaks silence

MANILA, Philippines -- For the first time since she held a "coming out" party in May, Charice spoke on camera to thank those who continue to support her after her decision to celebrate "the real her."

In a video aired by entertainment talk show "Showbiz Inside Report" on Saturday, the 21-year-old singer is seen at the Hong Kong International Airport.

According to her business manager, Glen Aldueza, Charice was recently in Hong Kong to fulfill her commitments for a "Hollywood project."

Charice, sporting a short haircut, expressed thanks to those "who are still there" for her.

"I just want to say, thank you, personally, to all my fans, to all the people who are still supporting me, who are still there for me. Honestly, I'm very, very happy. I can't explain how happy I am right now, hearing all the positive things," she said.

She added: "I promise you guys that I will come back and I will see you guys again. I miss you all so much. I love you all."

In late May, one of Charice's godfathers, columnist Büm Tenorio, published a story titled "You're the man, Charice!" detailing the former "X Factor" judge's birthday celebration held last May 10.

Referring to the party, Tenorio wrote, "[Charice] intimated to me that [it] was her 'coming out' of sorts."

Tenorio, however, didn't explicitly say if Charice confirmed that she is a lesbian.

Nonetheless, the columnist quoted the singer as saying, "I’m able to express myself better now. I have come to accept the real me. I have come to love the real me. I now celebrate the real me."

charice

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Inday Barretto came out with 'truth'

MANILA, Philippines -- Inday Barretto said going public with the feud among her daughters was to address what had already been said about the brewing controversy, even before any of their family members confirmed the situation.

"The purpose of my coming out is because the feud was out, being talked about and getting uglier," the Barretto matriarch said in a statement exclusively sent to "Showbiz Inside Report."

"While it is a mother's duty to protect a child, it is also her duty to tell them when they are wrong," she said.

The latest feud to rock the Barretto family stemmed partly from comments on the image-sharing service Instagram, supposedly made by Gretchen, saying that her sister Claudine is not happy that their niece, Julia, is starting to make a name for herself in showbiz.

Julia, the second daughter of Marjorie Barretto, was recently introduced as an artist of Star Magic, the ABS-CBN talent management firm that launched Claudine to stardom until her transfer to another network in 2009.

Early this week, in response to reports on the alleged exchange on Instagram, Inday released a statement denying Claudine's supposed plans to "block" Julia's road to stardom.

In the same statement, Inday announced she has disowned Gretchen "in order to save one who has always been there for all, and with all of her love…Claudine."

Subsequent statements made by two other Barretto siblings, Joaquin and Gia, addressed the issue. The latter sided with her mother and youngest sister, while Joaquin sided with Gretchen, saying Claudine's "condition" should be addressed.

"Nevertheless," Inday said in her statement released Saturday, "the truth is all in the hands of God and people can tell the difference, until it sets us free."

"The one real judge though are the participants who know the real score. May God be with them," she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cacai Bautista cries over Mario Maurer

MANILA, Philippines – Cacai Bautista turned emotional as she expressed gratitude to Mario Maurer for their strong friendship amid the intrigues surrounding their relationship.


In an interview with "Showbiz Inside Report" aired Saturday, the comedienne-actress said she did not expect to form a close relationship with the Thai superstar, given his stature as an international celebrity.

"Naiiyak ako kasi sobrang bait niya talaga sa akin. Hindi ko kasi akalain na magiging magkaibigan kami na ganito eh. Kasi 'yung mga tao... Porket ba komedyante na chaka hindi na pwedeng magkaroon ng kaibigan na sikat na superstar, na international star?

"Siya lang 'yung nagpatunay na wala talagang pinipili 'yung totoong pagkakaibigan, kahit ano ka pa. Marami akong kaibigan, pero 'di ba, sino ba mag-aakala na ako lang, si Cacai lang [ang magiging kaibigan ni Mario]," she said of her "Suddenly It's Magic" co-star.

In November, during an interview on the comedy talk show "Gandang Gabi Vice," Bautista and Maurer said they have become close friends over the course of filming of "Suddenly It's Magic," his first movie produced by a Philippine entertainment company.

In the Rory Quintos-directed romantic-comedy, Maurer was paired with actress Erich Gonzales. Bautista also appeared in the film in a supporting role.

'Real friendship'

Following the recent spread of rumors romantically linking her to the 24-year-old actor, who is 10 years her junior, Bautista admitted that she had been hurt by certain reactions to their supposed relationship as a couple. Among them, she said, were allegations that she is only using the Thai heartthrob to boost her popularity.

"Minsan natatawa ako, minsan nase-stress ako. Wala naman ako pakialam kahit ano pang sabihin -- 'ambisyosa,' 'ilusyonada.' Pero 'yung sasabihin nila na I'm using Mario to be popular... Kasi hindi naman showbiz 'yung friendship namin eh. Totoong friendship iyon 'no," she said.

Bautista said she has apologized to Maurer for the intrigues surrounding their friendship. "Pero siya, deadma lang siya. Sabi niya, 'I don't have to worry. Stop worrying. You're my sister. I want you to be happy," she said.

Rumors of the comedienne's supposed romantic relationship with Maurer surfaced after the singer posted a series of photos on image-sharing site Instagram showing her with the Thai actor, his friends and family members.

The photos were taken during Bautista's trip to Thailand in February, less than a month after Maurer and his long-time girlfriend actress Gubgib Sumontip confirmed that they had broken up.

Meeting Mario

In her "Showbiz Inside Report" interview, Bautista related that her trip to the country was not entirely intended as a visit to her film co-star.

"Every year kasi, itong mga barkada ko, pupunta kami out of the country, so Thailand naman [kami ngayong taon]. Hindi ko naman siya (Maurer) ino-oblige na, 'O, pupunta ako, kitain mo 'ko. 'If ever na you're free, we can meet. I hope to see you,' sabi ko. Sabi niya, 'I hope to see you po.'

"Finally the next day, third day [in Thailand], text niya, 'What are you doing today?' Sabi ko, 'I'm just waiting for your text and your call. Tapos iyon, sabi niya let's meet up sa oras na 'to," Bautista said.

The singer-comedienne recalled that Maurer arrived sweaty at their meeting place. According to Bautista, the actor explained that he had to ride a motorcycle to avoid traffic. "Sabi niya, 'I don't want to keep you waiting, I don't want to be late,'" she said.

Falling in love?

Maintaining that she and Maurer are only friends, Bautista said they nonetheless exchange words of affection by saying "I love you."

Asked whether their relationship may lead her to develop romantic feelings for the actor, Bautista said, "Siyempre, sumasagi 'yun sa isip ko. who wouldn't fall in love for a guy who's really nice, who has simple dreams?"

"Everybody would fall in love not only with the Mario who is a superstar, but Mario as the person that he is. Parang, wow. Ako rin, may ganoon din. Pero sa ngayon gusto ko maging steady 'yung friendship namin," she said.

Once again turning emotional, Bautista extended her message to Maurer, thanking him for assuring her of their friendship.

"Thank you for being a friend. I know you don’t want me to worry anymore, but [it's just] because I want to protect you. I love you po," she said.

"Whatever happens, I will still be your friend no matter what, even if you're not Mario the star anymore, I promise you that. Thank you so much," she said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com