DOMINIC OCHOA: NO TIME FOR MARRIAGE

Actor-TV host Dominic Ochoa has ventured into another business endeavor. Aside from his Thumbs Up mini ice cream business, Dominic is set to launch his new baby, an ice candy business called Ice-Pop.

"We have a lot of flavors to choose. You can choose the flavor you want and in three minutes, you'd have your ice candy," said Dominic in an interview at the birthday presscon for ABS-CBN Star Magic talents. "But if you are in a hurry and wouldn't want to wait, then we have ready to eat ice candy for you." Dominic says he'd be launching Ice Pop soon in various SM Malls.

If he is a flavor of Ice Pop, what flavor would he be and why? "Bubble Gum. I am not only sweet. Hindi ka lang natutunaw, nangunguya ka pa," was Dominic's naughty answer which he followed with a hearty laughter. "I don't know how I came up with such kind of answer. Pero puwede mo naman talaga nguyain ang ice candy, di ba?"

Dominic is still waiting for a new show that would be given him by ABS-CBN. He used to be mainstay of the Saturday entertainment talk show "ETK" but he was transferred to the show titled "Showbiz No. 1" which folded up. But there is no word if Dominic would be given a new show although he had been talking with ABS-CBN management. But he's busy hosting various corporate shows and he's set to go to Hong Kong to emcee an event. One of the more bankable stars of ABS-CBN, Dominic appears in various ABS-CBN shows.

Dominic turned another year older last August 4. He says he's 31, but he told another group of writers that he's only 29. Isn't he thinking of settling down? "Times are hard that's why I'd rather work and save for my future first before thinking of getting married," said Dominic although he admitted he's seeing someone.

"It's hard to go into something like marriage if you're unprepared. If ever I tie the knot, I'd like to be sure that I am truly prepared emotionally and financially. I am not saying I am not prepared. It's just that wala pa lang talaga akong plano."

"When you care for somebody, you can show it naman. Pero if you show too much of your privacy, mahirap din naman. I am not hiding anything but at my age, I don't feel the need to have someone beside me although I am seeing somebody right now," he said.

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Viva Hotbabe Asia Agcaoili's first informative sex video titled "Sex Guru" sold like hotcakes so much so a part two wasn't a farfetched idea. Just out in the market now is "Erotica: Lessons of the Flesh" where Asia reveals new "sexercises."

Aiding Asia in various segments of the video are fellow Hotbabes Katrina Gonzales, Ella V., Maricar dela Fuente, Briana Blanco and Zara Lopez. Hotmen Allen Dizon, Justin de Leon, McMiel Denisson and Tonio Quiazon are also featured in the video, which is available on VCD and DVD at P199 and P299 respectively.

But Asia hastens to add this is going to be her last sex video. "ABS-CBN is helping me with my career and I want to move on and do other things. Right now, I am hosting 'Pinoy Big Brother' on Studio 23 and I'll also be one of the co-hosts of their morning show 'Breakfast.' I also want to try more acting. After playing villain to Kristine Hermosa in 'Till Death Do Us Part,' I am now playing the role of Maricel Soriano's best friend in 'Vietnam Rose.' And I am enjoying every minute of it," said Asia.

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Golden Screen Awards Best Director winner Jeffrey Jeturian left for Makahari City, Japan last Thursday to attend the 1st Asian Marine Film Festival where the award-winning flick "Minsan Pa" is the opening film. Produced by MLR Films, "Minsan Pa" was named Best Picture (Drama) by the Golden Screen Awards and is entered in the competition segment of the 1st Asian Marine Film Festival. The said film also won Best Picture honors at the Young Critics Circle.

MLR Films is also involved in the marketing and distribution of the indie film "Ang Pagdadala ni Maximo Oliveros" which is entered in the competition section of the Montreal International Film Festival. Atty. Joji Alonso, executive producer of MLR Films, is optimistic regarding the chances of "Maximo Oliveros" in the ongoing Montreal International Film Festival. She is keeping her fingers crossed that the film will figure prominently in the awards and make the country proud anew, just like what happened to the movie "Masahista" which won the Grand Prix at the Locarno International Film Festival.

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Speaking of "Masahista," we had a chance to talk with Brilliante Mendoza, the director of "Masahista" at his residence in Mandaluyong during the belated blowout for the victory of his debut film in the international film festival. More than the film's victory at Locarno, direk Dante says he is truly overwhelmed by the reception that has been given to his film. It's not much that he beat Mike Figgis (the director of "Leaving Las Vegas" whose latest film "Coma" competed at Locarno) but he was particularly pleased that the Europeans (or at least those in Locarno) finally knew about the Philippines and its cinema industry.

"We did not expect anything when we went to Locarno. The fact that we were accepted as a competition film was enough to warm our hearts that we did a good job," said direk Dante who is scheduled to leave together with his lead star Coco Martin on the 8th of September to attend the Toronto International Film Festival where "Masahista" is also in competition.

"I don't want to sound optimistic regarding our chances in Toronto pero sana suwertihin uli kami. Winning in Locarno was already beyond our expectations. We don't want to think that we have a good chance of winning in Toronto just because we won in Locarno. Happy na kami na they took notice of our small film," said direk Dante.

I asked him what is it with "Masahista" that made him think that appealed to the viewers as well as the jurors in the festival. "I think it's the honesty of the film. Wala kaming pretensions. Saka siguro nakita nila ang Pinoy sensibilities sa pelikula. Wala naman kaming statement na gustong sabihin pero baka nga may nakita silang subtleties of political statement sa movie."

Aside from the Toronto International Film Festival, "Masahista" has also been invited to other film festivals in Chicago and Hong Kong. It has also been sold in six countries like Stonia, Lithuania, Germany and Switzerland.

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