Claudine Barretto talks about decision to become Kapuso

PLUS: Jinkee Pacquiao’s statement on Manny-Krista issue heavy with meaning

Claudine Barretto is still getting used to her new surroundings after she made the big move from Kapamilya country to Kapuso territory. “I’m still feeling my way around. At the same time, I’m so excited about the projects being lined up for me and the fact that I would be joining my husband,” gushed Claudine in an interview after she signed with GMA last week.

She had felt neglected at ABS-CBN, with no projects coming her way. The buzz that she was leaving the ABS-CBN fold grew louder after she revealed that she had agreed to do a movie for Viva.

GMA’s top brass attended the contract signing as if to emphasize that Claudine was indeed a prize catch. There were Network President, Chairman and CEO Felipe L Gozon; GMA Network Executive Vice President and COO Gilberto Duavit Jr., GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar and GMA Vice President for Entertainment Television Wilma Galvante.

Claudine’s hubby Raymart Santiago has long been a Kapuso member.

Explained Annette Gozon-Abrogar, “Claudine has a movie with Viva and they offered us to co-produce it, so sabi namin wow! Dream come true to have a movie with Claudine, we never thought we could do a movie with Claudine.”

The executives of GMA were all agog about having Claudine as the newest Kapuso. “We’re so happy because we all know how good an actress Claudine is," said Atty. Gozon. And from Mr. Duavit: “We’re very proud and happy that she’s finally a Kapuso and we’re so excited about the projects we’re readying for her.”

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The Ranillo family should take stock before trying to press charges against the people who they believe sowed the seeds of the rumor about Krista Ranillo and boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. In the first place, it’s too late in the game to go after whoever is responsible. The reports have branched out in different directions it’s useless tracing its roots and cutting them off.

Second, the case would be too shaky to hold up in court. It will be difficult to win a conviction for libel, especially if those involved are public figures.

Third, what if the rumor is proven to be true? What if witnesses turned up to testify that the parties involved really had something going on? That would be most embarrassing for the Ranillos.

Anyway, Jinkee Pacquiao seems to have taken a more forceful stance on the Pacman-Krista issue after admitting that there was a problem she and Manny must overcome. She even went to the extent of cautioning Krista against falling for married men. At the same time Jinkee apparently gave the go-ahead to Kris Aquino to reveal some of her sentiments about “the other woman.”

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That was an electric performance rocker Adam Lambert dished out at the American Music Awards. The American Idol runner-up, who has admitted to being gay, danced and sang his way into controversy by kissing a male keyboardist and holding the head of another performer close to his crotch. Many viewers found Lambert’s performance too racy for national TV.

Lambert admitted he got carried away but did not offer any apology. He added that he would consider it as “discrimination” if parts of his performance were snipped off when the show is rebroadcast.