Shoe talk with Nadine, Ella and Xian

CEBU, Philippines - What’s a day like in the shoes of a celebrity? A non-stop flurry of on-cam and public appearances, quick outfit changes and all the work, glamour and upkeep that comes with the territory. With the wardrobe requirements, one needs a wide shoe selection to easily grab from for a red carpet affair, a press launch or a meet-up with fans.

“I’ve been a GIBI Shoes endorser for ten years already. So in that span of time, I’ve amassed over a hundred pairs of shoes in my closet. I was 14 when I first modeled for the brand. I wasn’t in showbiz yet, so they’ve really become a family for me,” says “Starstruck” alum Nadine Samonte.

If off-duty, the actress says she’d most likely slip into a comfy pair of flats instead of sauntering around in sky-high stilettos. “I’m a very simple woman, so when I don’t have events or tapings, I prefer wearing flats. There are times I get to wear flats during shoots, which is when my screen male tandem has to appear a bit taller than me. I currently love the cute and bubble-colored boots.”

Nadine was joined by ABS-CBN charmer Xian Lim and “Aryana” star Ella Cruz for the GIBI Fun Day, held September 28 at the JCentre Mall Atrium. The three stars briefly bonded with the shoe brand’s promo winners and entertained mall-goers with their performances.

Ella, 17 and GIBI endorser for the past five years, shares that she loves dolling herself up in pretty heels. She adds, “The brand fulfilled one of my dreams, which is to be featured in big billboards that will be splashed along EDSA, so for that, I’m very happy to be part of the family.”

Xian, for his part, can’t get enough of “boots and loafers in different colors and materials. I haven’t had the chance to count how many pairs I have in my collection, but I know I have numerous pairs already.” VAB

Malin Akerman brings comedic chops to network TV

After roles in films including “27 Dresses,” “Couples Retreat” and “Wanderlust,” Malin Akerman is bringing her comedic chops to network TV with the sitcom “Trophy Wife.”

The ABC show stars Akerman as Kate, a woman newly married to an older man who is twice divorced with three kids.

In a recent interview, Akerman explained the title is tongue-in-cheek. “From an outsider’s point of view, people go: ‘Oh, younger, cute woman with an older man. Of course she’s a trophy wife.’ But we learn that Kate is really this lovely woman who is in it for the right reasons. Loves the kids, loves her husband, but just isn’t really good at it yet,” she said.

The 35-year-old actress is a new mother in real life, too. She gave birth to a son named Sebastian in April. Akerman says that shortly after she accepted the “Trophy Wife” role, she learned she was pregnant and that “it was kind of perfect timing.”

Her busy film schedule is what made her interested in taking on TV full-time. “To be honest with you, I’d been doing film for a while, which I love. But I got to a certain point where there was one year where I was home maybe three months out of the whole year and I was like: ‘You know what? I would love to just be home, be with my husband, be with my friends and just kind of have more of a regular schedule.’”

She gravitated toward comedy because she has always appreciated it and had a knack for it. “Silliness has always been in my life. Both my parents are just silly and sarcastic, and so I think that it kind of stemmed from that, and I’ve been embarrassed so much in my life by my own parents that it’s like nothing embarrasses me anymore.” (FREEMAN)