Who’s the ‘third party’ in loveteam’s break-up?

By this time, I hope that the young lovers (from a major network where their sitcom was – take note, past tense – a top-rater) have sorted out their differences and let bygones be bygones and have kissed and made up.

During their break-up, however, there was an untold story about a "third party" suspected to have caused the lovers’ quarrel and she was none other than their soap co-star who herself was trying to iron out some kinks (unsuccessfully, it turned out) in her own love life.

It all started during a cast party where the "third party" got so drunk (she was having marital problems, remember?) that she passed out. The young actor (very wholesome, especially when he’s flashing his bedimpled smile) was such a gentleman, so he volunteered to bodily help the drunken actress by escorting her to her van. That fleeting physical closeness must have kindled something magical in the actress (even if she was drunk) and since then, she began mistaking the actor’s attention and solicitousness for, well, "something else."

And then, she started sending poems to him touching a soft spot in his heart, turning the pain in her own heart into poetic stanzas. The actor’s girlfriend (no, she doesn’t write poems) got wind of it and the LQ (lovers quarrel) ensued.

The soap has long ended but the "third party" continued to send the actor poems. I just don’t know if she has already sent him her own version of Mi Ultimo Adios because when last heard from, she was sending her new poems to somebody else (a dashing TV host).

Okay now, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Make way for RJ

Several weeks ago, an "unknown" actor-singer hosted the musical extravaganza Music of Dream and caught the attention of many people with his singing-hosting talent ("Another Martin Nievera," gushed Tempo columnist Ronald Constantino who was one of those who watched that show which was put up by ABS-CBN in cooperation with Ayala Corporation).

He’s none other than RJ Rosales who’s now a member of the ABS-CBN Talent Center (but not of the Star Circle). It was ABS-CBN writer Mikey Muñoz who spotted RJ in Singapore while he was playing one of the twins in the musical Chang and Eng (the famous Siamese twins) and who brought RJ to the attention of Talent Center which is formally introducing RJ to the public this Sunday (July 15) on A.S.A.P. as its newest co-host. (Old-timers on the show should better watch out. Otherwise, they might be overshadowed by RJ.)

In Music of Dreams, RJ won many hearts with his rendition of the song Can You Feel the Love Tonight (from The Lion King) and he just might do a reprise of that song on A.S.A.P.

"I’m giving myself one year," said RJ, in his early ’20s and one of four children (parents are Roseo Jose Rosales, Sr. and Erlinda Dagdag – "Not bawas," RJ joked) who migrated to Sydney when RJ was 14. "If nothing good happens to me here, I’d resume what I have been doing."

What RJ has been doing was acting in theater, putting to good use what he learned at the Sydney Actor’s College and in workshops at the City Fringe Dance Studios (also in Sydney). That was after RJ tucked up a degree (B.S. Mathematics) at the University of Western Sydney. His first big break was in the Australian presentation of Miss Saigon (with Cocoy Laurel as The Engineer and Joanna Ampil and Ces Campos alternating as Kim), as a member of the ensemble for six months. He later moved to Singapore for Chang and Eng (he as Chang and kababayan Roy Relloda as Eng), doing more than 62 performances before the musical went to Bangkok for a three-day stint (with Manila as next venue sometime in the near future).

"At first,"said RJ, "I felt awkward, and I’m sure so did Roy, with somebody attached to me. So we had to move in unison all the time," added RJ who became part of the teen drama series Spin (and did a few commercials) also in Singapore.

Besides A.S.A.P., RJ has been cast in the new ABS-CBN legal series Your Honor (a must-see on Monday nights before Headlines, directed by Joel Lamangan with Richard Gomez and Eric Quizon as the two opposing lawyers). "I play a lawyer," said RJ, "and I find it a challenging role. Every role is, in fact, challenging to me because it makes me put my best foot forward all the time."

There are now two Australian-bred talents at the ABS-CBN Talent Center, the other being Janet McBride (whose father is Australian and whose mother is a Waray), co-host of Talk TV and girlfriend of Mo Twister.

Last say on Muhlach issue

Funfare has put out the PAMI "protest" letters to GMA and some of the reactions to them (including a DPA input on what GMA planned to do in response). Here now is one of the many reactions from readers, coming from Bong Santos (no address given):

Dear Ricky,

Based on what we saw on TV and read in the papers at least two rectifications must be made. One, Chit Ramos’s "scathing interview" was conducted on S-Files, and not on Startalk and two, Amalia Fuentes filed a libel suit against Chit Ramos, Paolo Bediones and the producer and director of S-Files. GMA was not included in the suit.

You were right when you said that this raging issue, "an ugly public fighting," was spawned by a "seemingly minor incident." What began as a plain and simple parental hurt has escalated into an unfortunate display of raw emotions on TV, radio and newspapers. It has likewise caused friends and associates to turn against one another, each one believing that he is the aggrieved party. And the circus has come to town! Parties are setting the records straight. Reputations continue to be ravaged. A suit for damages was filed for the harm done. We can only hope that this "war" will not further deteriorate into debased and debasing verbal clashes.

I can imagine the very precarious situation that Aga has found himself in and whether it was his own doing or not is not as important as reconciliation. Aga can provide the solution. It started with him and it is he who can terminate it. A little humility will not hurt him especially if he will show it to the acknowledged head of his clan to whom he and his family owe so much whether he recognizes that or not. It is in our culture to respect our elders. It is in our culture to be grateful to people who did us good. It is in our culture to look back in order to reach our destination. By making the first move to heal old wounds and to prevent opening new ones, Aga will not be diminished. Because he will do the right thing, Aga will emerge as an exemplary son, a role he had frequently and effectively portrayed on screen.

Will Aga not desire a happy ending?

– Sincerely,
BONG SANTOS

(Note: With this letter, Funfare considers the case closed, even if charges and counter-charges have been filed by the protagonists.)