Sibling rivalry: Assunta vs Alessandra

Curtain-raisers:

• At the presscon for the Viva romance-comedy Mahal Kita, Final Answer, movie writers wondered in envious admiration how slim and sexy Rufa Mae Quinto could consume a plate-ful (rice, ulam and dessert, downed by Coke) without gaining extra poundage. Rufa Mae’s leading man Bong Revilla smiled naughtily and said, "Alam ko kung saan napupunta ang kinakain niya," taking a quick glance at Rufa Mae’s rich frontal resources (as in mayamang dibdib). Well, Bong should know.

• Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez is back in harness after his very brief hospitalization in Cebu over the weekend when he attended the Sinulog festival with wife Alma Moreno (who performed in a fund-raising show there, minus recuperating son Vandolph, earlier reported to be gracing the event). Joey’s blood pressure shot up to 160/120 (his normal reading: 120/80) so he was rushed to the hospital which was fully occupied, except for the ICU where Joey was confined from 5 p.m. Friday afternoon to 11 a.m. the following day. It was a simple case of exhaustion.

• Just got a "Bonne Annee 2002" (Happy New Year) card from Rachel Tan, daughter of ABC 5 big boss Edward Tan and who used to head Maxi-Media (today’s biggest concert producer, especially those of the smash-hit Martin Nievera series of shows). Rachel wrote that she’s enjoying her stay in Paris these past three or so years. She works in a French investment banking boutique with an emphasis on media and technology. "My French is pretty good by now," added Rachel.

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There’s hardly any giveaway if you just read the articles written about them – sisters Assunta and Alessandra de Rossi, that is – especially after their twin victory (Assunta as Best Actress and Alessandra as Best Supporting Actress, both for Hubog) at the recent 2001 Metro Filmfest. But when you read between the lines, you could sense signs of sibling rivalry, particularly when Alessandra was quoted as saying, "I’ll never go bold!," which is, in a way, a veiled potshot at her Ate Assunta.

"The truth," said somebody close to the sisters, "is that mayroon talagang rivalry between the sisters. Medyo nai-insecure si Alessandra kay Assunta because, let’s face it, even if Alessandra is pretty and talented in her own right, di hamak na mas maganda at mas sexy at mas talented naman si Assunta. Even during the shooting of Hubog, it was very obvious that Alessandra was making parinig, although pabiro, at Assunta. It’s as if Alessandra is looking down on Assunta because of Assunta’s image as a bold actress."

That "issue" made known once and for all, the person added that, yes, it’s true: Stardom and success (no matter how "small" it may be at the moment) seem to be going to Alessandra’s head, with the sisters’ poor mom (a self-effacing and quietly nice woman) getting the brunt of Alessandra’s "pagka-maldita."

"She answers back at her mom," said the Funfare source. "She talks back at her mom. She has lost respect for her mom."

Sad, isn’t it? You will probably agree with me that if a person doesn’t respect his/her own mom, he/she can’t be expected to respect other women, other elders.

The Funfare source observed that the drastic change in Alessandra’s attitude – change for the worse, that is – must have been influenced by her romance with Polo Ravales. "When her mom reminds her about going out too often and going out too late," the source said, "sumasagot-sagot si Alessandra and the mom has no choice but to keep quiet."

Tsk, tsk, tsk! Let’s hope that Alessandra wakes up before the backlash of her "pagka-maldita" (the word of the Funfare source, not mine) hits her hard. Alessandra should be reminded that the karma resulting from disrespect toward one’s mother (and father) is the biggest and most destructive karma of them all.

Meanwhile, could it be true that Assunta and her Hubog leading man Jay Manalo (who beat up Assunta black and blue in the movie) are carrying their romance over from reel to real?

Readers’ reactions

• From Cristina Pascual, 132 Chico St., Project 2, Quezon City: I am a grade school teacher. Lately, Star World has been showing this so-called reality show Temptation Island. Actually, a parent of one student mentioned this to me. Her criticisms were intriguing and I decided to watch it myself. What can I say? The show is tacky and senseless. It’s simply trash and that’s it. How would you call these couples going off to a Caribbean Island to date other people??? The show really lives up to its name because the island is brimming with beautiful people. Hunks, babes, MBAS, doctors, lawyers, masseurs. You name it, they got it. How dare these people and these producers mock the value of love and commitment in a relationship! How can these couples willingly and happily share their privacy with everyone? I am aghast. What are we teaching our young people? I cannot help but be afraid for the future of my students. I hope you will take time to review this sorry excuse for a show.

(Note: I haven’t watched the show but I’ll check it one of these days before I make any comment.)

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• From Patrick dela Concepcion, 26 Greenmeadows Avenue, White Plains, Quezon City: I notice you have this habit of making your own prediction of forthcoming film awards in your column. You also do that with beauty pageants. I wish you wouldn’t do that, Ricky. That is unfair to the other candidates vying for the same awards. You’re not exactly a small unheard voice crying out in the wilderness, you are the Entertainment Editor of one of the leading newspapers in the country. Whether you know it or not, you have powerful influence in the industry. With the competition of these awards not yet over, the people you have commended in your column have an advantage already. It almost sounds like you are lobbying for them. Now, put yourself in the shoes of one of the other contenders. How would you feel?

(Note: When I make my "fearful forecast," it’s not meant to influence the judges who are presumed to have made their choices by the time the "fearful" forecast comes out usually on the morning of the awards night. Besides, the filmfest (or any awards-giving body’s) judges are men of integrity and intelligence, they have a mind of their own, and I don’t think they can be swayed by the forecast, "fearful" or "fearless," of a columnist or an entertainment editor like yours truly.)