A dream come true for Camille

Camille Prats is undoubtedly one of the prettiest young actresses in show town. When she was 10, she starred in Sarah: Ang Munting Prinsesa. Her launching movie emerged as the box-office winner when it ran in theaters up against Nora Aunor’s Flor Contemplacion and the Snooky-Maricel Soriano movie, Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin.

Camille became the country’s darling. She starred in movies and headlined numerous TV shows. But she claims she had fun and that she did not lose her youth to the frenzied pace of show business.

Show town is definitely not one of the best places for children. They can get tired early from the infernal heat of lights and cameras and the prying eyes of oglers. And sometimes, child stars are worn out by their contractual obligations. And child stars also commit their share of mistakes and indiscretions that can land them in showbiz neverlandia. In Camille’s case, she chose to be an obedient daughter and a diligent artist of the ABS-CBN Talent Center.

Now at 17, Camille is slowly but surely blooming into a young woman. She is busy balancing her studies at the ABS-CBN Distance Learning Center and performing her TV assignments for Arriba! Arriba! and Magandang Tanghali! Bayan (she opens the noontime show every Wednesday). And recently, Camille was chosen by Secosana Bags to be its endorser. The bag company introduced a new line for young women billed as Secosana For Girls and chose Camille as its image model because she "has an admirable character. She is classy but down-to-earth."

Camille is of course flattered. "It’s been a dream to see myself in a giant billboard on a major highway. Kaya I’m so happy!"

But recently, Camille wasn’t feeling happy. She was feeling down because of negative stories about her. She allegedly bought pre-paid cell cards for Powerboy Jordan Herrea. The young actress vehemently denies this. "That isn’t true. I just met Jordan once and that was it. I didn’t buy him pre-paid cards."

Camille’s family was offended. Camille relates that her mom cried when she read the item while her father fumed. It was Kuya John who told her not to get affected by it and that she must hold her head up high because the tsismis isn’t true.

"It started when Jordan said crush niya ako at ewan ko kung bakit naging ganun na nga!" Camille says. "Basta hindi totoo yun." But what is true is that Camille openly admires young actor Dingdong Dantes and model Jon Hall. "Extremes ang choices ko. Dingdong looks neat and Jon because he is hottt!"

Well, will she buy Dingdong and Jon pre-paid cards? "Hindi rin noh! Hindi ako ganun! Cellphone pa siguro! Joke lang! Ha ha!"

That’s the best way to handle tsismis. Laugh at it like a bad joke, Camille!

Jericho Rosales celebrates

Jericho Rosales recently celebrated his birthday in Wasabi Bar and Restaurant in Makati. The event, hosted by Lee Jeans, was star-studded.

Seen partying with Jericho were Piolo Pascual, Bernard Palanca, Carlos Agassi, Pops Fernandez, Dominic Ochoa, Janna Victoria, Troy Montero, Cher Calvin, Patrick Garcia, Paolo Contis, Miko Palanca, Eula Valdez, Amy Austria, Ton Ton Gutierrez, Alfred Vargas, Nikki Valdez, Kaye Abad, Vinci of Parokya ni Edgar and Giselle Sanchez. Echo’s Lee Jeans family and the ABS-CBN Talent Center family, led by Alan Real and Eric John Salut came in full force.

Drinks overflowed and Jericho’s friends and family danced the night away with the music of top showband Parliament Syndicate.

Too bad the young woman "he loves," Kristine Hermosa wasn’t there to be with Echo since she was in Japan for a series of shows.

Anyway, Echo, belated happy birthday!