More than just klasmeyts

The boys of Klasmeyts are "classmates" in more ways than one – you know, "classmates" in cracking double-meaning (mostly) sex-oriented jokes, in guarding each other’s "secrets" (to which their wives and/or girlfriends are not privy) and in their regular boys’ nightouts (at, ehem, Classmate, along Quezon Ave., for some "uplifting" relaxation?).

Minus Bayani Agbayani, klasmeyts (at random now) Michael Flores, Keempee de Leon, Paolo Contis and Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista sat down with half a dozen entertainment writers over a steak lunch and, confirmed that, yes, they indeed click not only on-cam but also, more so, off-cam.

"We do try to steal scenes from each other," said Paolo, youngest of the klasmeyts (directed by Johnny "Mr. M" Manahan), "but it’s part of the act."

"May kanya-kanya kaming diskarte," said Keempee who has inherited his father’s (Joey de Leon) comedic talent, "and we often surprise each other during the ‘take’ na."

"No," clarified Michael, "walang inggitan sa amin; there’s no professional jealousy at all. Each of us has self-confidence."

"The camaraderie goes beyond the set," added Vice Herbert. "After taping whole day Fridays, we have our boys’ nightout; the bonding continues. Sometimes, we dine out or watch concerts with our girlfriends."

All four are also currently in the news.

Paolo has been going steady with Nancy Castiglione, Luis Manzano’s ex-girlfriend, for two weeks now. Nancy is Paolo’s third showbiz girlfriend (after Carol Banawa and Desiree del Valle). Because he had several rivals (also actors), Paolo felt like an award-winner when Nancy said "yes" to him. How did he win the, ehem, jackpot?

"Through persistence," smiled Paolo who’s also in the cast of ABS-CBN’s Sunday-afternoon soap Tabing-Ilog and in Star Cinema’s movie-in-the-making, Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s Moral, where he essays a gay role. "I’d send Nancy text messages day in and day out even if she seldom texted back. I’d wait for her to finish taping and bring her home. I’d bring her her favorite food (pasta and chicken finger). And, most important of all, I make her laugh."

Asked what has been his naughtiest act on Klasmeyts, Paolo broke into a naughty smile.

"Show my butt," he said, "part of it anyway."

Countered Michael, "It is off-cam that he shows his whole butt. Mahilig mag-display ng puwet ’yan!"

Michael himself is feeling like an award winner these days because his girlfriend, former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Nina Ricci Alagao, has given birth last Feb. 21 to a baby boy named Calvin Emmanuel, nicknamed Kal-el (and not Kah-el as Funfare wrongly reported a few issues ago; Kal-el is Superman’s name in Planet Krypton while Jor-el is Superman’s father. Thanks to Inquirer’s Ed Sicam and readers Arthur, Rico Mansueto, Rupert de Jesus and Tricia Santillan-Divinagracia for making the correction).

Nina, 25, and Michael, 28, started going steady in Dec., 2002. The brand-new mom is staying with Michael’s family (his mom and a married brother; Michael’s two sisters are in the States), spending her free time (when Kal-el is asleep) painting because she plans to have a one-woman exhibit in April.

"Nina did my portrait and I’m terribly impressed," said Michael who has shaven his head due to falling hair.

The sweethearts plan to get married, but not soon.

"That’s what I’ve been telling Michael," said Vice Herbert, "to get married," even if he himself has remained unmarried despite having three children (by two women who will have to remain unnamed) – Herbert, Jr., 8; Hannah Therese, 7; and Heinrich Caesar, 6. Herbert is the oldest among the klasmeyts and decidedly the most experienced (in most everything, girls included), so he often acts as the barkada’s taga-payo (counsellor).

"I’m close to the boys. Except for Paolo, I’ve worked with the others – with Keempee in some movies and in the TV show Pandakekok, with Bayani in The Sharon Cuneta Show where I used to dance with Michael when he was still a member of the Manouvres. Bayani is the only one married among us, so I always remind him, ‘When you quarrel with your wife, keep cool, don’t separate; give yourselves a chance’. That’s the same advice I give to the other guys."

Until now, Vice Herbert said he hasn’t found a girl he’d spend the rest of his life with.

He said he will run for reelection, still with incumbent Q.C. Mayor Sonny Belmonte as running mate, in 2004.

"I want to control a relationship," he said, "and at the same time I want to be controlled. Sometimes, I admit that I don’t understand myself."

He accepted the Klasmeyts assignment because it’s light and breezy, and it doesn’t feel like work at all.

"We’re just having fun," said Herbert, "and getting paid at the same time. It’s my first gag show and I’m enjoying it."

But in deference to his public office, Vice Herbert refrains from doing off-color jokes, leaving it all to his co-hosts – you know, the "naughtiness."

Keempee explained that they’re "naughty," all right, but they’re never – and will never be – obscene.

"We make jokes without any malice," said Keempee who has lately been embroiled in minor issues concerning his lovelife. "The naughtiest I’ve done on the show was run along the corridors of ABS-CBN in my briefs."

Now, how true was the rumor that he caused the latest riff between Janno Gibbs and his wife Bing Loyzaga, that he and Bing were having, you know, "an affair"?

The kink has been sorted out, according to Keempee.

"Bing and I are friends and Janno knows it; there’s nothing romantic between us," said Keempee, adding half-jokingly, "I don’t go for married women."

When he guested on S.O.P. to promote his latest movie, Message Sent (opening today in Metro theaters, topbilled by Alessandra de Rossi and Onemig Bondoc), Keempee had a heart-to-heart talk with Janno who even apologized to Keempee for having been dragged into the mess.

Janno (reportedly) told Keempee: "You and I know the truth and that’s enough. Natural lang sa mag-asawa ang nag-aaway, you know that."

The only time he and Janno ever "clashed" over a girl was several years ago when they both courted Manilyn Reynes (now the wife of Aljon Jimenez). Guess who won in that "contest."

Now completely drug-free, Keempee added that he knew better than to get entangled with girls/actresses who are already spoken for, such as Angelika dela Cruz (who is into a "mutual understanding" with Victor Neri) who was piqued by Keempee’s revelation that they went out on a date when Miko Sotto was away (at the time when Miko and Angelika were "on").

A year after debuting as TV’s freshest gag show, Klasmeyts is celebrating its first anniversary with special episodes every Wednesday this month.

As a thank-you gesture to its viewers for supporting it to this milestone, Herbert, Bayani, Keempee, Michael and Paolo welcome some top-flight guests throughout the month, including Sunshine Cruz tonight, Ai-Ai delas Alas March 12; Dolphy on March 19; and Judy Ann Santos, Jon Santos and Candy Pangilinan, among others, on March 26. All episodes will be aired live, starting at 10 p.m.

What’s up?

• Annabelle Rama is again reminding the sponsors and invited guests to her daughter Ruffa Gutierrez and Yilmaz Bektas’ wedding on March 25 at The Fort to wear black tie (for principal male sponsors) or black tie/black suit (for male guests), and any color except black for women.

• Eric John Salut is reminding all graduates of the Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School batch ’87 of the grand reunion scheduled this summer. To register, text to or call 09185031676 or e-mail at rmchs’[email protected].

• From Mabe Alcoseba, Citibank Manila Treasury Operations: Calling all Davao City High School 1978 graduates. Be counted in the preparation for the forthcoming Grand Alumni Homecoming in Dec. 2003 in Manila. Contact me at tel. no. 824-2107; in Cebu, Ruth Nefiel-Celeste, celfone no. 0917-3571383; and in Davao, Maribel Paredes-Nengasca at 297-0013 or celfone no. 0917-2592038. Or e-mail to: [email protected]

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