Rainier and Yasmien: If he were, if she were...

Close on the heels of Say That You Love Me, the surprise hit topbilling StarStruck winners Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado, Regal Films is soon releasing a follow-up movie starring newcomers with unproven box-office power, two of them Rainier Castillo and Yasmien Kurdi who were runners-up to Mark and Jennylyn in the same GMA talent search.

"I believe in giving newcomers a chance," said Regal Matriarch Mother Lily who used to launch new discoveries by batches known as the Regal Babies.

The movie, Happily Ever After, is a trilogy directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes. Rainier and Yasmien are cast in the episode titled I Love You Babe which is a Romeo and Juliet kind of story about two teenagers from feuding families in a loud barangay full of colorful characters.

"So different from real life," said Yasmien who’s part-French, part-Lebanese, part-Chinese and part-Filipino. "Rainier’s mother and my mother were friends; they were classmates at the Sienna College."

Since they finished as 2004 StarStruck runners-up, Rainier and Yasmien’s lives (they both come from broken families) have changed dramatically. With legions of fans rooting for them, Rainier and Yasmien can’t anymore do the same things as before, such as strolling or window-shopping in the mall withiut attracting attention.

They are a loveteam, like Mark and Jennylyn. But asked if they’re going steady off camera, Rainier and Yasmien gave the same answer: "We are just MUs (as in Mutual Understanding)."

The two other episodes of Happily Ever After are Multong Bakla, starring Keempee de Leon as a swishy character, StarStruck Avengers Nadine Samonte and Tyrone Perez, and child actor Nash Aguas (of Star Circle Quest Kids); and Playboy Kuba, a story about karma and consequence starring John Prats and Maxene Magalona.

To find out if Rainier and Yasmien are compatible, Funfare is putting them to the "If He Were/If She Were" test. Check out if their answers jibe.

• Flower

Rainier: A rose. "Sweet pero matinik."

Yasmien: Jasmine. "I was named after that flower; iba nga lang ang spelling ng name ko."

• Tree

Rainier: Coconut Tree. "It’s the tree of life, isn’t it? Every part of it is useful, from the trunk to the leaves to the milk to the juice..."

Yasmien: Narra Tree. "It’s sturdy."

• Animal

Rainier: Dog. "It’s loyal; it’s man’s best friend."

Yasmien: Dolphin. "Dolphins are kind and lively."

• Perfume

Rainier: Echo. "It has a gentle scent."

Yasmien: Kenzo. "It makes me feel always bathroom-fresh."

• Food

Rainier: Pizza. "It looks and does taste delicious!"

Yasmien: Japanese food. "Not much calories."

• Fruit

Rainier: Mango. "Sweet and juicy."

Yasmien: Langka. "It’s fleshy. Boil the seeds and see how delicious they are."

• Drink

Rainier: Tequilla – "And water!"

Yasmien: Mango juice. "It’s filling."

• Book

Rainier: "I’m not a book reader, sorry!"

Yasmien: The Harry Potter series.

• Movie

Rainier: Action-comedy. "Like Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve."

Yasmien: All kinds but I prefer action and comedy. "The last movie I saw was Kingdom of Heaven. I’m a fan of Orlando Bloom."

• Song

Rainier: A love song – "Definitely!"

Yasmien: All kinds. "In my car, I have all kinds of CDs by various singers."

• Car

Rainier: Jaguar. "My dream car. But it’s very expensive so it will just remain a dream."

Yasmien: None. "I’m happy with my car, a CR-V."

• City

Rainier: Las Vegas. "I’ve never been abroad and if I have the chance, I’d visit Las Vegas. From what I read, it’s a colorful and fascinating city."

Yasmien: Switzerland. "It’s peaceful; there’s no war there." (Yasmien grew up in Kuwait where her parents worked. She has been to several countries, including Italy, Greece and Lebanon where her father comes from.)

• Comics Character

Rainier: The Fantastic Four.

Yasmien: Wonder Woman. "She has big boobs."

• Hero

Rainier: Dr. Jose Rizal. "If ever another movie would be made about him, I wish I’d be in it."

Yasmien: Mahatma Gandhi. "He was not violent."

• Beach

Rainier: El Nido (in Palawan). "It’s quiet, relaxing."

Yasmien: El Nido (in Palawan). "It’s peaceful; wala masyadong tao."

• Foreign Actor/Actress

Rainier: Brad Pitt. "Tahimik ngunit mukhang mapanganib."

Yasmien: Angelina Jolie. "She’s my crush!"

• Local Actor/Actress

Rainier: Cesar Montano. "My idol."

Yasmien: Lea Salonga. "Galing niya...sobra!"

• A President

Rainier: President Fidel Ramos. "From what I remember, I’ve heard many good things about him. Am I of voting age? Yes. I’m 19."

Yasmien: President Ferdinand Marcos. "My elders told me our country was okay when he was the President. I did a project in school and I researched on him. Disiplinado ang mga tao during his time."

• Saint

Rainier: St. Michael the Archangel

Yasmien: I’m with Iglesia ni Kristo. We don’t believe in saints.

• A Girl/A Boy

Rainier: Lindsay Lohan (star of Herbie Fully Loaded). "Very pretty!"

Yasmien: Brad Pitt. "Para girlfriend ko si Angelina."

• If He Were Yasmien Kurdi and Rainier Castillo Would Court You, Would You Say ‘Yes’?

Rainier: Oo naman! Rainier may be makulit but he’s a nice guy.

• If You Were Rainier Castillo And You Courted Yasmien Kurdi, Do You Think She’d Say ‘Yes’?

Yasmien: She should! Yasmien is very jolly, easy to get along with.

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