On the eve of her debut yesterday as Willie Revillame’s lone lady co-host on the new two-week-old game show Willing Willie, Shalani Soledad was all nerves during dinner Sunday night at Willie’s sprawling home in Ayala Heights, Quezon City, that formally and officially welcomed her as the newest Kapatid.
Present at the affair were TV5 big boss Manny V. Pangilinan and TV5 executives Bobby Barreiro (executive vice president and COO) and Ray Espinosa (president and CEO) with lawyer Boy Regino and Viva boss Vic del Rosario Jr. (Willie’s business partner). Shalani was accompanied by her mom Evelyn, her only brother Carl, uncle Ramon and Shalani’s cousins.
Asked if she was ready for showbiz intrigues, Valenzuela City topnotcher councilor sidetracked the question, “I look at this show as an extension of public service,” reiterating the same sentiment in yesterday edition of Willing Willie, adding, “Basta walang tinatapakan at walang sinasaktan, tuluy-tuloy ang buhay.”
Willie assured that Shalani will be assigned to host a segment that fits her demure personality and may be sent on out-of-studio assignments related to, yes, public service in keeping with her advocacy as a third-termer councilor. In her debut episode, Shalani hosted the segments 1-2-3 Go! which has a similar format to Willie of Fortune of Willie’s defunct ABS-CBN show Wowowee.
“She initially said no, but when I mentioned entertainment as a form of public service, that’s what convinced her to give it a try,” said Willie who was seated across the long table from MVP with Shalani at the kabisera.
As Funfare has reported, Willie is getting a staggering P71-M monthly including his talent fee and the salaries of his production group (cameramen, dancers, etc.). Asked if it’s TV5 that’s paying Shalani’s salary (undisclosed but estimated to be several millions), Willie admitted, “No, Wil Productions will pay her.” Wil Productions is Willie’s own company which is building a studio at the Wil Tower complex now under construction across the street from the ABS-CBN Studios. Vic del Rosario Jr. is Willie’s partner in his new venture.
As usual, Shalani was reluctant to answer questions about her private life, volunteering the information for the first time that, quote-unquote, “wala akong anak katulad ng natsitsismis, and I’m not dating (Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin) Gatchalian.”
Again, she evaded questions about the status of her relationship with Pres. Noynoy “P-Noy” Aquino from whom, even if Shalani didn’t confirm it, she has broken up. P-Noy is said to be “courting” Liz Uy, his stylist and that of his sister Kris Aquino who is rumored to be the “bridge” between the two.
So how would she parry “intrusive” questions from the movie press now that she’s into mainstream showbiz?
“I think what’s important ay kung alam mo at ng tao ang totoo,” Shalani said, repeating her favorite line, “basta wala akong taong nasasaktan o natatapakan.”
But when it comes to her private life, she was firm, “Whatever happens, I would like to keep my private life private. Basta sa akin na lang ‘yon.”
Asked about her recent meeting with the father that she hadn’t seen maybe since she was born, Shalani broke into a smile.
“I’m happy that I finally met him,” was her brief answer. “We have a lot of catching up to do. We need more time to get to know each other. At least, nalaman kong may isang tao pang nagmamahal sa akin.”
What changes can we expect from her now that she has finally leaped into the lions’ den that’s showbiz?
“I will continue to help people and, hopefully, to make more people happy. Lahat naman tayo gusto lang makatulong at makapagpasaya ng tao, di ba?”
Briefly noted
•Reacting to last Sunday’s Conversation piece with her estranged husband James Yap, Kris Aquino (photo) texted the following message to Funfare: At this point, we are communicating better and we’re friends na. In her Twitter account, Kris wrote: Josh, Bimby and I watched Megamind in Rockwell with James. Serious ako when I said I really want us to be friends na. Happy my two boys so I’m happy. Why be angry when we can be peaceful and friendly? Vice Ganda my movie buddy joined us.
•From Peachy Guioguio, TV5 PR Girl: I just want to clarify that our news program Aksyon has been moved to 5:45 p.m. (pre-programming for Willing Willie) timeslot as part of our effort to strengthen the weeknights evening block. Erwin Tulfo is now also part of the said news program which started airing last Oct. 23. We now also have a late-night news program hosted by Cherry Mercado, Jove Francisco and Martin Andanar called Aksyon Journalismo.
Christian meets David Foster
Talent manager June Torrejon’s third grandson Rocket Rufino, son of June’s son Ranvel Rufino and Bianca Lorenzo, celebrated his first birthday last Saturday, Nov. 6, with Outer Space as theme. Top (from left): ToniTony (Boys Night Out), Ranvel, Raoul Rufino, Rocket’s ninong Derek Ramsay (behind Raoul), Bianca (holding the birthday boy), June, ninang Pia Guanio, Sam YG and Slick Rick of Boys Night Out, together with Storm Troopers. Above, right: Rocket with ninang Anne Curtis and (above, left) Susan Roces with a Storm trooper.
Filipino stude wins in Japan contest
Aila Reyes, daughter of movie writer Aster Amoyo, won first place in the 13th Japanese Forum speech contest for foreigners participated in by 16 contestants from different prestigious schools in Japan last Oct. 30 which was Aila’s 19th birthday. Another Filipino student also competed. Aila represented Kwansei Gakuin University in the open symposium and the 70th annual convention of Japan Communication Association last Oct. 23. In photo with Aila is Japan’s former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the Kwansei Gakuin University.
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