May strict na pakiusap si Toni Gonzaga sa kanyang parents na sina Mama Pinty at Papa Tony Gonzaga. And that is not to attend the premiere showing of her upcoming movie with Piolo Pascual, Starting Over Again, on Feb. 11.
The film, directed by Olive Lamasan, opens in theaters nationwide Feb. 12. It is the Valentine offering of Star Cinema that is celebrating its 20th year.
“Ang dami ko kasing pasabog na tiyak na yayaÂnig sa parents ko once they watch the movie. Mga bagay na ’di nila, at ako rin, akalain na I would agree to do in a movie ever.
“But I did, had to do it, all because of Direk OÂlive, with whom I’m working with for the first time as director. I promised her I’d do anything, everything she’d bid me to do in the movie. ’Di ako magiging pasaway, kumbaga.
“After all, dream come true for me ang makatrabaho siya. Kaya I didn’t have the heart to disappoint her,†pahayag ni Toni.
Bakit, ano bang pasabog ang ginawa niya sa Starting Over Again na ’di pa niya ginawa sa iba niyang movie?
“Well, panoorin n’yo ang pelikula. At ewan kung ’di kayo mayayanig,†Toni beamed.
Obviously daw, she also wanted to impress Piolo, whom she fondly calls Papa P and will be working with for the first time.
The only time she had a chance na makatrabaho siya was when she appeared in a soda commercial with him. And that was 13 years ago.
Dati pa raw niyang dream na makasama sa isang project si Papa P.
Starting Over Again also stars Iza Calzado, Joross Gamboa, Bryan Santos, Beauty Gonzales, Cai Cortez, and Edgar Allan Guzman.
Ser Chief namudmod ng pera
The pair of Jodi Santamaria at Ser Chief (aka Richard Yap) should serve as an ideal example for their fellow showbiz personalities.
The two, this early, have prepared for the rainy days. Sabi nga ni Ser Chief, whatever and how much money he earns, he divides it among himself, his wife Melody (a former flight stewardess), his investments, yes, investments, and savings.
Both Jodi and Ser Chief have established busineses. Si Jodi ay eatery and fountain business. May tigta-tatlo na siyang branches for each located sa mga kilalang mall.
In the case of Ser Chief, may branch siya ng isang popular fast food chain, Chowking, which he is an endorser, too. His branch is located in his hometown, Cebu.
He also owns a plush Chinese eatery in Morato Street, ang Wangfu, na according to him ay may two other branches na, both located in Metro Manila.
Meron pa rin siyang ibang itatayong business, including one na may kinalaman sa mga pagkain ng hayop.
A marketing graduate from the De La Salle University, Richard first worked for a furniture shop in Cebu City as a marketing head.
Asked if his being a marketing graduate has helped him “market†himself in showbiz, as he is without a doubt, very successful in the field considering na magtu-two years pa lamang siyang involved in it, ang matipid niyang sagot, “Siguro.â€
Ser Chief obviously knows, too, how to share his blessings. For the Chinese New Year, he organized an impromptu and intimate party for some of the entertainment press at his Wangfu resto in Morato Street, Quezon City.
Everyone invited went home with several bags full of goodies courtesy of seÂveral advertisers na kanyang iniendorso. And the kaukulang ampao, an amount contained in a red envelope, given to friends na magse-serve na lucky money.
Thanks, thanks Ser Chief!
Personal…
Happy birthday to Malou Santos, managing director of Star Cinema, who marks a birthday today.
May God bless you always, Malou!