Mukha ni Maxene kinabibiliban

Formerly linked to Renz Fernandez, son of actress Lorna Tolentino and the late Rudy Fernandez, Ma­xene Magalona’s new boyfriend is a banker.

But that isn’t the reason why Maxene is making waves these days. Nor it is her being in the cast of a new series ng GMA 7, where she is under exclusive contract to like her brother Elmo Magalona. Rather, it’s her being currently named the face for ISkin New York, a premium skin transformation program exclusively offered by Flawless.

Actually, ’di lang among the GMA 7 talents si Maxene ang endorser kumbaga ng Flawless, now on its 12th year. Co-endorsers niya rin ang kanyang mga fellow Kapuso star na sina Mark Herras at Enzo Pineda.

Actually pa rin, the endorsers ng Flawless go beyond the limitations of the network, considering the presence, too of Kapamilya talent Jhong Hilario and Kapatid contract stars Jasmine Curtis Smith and Divine Lee.

In any case, since Flawless is celebrating its 12th anniversary, they are offering not just to their regular customers but to would be customers as well a month-long celebration of excellent beauty treatment and top-to-toe makeovers.

‘‘Yes, they are willing to help make even your singit flawless,’’ sabi ni Enzo, who admits he underwent the treatment.

Jasmine, for her part said, ‘‘What I like most about Flawless is its medical approach to beauty. All their clinics (38 of them) have a medical doctor on hand who tells you before you undergo a treatment what will help improve your skin. And, of course, looks.’’

Dating sexy star pasok sa religious film!

Remember Isadora, one time a sexy movie star who excelled in bold roles in the late ’80s?

Entertainment writers in that period remember her as alaga of their colleague, the late Hermie Francisco.

Well, unfortunately, kasabay ng pagkamatay ni Hermie, sad to say ay nag­laho rin ang showbiz career ni Isadora. Iyon pala nag-asawa rin siya.

Now nearly 20 years later and reportedly separa­ted na sa kanyang asawa (they are childless), Isadora (who now sports a surname Velasquez) is eager to stage a comeback. And happily for her, HPI Syner­gy Group, in association with Wings Entertainment, had her cast in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, Pedro Calungsod, Batang Martir.

Pedro Calungsod, as we all know, is our second Filipino saint. He was canonized sa Vatican Church in Rome, Italy last October.

Directed by Francis Villacorta, who also wrote the story and script of the movie, he said it took him three years to do a thorough research on the new Fi­li­pino saint’s background. He is presenting the film, he said, in line sa bagong evangelization thrust ng Simbahang Katoliko.

Ani Direk Francis: ‘‘I want the movie to be patronized not just by the Catholics but by those na may ibang religion.’’

Direk Francis further said he based the story of San Pedro Calungsod in the movie sa involvement niya sa San Diego Mission which was headed by Padre Diego San Vitores.

San Pedro was a protégé ni Padre Diego. Both of them were martyred in 1672.

Playing the role of San Pedro Calungsod is GMA 7 talent Rocco Nacino, na isang Born Again Christian. Padre Diego is Christian Vasquez.

Also starring are Robert Correa, Ryan Eigenmann, Jestoni Alarcon, and Victor Basa.

In co-starring roles are Carlo Gonzales, Arthur Solinap, Mico Palanca, Jao Mapa, Andrew Schimmer, Charllton Villanueva, Alvin Aragon, Geoff Taylor, Johan Santos, Miguel Moreno, Mercedes Cabral, and others.

Overwhelmed and greatly honored being chosen to play the film’s title role, Rocco was also offered to sing the theme song, ang Awit ni Pedro.

The song is written by Direk Francisco himself. Music by Emylyn Olfindo Santos with arranger Noel Rapenida.