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Unchanging Zsa Zsa

BUZZSTATION

Edgar Cruz

06/16/2009

After she sang her favorite song “Nasasaktan,” ZsaZsa Padilla left the stage and headed straight to where my 23-year-old assistant Justin John Mata sat. This happened during the launching of Unchanging Love CD under PolyEast Records at Discovery Suites. She asked if Justin liked the song, and he said yes. She then asked if they had met seven years ago. It appears the song was released seven years ago. Surprised and unused to showbiz ways, Justin started to shudder. Perhaps realizing what was happening to him, she let him relax by saying to the mostly veteran entertainment journalists present, “Isn’t it nice to have with us a writer like Justin who makes us feel young?”

ZsaZsa has been in showbiz for 26 years and her career is only going stronger! After seven years from the release of her last album, the Divine Diva is back with a brand new album. She was definitely feeling romantic that Thursday. She dedicated the new CD to Dolphy, her domestic partner of many years. When asked how strong the ties between them are, she said, “Twenty years together! (There is) nothing to prove. It’s something to be proud of. We’d been through the test of time.”

ZsaZsa still wants to marry Dolphy despite her annulment problems, but she quickly cuts follow-up questions. “My annulment case is still going pa at hindi pa pwedeng pag-usapan. There’s a story behind it.”

ZsaZsa debuted in 1984 and has sustained a long string of hits that were landmarks for the period such as “Hiram,” “Mambobola” and “Ikaw Lamang,” to name a few. She signed with Polyeast Records in January this year for a much-deserved return to recording. Chito Ilagan, Polyeast Records’ A&R director and album producer, shares, “For more than 20 years, we reunite to do another project. It has been a nostalgic reunion.”

When asked what’s most unique about her new album, ZsaZsa says, “In my album you can find my pictures that look like I’m only 20 years old,” she laughs. “Of course I’m flattered because I’m 45. Thanks to technology! Although I’m a Belo endorser, but Photoshop loves me!”

She decided to come up with a new album thinking it’s about time she made an album again. She explains, “I realized after seven years I’m only doing guest work in albums of the likes of Gary Valenciano and Ogie Alcasid.”

Unchanging Love is a two-CD special edition of well-executed and stylish songs accentuating Zsa Zsa’s natural vocal charm. She tackles love songs with grace especially in the remake of the songs “Nasasaktan,” “Memories,” “Nais Ko,” “Muli,” “Changes,” “Ikaw Lang” and “Kung Alam Mo Lang.” She shines in new mellow ballads “Iibigin Kita Muli,” “Kung” and “Pagmamahal na Walang Wakas.” It includes a bonus minus one disc featuring her renditions of OPM classic hits.

The Unchanging Love album comes in a specially designed package. It’s available at O Music and Video, Odyssey Music and Video, Astrovision/Astroplus, Music One outlets and all SM Shoemart record bars nationwide for only P350.

Erotic Paloma and Marco

FHM April 2009’s cover girl, Paloma, is the alluring newbie actress who makes her much-awaited debut in Gil Portes’ Pitik Bulag. Based on the script of Eric Ramos, Paloma bares her flawless body in a titillating love scene with hunk Marco Alcaraz. Pitik Bulag launches on July 1 the hottest on-screen tandem of Paloma and Marco, who combines sizzling chemistry and acting prowess.

Pitik Bulag is the first movie of petite 27-year-old model Paloma or Paloma Mian Esmeria, who stands at 5’ 3 ½” tall and weighs 100 lbs. She speaks fluent Japanese and a bit of Spanish. Her dad is a colonel in the Western Police District, while her mom is a UP professor. She’s a UP Fine Arts graduate. According to Gil, Paloma’s a stir of liberated Sex Goddesses Alma Moreno and Priscila Almeda. Gil describes the similarity, “Walang takot na maghubad.” To top it all, he finds her intelligent.

It’s the first major starrer of handsome and hunky 20-year-old Marco, who towers at 6’1”, a former San Sebastian Stags cager. A sport wound made him turn to modeling and acting. He bagged a role in the drama series It Might Be You with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo and the full-length war drama Aishte Imasu with Dennis Trillo. Marco is cut to be an action star. Gil describes, “He’s very cooperative. He surprised me with his action stunts here. And, of course, the best thing I saw in him is hidden.”

Together, Paloma and Marco lead Pitik Bulag, which is about Angelo (Marco), a downtrodden movie stuntman who accidentally stumbles upon a bagful of millions taken from a bank heist. Unknown to the bank robbers (led by Victor Neri), the bag fell out of their getaway vehicle during their escape. As they retrace their path, they find Angelo’s wallet and relentlessly track him down.

Overwhelmed by his sudden spate of good luck, Angelo shares his story with his wife (Paloma), who convinces him to give part of the loot to the families of three guards who were killed in the robbery. But their benevolent act doesn’t come easy as they try to dodge the robbers who are hot on their trail. Suddenly, the action star wannabe finds himself in a real-life movie where he fights for his life and the lives of his loved ones.

What’s their titillating love scene? Choreographed by Paloma, she reveals, “Napaka-exciting ng love scene namin ni Marco sa helipad! Ibang-iba! Nahihiya pa siya noong una. Kaya sinabihan ko siya, ‘Iikot mo ako, at ako na ang gagawa ng moves!’ Nawala na later on ang pagkailang niya.” Victor, for his part, has an orgy scene.

Pitik Bulag will premiere at Gateway Cinema on June 23.

Villa Estrella’s billing horror

Star Cinema’s new release to open nationwide on July 1 stars Jake Cuenca, Shaina Magdayao, Maja Salvador and Geoff Eigenmann. Like any multiple starrer, Villa Estrella is experiencing billing challenges. There’s no single lead actor so all sorts of side- and non-issues have cropped up from the entertainment media. Director Rico Maria Ilarde finished Villa Estrella ahead of Lauren Dyogi’s And I Love You So starring Bea Alonzo and Sam Milby so it gets screened first.

Geoff, who recently inked an exclusive contract with GMA, was a no-show at the grand launching press conference. He claimed to have a shoot for a new drama series in which he’s lead actor. But the rumor web buzzed that he was not permitted by the Kapuso Network as he shares heart and mind with it absolutely. He is also said to be unhappy about Jake’s top billing.

Maja Salvador, they say, did not get the acknowledgment her stature deserves. The only actress in the four-way starrer with a solid film experience, they say she should get top billing. Maja has not been getting choice roles at the Kapamilya network lately. She has been overpassed by Melissa Ricks and Erich Gonzales in the drama series genre. Melissa has Kambal sa Uma, while Erich has Katorse. She’s in the high rating May Bukas Pa all right, but in a supporting role. Where’s ABS-CBN president Charo Santos Concio’s pleadge to make her a star?

Like Jake, the only actor that does seem not to have a billing problem is Shaina. She plays the role of the good soldier skillfully.

These young actors must learn from in-the-know veteran actors that it’s not the billing but the actual screen performance that counts. An actor may get top billing, but if his onscreen performance is not up to par, the bigger is the negative effect.

IN the movie, friends Ana (Shaina), Alex (Jake), Dennis (Geoff) and Giselle (Maja) wander in the dilapidated Villa Estrella. They don’t have an inkling that they are getting caught in a web of mysteries hidden within its walls. Villa Estrella houses tormented souls of the past that are trying to change the fate of those in the present.

Now, the big question: Can the four friends get out of Villa Estrella unscathed, whole and well? Or will they suffer the same horrible fate as that of the spirits lurking in every nook and cranny of Villa Estrella? What will the pool’s dark and murky water reveal?

Blind Corner: Hunk singer frequents gym shower

It is starting to be known that this singer who projects himself as a hunk really loves males. A not-so-blind blind item says, “Hindi naman girl ang nagugustuhan niya.” An actor, a certified male, got the surprise of his life when somebody trying to borrow soap opened his cubicle’s curtain while he was taking a shower. Before he could curse, he looked out and recognized the hunk singer. All he could do was complain to management.

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