In a recent luncheon get-together (at Café Via Mare Morato) with Kapuso star Katrina Halili, the two-time FHM’s Sexiest Woman said that if ever, the man she’s on the look-out for these days is “someone responsible, yung lalaki talaga na hindi nanlalaglag ng iba para lang ipagtanggol ang sarili…”

She didn’t need to mention a name but everyone knew that it was Dr. Hayden Kho she was referring to, who told on their supposed short-lived romance just to clear himself of the issue of betraying Dr. Vicki Belo. For this, she doesn’t want to see or talk to him anymore. “Huwag na siguro, tapos na yon, dalawang taon ang nakalipas, I have to move on na. Pinagsisihan ko na yon, at inihingi na ng tawad.”

If given the chance though, she’d like to talk personally to Dra. Belo, although “nakita ko siya minsan and I texted her and she texted back,” Katrina said. And she’s happy at the moment because although she’s no longer a Belo Medical Group endorser, she continues to be a celebrity endorser for BMG’s sister company Flawless.

Katrina came to our luncheon get-together sporting a new hairdo – a short one – which we admitted became her. She has also lost weight, was in fact back to her old sexy figure. So why did she cut her trademark long hair?

“Wala lang, para maiba. Gusto ko lang gupitin ang lahat ng masamang nangyari sa buhay ko. Itinapon ko na lahat ng negatibong nangyari sa akin in the recent past.” She admitted that with the controversy she became involved in, she got so depressed, “Napabayaan ko ang sarili ko, tumaba ako. But I realized walang mangyayari na maganda sa buhay kung magmukmok ako at mag-self-pity.”

So now, Katrina is up on her feet, “Career na muna ang focus ko. And I’m determined to love myself more now.” She doesn’t want to get romantically involved at the moment, and although Kris Lawrence is still around (he introduced her to his family in the US when they were there together, she said) they’re only good friends now according to her.

This Holy Week, Katrina intends to have special bonding time with friends and cousins in Boracay.

Holy Week at Nayong Pilipino

Nayong Pilipino celebrates the Lenten Season via a week-long spitirual-cultural series of activities in Pasay City and Clark Expo in Pampanga in commemoration of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Starting on April 6 (Holy Monday) up to April 12 (Easter Sunday) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Nayong Pilipino will be opened to the public. There are strategic locations in both park complexes that have been identified and re-designed to serve as praying spots in recollection of the 14 Stations of the Cross. As the “Stations” are situated in various areas, Dr. Evelyn L. Kilayko, chairman of the board of Nayong Pilipino Foundation, hopes to provide the public a chance to reflect and experience a deeper and more meaningful Holy Week.

Once again, the public gets the chance to see up close one of Nayong Pilipino Clark Expo’s pride – the paintings of the Stations of the Cross made ingeniously with scrap wooden materials using the cracks and marks of termite infestations to artfully create and simulate the wounds of Jesus Christ. According to NPF Executive Director Charito L. Planas, such work of art is “a celebration of recycling” and the offspring of Filipino ingenuity.

In its aim to tap the participation of the community in all its activities with the end view of family and youth as its primary targets, Executive Director Planas had the support of nearby barangays in the traditional “Pabasa,” (recollection of the passion and death of Christ in chants) last April 7 (Holy Tuesday) at the Pasay City Park’s chapel, while “Pabasa” in NPCE was held at the Barasoain replica. Each barangay had its own schedule in leading the “Pabasa.”

Capping this traditional religious activity is the Easter Egg Hunting activity both in Pasay City and Clark Expo on April 12, Easter Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Lucky hunters will be surprised with attractive prizes indicated inside the Easter Eggs they will hunt and find.

‘May Bukas Pa’ marathon Semana Santa Special

Have you missed any episode of the top-rating program of ABS-CBN “May Bukas Pa?” Worry no more for you will have a chance of watching it all over again this Holy Week.

Refresh your memory on how Santino (Zaijian Jaranilla) touched the lives of the people in Bagong Pag-asa as ABS-CBN brings you “May Bukas Pa” marathon this Holy Week. Watch the said series from its very first episode up until the last episode that aired on television.

This offering of ABS-CBN is very timely for the Holy Week for many values and teachings are incorporated in the story that will surely touch the hearts of minds of the audience. Sense of hope and strong faith for “Bro” are just few of the things that the viewers will learn from the series.

Tune in to ABS-CBN today, Maundy Thursday (7 p.m.-10 p.m.), Good Friday (7 p.m.-10 p.m.) and Black Saturday (6 p.m.-10 p.m.) and rekindle the delight you felt as “May Bukas Pa” marathon Semana Santa Special airs.

For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com.

Broadcast journalist to sue TV5?

Hardhitting broadcast journalist Raffy Tulfo, who is RMN radio anchor, is reportedly all set to sue TV5 for breach of contract. In Oct. 2008, Raffy’s AC Productions, represented by his publicist, Joey Sarmiento, started negotiating with TV5 to buy airtime for Tulfo’s show “Wanted.” After a series of meetings, the deal was closed, and according to Sarmiento, the contract between AC Productions and MPB Primedia, Inc. which manages TV5 was concluded and signed last March 2, with the corresponding reservation fee of R50,000 paid to Primedia.

Meanwhile, AC Productions started buying editing machines, video cameras and other production equipment and they even have secured contracts with advertisers. Tulfo announced his forthcoming show on his radio program on dzxl “Wanted sa Radyo.” A billboard announcing the forthcoming show was also put up along EDSA as per their contract.

As agreed upon, on March 27, AC Productions reportedly submitted a Payment Before Broadcast (PBB) and a tape of the first episode for MTRCB review, only for Tulfo to receive a letter from Primedia on the same day informing him that TV5 wouldn’t be airing “Wanted” because it doesn’t conform to the station’s format. Instead, Primedia reportedly proposed another show without Raffy in it.

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 9, go to former matinee idol Romeo Vasquez, former beauty queen/actress Josephine Estrada, Eric Cruz, Mario Tan, Borgy Marcos-Manotoc, Mayette Flores, Eliseo “Boy” Saulog, Pacita Blanco, Glo de Leon, Elenita M. Renosa, lifestyle editor Dinah Ventura and Au Au Sevilla… Belated b-day greetings to Kristalle B. Henares and former Caloocan City Mayor Boy Asistio (April 6)…