In a recent one-on-one interview, Carla Abellana admitted she likes Geoff Eigenmann very much because she saw in him the good traits that she’s looking for in a man. “Hindi ko nakita ang mga ito sa iba, that’s why I like him,” she said. But no, they are not officially “on” yet. “But yes, he’s been courting me for sometime now,” she said with a smile.

She also revealed that her relationship with her former boyfriend of five years did not work, maybe because of the pressure of her work. “It wasn’t because I joined showbiz. Akala namin, we can work things out, but naging complicated ang problema namin.”

Carla, who’s the granddaughter of our good friend veteran actress Delia Razon and son of actor PJ Abellana, said Geoff visits her at home. She likes an old-fashioned courtship in that she wants her prospective boyfriend to also court her family, in her case her grandmother, who incidentally likes Geoff too. “Actually, kilala ng lola ko ang mga grandparents ni Geoff, kaya walang problema.”

Although he is not the typical manliligaw, Carla said she likes it that Geoff is very open, and he shows his real self, and speaks his mind. “While other girls usually go to their best friends to confide to or ask advice, kay Geoff ako nagsasabi ng saloobin ko. I can tell him anything…”

Geoff and Carla started their onscreen relationship in their first project together, the Filipino version of the Mexican telenovela “Rosalinda.” Carla next appeared in “Last Prince,” and now she and Dennis Trillo will be paired in “Love Bug” which will replace “Dear Friend.”

“Love Bug” will be shot almost entirely in Hong Kong, said Carla who’ll be playing the role of a girl with brain cancer. Aside from “Love Bug,” she will be featured in Sinenovela Presents “Basahang Ginto.” This time, she will be working anew with Geoff.

Incidentally, Carla was recently launched as the newest face of Pond’s White Beauty. With her dazzling smile, and glowing pinkish-white skin, she’s indeed an ideal choice to join the league of Pond’s celebrity endorsers including Aga and Charlene Muhlach, Piolo Pascual and Dingdong Dantes.

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Viva’s first boy group

After one year of auditions, dance and voice trainings, Viva Communications launched recently its first boy group called XLR8 (pronounced accelerate, which means to increase the speed). XLR8 made its debut in “Party Pilipinas” where they performed “You’re So Hot,” the first single from their self-titled album produced by Christian De Walden and Marcus Davis and released under P-Pop, a new music label under the Viva Music Group.

Aside from “You’re So Hot,” the album also features “I Love You Girl,” “Ms. Beautiful” and “Dance With Me,” all composed by one of the members, MJ. Also in the album are “For You” and “I’ll Be There,” which showcases the guys’ strong vocals. All in all, there are 12 tracks in the album.

XLR8 members are: Hideaki Higashi (Aki), born and raised in Japan by a Japanese father and Filipino mother, and who has appeared in “Walang Tulugan” and “SOP” as singer and dancer; John Carlo B. Lazerna, a video game addict whose other passion is dancing; Meljohn G. Magno (MJ) and Melmar G. Magno (MM) who are the group’s twins who took up voice lessons as kids; Adrian Justine R. Muhlach who has showbiz in his blood being the son of Cheng Muhlach (Amalia Fuentes’ brother) and Aga’s half-brother (AJ loves music and he plays the guitar, drums, piano, flute ad loves to dance), Francis Albert Ramos, the grandson of Ben Delgado, the first Pinoy crooner to become successful in LasVegas; Arkin del Rosario, who grew up listening to Michael Jackson and N’Sync music but got into the theater and television; and Caleb B. Santos, who used to sing in the church choir.

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‘Sa ‘Yo Lamang’ album launched

Also launched recently by Star Records is another inspiration album called “Sa ‘Yo Lamang,” produced by “inspirational diva” Jamie Rivera. The album is a collection of “heavenly” voices interpreting 12 of the most loves and timeless heartwarming songs.

The songs are “Sa ‘Yo Lamang” (by Jamie and the Hail Mary the Queen’s Children’s Choir), “On Eagles Wings” (Ars Cantica Ensemble), “Lead Me Lord” (Aiza Seguerra), “One More Gift” (The Heralds Choir), “Pananagutan” (Bugoy Drilon), “I Offer My Life” (Erik Santos with Optimi Choir), “Take And Receive” (Chin Ching Gutierrez with Lighter Side Movement), “Panalangin Sa Pagiging Bukas Palad” (Jamie Rivera), “Anima Christi” (Liezel Garcia with the Heralds Choir), “Give Thanks” (Fatima Soriano), “Shine Jesus Shine/Shout to the Lord” (Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Chor), and “Sa ‘Yo Lamang” (Juris Fernandez and Ars Cantica Ensemble). The song will be the soundtrack of an upcoming Star Cinema movie with the same title.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on April 28, go to Vic Sotto, Chito Roño, Gene Palomo, Ms. Liela S. Salgado, Tess Lopez, Chato Mañeru, Rosemarie Sonora, Mrs. Prudy Vijungco, Sarah Kay M. Guila, Dennis Belen of Hawaii, Richard Landingin and Malou Escasa and Marvin M. Sampilo of Queens Village, New York. Happy wedding anniversary to Senator Kiko Pangilinan and Sharon Cuneta; Richard and Lucy Gomez; and Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos. Gina Schucks (April 25), Tina Bonifacio and Djoanna Velasco Francisco (April 26).