For three successive years, Kris Bernal has always been the screen sweetheart of Aljur Abrenica.

Their TV drama series were so successful that they were tagged as “Daytime Drama King and Queen!” Fans were made to believe that Kris and Aljur were not only reel but also real-life sweethearts!

Of course Kris and Aljur flatly denied their supposed romantic relationship, explaining that it was only an indispensable element of the story in their shows.

Now, Kris and Aljur will soon part ways insofar as their respective careers are concerned. Their mother studio, GMA-7, has given Aljur an assignment where Kris will no longer be his leading lady.

How do you feel? Kris was asked. “It’s alright,” Kris said. “It gives us both the opportunity to grow in our respective careers as well as in our relationship.’’

In their current drama series, “The Last Prince,” Kris and Aljur are still teamed up, but with the introduction of another character, Carl Guevarra, Kris is now faced with a dilemma: Who to choose!

During an interview with Carl, he said that he observed the unusually close relationship between Aljur and Kris, but he hesitated to conclude that the two were indeed sweethearts.

“The Last Prince” has become more exciting because it is now more than a love-triangle story.
Kris described Carl as “very professional. He is easy to get along with both on and off camera.”

Should Aljur be worried? Not at all. Kris said that their friendship and relationship continue to deepen since they were paired in “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin” in 2009 which gave birth to the bankable Kris-Aljur love team.

Other members of the cast are Angelu de Leon, Eula Valdez, Chynna Ortaleza, Karen delos Reyes, Carmina Villaroel, Emilio Garcia, Bubbles Paraiso, Benjie Paras, Paolo Ballesteros, Chandra Romero, Bianca King, and Princess Punzalan.

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H’wood-based actor to release film here

In town recently was Hollywood-based Filipino actor/director, Ace Cruz. While here, he met with Solar Films’ top executive, Wilson Tieng, for the release locally of his latest project, “Outrage.”

The film, which was awarded last year in Hollywood as Best Sci-Fi Picture, stars Michael Madsen (of “Sin City” fame), Natasha Lyone (“American Pie 1 & 3”), Michael Berryman (“Devil’s Reject”), and Ace Cruz himself. The film’s executive producer, Pauly D also plays an important role in the project as a Hill Billy character. He is likewise an investor in “Outrage.”

While in the country, Ace stayed in Boracay conceptualizing his next international film. He is now in France where he attended the Cannes Film Festival Market held Sunday (May 9) to negotiate with Gorilla Pictures, a US-based distribution company that is also representing Manny Pacquiao’s films, for the sale of all his films. From Cannes, he will come back to Manila on May 21.

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Dingdong-Marian film a certified summer hit

“You to Me Are Everything,” the latest team-up of reel-real life lovers Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, is a certified summer hit movie and congratulations are in order for them and their producers GMA Films and Regal Entertainment. The movie was also graded “B” by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

On its first day alone, the movie raked in P16 million, and due to the unprecedented turn-over of fans they had to add 10 more theaters, according to supervising producer Manny Valera. Anette G. Abrogar said the success of the movie could also be attributed to the fact that “the chemistry of Marian and Dingdong in the movie is simply amazing.” The movie is directed by Mark A. Reyes.

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True Faith happy with their new label

True Faith frontman Med Marfil loves being out-of-the-box, not boxed. This is one reason he’s glad his band signed up with Viva Records which allowed them to record a full-length album without the usual material requirement and deadline pressures.

“What we love about our new record company Viva is that, they gave us a lot of freedom artistically,” he points out. “This meant we had the luxury of time to come up with songs. There was no review board to screen the demos and this gave us the impression that they trusted us with our capabilities.”
Med’s group released the all-original “Love Parade” with “Yun Lang” featuring Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down as carrier single.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, May 10, go to Charice Pempengco, Edwina Beech, Aster Amoyo, Chit Salud, Marilyn Cabarrus, Mrs. Flo Owen, Poyeeng Mauricio, Dr. Fernando G. Cabral, Mira L. Sto. Tomas, Chi-Chi F. Robles, Pempe Rodrigo, showbiz columnist Jun Lalin, and Edwin Lagadi of Las Vegas… Belated b-day greetings to Rusty Jhay Unisa (May 4), John Fontanilla and Archie de Calma (May 5), Wally Peralta (May 6), Maricar Agliam (May 7), Samantha Reyes (May 8), Jungee Marcelo (May 9)... Lifestyle Network, the only cable network on Philippine television exclusively for women, in partnership with Neutrogena, invites women across the metro to step out under the sun and participate in one of the country’s fastest-growing sport-running. The “Chase the Sun: The Neutrogena Run,” event will take place on May 16 (Sunday) at Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For more details, log on to www.lifestylenetwork.multiply.com.