Love and money make the world go round even for celebrities, as shown in a special "Showbiz News Ngayon" report that aired last Aug. 20.

Kris Aquino and James Yap

kris Aquino and James Yap’s first meeting after their controversial separation happened during a hearing of the latter’s motion for provisional award of visitation right on Aug. 20 at the Makati Regional Trial Court.

After more than three hours, James was granted rights to visit his son Baby James twice a week and to spend overnight with him on the third day.

The cager, as per the agreement, will spend time with his son Wednesday, 2-8 p.m.. They  can watch basketball or eat and bond with Baby James provided within Metro Manila only and with 2 yayas and 2 security guards. He’s also allowed to have Baby James on Fridays, 4 p.m. overnight to Saturday 2 p.m.

On Aug. 9, Kris filed a declaration of nullity of marriage in court that also sought sole custody of Baby James. She’s also asking the court to change her son’s surname from Yap to Aquino once the marriage is nullified.

“Nagulat talaga ako na gusto niyang ibahin ang name ni Baby James....As a father talagang hindi puwede yon. Siyempre, anak ko ‘yun,” said James, who last saw his son on July 30 when he arrived from a short vacation in the US together with Kris and Joshua.

Reports surfaced that James and Kris could be splitting properties amounting to P300 million. A report on “TV Patrol” said a court insider revealed that Kris declared over P300 millions in earnings during her five-year marriage to James. James reportedly earned P20 million during the same period.

And while James’ camp admitted the two had no pre-nuptial agreement, James insists he is not running after Kris' money. His lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, also squashed talk that money was one of the causes of the Kris and James' break-up.

“That is absolutely false,” Kapunan said on the matter at a presscon for the basketball player.

After the hearing on Aug. 20, Kris spoke of how she and James want the proceedings done . 

 “Klarong-klaro sa aming dalawa [na] ang utmost priority  namin talaga [ay] ‘yung wellbeing ng anak namin. Gagawin namin ang lahat to ensure  that this  will be not a traumatic experience  for our son,” she said.

Robin Padilla and Liezl Sicangco

Robin Padilla was enjoying a quiet life when his career took a turn after he was linked to TV host Mariel Rodriguez.

However, the events became even more controversial with the entry of Robin's ex-wife, Liezl Sicangco, in the picture.

In an interview, Liezl ranted against the action’s star alleged neglect of their children since he fell for Mariel. It even reached the point when Liezl asked Robin to return their son, Ali, to her.

“Willing akong kumuha ng lawyer para sa custody ni Ali, kasi hindi naman normal ang buhay na binibigay sa kanya ni Robin,” Liezl said in her interview on Philippine Entertainment Portal.

“Four weeks ago, pumutok ‘yung appendix ni Ali so medyo doon siya (Liezl) nataranta. Gusto lang naman niya, pinagdidiinan lang niya ‘yung time ni Robin doon sa mga anak nila. Hindi naman niya bine-blame si Mariel (Rodriguez),” said "Startalk" host Ricky Lo in an interview aired on “SNN,” Aug. 20.

Gentleman that he is, Robin apologized to his ex-wife.

"Ang Ramadan ay buwan ng pag-aayuno, pagpapatawad at pagmamahal... ako ay nakikiisa sa Islam sa pagbibigay halaga sa mga ina. Sapagkat ang paraiso ay nasa paanan lamang ng mga ina, kaya't ako mismo ang kakausap sa aking mga anak na umuwi na sa kanilang ina. Kung ako man ay may pagkukulang bilang ama, ako'y mapatawad ng Allah, ni Liezl at ng mga bata," Padilla said in a statement.

Queenie Padilla, Robin and Liezl’s daughter, defended her father from talk that he has become irresponsible.

“Hindi kami pinapabayaan ni Papa. He’s always been a good father  and good provider. Si Ali kasi, medyo nalulungkot ngayon and he needs Mama so much. For me, it’s best for my brother to go back to my mom kasi my mom has all the time in the world to guide him  and to be with him."

With Liezl’s ranting came reports that she’s running after Robin’s money. It is alleged that Robin gave his ex-wife a property worth P2 million in Pampanga. He also reportedly gave him three houses in Australia amounting to P100 million.

On top of these, Robin regularly sends AUD 2,500 to Liezl for their daughter Zhen who lives with her.

Hurt by the accusations, Liezl hit back, saying she’s not “money-hungry.” Claiming she was into buy and sell business in Queensland, Australia, Liezl shared that  she and Robin bought some properties then renovated these for resale, and that she shared in shouldering the expenses.

Liezl said she only has one property under her name, her condo unit.             
“Malinaw po na ang talagang nakapangalan lang sa akin ay isang bahay lang at hindi tatlo! At lahat naman ng binili namin, may share ako,” she explained.

On the controversial property in Pampanga, Liezl stressed that it was bought with Zhen’s allowance for six months.

“Sabi ko,palitan niya ‘yong 30,000 (AUD) ko para magawa ‘yon. Sabi ko, ‘wag na muna niyang ipadala ‘yung allowance (ni Zhen) for six months..ang total noon, 15,000 (AUD). Plus another 15,000 (AUD) for tuition. Para ‘pag umuwi diyan ‘yung peso ang ibabayad ko.”

Liezl confirmed that Robin regularly sends said amount to Zhen.  

“Karapatan po namin na suportahan ni Robin dahil pamilya niya kami. Hindi ko sinasabing iresponsable si Robin. Walang problema kay Robin sa pera, hindi siya madamot,” she said. “Wala akong masasabi kay Robin kung hindi he is a good provider."

Queenie said her mom is not money-hungry. "Hindi niya ino-open up sa Papa ko ‘yung  settlement, never. She just accepts what my Papa gives her. She’s just a normal, loving, caring mother who wants to be with my brother. Iyon lang ang gusto niya dahil concern siya sa kapatid ko.Siyempre, ina siya. She feels, you know, what her children feel.”

Almost pleadingly, Robin’s daughter added, “Stop judging people . hindi n’yo po alam ang lahat ng nangyayari. So, sana po maintidihan n’yo po ang Mama ko.”

Delfin Geronimo

Sarah Geronimo’s father, Delfin,  was happy being in the backdrop until his encounter with his alleged kidnapper, Paulino Mercado, on Aug. 8 inside the ABS-CBN compound.

“May nagpakilalang company at may ibibigay daw na gift sa tatay ni Sarah.  Nu’ng bumaba noong basement para i-receive na, ‘yun na. Nagkaroon ng pagkakataon ‘yung suspect, pinasok siya sa loob ng van. Nu’ng kinuryente siya, siniko nya ‘yung suspect,” PO3 Ranillo G. Mendoza, case investigator said in an interview aired on “TV Patrol.”

“Nagsisigaw na ako noon. Hindi ko na alam ang mga pangyayari. Basta nakuha ko na ang atensyon ng guwardiya. Tingin ko ano ‘to,eh, kidnap to,” Delfin recalled.

Paulino explained that  the dire circumstances pushed him to assault Delfin.

“Gipit lang po, eh. Napilitan lang na gumawa nang hindi maganda,” he said.

Paulino’s wife bolstered the claim. “Kasi ang airline business ngayon nagkakaproblema. Aircraft mechanic siya. ‘Yung work na nakukuha niya is contractual. Ngayon po talaga kapos po, walang mga nangyari. Dala lang po siguro ng kagipitan,” Mrs. Mercado said.

Dr. Estrella Magno, a clinical psychologist, explained  what might have triggered Paulino to harm other people. 

“Kung padre de familia siya tapos hindi niya natutustusan ‘yung mga pangangailangan ng pamilya niya, parang panipis nang panipis ang tingin niya sa paligid. Everything is so hopeless. Wala siyang trabaho....so wala na ‘yung mga consequences kasi ang pagkadesperado niya kailangan niya makuha, kailangan ngayon,” she explained.      

Mrs. Mercado had asked for the Geronimos forgiveness. “Alang-alang man lang sa tatlo kong mga anak,” she said.

Yet while Sarah is willing to forgive, she wants the law to prevail.

“Sa pagapapatawad, oo naman. Ang Diyos nga po ay nagpapatawad.

"Pero meron po tayong hustisya, meron tayong law na sinusunod. At what if hindi nakatakas ang daddy ko. Paano naman po ako? Paano naman po ang pamilya ko?"  

Krista Ranillo and Niño Jefferson Lim

In 2009, when Krista Ranillo was being linked to Manny Pacquiao, her detractors said all she wanted from him was money---and even more money.

She was even rumored to have received P2 million from Manny; an allegation which remains unproved to this day.

A few weeks back, Krista was again thrust in the spotlight when she wed her childhood sweetheart Niño Jefferson Lim in California. And like before, talk about her being a Material Girl surfaced; that she allegedly married Nino for his money.

Feisty columnist and radio host Jobert Sucaldito shared that the Ranillos were against Krista’s decision to marry Niño.

“Actually, isa ‘yon sa mga reasons sabi ng friend ko, sa aking source na the reason why ayaw ng family daw ni Krista kay Niño is because he’s not as liquid, as rich as Manny Pacquiao na nali-link kay Krista. Ayon sa source ko... I don’t know if it’s true dahil mahirap mag-confirm, pero kasi may allowances daw na binibigay si Manny kay Krista na ang tumatanggap ay ‘yung parents,” Jobert said on “SNN,” Aug. 20.

Monet Lu, Krista’s friend, came to the couple's defense.

“Si Jeff ay isang masipag at mabait na tao. Bata pa siya nagsimula, galing sa rich family. Hindi siya papayag na iibigin lang siya ng isang babae dahil sa pera o sa katayuan niya,” Monet said.

She added: “Niño is a very, very private person. Sa nakita ko, napatunayan ko kung bakit mahal na mahal nila ang isa’t isa. They couldn’t live without each other even half an hour. Sabi ni Jeff nga, 'Mahirap sa buhay ko na hindi ko kasama si Krista.'"

Jennylyn Mercado and Patrick Garcia

Young love didn’t work out for Jennylyn and Patrick Garcia, who ended up trading accusations when their relationship crumbled.

“Hindi ako namimilit. Ang kailangan ko lang talaga emotional support, love, care understanding especially Pat,” Jen once said in a TV interview.

On his part, Patrick was surprised why she took to TV to hurt him so.

“Hindi ko maintindihan  kung bakit kailangan niyang magpa-interview at umiyak sa TV pero for whatever it is, I’m still here for her. Hindi ko siya inabandona,” he said.

The rift  between the two widened after Jennylyn gave birth to Alex Jazz on Aug. 16, 2008.  According to talk, Patrick questioned the child's paternity.

Smarting from Patrick’s alleged suspicion, Jen said, "Nakakababa ng dignidad. Nasa kanya iyon kung gusto niyang  aminin na siya ‘yung ama, kung gusto niyang panindigan. Ako alam ko, anak ko ‘to, anak namin ‘to.”

To spite Patrick, Jen kept him from seeing Alex Jazz.  She maintained her and Alex's life is compete even without him.

“Naibibigay ko naman lahat ng gusto niya [Alex Jazz]. Nabibigay naman namin lahat ng love, support so I think wala naming masama kung ako lang mag-isa, ‘di ba?” she said.

Patrick only got to see Alex Jazz recently at a party, upon the invitation of Cheska Garcia, Patrick’s sister.

“Jen is vary gracious in making my brother spend time with his son. Meron siyang schedule to be with the son. Nakakasama namin si Jennylyn sa family lunch namin. At saka nagkakausap sila ng family ko. Very giving naman siya. Very good and very positive,” Cheska shared.

Bing Garcia, Patrick’s mom, revealed they are preparing to avail of an educational plan for AJ. 

“Sinabi ko kay Jen, 'Alam mo Jen..kasi ngayon gusto na ma-secure ng father ni Patrick ang future ni Jazz and everything. Eto, inaayos na ni Patrick ang lahat para sa future (ni AJ),'” Bing shared.

With this development, Jen was rumored to be only after the financial support.

Cheska herself came to Jen's defense. “Of course not, Jen never brought up those things. Kung meron mang mga reportedly sinasagot ni Patrick, it’s to the best of his part as a father.  But Jen never asked for anything or whatsoever. Never siya nag-impose  ng mga bagay.”

Bing also said as much. “Kahit na tungkol sa pera, tungkol sa educational plan, tungkol sa investments or whatever, it doesn’t matter naman kung anon’ng reason whether it’s money. Basta sa security ng bata, okay lang.”

Cheska is grateful that the “storm” is over between the ex-lovers.

“Thank God na ayos na lahat. Everything is okay. Patrick is really, really well. Actually, lahat ng time  niya nakabuhos ngayon sa anak niya. Niloloko ko nga ang brother ko, sabi ko, 'Patrick tatay ka na.' Sabi niya, 'I feel good about it. I’ll put all of my focus, all of my attention to my son.'

"Mahal na mahal talaga niya si Jazz, sobra.”

Willie Revillame

The incidents that led to Willie Revillame’s decision to bolt out of the ABS-CBN management is said to have been prompted by money, not love.

Willie lost millions when he got suspended by the Kapamilya management after he challenged them on air to fire Jobert Sucaldito or he resigns.

Last month, reports surfaced that Willie is all poised to return to "Wowowee" starting July 31. But this didn’t happen. Instead, ABS-CBN launched a new noontime show, "Pilipinas Win na Win," with Kris Aquino and Robin Padilla as main hosts.

In response, Willie called for a presscon during which he said that he’s rescinding his contract with ABS-CBN.  

In a statement issued by ABS-CBN on Aug. 20, they denied Willie’s claim that he was told about returning to "Wowowee."

“There was never any agreement between ABS-CBN and yourself for you to return as Host of Wowowee on 31 July 2010. Ms. Santos-Concio told you that this was not possible since the suspension of your talent agreement was to last until 24 August 2010,” read the statement.

It was revealed that Willie laid down conditions for his return to the noontime show, among them the “removal of all female hosts of  Wowowee...and payment of your talent fee during the period of the suspension.”

ABS-CBN executive Linggit Tan explained why Willie could not return to the date mentioned.

“Wala pong naging kasunduan ang management ng ABS-CBN at si  Willie na babalik na siya ng Wowowee nu’ng July 31. Ang suspension ni Willie ay matatapos na po sa August 24 pa. Si Willie ang may gustong bumalik sa Wowowee noong July 31. Ang totoo po, wala pang desisyon ang management noon. Bilang pagbibigay-halaga sa damdamin ng mga manonood na ang iba ay tutol po talaga sa kanyang pagbabalik sa telebisyon dahil sa inasal niya noong May 4 at mga iba pang pangyayari noon. Isang patunay na hindi pa siya nagbabago ay ang pagbigay niya ng mga kondisyon sa kanyang pagbabalik. Pinapatanggal po niya sina Mariel Rodriguez at Pokwang sa programa at dapat din daw siyang suwelduhan habang siya ay suspendido. Kaya’t marami pa kaming usapan at ayusin. Naniniwala ang management ng ABS-CBN na dapat isabuhay muna ni Willie ang pinahahalagahang values at work ethics ng kompanya bago siya bumalik sa telebisyon,” Tan explained.

The statement said that Willie’s admission of fault gives the company reason to suspend him.

“You admitted that you were at fault. This admission was sufficient basis to suspend your Talent Agreement and not pay any portion of the fee.

“In this case, Wowowee was cancelled because of the circumstances brought about by your conduct during the 04 May 2010 episode.”

It also contradicted the TV host’s claim that he should be given a replacement show.

“In fact, due to your violations....ABS-CBN has no obligation to offer you a replacement program.”

Instead of a noontime show, Willie was offered a TV show which will be pre-taped and aired on ABS-CBN’s sister network ANC or Studio 23 which Wille considers a demotion.

“Under the circumstances, the offer made to you was fair and reasonable. ABS-CBN has no obligation to provide you with a live program.”

The network also denied they placed Willie on probation because of the suspension. “You were not and have not been placed on probation.”

The network denied any demolition job on Willie as “There was no attempt to sabotage your image. As a public personality, you are subject to news reports.”

ABS-CBN affirms its stand to continue "Wowowee" but this is quite impossible for now.

“ABS-CBN would have wanted nothing more than to be able to continue Wowowee. However, your  actions irreparably damaged the goodwill and equity of the program.”

The management insists that Willie should pay for the damages the TV host have caused the network.

“ABS-CBN has the right to demand that you comply with all your other contractual obligations, including payment of liquidated damages for violations of the same.”         

The network threatens to take to court Willie’s non-compliance with his obligations.

“Should you refuse to comply with your obligations, ABS-CBN shall take such legal actions as may be necessary to protect its rights and interests."

However, Atty. Leonard De Vera, Willie’s counsel, stressed that Willie has the right to invalidate his contract with the network.

“As a consequence of the letter of Atty. Villaraza which in effect warns Willie and those who may want to contract him while ABS-CBN keeps Willie in the freezer, Willie is now compelled to seek the protection of the courts of law,” the lawyer said.