Action star Robin Padilla may not return home from Australia (where his wife Liezel Sicangco and four kids are now based) to promote his upcoming sports reality show, "Kamao" on ABS-CBN. But he is set to fly to Las Vegas to watch the much-ballyhooed fight of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Erik Morales at the MGM Grand on March 19.

Robin had earlier shown his support to Manny when the latter battled it out on the ring with a Thai contender in the boxing match, "Yanig sa Taguig" last Dec. 11. In fact, Robin was even heard to have told Manny prior to the fight, "Huwag kang magpatalo. Kung hindi, ako mismo ang aakyat sa ring at uupakan kita. May show pa tayong dalawa."

Not a few people were surprised when Robin served as the Pacman’s "hawi boy" during that match. He walked alongside Manny on the latter’s way to the boxing ring, while at the same time preventing the fans from going near the boxing idol.

A touching scene after the fight was when a triumphant Manny looked for Robin and hugged the action star to share his victory with him. In turn, Robin raised Manny’s arm to show everyone that he (Manny) was the winner.

Robin and Manny had real bonding when they were in Subic late last year to tape "Kamao," with 12 amateur boxers. The series will premiere late this month on ABS-CBN, with Vina Morales, Robin’s erstwhile flame, as his co-host.

Advertisers of half a dozen products which Aga is now endorsing apparently are not too happy with the interview.

We don’t know what the truth is behind the issue here. But whatever Olivia’s motives are, the issue is now moot and academic. What’s questionable is how come she chose to come out only now, several years after their alleged relationship. Just when Aga is happily married to Charlene Gonzales.

Will the advertisers’ threat of pull out happen? Please don’t ask Aga.

Gina de Venecia and Ali Sotto, mothers who have lost their teenage children to tragedy, are said to be thinking of forming a group that will draw mothers who continue to grieve because of the loss of their children. The group will serve as an anchor for the moms and will guide them how to move on after the tragedy.

Ali lost her 17year-old son, Miko, after he accidentally fell from the ledge of the veranda in his Mandaluyong condo unit after Christmas last year. Manay Gina lost her 16-year-old daughter, KC, during the fire which gutted their house last December.

Gina and Ali recently saw each other and had the chance to talk about coping with the death of a loved one, with Ali doing most of the sharing and comforting for more than three hours. "I told Gina, ‘Don’t try to be strong for everyone’," said Ali. "It’s okay to cry anywhere you are. Up to this day, I cry in the radio booth while hosting or in the salon."

Ali returned to the country last month after spending New Year with her other son, 19-year-old Chino, who is based in Los Angeles. Ali has also resumed her regular jobs. She does a daily morning radio show with Arnold Clavio on DZBB. At night, she is seen doing the news on ABC 5.

If Phillip Salvador will play his cards right, he can make a showbiz comeback as one of the major cast members of ABS-CBN’s soon-to- premiere fantasydrama series, "Panday," with Jericho Rosales in the lead.

Three years ago, Phillip has opted to remain scarce both on the big screen and television. He got enmeshed in a number of controversies involving his numerous live-in partners, specifically on issues about money. For a time, he lived quietly in the United States and chose to stay away from the limelight as he tried to iron out the kinks in his personal life. After living in with Kris Aquino, Phillip got involved with Cristina Decena and is now married to Emma Ledesma.

If Phillip will accept the offer of ABS-CBN to do "Panday," he can revive his showbiz career even if the role is not a lead one. Maybe this is what Phillip needs at this point. "Panday" will be a good vehicle for Phillip since the series will be directed by Toto Natividad, a name familiar in the action film genre.

Cousins Sheryl and Geneva Cruz recently crossed paths months after Sheryl arrived in Manila after more than seven years of staying in the United States. The two, in fact, will even work together in GMA 7’s fantasy-drama series, "Mulawin," which stars Richard Gutierrez.

Geneva is the latest addition to the "Mulawin" cast, which has Sheryl as one of the mainstays. During Geneva’s first taping day, she readily approached her elder cousin and gave Sheryl a buzz on the cheek. The encounter was cordial and both were civil, although they still didn’t talk after the initial meeting.

According to a production staff of "Mulawin," Sheryl and Geneva will often have scenes together, as required by their characters in the series. It is perhaps inevitable for them not to talk to each other. Let’s hope that "Mulawin" will bridge the gap between the two cousins.

Sheryl had been estranged with her cousins Geneva, Sunshine and Donna Cruz after the former failed to return to the country when her dad, actor Ricky Belmonte, died nearly three years ago. Late last year, Sheryl decided to settle anew in Manila with her husband Norman Bustos and daughter Ashley. Sheryl has since been seen in Joel Lamangan’s dramatic opus, Mano Po 3," one of the official entries in the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival.