By ANTONETTE R. VALDEZ
Young actor and Penshoppe model Cogie Domingo will take a break from showbiz for two months as he flies to his Los Angeles, California abode to relieve himself of stress from work.
"I just finished doing ‘Now and Forever’ and since the soap has ended already, I’ve decided to take a break for a while. I just need time off to rest and reinvigorate kasi nakakapagod din, maraming seasons din yung ginawa namin for ‘Now and Forever,’" 20-year-old Cogie informed the Manila Bulletin last Wednesday at the launch of Penshoppe’s Club Pen 2006, which was also participated in by other Penshoppe models and endorsers such as Nikki Gil, Matteo Guidicelli, Ala Paredes, Vince Cañizares, Victor Basa, and Dawn Balagot at Embassy Cuisine in The Fort, Makati City.
Having gained enough weight suitable for his height of five feet and nine inches, Cogie did not only appear confident as he romped off in Penshoppe apparel during the event’s fashion show. He also confidently and willingly answered all questions regarding an unsettled issue involving him and a certain Felice Cruz (or is it Smith? Cogie’s not even sure of the woman’s surname because, according to the young actor, it varies every time in her interviews) who claims Cogie is the father of her child.
"She wanted a DNA test but my dad said there’s no need for that kasi walang kailangan patunayan. I didn’t do anything so why should I spend for a DNA test na napakamahal, is it R100,000? I’m not sure pero syempre I’m not the only one who’s going to undergo the test, pati siya at yung bata and how much would that cost? But why spend kung wala naman talagang kailangan patunayan?" clarified Cogie.
More than tarnishing his reputation, the fact that Felice disturbed the peace of his family broke his heart admitted Cogie.
"Di naman kailangan manggulo ng pamilya. I could’ve handled the issue kung ako lang ang tinira kasi sanay na ako sa intriga. They should’ve left my family out kasi wala silang alam sa showbiz, di sila kasali dito," explained Cogie who’s still waiting for the bomb which Felice’s camp threatens to drop on him if he does not acknowledge her son in his life. However, after Cogie’s mom said in an interview that they’re just waiting for Felice to drop her so-called bomb, nothing has been heard again from the latter’s camp.
"Laging sinasabi na whether an issue is negative or positive, it is still publicity but it would be hard to erase this kind of issue from the minds of people. But it’s ok because I’ve learned a lesson out of it. I learned na hindi dapat sumasama basta kahit kanino because you’ll never know what kind of minds they have," stressed Cogie.
The actor didn’t expect his acquaintanceship with Felice through his friend Patrick Garcia would lead to a serious problem.
"I only met Felice through Patrick kasi ninong siya ng anak ng sister nun. I don’t even know her favorites so we’re not even friends," pointed out Cogie.
When Cogie returns from the US he’s going to start working on a new TV project intended for primetime airing.
