Annette also appeared in the movie (with one speaking line!) and we kidded her about having a fallback career if ever. She took it good-naturedly, saying it was actually her second time to play extra but the first she had a speaking line. The one who was supposed to do the role of a nurse in "Moments of Love" wasn’t around and Annette was so they made do of her presence.

But anyway, about the movie making good, "It’s better pala not to expect so much, and be surprised na lang," she said. However, Annette wouldn’t want to disclose any figure on the movie’s earnings on its opening day. She and Joey Abacan only said they’re very happy about the performance of "Moments of Love" and the fact that they were given additional theaters at SM should be enough to prove the movie did very well at the box-office when it opened last Wednesday.

They’re also very happy that the lead cast - Dingdong Dantes, Karylle, Ms. Gloria Romero and especially Iza Calzado - performed so credibly and remarkably their respective roles. "Iza just proved she can carry a movie. And she’s so beautiful in the move, ibang-iba ang beauty niya; so classic. Dingdong also proved he could be a deeper and no-nonsense actor."

With the great success of GMA Films’ earlier movie "Let the Love Begin" which according to Annette made R110 million (actual amount, without any padding!) and now with "Moments of Love" doing well, the movie outfit is now self-sustaining. "That’s why we’re very careful in choosing our projects."

They lost money with their 2005 Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Mulawin the Movie," Annette said, and they can’t afford to do another flop. They’re now on a brainstorming stage for their follow-up movie to "Moments of Love," Annette added.

Incidentally, "Moments of Love Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" is now available on AVCD through GMA Records Kapuso Kahimig and distributed by Ivory Music and Video.

The album contains the soundtrack "Moments of Love" beautifully performed by Jennylyn Mercado and Janno Gibbs; with the pop version rendered by Pinoy Pop Superstar finalists Brenan Espartinez, Charmaine Piamonte and Michael Garcia. And of course, there’s the song "Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan" by Karylle; and Sipol’s "Give Me One More Chance" among others.

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The name may not ring a bell now especially to the young generation of music lovers but Yolly dela Torre was a popular and successful singer of her time, the 70s. Yolly’s contemporaries include Lirio Vital, Rhodora Silva and Florence Aguilar among others.

Yolly, who’s in town with sisters Elvira Reynolds and Lynn Kilius, for the first death anniversary of their only brother Ronald, recalls that her singing career was jump-started through a radio amateur singing contest on MBC where Lirio Vital, who like her was also studying at Philippine Women’s University, was also a contestant. They both emerged winners.

Yolly said her becoming a singer was sort of accidental. When she used to watch singers on television or hear them over the radio, she remembers praying to God, "sana maging katulad nila ako," knowing she has the musical talent. She was then taking up Education but shifted to Music when her interest to be a singer got stronger.

"When she was starting out, "I only knew five songs, among them ‘My Way’ and ‘Impossible Dream’ which were the songs I sang when I joined amateur singing contests."

After winning in the radio amateur singing contest, Yolly’s first professional stint was singing onboard the luxury liner Sweet Faith that plied Manila-Cebu. One time, the driver of then popular songstress Merci Molina heard her sing and he recommended her to Heny Molina, Merci’s sister-manager. Before she knew it, Yolly was already singing in popular nightspots like Victoria Peak, and getting stints in the key cities of the country like Davao, Bacolod, Dapupan.

For a while, Yolly also had Ms. Chona Trinidad as booking manager.

Then came an offer for Yolly to perform in Japan and after that, she was made to choose between Singapore and Guam for another singing contract.

"I chose Guam because it was an American territory," Yolly recalls. It was in Guam where she met her now ex-husband Chris Hall who was then manager of American Airlines in Guam. They have one daughter, Kakai, who has given them four, going five, grandchildren.

When Yolly married Chris, her singing career took a back seat, as she put utmost priority to her family. Her husband put his feet down to her continuing her singing career. "That’s why I became a full-time housewife. But years later, when we’ve moved to California (from Guam and Hawaii) and when my daughter was already quite big, I decided to go back to work. I got bored doing nothing. Merci Molina encouraged me to look for a job which proved an easy thing to do."

Her husband finally gave her permission to work but he insisted that even if she’s already working "family has to come first," was Chris’ condition. Yolly worked for six years with Bank of America at the LA airport. Yolly now works at the call center of the Ventura County Credit Union.

She still sings on special occasions (especially during events for the Filipino community in California) but Yolly is most meaningfully involved in her church’s activities. "I am one of the eucharistic ministers of my parish, the Sta. Clara Church," Yolly proudly shared.

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Ali Sotto is godmother to lots of adopted showbiz children- those she consider her own son or daughter, niece or nephew. One of them is Angel Locsin, who was Ali’s son Miko Sotto’s last girlfriend. Angel and Ali got close during Miko’s wake and even now, with Miko gone and Angel with a new boyfriend, the bond between mother and adopted daughter remains. This Tuesday on "ALI!" (11 p.m. on ABC), Ali Sotto visits Angel Locsin in her proud condo unit for an exclusive never-before-seen heart-to-heart chat. Angel shares about her showbiz beginnings — how she was discovered and her struggles all the way to stardom. Angel relates her life before becoming one, if not the country’s most famous young star. Also, Ali goes through Angel’s stuff and inspects every corner of the lady’s perky pad to know how this young actress manages independent living. Catch all that this Tuesday on ABC.

Meanwhile, this Monday’s episode of "Totoo TV" zeroes in on the controversial city mayor who withstood proclamation 1017: Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. This staunch official stood his ground by declaring his city "rally zone" when all kinds of political protests were banned. As part of the United Opposition, Mayor Binay refused to compromise freedom of speech in the heat of a political crisis. But how did this Mayor become the dedicated person he is today? Who is Jejomar Binay? "Totoo TV" uncovers Binay’s past — how he started from poverty and worked his way to becoming head of the country’s business district. Visit the hotel-like city hall of Makati with radical journalists Maverick and Ariel and witness Mayor Binay display expertise in target shooting and badminton. That’s 11 p.m. this Monday on ABC- Iba Tayo!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 3, go to New York-based Dr. Meliza Galang, Patty Leung, Rina Go-Thorpe, Nena Cuenco, Gloria Desiderio, Clara Ann Maniquis, Roy Rocamora of AP Youth, Nina Sales, Atty. Mirma Saruca, Ana Maria Concepcion J. Abaño, Noel Namuco, and Babie Malulu....