"You Got Me," Star Cinema’s post-Valentine presentation, is directed by Ms. Cathy Garcia-Molina who also megged "Close To You" and "You Are the One." Written by Raz dela Torre and Francis Lua, the romance–comedy also stars Zanjoe Marudo of PBB fame.

Both Toni and Sam are considered phenomenal successes in their showbiz careers. Toni admits to being astonished herself at the way things have turned out for her since she moved over to ABS-CBN. "When I look back, I can’t believe that I would reach this far. I’m just lucky I guess," Toni said. But it’s more than luck of course for Toni. She certainly has the talent to make it in showbiz. She become even closer to the masses when she hosted the ABS-CBN reality TV "Pinoy Big Brother" where she became close to Sam Milby, one of the housemate wars who would later be romantically linked to Toni. But up to now, neither Sam nor Toni would confirm any romantic involvement. But suffice it to say that, romantic or not, their relationship (and chemistry) has caught the fancy of movie fans.

Toni has always said that she has remained "unattached" out of choice, in order to give her career her undivided attention. She has goals to fulfill, and one of them is her dream house which she has just built.

"Sam and I are into our third movie, so we know each other almost inside out," Toni said. "It’s always a pleasure and great fun working with him. I enjoyed shooting ‘You Got Me’ even more because Zanjoe is in it. As with Sam, I came to know Zanjoe during his stay in Big Brother’s house. It was like a reunion for the three of us and for Direk Cathy as well."

On his part, Sam said "before, I was really surprised and happy that ‘You Are the One’ was well-received by fans and viewers. Now that I’m re-teaming up with Toni, we promise that we will bring new surprises and new twists in the movie that will make you feel warm and tingly all over!"

In "You Got Me," Sam plays Lt. Kevin Robles, a geeky, quiet police officer who stands by Lt. Amor Santander, a role that Toni plays to the hilt! Zanjoe, on the other hand, plays a piratedvideo vendor they are running after.

According to Sam, "Toni here is marvelous. She did all her stunts, did not care if she got bruises and all. She was simply amazing!" And Toni said of Sam: "In fairness to Sam, since we did ‘You Are the One,’ his Tagalog improved a lot pero he is still the same Sam na magaling umarte, very open to instructions and really studies his role."

Sounding really excited about this movie project, Sam added: Ako, I’m just really happy that for this movie I’m still with my ‘You Are the One’ family, including Direk Cathy and Toni of course. Then now, we have a new addition, Zanjoe, who is also very good in this movie."

Sam also said "you will definitely fall in love and there are many kinds of love in this movie, but what you will definitely learn, is that you have to risk for love in order for you to fall in love, and when you’re in love, you should definitely be happy!"

With his killer smiles, he concluded: "This is our Valentine’s gift to all the Filipino viewers who have been supportive of Star Cinema’s movies for the longest time. I hope they get to enjoy the experience as much as we enjoyed while shooting it."

* * *

Carla Guevara, who played Kim – the lead role in Cameron Mackintosh’s "Miss Saigon" made famous by Lea Salonga – in London from 1995 to 1997 is back in Manila where she plays Emma, the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical "Song and Dance" currently being presented until March 4 by Repertory Philippines at the Onstage, Greenbelt 1 in Makati City.

Judging from the audience thunderous applause and the standing ovation Carla gets after every performance since opening night, one can easily tell that she still got what it takes despite her long absence from the theater scene.

It was with the Rep where Carla honed her acting and singing skills and first performed as professional when she was 16.

When Carla first returned to Manila her two–year stint in London, she did not only resume her active participation with the Rep’s theater presentations but also embarked on movie and television careers.

On television, Carla appeared in several ABS–CBN and GMA projects. She earned recognition as best new artist for television from the Philippine Movie Press Club in 2000 for her daring and remarkable performance in ABS–CBN’s Star Drama Presents "Burn."

On the big screen, Carla landed juicy roles in films produced by Regal Films and Viva Films.

Her budding movie, television and theater careers then was cut short when Carla decided to pursue a course in acting and hotel operations management in New York University following the advice of her parents Domingo and Monette Guevara.

Almost immediately after graduating from New York University, Carla went on to work in two trendy restaurants in New York City as manager.

Now married to Godfrey Laforteza with two children, Carla is currently based in Hong Kong where her husband works as a chef in a restaurant owned by Hollywood movie actor Robert de Niro.

* * *

YES! Magazine, on the occasion of its 7th year as "the ultimate entertainment source," announces the winners of the 2006 Readers Choice Awards in its February issue. The Readers Choice Awards are the result of YES! Magazine’s annual poll of its readers, giving the fans the chance to vote for their favorite celebrities, songs, shows and even their favorite celebrity homes and condominium units.

Leading the roster of winners are Judy Ann Santos, who was voted as Favorite Actress of the Year, and Aga Muhlach, Favorite Actor of the Year. Piolo Pascual, Juday’s movie and TV partner, was voted Most Handsome Celebrity. Their movie, "Don’t Give Up On Us" won as Favorite Movie of the Year, and their soap operar "Sa Piling Mo," was voted Favorite TV Show.

Other awardees include Bea Alonzo as Young Female Superstar, and John Lloyd Cruz, Young Male Superstar.

The awardees will be honored during the YES! Magazine’s 7th anniversary dinner to be held tonight at the NBC Tent, Global City.

* * *

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 28, go to USbased Carol Nievera and Blanca Gomez (former Sampaguita star and sister of Daisy Romualdez), Elena Canchela, Buddy de Vera, Cynthia Patag, Alvin Gerilla and Ylette A. Faustino...Feb. 29 birthday celebrants include Johnny Delgado, Fortunato S. Limpo, Freddie Santos, Tina Revilla-Valencia, Biboy Enriquez of Sulo Hotel, Raul Sunico, Leny Carpio and Dulce Belen of Hawaii...The SMART-Asian Adventures promo started last Monday, Feb. 26, wherein viewers stand the chance to win (weekly) an Asian trip for two, and at the grand draw, an Asian cruise for four. Those interested will just have to watch "Asian Treasures," topbilled by Robin Padilla and Angel Locsin, on GMA 7 and answer the trivia questions. Answers should be texted thus: Treasures<letter of answer/name, age, gender, address> and send to 367...The article "The Simple joys of being ‘just Joyce’" was written exclusively for Hair Asia Beauty Journal by Anne B. Jambora but was inadvertently sent to us and published in this section last Monday, Feb. 26.