Last week, GMA Films pushed for a thanksgiving get together instead of a press conference to celebrate the life of Cristine Reyes, typhoon Ondoy survivor and leading lady to Richard Gutierrez in the film outfit’s new movie “Patient X.”

Annete Gozon-Abrogar, head of GMA Films, said that they felt it was a good idea to have this get-together a week before the original press conference schedule so that the stars can call on more people to help out those who are still in need in the areas ravaged by the deadly typhoon.

And that was what the two lead stars did actually. A still visibly-shaken Cristine  was accompanied by her real life knight in shining armor, Richard at Kaboom Restaurant in Quezon City last Wednesday.

Both recalled their ordeal at the height of the floods in Marikina, specifically at Provident Village where Cristine was trapped, along with her family Saturday night. Cristine said she called everyone she can to ask for help. But no one could go to them because the floodwaters were just too high, except Richard.

Richard, for his part, said he was able to convince his mother (Annabelle Rama) to let him go because he couldn’t also bear it that Cristine was helpless at the roof of their home and he didn’t try his very best.

“When Cristine called me at around noon, my Mom and I immediately called for help. And someone actually said they were going to send a boat to Cristine and her family. That is why when I got her frantic call at 6 p.m. to say that they are still there with no help, I felt I had to move and do something quick to rescue her and her family already,” Richard said.

He said his friend’s speedboat was available and “so we decided to go ourselves to reach Cristine’s house. It was pitch black and we had to be extra careful because there were electric cables hanging around the road. Sobrang hirap talaga to get to her. Hindi biro, kaya pala walang makapunta sa kanila agad for rescue,” Richard said.

After the experience, Richard said he was enriched by the experience and realized just how important it is to reach out and extend help all the more in this time of crisis. Cristine, on the other hand, shared that she now has a deeper understanding about having a second lease in life. “Alam ko na ngayon na ang lahat ng bagay, sa isang iglap pwedeng mawala. Ang importante ay kasama mo yung mga mahal mo sa buhay,” she said.

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Sen. Bong celebrates 43rd birthday

Once again, politics and show biz reluctantly mixed last Sept. 25, when well-loved Sen. Bong Revilla celebrated his 43rd birthday at an elaborate party in Whitespace (used to be an art gallery) in Makati City.

The irony however, is that it happened the night typhoon Ondoy began to ravage the metropolis. For that night alone, the guests and the celebrant, and his family, were oblivious to the mayhem as they partied and chatted the night away.

The party, carrying the theme “Amazing Bong!” was graced by no less than Pres. Arroyo herself, Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former senator Robert Jaworski, Boots Anson-Roa, Manoling Morato, Malou Choa-Fagar, Carlo J. Caparas and wife Donna Villa, and controversial Chavit Singson.

The program was hosted by Tuesday Vargas and Paolo Bediones. There were 10 videos that featured the senator impersonated by Michael V, each of which told of Bong’s accomplishments. There were also testimonials from his friends, family, and supporters.

The night’s highlight was when Sen. Bong turned over a half a million donation to Mowelfund received by Boots Anson-Roa.

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Mark learns to ignore gender controversies

Mark Bautista, the latest endorser of the Mang Inasal chain, admits he is learning to ignore controversies linking him with another actor from ABS-CBN.

“Hindi ko nga po maintindihan pero palagi na lang pong may ganoong intriga. Ang napansin lang po namin, kaming lahat dun sa grupo namin sa Church, natsitsismis na bading. Siguro po dahil halos lahat kami walang mga girlfriend,” he analyzed.

Mark denied any truth at all to the rumors and said that what he does now is to simply ignore it. “Wala ka naman talagang magagawa kung may mga taong gustong magkalat ng ganong klaseng tsismis,” he said.

He said that the controversy didn’t affect their friendship at all, although they all agreed to be more careful about some projects that they will be doing together. “Our managers have decided that it will be best to lay low on projects and shows where both of us will be featured. Para na lang matapos na ang usaping iyan. But we remain to be friends,” he said.

Mark also said that his friend is going through more than what he goes through in the midst of these rumors. “Mas mahirap nga po yung pinagdadaanan niya kasi siya lagi na lang ganoon ang intrigang hinaharap niya. Ako at least, ngayon lang. So I can just imagine how difficult it is for him. Hanga nga ako kasi he is able to ignore it. Kaya ako, I should be able to do that as well,” Mark said when we got a few minutes with him during the press conference of his latest endorsement at Mang Inasal Tomas Morato last week.

During the press con, Mang Inasal owner Edgar Sia III, said they picked Mark because he symbolizes what his chain of restaurant stands for. “We both started in 2004 and both have stayed in the business doing well. And we both feel that we still have great potentials for growth.”