From playing support roles to Ai Ai de las Alas in ABS-CBN, Eugene Domingo now headlines her own programs in her new channel.

JUST A THOUGHT: Measure life not by what others do to us as it may disappoint us. Measure it by what we do for others, so it will add more meaning to ours.

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HEARD: A simple compliment coming from girlfriend Marian Rivera is enough to make Dingdong Dantes’ day. “On days when I don’t feel good, and she tells me I’m actually guapo, that already makes me feel good, especially because it comes from someone who’s very close to me.’’

SEEN: At a recent media dinner for the movie “You To Me Are Everything,” Marian Rivera was asked how deep her love was for co-star Dingdong. “Malalim, kasing lalim ng balon.” The couple’s love affair bloomed on the sets of their teleseryes, “Marimar,” “Dyesebel,” and “Ang Babaing Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang.”

HEARD: How far would Marian Rivera go to promote a movie? Not as far as spreading lies like she’s already a mother. The actress denounced unknown parties who have launched a hate-campaign against her. A GMA source says the unwed mother issue has been traced to another network (2? 5? 9? 4?), which has continually been hitting her, well, below the belt. Thus, the motherhood issue.

HEARD: Preparations are being laid for the third John Lloyd Cruz-Sarah Geronimo movie, another romantic comedy. The two big stars made box office history with their blockbusters, “A Very Special Love” and “You Changed My Life.” Their third team-up continues the love story between the same characters they played in their first two films.

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Career move couldn’t have made more sense to Eugene Domingo when she shifted networks from 2 to 7. One can even say she did so in a numerically ascending manner.

From playing support roles to Ai Ai de las Alas in ABS-CBN, Eugene now headlines her own programs in her new channel. She broke into GMA screens by way of a late-night talk show, “Cool Center,” which she co-hosted with Anjo Yllana. By the way, “Cool Center” aired its final episode last night, April 17.

The show’s closure after a few months on air opened up more opportunities for the gregarious UP Theater Arts graduate known for her self-deprecating humor. These days, Eugene is seen on at least three regular shows on the Timog-based network: “First Time,” “Wachamakulit,” and “Comedy Bar.”

Forever starlet
Observers say had not Eugene jumped ship, she would have remained a starlet on Channel 2, where the title Comedy Queen belongs to Ai Ai.

In Eugene’s case, it took a lot of gut feel and intuition to finally make a decision. She wanted to be loyal to her friends on the other network, but more than the loyalty factor, she also craved for bigger breaks and financial stability.

Had she remained on the Bohol network, Eugene would have continued to be cast in the shadow of Ms. De las Alas, who also happens to be a good friend of hers. She is to be commended for making the right move and taking advantage of a hot situation to prosper her career. While negotiations for Eugene’s transfer to GMA were being held, she was on a roll following the box office success of her launching film, “Kimmy Dora.”

In the business of talent management, nothing could be more opportune than a hit to negotiate a new contract. You don’t ask for a raise close on the heels of a movie flop.

Confidence of a star
Stardom has done wonders to Eugene, who now moves with the confidence of a star. And why not? Her shows premiere one after the other. She’s GMA’s counterpart to Ai Ai and Pokwang combined.

One week, it was the game show, “Wachamakulit.” Another, it was the late-night show, “Comedy Bar.”

At the “Wachamakulit” launch, Eugene welcomed the chance to work with children, no matter if she’s aware that they’re the hardest to work with after dogs and other animals.

“I don’t get tired by children’s kulit ways. They excite me,” she said. She confessed to nurturing a desire to have children of her own. Now that she’s in her ’30s, and unattached still, she’s considering other options.

Like? “Buying myself a man,” she joked. Seriously, the comedian said she doesn’t mind spending on a man during dates. Like Kimmy in her launching film, she goes for men who are sexy in the mould of Dingdong Dantes.

Before stardom claimed her, Eugene used to dub for cartoon shows. “Wachamakulit” airs every Friday within GMA’s “Bilib Ka Ba Araw-Araw” block. (nescuar@yahoo.com)