Billy and Nikki: Nah, not yet!

By Joseph Peter R. Conzalez

Nikki Gil doesn?t deny she and Billy Crawford are very close but doesn?t want to confirm if they are already a couple.

?As much as possible, I don?t want to talk about it, but I know it is part and parcel of showbiz. If I keep mum, people will keep on asking, if I?ll be vocal about it, they might think Billy and I are just using the issue to have publicity mileage. All I can say is that we?re okay. If I remember right, Billy was asked once regarding the true status of our relationship. He answered, ?We?re getting there.? When the same question was thrown at me later, I answered, ?We?re almost there.? Now, it?s his turn to answer again,? the singer who every now and then hosts a show said.

What is Billy?s trait that she likes the most?

?That would be his being very down-to-earth. In spite of the success he achieved on the international music scene, he remains humble and doesn?t forget his roots. He?s still very Filipino at heart. He?s also easy to deal with and very thoughtful. I never spend a single cent whenever we go out.?

Interestingly, she and Billy recently headlined an episode of Your Song titled ?Exchange of Hearts.? The other featured pair was Rachelle Ann Go and Gab Valenciano. Gab happens to be Nikki?s former boyfriend and Rachelle is his present flame. How was the atmosphere on the set?

?As in [sic] if we felt uncomfortable or awkward? There was nothing like that! In the first place, we treated it as work. Another thing is that Rachelle Ann and I are already friends even before she and Gab became a couple. You know, one of my strong points is that I?m able to separate my personal life from my career. Actually, Gab and I remained friends after we broke up. What we had then was just puppy love. We were on for just five months so the emotional investment wasn?t that deep yet. I admit I also got disappointed with our split-up but we were still young then. During those times, we weren?t ready yet to handle a relationship,? she said.

Meanwhile, her recent inclusion in the afternoon drama series Pieta is being intrigued by some quarters. Since her character will be involved with male lead Ryan Agoncillo, many are curious if she?s not afraid if Judy Ann Santos will get jealous of her.

?Oh! She has no reasons to be. I don?t think it?ll reach that point. I think Judai is very nice and I look up to her. I?m just happy with the viewers? general reaction that Ryan and I have screen chemistry. I?m thankful to ABS-CBN that the role of Guia was offered to me,? she said.

Another two for seven

When Dennis Trillo recently signed for another two-year contract with GMA-7, he couldn?t believe it despite the flak he received last year on the issues involving fellow Kapuso Carlene Aguilar and his being absentee father to Calix Andreas, and now ex-Kapuso Cristine Reyes.

?I admit that I felt so low during that time. I thought my career would already go kaput. It?s good I realized I had to be strong and brave enough to face the consequences of my past actions. I?m grateful to GMA-7 for still being there in spite of the bad press I got,? says the handsome actor.

Many agree that he could?ve been more popular than Richard Gutierrez and Dingdong Dantes, now considered GMA-7?s hottest dudes, if not for those controversies.

?Honestly, since the beginning, becoming a superstar has never been my ambition. It has plenty of demands and it?s hard to maintain it. What matters to me is that my supporters get to appreciate what I do. And one thing more, I don?t see Richard and Dingdong as rivals since we?re all under one stable.?

Dennis is glad to announce that his next show is a Sine Novela presentation which will be aired in the afternoon block: the remake of the classic Vilma Santos movie Muling Buksan Ang Puso.

?I consider it a very good follow-up project after Gagambino. For one, it will put me back to the drama genre which I missed a lot. The last Sine Novela I did was Magdusa Ka which was drama in nature. It posted very good ratings. I have high hopes that this program will also experience the same,? relates the talented actor.

In the remake, he will share stellar billing with pretty actresses Heart Evangelista and Nadine Samonte. He is vocal in saying that he strongly admires the former.

?Heart and I worked together for the first time in an episode of Dear Friend. We only taped for a day so we didn?t have the chance to talk that much. With Muling Buksan Ang Puso, I?m expecting that we?ll be given enough time to know each other well since it will run for a season. Let?s see.?

Recent reports confirmed that Heart and her rich businessman boyfriend already called it quits.

?Is that so? At least, we?ll not feel awkward doing our romantic scenes together which will be good for the show,? notes Dennis.

Incredulous Bugoy

At the recent launch of his debut album under Star Records titled Bugoy: Paano Na Kaya, Bugoy Drilon announced that until now, he couldn?t believe his luck. He thanked Pinoy Dream Academy (Season 2) for making a big difference in his life.

?My life has made a 360-degree turn because of PDA. It?s completely different from what I used to have in Ocampo, Camarines Sur. Before, I only have a carabao for an audience but now, lots of people listen to my music.

?I?m simply thankful to Star Records for producing my first album. I dedicate it particularly to those who have shown me support during PDA 2?s grand night. I owe them a lot. They are a great part of my success,? he said.

The album?s carrier single ?Muli? (an original by the late Rodel Naval) and the title track ?Paano Na Kaya? (composed by Ryan Cayabyab) both enjoy tremendous airplay at present.

When asked about what he did with his cash prize amounting to P400 thousand, Bugoy revealed, ?I saved the P100 thousand in the bank and part of it I gave to my parents to help run the finances in our family especially for the school expenses of my siblings. I also reserved a portion of it for my daily allowance.?

His piece to the earlier report that he is smitten by PDA batch mate Liezel Garcia?

?Yes, it?s true that I told her how I felt towards her. We were walking then at the SM Mall of Asia. But she said it would be better for us to just remain friends because she finds me too young for her. She?s kind and I understood her point,? the still na?ve singer stated.

Can be better

Paolo Contis admits that he still has a lot to learn about hosting. Aside from World Records, he was picked to host GMA-7?s latest game show My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad.

?Until now, I still feel nervous but I feel that I?ve improved. I?m serious in honing my hosting skill. Like here in My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad. It?s different from World Records because there is action on the set. I?m still adjusting but I?m certain I?ll get the hang of it in no time at all,? he said.

It seems that Pao is enjoying the best of both worlds since his relationship with EB Babe Lian Paz is already out in the open. How happy is he with his new love?

?If I were to rate it in a scale of 1-100, 100 being the highest, my happiness is at 102! I know many will think that ours is a whirlwind romance. That?s it precisely because if now I?m already happy, how much more in the coming days, right??

Interestingly, what are Lian?s characteristics that endear her to him?

?She lets you feel that you are the guy in the relationship. She?s so serious about it. She always makes me feel better,? Paolo insisted.