AY Alonzo feels lucky that as she celebrates her first year in showbiz, she's active in both films and TV. “One year exactly has passed since I joined Pinoy Big Brother at ang dami ng nangyari since then,” she says. “I was able to tour the Philippines doing shows in Cebu, Davao , Bohol, Bacolod , Zamboanga and other places. I got as far as Milan and Dubai kasi request ng Pinoys roon to see me and Sam Milby because of our hit song, ‘Magmahal Muli'.”

She's also happy that she has completed two films with Regal. “Ang bait ni Mother Lily (Monteverde) sa akin. After I played Katrina Halili's best friend in ‘Gigil', kinuha ako agad to be the clone of Vilma Santos working with Pops Fernandez in ‘Zsa Zsa Zaturnaaah'. Tapos isasama rin daw ako in another Joel Lamangan movie, ‘Atang's Family'. Sana ma-tuloy.”

She's obviously the busiest among the female PBB housemates since she's also in two regular TV shows, “Super Inggo” and “Wazzup Wazzup”. “I really have no regrets na napasok ako sa showbiz. Biro mo, nakakapag-travel ka na, binabayaran ka pa.”

Is it true she's ready to pose for Maxim Magazine? “If I were to decide, okay lang sa'kin. The problem is my parents didn't allow me. Conservative pa rin sila. Okay lang to appear in a swimsuit kung sa movie, like in ‘Gigil' dahil Boracay ang setting namin. Pero for a men's mag, ayaw nila.”

How is it working with Katrina Halili? “We became real friends. Kahit tapos na ang shooting, nagba-bonding pa rin kami. We go out and text each other. Noong una, ilang ako kasi puro sila taga-GMA 7 ni Alfred Vargas at Bianca King. But they made me feel so welcome, naging friends kami agad.”

Any chance of her reconciling with JB Magsaysay who became her boyfriend in PBB?

“Wala na. Hanggang sa loob lang yun ng PBB. Now, the magic is gone.”

* * *

JOHN Lapuz formally announces that he's now with GMA-7, but hosting his presscon is Rikka Dylim of ABS-CBN Star Magic. “Kasi, even if I moved to GMA, I told them I'd still like to be managed by Star Magic kasi mabait naman sa ‘kin si Mr. Johnny Manahan,” he explains. “Puma-yag naman sila. First time nga nangyari ito na a talent is connected with both networks. Matagal na akong walang show sa ABS so when GMA's offer came after dad (the late scriptwriter Jojo Lapuz) passed away, maayos akong nagpaalam sa ABS at puma-yag naman sila. Ang bilis nga kasi isinilang agad ako sa ‘The S-Files' to handle my own segment. Nagpaalam din ako to my friend Kris Aquino kasi dati kaming magkasama sa ‘The Buzz'.”

“The S-Files” was ahead in the ratings for two Sundays now. Will he attribute this to him? “Naku, I don't want to take the credit. Paano kung bumaba uli? Di ako rin ang masisisi. Basta enjoy ako working with the other hosts there. Working with Richard Gomez is a dream come true for me dahil nag-aaral pa ko, idol ko na siya.

May I gupit talaga ang photos niya sa magazines. Si Joey Marquez naman, talagang parang Kuya siya sa show. Pia Guanio and Paolo Bediones are both very professional kaya masaya talaga ako with them.”

He has guested in other GMA shows and is glad to know that the night he guested in “Nuts Entertainment,” it got one of its highest ratings ever. Now, he'll also be seen in “Captain Barbell” every night. “I play Mercurio, isang baklang inapi kaya naghiganti. Lahat ng humawak sa'kin, nahahawa sa mercury ko at nagiging kamukha ko. I'm the first gay supervillain on TV and enjoy ako rito. First time ko nakita up close si Richard Gutierrez at na-star struck ako. Super guwapo pala siya talaga, from any angle.”

How is he after his dad has passed away? “I'd like to thank Lani Mercado as she's the one who called me to inform me about it. I went to the morgue at naabutan ko na rin si Sen. Bong Revilla, Rudy Fernandez and Phillip Salvador, lahat sila, umiiyak. I was bothered kasi ako, hindi mapaiyak. Iniwan naman kasi ng father ko, bata pa ako, so hindi talaga ako lumaki sa kanya, unlike sina Bong, close sa kanya dahil he wrote scripts for them. But I'm glad we reconciled when I joined Days with the Lord and I wrote him a letter. He answered it apologizing for what happened at nagkapatawaran na kami. At least, he left na wala na kaming unresolved issues.”

* * *

PIANIST Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, the most internationally awarded Filipino concert pianist, announces the search for the Ultimate Pianist 2006, to be held from November 13 to 18. The preliminary round will be held on November 13 and 14 at the PCI Bank F. Santiago Hall in Makati ; the semi-final round at the Crossroad Convenarium, Mother Ignacia, QC; and the finals and award ceremonies on November 18 at the Philamlife Theater, UN Avenue , Manila . This is open to pianists of all nationalities 40 years old and under residing in the Philippines . Its aim is to propagate the talents of the Ultimate Pianist as recitalist, accompanist, chamber musician and soloist with orchestra. The Ultimate Pianist will win P100,000; the First Laureate, P50,000; the Second Laureate, P35,000; and the Third Laureate, P25,000. The cash prizes are from a grant from Prudential Guarantee. All winners will have the chance to perform with the Metro Manila Community Orchestra, with Josefino Toledo as conductor. For details, contact Prof. Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz at Studio 111, Piano Department, UP College of Music , with email address at cameratadellarte@yahoo.com.ph.

After the Ultimate Pianist, the Opusfest will be held from November 20 to December 3 to mirror the most important piano festivals in Europe and the U.S. at the Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang.

* * *

SCQ Kids winner Nash Aguas has proven himself one of Star Magic bets for best child actors. Among several guestings in ABS-CBN shows, Nash recent TV appearance in the “Poon” episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” where he worked with veteran actors Dina Bonnevie and Joel Torre, is the most memorable one for him.

Many expect him to be nominated in next year award giving bodies for his performance. But Nash is not just good in drama. He shows his funny side every Sunday in “Goin Bulilit”. After “Gulong ng Palad” and “Calla Lily”, Nash will soon be seen as Rene Boy in the upcoming ABS-CBN soap opera, “Flor de Luna”. It is not all work for this jolly and mischievous kid. He also gets to play and enjoy being with his playmates during his spare time. He also attends his regular school in Gospel Light Christian Academy . Nash celebrated his 8th birthday last October 10.

- -