‘The ultimate chikahan ng mga amigas. we tackle topics like parents raising teenagers, with a vibe that is so approachable and friendly — Gelli De Belen’
VIVA goes into the podcast platform with several new shows. First is “Wala Pa Kaming Title,” a podcast featuring real-life friends Carmina Villaroel, Candy Pangilinan, and sisters Janice and Gelli de Belen. What is their show all about?
“It’s just like you are eavesdropping sa pag-uusap ng mga tita mo na nasa kabilang table,” says Gelli. “The ultimate chikahan ng mga amigas. we tackle topics like parents raising teenagers, with a vibe that is so approachable and friendly.”
“Hindi kami nagpapaka-deep or educational,” says Carmina. “What we share is based on our own experiences sa buhay. We share our own journeys in life, kwentuhan lang.”
“It’s a freewheeling kind of show, very spontaneous,” says Candy. “Wala kaming title sa show kasi wala rin kaming topic. When we talk, kunsaan-saan napupunta ang usapan namin.”
How did their friendship last all these years?
“Our friendship lasted because of the acceptance namin ng ugali ng bawat isa,” says Carmina. “Nandun ang trust, love and acceptance. Magkita man kami o hindi, we know the friendship is there. Tried and tested.”
“Sa friendship, una sa lahat, you have to be a true friend yourself,” says Gelli. “I feel na ibinabalik lang nila sa akin kung ano ang ibiinibigay ko sa kanila. And sabi nga, birds of the same feather flock together.”
The Oomph Podcast Network has more titles lined up for release in the coming weeks.
From creator-driven to genre-specific titles, there is something for everyone to enjoy and engage with.
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Sheryl Cruz was included in the “Prima Donnas 2” press con with the show’s teen love teams: Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay, Althea Ablan and Bruce Roeland, and the budding love triangle of Jillian Ward, Will Ashley and Bruce Crisostomo.
Sheryl plays Bethany, now the show’s new super villain inheriting the Kendra role of Aiko Melendez before. “It’s nice to be part of an established show and I want to thank them all for welcoming me very warmly,” she says.
She says the young love teams brought back sweet memories of her teenage years in the late ‘80s and the ‘90s when she has her own ka-love team, Romnick Sarmenta, and they made many shows and movies.
“We’re part of the love teams then sa ‘That’s Entertainment’ that included Manilyn Reynes and Janno Gibbs, Kristina Paner and Cris Villanueva,” she recalls. “I remember our fans then rooting for us tuwing may show kami. Bawat love team, may sariling group of fans at kung minsan, nag-aaway pa ang iba.”
What does she think of the young love teams in “Prima Donnas 2”? “Naku, lahat sila, nakakatuwa. It brings back memories of my own teen years. May loyal fans sila who watch them on Tiktok and their other social media accounts. Bawat love team naman, may kanya-kanyang katangian why their fans support them.”
She’s turning 48 on April 5 and since she’s one star who has maintained her durability, what advice can she give to her younger co-stars?
“Naku, I look at them na para ko na rin silang mga anak, like my own daughter Ashley. I wish they’d all succeed in their careers. Basta they should bear in mind to always love what they are doing. Know your priorities, be professional, and your job will love you back.”
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Rob Guinto is a woman. Most people who see her name in movie posters think she is a man, like Hollywood’s Rob Lowe or Regal’s new hunk Rob Gomez. Her full name is Robelyn and she chose Rob for a change.
After doing supporting roles in “Siklo,” “Boy Bastos” and “Adarna Gang,” she is now introduced playing a lead role in the deadly love triangle movie, “X-Deal 2,” written and directed by Law Fajardo, who did “X-Deal 1” in 2011. She co-stars with another nymphet, Angela Morena, and with former PBB housemate who’s given his big break here as leading man, Josef Elizalde. So how is it doing the film with them?
“It’s something new for me kasi may kakaibang intimate scenes kaming ginawa rito that I’ve never done before,” she says. “May girl-to-girl bed scene kami ni Angela and then may eksenang tatlo kami. With Angela, mas relaxed ako kasi friend na kami since we took our Viva acting workshops together.”
She was more scared in the love triangle scenes. “Sa tatluhan, kinakabahan ako, but si Josef, pinalakas ang loob ko. He told me, kaya mo ‘yan. The three of us talked on how we are going to do the sexy scenes para alam namin how far we’d all go. Sabi namin, let’s do our best para hindi na ipaulit sa atin. Josef is sobrang bait, he guides me, he helps me para magawa ko nang tama yung mga hinihingi ng director.”
She was actually surprised when told she’d star in her own movie. “Nakaka-overwhelm kasi siempre, relatively new ako, then lead role ito. So sabi ko sa sarili ko, this is it, just do your best.”
She was just surprised when she was told there would be lesbian scenes.
“Nagulat ako when I learned may girl-to-girl scenes kami ni Angela. It’s good that we’re comfortable with each other. Kung kaming dalawa nga lang, okay na kahit wala kaming plaster, kaso marami pang ibang tao sa set, so we have to protect ourselves at kami ang naglalagay ng plaster sa isa’t isa. It’s really good na sobrang close na kami ni Angela. Dati na kaming friends dahil sa acting workshops, but here on the set of ‘X-Deal 2’, dito kami talaga naging close.”
