MIKAEL Daez and Megan Young reveal that January is a very significant month for them.
They first became officially on January 6, 2011 after meeting each other in a fashion show. January 6 is also Mikael’s birthday and he turned 33 years old this new year.
Then they had two weddings, both in January last year. On January 10, 2020, they had a small intimate wedding at Caleruega in Tagaytay with only close family members attending.
Then they had another much bigger wedding with a reception where they invited about a hundred people in Subic on January 25, 2020.
And now, this week, Mikael’s drama series, “Love of My Life,” has returned on GMA at 8:50 p.m. The show’s airing was stopped by the pandemic and when they resumed it on lock in taping at Tagaytay, Megan joined Mikael there and it was like they’re having a second honeymoon.
So did Mikael have a hard time going back into her character as Nikolai?
“Not really,” he said. “From the start, I got to know Nikolai very well, the black sheep in their family, and I know kung saan ang pinanggagalingan ng character niya. I enjoyed portraying that character and I’m just happy to continue playing him on screen.”
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‘Nakakatawa kasi the last time, I am gay na raw, lalaki na ang gusto ko, ayoko na sa babae, pero ngayon, si Ellen naman. — Derek Ramsay’
Derek Ramsay is amused with all the bashing he’s getting after Ruffa Gutierrez posted his photos with Ellen Adarna during the dinner he hosted in his house in Ayala Alabang.
“When I found out we all live in the same place, iba-ibang streets lang, I invited them all for dinner,” he said. “Along with my friend, John Estrada, with whom Ellen is now doing a new sitcom for TV5. Actually, dapat kasama rin si Kris Aquino, but she’s not feeling well daw. This happened on January 11, last Monday.”
He’s aware that Ruffa took their photos which she later posted on her own social media account and on her vlog. But he didn’t expect it will have repercussions like what is happening now.
“Ayun, biglang na-link na kami ni Ellen,” he said. “Nakakatawa kasi the last time, I am gay na raw, lalaki na ang gusto ko, ayoko na sa babae, pero ngayon, si Ellen naman. Ako mismo, naguguluhan na sa mga issue. Ano ba talaga? We had fun sa dinner namin, so I intend to invite them all again sa bahay ko for another get together.”
He’s sad some people are being needlessly linked to him. “Like Pops Fernandez,” he added.
“Nagkasama kami kasi friend siya ng mother ko tapos, kami na raw. May kinalaman daw sa breakup namin ni Andrea (Torrres). Nakakahiya. Pero nyo alam nyo naman sa showbiz, makita lang kayong magkasama, ang conclusion agad, kayo na.”
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Thea Tolentino plays contravida anew in GMA News TV Channel 11’s new show, “The Lost Recipe,” that now airs weeknights at 8. She and Kelvin Miranda, the lead actor who plays Chef Harvey, portray tough rivals in the story that focuses on the restaurant industry.
“I play Chef Ginger Romano,” said Thea. “Our family is the direct competitor of Kelvin’s restaurant. We cook the best adobo but we face stiff competition sa restaurant ni Kelvin so we will do our best para matalo namin siya in the food business.”
She used to play lead roles. Does she mind being relegated to villain roles now?
“No, not at all. My last show, ‘Madrasta,’ contravida rin ako. Mas gusto kong nang-aapi kaysa akong inaapi.”
How did she prepare for her role as a chef?
“Lahat kami sa cast, along with Mikee Quintos as Chef Apple na leading lady ni Kelvin, we took a culinary arts training course to immerse us sa mga gawain ng chef,” said Thea. “We learned a lot from our preparation for our roles. Natuto talaga akong magluto.”
She’s glad to be working in a drama series anew. “I was idle for several some months due to the pandemic We’re all glad kasi ang ganda ng feedback ng netizens sa full trailer ng ‘The Lost Recipe.’ Parang Korean drama raw ang dating, world class.”
She’s happy to be part of a show that is produced by GMA News TV in cooperation with the City of Manila. Supporting them are Paul Salas, Faye Lorenzo, Chef Anton Amoncio, Prince Clemente, Phytos Ramirez, Ariella Arida, Topper Fabregas, Sue Prado, Almira Muhlach, Maureen Larrazabal, Lucho Ayala and Crystal Paras, under the direction of Monti Parungao.
GMA News TV is really strengthening its programming in 2021. Aside from “The Lost Recipe,” they will also present mostly youth oriented romantic comedies since the bulk of viewers now are millennials: “Heartful Café” starring Julie Anne San Jose, David Licauco and Andre Paras; “Love You, Stranger” with the reel and real life love team of Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos; “Flex: starring Mavy Legaspi, Lexi Gonzales, JD Domagoso and Althea Ablan; and “Game of the Gens” with Andre Paras, Sef Cadayona and the GenDolls.
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Jeric Gonzales is the male winner in “Protégé,” while Klea Pineda is the female winner in “Starstruck.” They were paired for the first time in “Magkaagaw” where they play a young husband and wife and their tandem quickly gained lots of fans. It was also the first time they play mature roles in a story that tackles infidelity and, in all fairness to them, they both acquitted themselves in their dramatic roles.
“Magkaagaw” was suspended by the pandemic lockdown but it’s now seen again after “Eat Bulaga.” Jeric and Klea say its loyal viewers should brace themselves for more explosive scenes of dramatic thunderbolt in the new episodes they’ve taped for the show.
“Based on the scenes that we shot with Direk Laurice Guillen, lahat halos, puro heavy emotional scenes,” said Klea.
“We put our best efforts in this show,” said Jeric. “Ayaw naming mapahiya sa viewers na matagal nag-abang sa pagbabalik nito on air. I can really guarantee na walang eksenang matatapon dito o masasayang sa mga ginawa namin kasi very intense lahat. We’re about to reach the climax of the story kaya dapat abangan nyo ang bawat bagong episode. ‘Wag n’yong palampasin.”
He is happy to have been paired with Klea in “Magkaagaw.” What are her qualities that endear her to him?
“Marami siyempre. Bukod sa maganda na, matangkad pa at ‘yung color niya, morenang very smooth skin. At napaka-sweet ni Klea and easy to get along with. She also takes her craft very seriously. Makikita nyo yung determination and fire niya dito sa mga eksenang ginagawa namin.”
