FUNFARE By RICARDO F. LO Even before their recent “LQ” over something very petty, Kris Aquino and James Yap have been planning to go on a holiday abroad. In December last year, they went to Bangkok with sons Joshua and James Jr., and again to Bangkok and Phuket last March right before Kris mom, former Pres. Cory Aquino, was diagnosed to have colon cancer.
The Philippine Star
Curtain-raisers:
• Even before their recent "LQ" over something very petty, Kris Aquino and James Yap have been planning to go on a holiday abroad. In December last year, they went to Bangkok with sons Joshua and James Jr., and again to Bangkok and Phuket last March right before Kris mom, former Pres. Cory Aquino, was diagnosed to have colon cancer. This time, the couples "honeymoon" will be in New York, just the two of them, set for next month coinciding with the break of the PBA games. In their absence, James mother will take care of the kids. "We were choosing between a Hawaiian cruise and the East Coast and it was my mom who said we must visit New York since its such a wonderful place," Kris told Funfare. The couple, who have been attending marriage counselling, needs the vacation badly ” they need, uh, time to exhale .
• Yes, Patrick Garcia did leave for New York second week of last month, contrary to reports that hes just around "hiding" . When I left for New York last June 20 for the interview with Will Smith and the other stars of Hancock, I took Cathay Pacific and the airline attendant volunteered the information that Patrick and his mom, Bing, took a CX flight a week earlier.
• Besides his pestering ulcers and recurring sore throat , Willie Revillame is also suffering from a little heart problem probably because of stress. Willie has been working non-stop, hosting Wowowee and shooting Mr. Housewife which hes co-producing with OctoArts Films. His doctors at St. Lukes advised him to slow down a bit. Remember, Willie, health is wealth .
Bateman deadpan
Did you know that Jason Bateman, the comedian cast as the PR-exec husband of Charlize Theron in the new Will Smith topbiller Hancock, started as a child actor? He has made the successful transition that few child actors have been able to accomplish.
You can see how "deadpan" funny Bateman is from the following excerpts from my one-on-one with him during the recent Hancock junket in New York:
How was it working with Will Smith?
"Working with Will Smith is challenging because, as you know, hes a little rusty. Hes sort of like cant help even a little bit. Teaching me, you know, like, ‘Dont look at the camera! Like that. But ultimately its worth it because if youll see in this film he does a really, really good job and he can look forward to a very long career."
You must have a lot of fun on the set.
"We had a lot of fun on the set. Will likes to keep the set real light. Peter Berg doesnt take things too seriously. Charlize has a great sense of humor. The four of us has a lot of fun."
Which scenes did you find most fun?
"Well, I dont know. I like them all. Youre talking to somebody who has never had a chance to work in the film as big as this, with people established as this. It was a real pleasure for me to be involved with a production like this. I like being on the set every day."
Hancock is about superheroes. Who are your heroes?
"I tell you right now my biggest hero is my daughter. Shes about a year and a half. She can ingest so much carbohydrates and not gain weight. Thats very heroic. Myself, if I look at a plateful of pasta and I put on six to seven pounds ” just by looking at the pasta!"
You do both comedy and drama. In which genre are you more comfortable? Youre good in both.
"I appreciate that. I dont know; I dont care. To me, its the same thing to me. What matters is whos involved, whos with me on the project, plus the script."
You started very young in the business. How was the transition from being child actor to adult actor?
"Well, its difficult; its not easy but some nice people have given some very important jobs to me along the way. That have sort of helped bridge that gap and I hope to stick around for many years and, I guess, hopefully to make the right choices to facilitate that longevity. Nothing cute about running out of money when youre 39 so I wanna try to keep going."
Is there one role either in comedy or drama which you would like to portray?
"I dont know. I think I wouldnt mind remaking Hancock. I like to play Hancock himself; I think its time for a remake of that film. Its a classic! I think people would like to see a different take on it. And I think I can do that. Maybe for December. Thats a great call."
A boy for Danica & Marc
Baby Jean Michel was born by Caesarian section, weighing eight pounds, at 11:30 a.m. last Sunday, June 29, at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang four days ahead of schedule. Mom Danica Sotto and dad Marc Pingris are as excited as the babys maternal lolo and lola, Vic Sotto and Dina Bonnevie.
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