Rico J.: 'ABS-CBN Should Have Only One Noontime Show'

Gossip Girl
By Giselle Sanchez (mb.com.ph)

MANILA, Philippines — Who says stars are the biggest sourgrapes? At least, not the ones I know.

Now that “It’s Showtime” has replaced “Happy Yipee Yehey” in the noontime slot of ABS-CBN, I asked one of “HYY” hosts Rico J. Puno for his two cents’ worth on the issue: “This is not the first time this has happened to me. It’s just like what happened to my program ‘Pilipinas Win na Win’ with Marco Sison and Rey Valera. So I just feel like I’m moving from one show to another. I’m just glad ABS-CBN management has made other plans for me. I have always told them that there should only be one variety noontime show in ABS-CBN. Since ‘It’s Showtime’ beat ‘Happy Yipee Yehey’ in the ratings game, then ‘It’s Showtime’ stays.”

I just don’t know if Rico went on with his plan of wearing a T-shirt that says “It’s Showtime” on the last day of “Happy Yipee Yehey.” That would have been funny. I guess Rico is the type of entertainer who is way too busy to think of the show he is losing compared to the many shows he is going to have like his big Valentine concert on Feb. 14 at the Newport Theater of Resorts World with a 20-piece orchestra. In the show with him are vamp Vernie Varga, Jennylyn Mercado and Katya Santos. “The latter will bare more of the physical than the voice,” kidded Rico J.

No Rivalry Between John, JM

Governor Imee Marcos’ movie “Pinta*kasi,” which stars both John Wayne Sace and JM de Guzman, bagged best picture and best actor awards (for JM de Guzman) in the recent MMFF New Wave Division awards night. Because of this success, Governor Imee decided to blow up the digital indie film to 35 mm to make it accessible for commercial viewing. It is now showing in all SM cinemas (Megamall, MOA, Marikina, Edsa, Cebu and Iloilo) and will be shown on Feb. 29 at SM Baguio, SM Batangas and SM Davao.

John plays protagonist while JM depicts resident baddie. Since JM bagged the award, the press asked John how he felt about the antagonist winning the award when he was the one playing “modern day Rizal.” John was quick to answer, “Ang tagumpay ng isa ay tagumpay ng lahat.” Lovely.

Working with John in the film, I believed in his answer because I know JM and John became best friends in the film. They opted to stay in Governor Imee’s house for two months instead of going home when the film was being shot. It was also in this film when John started cleaning up his act because he was going to be become a father of a baby boy. No more vices and he was always on time during shooting. Good for you, John!