Max Collins believes that Carla Abellana would not mind her intimate scenes with the former’s real-life boyfriend Tom Rodriguez in their new GMA soap opera titled, Someone to Watch over Me, which also stars Lovi Poe.
“We’re not close but whenever our paths cross at various showbiz functions or on the hallways of GMA, Carla and I greet each other,” she says. “I know that she’s professional and is aware that it’s just pure work. Doing those delicate scenes with Tom is part of the job, so to speak. This early, I assure that she has nothing to be worried about. One look at Carla and I had a feeling that she’s a smart and open-minded individual. An actress herself, I’m certain that she won’t get jealous or mad because of this.”
Tom informed her that everything’s okay with Carla. In fact, she is supportive of their new prime time offering.
“Yes, he told me that! Coming from him, it felt a lot easier. At least, I’m more at peace now. Definitely, I don’t want to have any problem with Carla. I’m happy to know that she is supportive of our show. Perhaps, one of these days, when we get to bump into each other once more, I will personally extend my gratitude to her.”
When it comes to her own love life, the 24-year-old star is more at ease now after her admittance that she’s in a four-year relationship with Kapuso hunk Pancho Magno.
“It’s really different now that we made it public. Before, we were denying. We just always said that we were exclusively dating. But at this point, it feels much better. In the first place, we’re proud of our relationship.”
What does she like best about her boyfriend?
“You know, he creates an impression that he’s a snob or boastful but in truth, Pancho’s a very nice guy, inside and out.”
Any wedding plans?
“Oh, not at this point I suppose! Pancho and I aren’t ready yet to start a family. For one, we still have dreams to fulfill, career-wise. We’re thankful that we have respective workloads as of now. Our schedules are busy. So, we focus more on that.”
The lovely star has a good reason why she prioritizes her job as of now.
“I’m helping my family, and Pancho knows that! I want to secure their future first before I attend to my personal happiness. I admire my boyfriend for his understanding when it comes to this aspect. So, we don’t really need to rush things,” ends Max.
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After the highly-successful ToFarm Film Festival comes the maiden ToFarm Songwriting Competition. As part of her continuous quest in creating awareness and recognition for her advocacy in agriculture, Dr. Milagros How, executive vice president of Universal Harvester, Inc., is so proud to find another medium that is geared towards said goal.
From left: TOFARMís Rommel Cunanan, Trustee and former Program Director of NAMCYA, Ms. Luchi Roque, TOFARMís Chief Advocate Dr. Milagros O. How, Ballet Philippinesí Jed Balsamo and former music director of the PPO, Oliver Ochanine
“Filipinos are born with an innate musical talent. Our OPMs are written from the heart in both lyrics and tune as we portray lives and everyday experiences through songs. Music is a universal language. Our songs contain and express our emotions, dreams, ambitions, frustrations, struggles and triumphs. With the musical compositions that we will harvest in the first ToFarm Songwriting tilt, we hope to discover musical wonders that would highlight the diligence, hard work, perseverance, resilience, tenacity and optimism of our local farmers,” she avers.
With its theme, “Planting the Seeds of Change”, the competition is open to all amateur and professional songwriters. Entries will be accepted from September 10 to November 18, 2016.
“We encourage them to come up with different song genres, but not limited to folk/acoustic, rock, jazz, R & B, country, pop, inspirational and fusion,” states. Rommel Cunanan, project director. “Nine grand finalists will be chosen by the screening committee which will be announced on Dec. 5. The winning entries will be assigned to an arranger and performing artist for live performance onstage at the Finals Night on Feb. 6, 2017.”
Attractive prizes await the winners.
“The 2nd runner-up will get P100,000 while the 1st runner-up, P200,000 and the Grand Winner, a whopping P300,000. Each finalist will automatically receive P40,000 and a plaque. We also have a People’s Choice award that will be given P75,000!” adds Dr. How.
