Christian now a certified Kapuso

And finally, Christian Bautista signed an exclusive guaranteed three-year contract yesterday afternoon that certifies his being a Kapuso.

According to Christian’s manager Carlo Orosa, the terms in the contract include a soap, singing theme songs (presumably for Kapuso shows and those of the network’s sister company GMA Films) and “other platforms that will support his international career.”

On Sunday, GMA will formally present Christian as a Kapuso on Party Pilipinas. The good news is that Christian might start as co-host of Eat, Bulaga!, initially as semi-regular before he becomes permanent, and every now and then guest in the show’s counterpart in Indonesia where he’s a superstar (as he is in Malaysia).

Christian: A well-thought-out decision to jump ober da bakod

In an exclusive interview with Funfare after the contract signing, Christian admitted that he and his manager, together with his family, discussed the matter before they finally decided to make a go of it.

“I could feel the warm welcome and I’m very happy,” added Christian. “I’m raring to do everything that I can. Before I make a big decision, I consult everybody around me, and I also prayed for guidance. It came to a point that all the answers and the signs pointed to our final decision.”

Asked if he’s looking forward to working again with his ex-girlfriend Rachelle Ann Go (another recruit from the Kapamilya Network), Christian said, “Of course! We talked the other day about the MYX Awards (last night) where we are going to sing a duet. I’m excited to be working with her again.”

Rachelle is reported to be fancy-free while Christian is going steady with Singaporean singer-actress Carla Dunareanu, Isn’t there any possibility of the old flame between him and Rachelle being rekindled?

Joking, Christian said, “I’m sure that the moment we are onstage, babalik ‘yung chemistry. Hindi naman nawala ‘yon, eh. The friendship was never gone; kumbaga sa celfone, na-‘silent’ lang, naka-‘vibrate’ lang. When Rachelle and I do a duet onstage, people can see that there’s ‘something’ in our performance.”

Christian has done drama in his former home network and has acquitted himself in theater plays (West Side Story, etc.), so he can very easily also do the same on GMA. From Sept. 26 to Dec. 31 this year, he will go back to theater as Prince Charming in the Resorts World Manila presentation of Cinderella.

“I’m also excited to do it,” confirmed Christian. “One of my goals is to be better as an actor kasi I am mainly a singer. But I want to explore other fields while there’s an opportunity. I’d love to work with Dingdong (Dantes), Marian (Rivera) and the other Kapuso actors.”

Busy with shows both here and abroad and with a lot of other activities, it’s a wonder how Christian is able to have time for his love life.

“It’s like this…I do my best to lead a well-rounded life. So I have time for work, for friends and for family. I never forget my friends back in Imus, Cavite.”

What about his love life?

“Well,” he joked again, “sa hapon ‘yon, hahahaha!””

That’s all for now, folks, as we let Christian enjoy his, uhm, “afternoon delight.”

Kris vs James: She said, he said

Just when we thought that Kris Aquino and James Yap have become better friends after their marriage was annulled and the nitty-gritty sorted out in an out-of-court settlement, came the news yesterday (via a blind item in this corner) that they are at it again — meaning, fighting it out in court. This time after Kris filed a petition for TPO (Temporary Protection Order) which the court granted to her (ex parte, meaning without any hearing) a few days ago.

Kris Aquino and James Yap during happier times: The whole world knows where they went wrong— KRIS MAGAZINE

According Lorna Kapunan, James’ lawyer, the TPO takes effect immediately, good for 30 days until a hearing is set. The TPO may be extended or rendered permanent if the complainant (Kris) petitions the court.

“We are filing an appeal,” Lorna told Funfare in a phone interview yesterday.

The TPO prevents James from seeing his and Kris’ son James Jr. (a.k.a. Bimby), invalidating a visiting right granted to him as part of the annulment, with James allowed to spend time with Bimby Wednesdays and Fridays (including overnight stay for the boy at James’ place).

Funfare sources said that this new “war” between the un-couple stemmed from an incident on Dec. 3 last year when James visited Bimby at Kris’ place (he must be returning Bimby after an overnight stay with him). 

“Since they broke up,” another Funfare source related, “Kris and James have been making jokes with each other, such as James trying to ask for a kiss or a date from Kris.”

On that fateful December day, James reportedly told Bimby, “O, kiss mo si Papa.” When Bimby hesitated, James reportedly said, “Pag hindi, sige, kiss ko Mama mo,” while making a gesture to kiss Kris who kept dodging, saying as James held her shoulder, “Don’t kiss me! Don’t kiss me! You’re hurting me! You’re hurting me!” Bimby rushed to his mom’s rescue and when he wasn’t looking, Kris, or so the Funfare source, added, “she made faces at James, as if to say, ‘O, napahiya ka ano!’ That was it.” Then James said goodbye.

That was the last time James saw Bimby.

In her petition, Kris alleged that James has neglected his rights as a parent.

“Sometimes when he couldn’t see Bimby on the days agreed upon,” explained Lorna, “it was when he was out of town or out of the country for games, but he always made up for it. When he informed Kris that he would fetch Bimby, Kris would say, ‘May tutorial siya,’ and James would agree to reset the date as long as he’s able to see his child.”

Usually mum when an issue between him and Kris explodes in the media, James told Funfare through his close friend (in James’ own words as quoted by his friend):

“I have moved on and I’m happy with my life now. Ayokong lumaki ang anak namin na susumbatan kami paglaki niya at sasabihin sa amin, ‘Bakit kayo nagbabangayan?’ I never spoke to defend myself but maybe I should. I have no choice. Gusto ko ipaglaban ang anak ko, gusto ko ipakita sa kanya na mahal na mahal ko siya. Ayokong ilayo siya sa akin. Masakit ‘yon sa akin bilang isang ama.”

A few weeks ago, Funfare confirmed that James has found a new love in a pretty Italian.

Kris told Funfare that she knew about it from six months back, saying that the girl is a neighbor of her cousin’s in-laws at a condominium.

(By the way, when contacted by Funfare for her side, Kris referred us to her lawyer, Frank Chavez. We texted Frank but as of press time he didn’t reply.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)