Happy in career but not in love

Keempee de Leon is enjoying a new high in his career. He's part of the top-rating noontime show "Eat Bulaga" and the top-rating sitcom "Bahay Mo Ba 'To?" which is celebrating a month-long anniversary bash this September. Thanks to his portrayal of the gay Harold in "Bahay Mo Ba 'To?" who is paired with the pretty Francine Prieto (whose character is head over heels in love with Harold even if he's gay), Keempee's career has been revitalized. Playing Harold is one of the reasons why the sitcom is being watched, has maintained its lofty position in the ratings, and doesn't even feel threatened by the show from the rival network.

But as the saying goes, happy in career but not in love. Keempee can't have it all, or so it seems. It is common knowledge that he already expressed his feelings for Cristine Reyes, the younger sister of Ara Mina, but Ara put her foot down. She does not approve of Keempee for her sister.

Ara and Keempee became an item when they were still members of "That's Entertainment" and it seemed that nothing good came out of it that's why Ara has become cautious about Keempee expressing his interest to court Cristine. With Ara apprehensive, the romance was nipped in the bud.

Instead of sulking over the unhappy state of his love life, Kempee turned to his job to appease his grieving heart. He's really such a hit as Harold in "Bahay Mo Ba 'To?" that he was also cast in a gay role in his last movie. He's in the US right now, touring with the cast of "Eat Bulaga" but upon his return, he will be busy doing a series of shows in Zirkoh Comedy Bar and Klownz together with fellow "Eat Bulaga" mainstays Jimmy Santos, Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola. He's also in the cast of "Lovestruck" from GMA Films. It's a short role actually, as the brother of Rainier Castillo (who's playing a gay role in the film).

Regal Entertainment is planning a remake of the Joey de Leon movie "Starzan" and the production outfit has started talking to Keempee on the possibility of him portraying the title role.

For now, matters of the heart would not be on the list of Keempee's priorities. It would be work, work, work to keep him occupied and his mind free from thoughts of romance. He hasn't talked to Cristine since they parted ways although they didn't have a closure, so to speak, regarding their botched love story. But he was able to watch Cristine when his dad interviewed Cristine on "Startalk."

Does he harbor ill feelings towards Ara?

"I do feel bad. I feel hurt but I chose not to say anything. She never heard anything from me since I am no backbiter," he revealed. "She has a point when she said her sister is a minor. As a big sister, she was only protecting Cristine, but my point is Cristine made her own decision as well. As a big sister, it's but natural for her to protect her sister pero hindi na rin bata in the sense na may sarili na rin pag-iisip si Cristine," added Keempee.

Honestly, Keempee said he wouldn't know how to react if he sees Ara because he felt she destroyed him as a person because of the things that she said. "But I've accepted everything with a smile," said the mainstay of "Bahay Mo Ba 'To?"

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The independent film, "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" won the Golden Zenith Award from the First Films World Film Festival held in Montreal over the weekend.

The Silver Zenith Award went to "Truth or Dare" (Wahreit Ober Pflicht) from Germany, a film by Jan Martin Scharf and Arne Notting.

The Bronze Zenith Award was won by "London" from USA directed by Hunter Richards with Jessica Biel and Leelee Sobieski.

We got this information from Atty. Joji Alonso of MLR Films (producer of the award-winning movie "Minsan Pa") who helped the producer of "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" get some sponsors to have their film transferred from digital to betacam, plus airfare for their trip to Montreal.

Actually, Atty. Joji is not in any way involved with "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros." She just tried to help them upon knowing they were cash-strapped. "I offered to help in a few things, including finding a sponsor. Naawa ako kasi they didn't have funds to transfer their digital film into betacam, something like P20,000, plus their airfare for Montreal. Happily, I found a sponsor for both," said the amiable lawyer-turned-film producer.

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After striking it big with a succession of four hit singles from her debut album, "Search for a Star" champion Rachelle Ann Go is now basking in the glow of her victory as the People's Choice for Favorite Female Artist at the 2005 MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards for her rendition of "Love of My Life." The event was held recently at the Araneta Coliseum where Rachelle Ann was also one of the featured performers. It came as an early birthday present for Rachelle Ann who turned 19 last August 31.

"Love of My Life" is a cover of a hit song by South Border and was composed, arranged and produced by the group's front man Jay Durias. It is one of the cuts in the "Rachelle Ann Go" album and has joined the growing list of the young singer's successive big sellers.

Now being heard over the airwaves is Rachelle Ann's new single entitled "Here I Am Again," composed, arranged and produced by former Neocolors member Jimmy Antiporda. The song presents a more grown-up and sassy Rachelle Ann who still retains her sweet, romantic side. It is her first R&B song and departs from the soaring ballads that she has become famous for.

The song also features a music video where Rachelle Ann worked with talented actor Carlo Aquino as her partner. "Masarap po siyang katrabaho. He knows how to play the guitar and in between takes or while in a break, we would be singing while waiting for our turn," said Rachelle Ann.