Scaring the wits out of Kristine Hermosa

Even as a young boy, director Jerry Lopez Sineneng loves horror stories. That's why he was thrilled when he was offered by Star Cinema to direct one of the episodes of the horror twinbill "Wag Kang Lilingon," the latest movie offering from Star Cinema and Viva Films that stars Anne Curtis and Kristine Hermosa. Before he plunged into action directing the "Salamin" episode of "Wag Kang Lilingon," direk Jerry brushed up on the horror genre by viewing several horror movies.

Even if this is his first all-out horror flick, direk Jerry has done a number of horror episodes for "Maalaala Mo Kaya." He also learned a lot in handling horror assignments as he had the chance to train under horror masters Peque Gallaga and Lore (Remember the many "Shake, Rattle and Roll" movies done by the two?). The story ideas used in "Wag Kang Lilingon" were based on urban legends. For the "Salamin" episode, urban legend has it that if you look at the mirror holding a lighted candle at 12 midnight, you will get to see what happens in the future. In the movie, Kristine holds up a lighted candle in front of the mirrors and sees her family being killed. The other episode titled "Uyayi" tells about the urban legend that a killer lurks inside hospitals.

Direk Jerry had work with Kristine Hermosa in soap operas like "Pangako Sa 'Yo" and they did one movie together. He adores working with her. When Star Cinema broached to him the idea of doing a horror flick, he thought of casting Kristine in the lead role. "Ang ganda-ganda ni Kristine, takutin ko kaya," said direk Jerry. Star Cinema liked the idea so Kristine was cast in the "Salamin" episode, and so he got his wish of scaring the wits out of Diether Ocampo's "wife."

Direk Jerry related a supernatural experience they encountered while they were shooting the movie in an abandoned house. The owner of the house was found dead in the bathroom. On their first day on the shoot, they already experienced problems like when the generator conked out, cutting off their power supply. And then, they felt a strange presence in their midst.

When they shot the scene where they need to use blood, the caretaker of the house called up and asked what they did. "Kalabog daw nang kalabog ang pinto sa kuwarto kahit wala namang tao. Hindi sila matahimik. Doon na kami talagang kinabahan kaya binilisan na lang namin ang shoot," says direk Jerry. When they resumed the shoot, the production designer decided to tie the door so it would stop making noise.

Pops not worried over Martin's new baby

Kristina Ojeda, Martin Nievera's girlfriend, gave birth to a baby boy. Named Santino Nievera, the baby was born on October 23, 7:38 p.m. after 12 hours of labor that nearly resulted to Kristina having to deliver the baby by Caesarian section. But after 20 minutes, Kristina gave birth via normal delivery. The baby weighed 8 lbs, 2 ounces at birth and measures 21 inches.

When asked to comment, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez (the estranged wife of the concert king) says she was anxious as to how his two boys, Robin and Ram would react to the birth of their new brother. "They are actually happy with it and are quite excited about it. I have nothing to worry about it," said Pops in an interview aired on GMA's Saksi.

'Bubble Gang' turns 11

"Bubble Gang" is now officially the longest-running gag show on Philippine television as it enters its 11th year in providing laughs every Friday night. The creative team of "Bubble Gang" never ceases to amaze us on how they managed to keep the adrenalin going, to come up with fresh ideas week after week, and to maintain their lofty stature as the number one and undisputed favorite gag show on Philippine TV.

In the episode tonight, 50's humor would be the focus. Diego will give advice about falling in love during the 50's. In the sketch Kandila sa Banyo, Michael V will explain to Ogie Alcasid the meaning of the candle inside their bathroom and the one in their veranda. The Sexy Belles will have their own version of "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls but "Donya" is the title of their song. And what if Noah, the one who was asked by God to make the ark, is a Pinoy? Wondering what could have happened? All these and more in "Bubble Gang" tonight.

Gary V's newest video

Before leaving for the United States last Wednesday for the second leg of his concert tour, Gary Valenciano shot a music video for his new single (actually his second single from the "Relevance" album under Universal Records). The MTV was directed by Paul Soriano, the son of Jeric Soriano (who directed Gary in his very first movie "Hotshots" in 1984). The MTV was shot in The Studio at Riverbanks in Marikina City. The place is becoming a favorite location for MTV shoot as well as for movies. We heard that Star Cinema's "First Day High" used the same venue for their basketball gym scene in the movie.

Gary is excited to work with Paul since the young director is brimming with a lot of excellent ideas. It was also Paul who did the music videos that Gary used in his "Gary V @ 23" concert series held at the Music Museum. He also co-directed the show with Mr. Pure Energy.

"I made sure all the music videos came out on time, on cue, on sync," says Paul in our interview during the MTV shoot. "It was a good experience for me to work with Gary V. He's a real perfectionist but what is nice is that our ideas jive. He's open to my ideas and I also respect the ideas, the inputs in our shoot. We do work well together."

For his part, Gary V also has nothing but praises for the ideas of Paul. "I have nothing against working with new directors because I also get introduced to new ideas, new concepts that way. Paul is really good and he will go a long way as a director. Right now we are talking about projects we'd want to do together and I'd give you the details once we've finalized everything. Rest assured, the project is going to be a big one."