Father & son bond in Hong Kong

Ali, the youngest son of former couple Robin Padilla and Liezel Sycangco, by the time this column comes out, may be in Australia already to join his mother. It was Liezel’s wish that Ali be with her in Australia. “I feel sad. Pero kailangan siyang tumugon sa tawag ng kanyang ina. But Ali and I have bonded and spent time together. We had fun in Hong Kong. We also visited his grandfather’s tomb. Gusto ko bago siya umuwi kumpleto ang manhood training niya at malaman kung sino ang lolo niya,” explained Robin.

Everybody knows that Robin has been spending time with Mariel Rodriguez who recently went through laparoscopy, a procedure that took out a cyst the size of an apple in her ovary. Robin was at Mariel’s side when she went through a three-hour operation at the Asian Hospital. Robin also met Mariel’s grandparents and personally attended to them. Mariel is safe right now as she is recuperating quickly. Although, she intimated to me that she overbled during the operation.

Smooth-sailing relationship

John Lloyd Cruz is not one who would put his best foot forward when courting a girl, said girlfriend Shaina Magdayao. Lloydie, according to Shaina came into her life “nung marami akong pinagdadaanan. Siya yong naging mabuting kaibigan sa akin.”

Shaina and Lloydie’s relationship is doing great. They understand each other and they don’t meddle in each other’s professional life.

“Masarap kausap, masarap kasama si Lloydie. But we didn’t expect that we would end up this way.”

It was John Lloyd who made the initial admission that he and Shaina were in a relationship. The announcement was met with different reactions, some good and some bad. One was that, Shaina would have a negative effect on Lloydie’s career. “I don’t want people to say that. I have been in this business for so long and never ho ako nanggamit ng tao at never kong gagawin yon,” declared Shaina.

Shaina and Lloydie have an understanding not to be together in projects. Not yet anyway. “We are doing it to protect our relationship and our private lives. Ngayon nga na hindi kami nagtratrabaho, maraming nasasabi. I am happy we are partners. He is my leading man in real life,” she said.

Shaina also shared that Lloydie imposes no limitations in as far as her acting roles are concerned. In fact, Shaina told Lloydie about her love scene with Coco Martin in Sa ’Yo Lamang. “Kinukwento ko sa kanya kung ano ang nangyari including what I felt during the shoot and he understood.”

It’s a great relationship for both Shaina and Lloydie. “I told him, I am his No. 1 fan. Nagsusuportahan kami.”

Does Gerald still love Kim?

Gerald Anderson dispelled rumors that Kim Chiu is hurting herself as a result of their separation. “I don’t think she will do it. She has so much to look forward to. Her family and her friends love her. And she loves her career, her family and herself.”

Gerald also denied allegations that he and Kim won’t be doing projects as a love team. “That is impossible. We’ve been together for four years. And we have an upcoming movie under Star Cinema.”

What he and Kim had was a special relationship. “We cared for each other. We were there for each other. We were never boyfriend-girlfriend but we had a special relationship,” said Gerald. He was also very vocal about his feelings for Kim. “Simula pa lang noong career ko, open ako at vocal sa nararamdaman ko kay Kim.”

And that special relationship continues. “We realize that we also have to prioritize our careers.” We are young. I am 21 and Kim is 20. But people look at us as a married couple. Sabi namin, sandali lang! We have so much to explore, so many things in life that we have yet to experience. We need to grow not just on TV but behind camera as well.”

Without Kim by his side, Gerald said that he will “always care for her.” “She will always be a part of my life. Ang feeling ko ganoon din si Kim.”

Do you still love Kim? I probed. “Oo naman,” he quipped without blinking.

CCP’s Green Lane

Cyclists, joggers, runners and pedestrians can now use a dedicated pathway inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex starting Sept. 12. The 3.5-km. Green Lane that stretches from Roxas Blvd. to Macapagal Blvd. will be launched on Sept. 12 at 6 a.m. at the CCP Liwasang Ullalim with a 7K Fun Bike-Run led by celebrity cyclists. Other activities during the launch include free bike clinics and tune-ups, a bike exhibit and the installation of bicycle racks in selected areas of the CCP.  Selected routes within the CCP complex will also be closed to vehicular traffic on the following Saturdays and Sundays from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.   

The CCP Green Lane aims to reduce carbon emission in the complex, encourage the use of bicycles for work and leisure and establish the CCP complex as a sanctuary for culture, nature and health in the urban sprawl. The Green Lane is part of CCP’s Luntiang Lungsod, Luntiang Sining (Green City, Green Arts) campaign conceived with various its partners.

For details, call the CCP Cultural Promotions at 832-1125 locals 1500/1501/1511/1512.