Tom, Dennis suffering from separation blues

It’s inevitable.

For six months, they’ve been together as a make-believe couple in the hit GMA bromance My Husband’s Lover (MHL), so Tom Rodriguez (a.k.a. Vincent) and Dennis Trillo (a.k.a. Eric) have been suffering from separation blues since MHL ended two weeks ago, as do many of the show’s followers (including my good friend, designer Efren Ocampo, whose post-MHL nights have never been the same again).

“Actually, I can feel it,” admitted Dennis during a brief one-on-one with Funfare after the launch of his and Tom’s joint album simply titled TomDen (released by GMA Records) yesterday. “Sobrang importante ‘yung show sa akin, so after it ended feeling ko parang useless na ako. Matindi talaga ang dating n’ung show not only for me but also for the followers.”

Something about Eric was left in Dennis.

“His fashion sense,” said Dennis. “Na-acquire ko ‘yung taste in clothes ni Eric.”

During the earlier open forum, Dennis said that once he breaks up with a girlfriend (hmmm, several of them), he never looks back. Does he feel the same way for Tom/Vincent?

“Tom/Vincent is different,” smiled Dennis/Eric. “Puede ko siyang balik-balikan.”

The “sweethearts” opened the press launch by singing selections from their album, Dennis with Stay and Tom with Photograph, then they sang Forever together, looking longingly at each other, reviving the old MHL magic.

Like Dennis, Tom is also in the same situation, finding it hard to move on.

“Dennis and I were together almost every day for six months, together with those involved in the show, so I miss the company so much,” said Tom. “I could still feel Vincent inside me, especially Vincent’s love for kids. Like Vincent, mahilig ako sa mga bata; I’m close to my nephews and nieces.”

Also like Dennis, Tom never revives an old love; once it’s over, it’s over. He said that he has had three serious relationships so far (first in the US where he grew up, then with a Cebuana starlet and the recent with a theater actress).

“I’m single now,” added Tom. “I am happy with where I am now. I can’t ask for anything more.”

And if they were a song, what would it be?

Dennis: “Reggae. Any song by Bob Marley.”

Tom: “Overjoyed (by Stevie Wonder). That’s how I feel at the moment — overjoyed at what’s happening to me.”

TomDen, together with (among others) their MHL co-star Kuh Ledesma, are set for a US concert tour next month. That should satisfy Eric and Vincent’s longing for each other’s company.

Ariella inspired by ailing kids

The Miss Universe Pageant is not all glam; it also has a lot of heart.

This is what our bet Ariella Arida discovered when she and the other candidates visited a hospital with children who are stricken with cancer and blood infections.

“It was an inspiring experience to interact with these children who remain happy and positive despite their life-threatening ailments,” Ariella shared. “The hospital visit reminded me of the Operation Smile mission we joined as part of the pageant activities of Bb. Pilipinas. I hope that we can help more children.”

After more than a week of courtesy calls on sponsors, photo shoots and interaction with one another, the girls are now gearing up for the pageant proper. They started the rehearsals yesterday. At the traditional Miss U Auction Night, Ariella has prepared her “national gift” which is a set of pearls.

Incidentally, online voting for Miss Universe is now in full swing. The winner of the online voting automatically gets a slot at the semifinals. To vote for Ariella, just log on to www.missuniverse.com. One can vote up to 100 times daily from a valid e-mail address.

The coronation night is on Nov. 9 (Nov. 10 Manila Time) at Cronus City Hall, Moscow, and will be telecast on ABS-CBN.

— Reported by Funfare’s ‘other beauty expert’ CELSO DE GUZMAN CAPARAS

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