MOST writers were not surprised about news of discord in the relationship of KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual. Even then, we already heard many of them being cynical about it saying “Hindi magtatagal ‘yan.” Lately, KC has been on a crying binge on national television while talking about their relationship, a confirmation of  her earlier admittance na“na may pinagdaraanan kami ngayon ni Piolo.” KC’s TV confessions are so full of meaning that can be interpreted in various ways. Here are some of them.

"Tinatanggap ko siya nang buung-buo. At iniintindi ko siya nang buung-buo.”

“Kasi importante na kapag nag-commit ka sa isang relasyon, hindi mo siya iiwan sa ere. So, sinabi ko sa kanya ’yun. Noong nag-promise ka na kaya mo ’to, naniwala ako na kaya mo. So, nandito ako para hawakan ang kamay mo. At talagang magiging patient and understanding ako hangga't kaya ko. Hangga't talagang kaya ko pa.”

This corroborates her mom Sharon Cuneta’s earlier statement that “Hindi ko siya (KC) pinalaki to be taken for granted or balewalain.”

We’ve heard so many stories in the grapevine about what’s happening to them and in all of these stories, it appears that KC is the aggrieved party, the martyr who’s ready to fight for their love despite rumors that she’s not Piolo’s first priority but his career, his family and his faith. Still and all, she believes “maayos pa rin ang lahat.”

Someone who used to be so close to her said: “Huwag niya sabihing she’s not been properly warned because a lot of people warned her.” At the Star Magic Ball, they came together as each other’s date and things seem to be okay between them. If their romance is a movie, this would have been the best ending, with them together again looking happy in each other’s arms. But as we all know, reality bites. It’s now up to KC if she wants to bite back.

DIRECTOR ALL PRAISES FOR LOVI

LOVI Poe's performance in the year’s most daring film, “My Neighbor’s Wife” that will have its premiere tonight at SM Megamall, is bound to be talked about. As the ambitious wife of Dennis Trillo who betrays him by going to bed with his best friend, Jake Cuenca, she’s said to sizzle in all her scenes.

Director Jun Lana says Lovi is an amazing actress who’s seemingly just very quiet on the set but gets totally transformed into the character she’s portraying once the cameras start grinding. “She gives an effortless performance in both the dramatic scenes and the sexy love scenes,” he says. “She just shines in every scene.”

Lovi says she may have won best actress awards as the restless provinciana dreaming of going to the big city in “Mayohan” and as the helpless victim of incest in “Sagrada Familia,” but she considers her role in “My Neighbor’s Wife” much more demanding than anything she has   played before. “It requires me to make a more mature projection kasi nga, unfaithful wife ako rito,” she says. “I just trusted Direk Jun Lana na hindi niya ako pababayaan and I also want to thank my leading men, Dennis and Jake, dahil pareho silang napakasarap na kaeksena.  They bring out the best in their co-stars. Dahil sa husay nila, talagang gaganahan ka to give your all in every scene.”

How much skin did she show in “My Neighbor’s Wife”? “Kung anuman yung ni-require sa’kin ni Direk Jun Lana. Basta this is my most daring film so far and I’m glad we’re approved to be shown without cuts.”

Those who reviewed it in the MTRCB reportedly praised the film for not just being an exploitative sex drama but something that really delivers a sensible message about playing with fire and destroying your marriage.

INA DENIES ROMANCE WITH RAP

INA Feleo couldn’t believe it when the lead role of Vangie in “Ikaw ang Pag-ibig” was offered to her by Director Marilou Diaz Abaya. “Sabi ko, sigurado ba kayo?” she says. “Kasi si Judy Ann Santos ang first choice nila, but she got pregnant and backed out. Sabi sa ’kin ni Direk, tinatawag ka ni Ina, ng Virgin of Peñafrancia, para sa’yo talaga ang role na ito.”

This is her first lead role and she welcomed the challenge. Vangie is a video editor living in with a doctor, Jomari Yllana, and they have a son, Yogo Singh. She has a priest brother, Marvin Agustin, and their parents, real life couple Shamaine Centenera and Nonie Buencamino, are separated as their OFW dad had a querida in Saudi. The family gets reunited when Marvin is afflicted with leukemia and Vangie is requested to be a bone marrow transplant donor. They all pray to the Blessed Virgin and ultimately, it’s their entire family that gets healed and Ina also finally accepts the proposal of Jom for them to get married.

“I’m so proud to be part of this film that’s about love, faith and the family and will touch the hearts of all its viewers,” adds Ina.

She’s now being linked to Rap Fernandez, eldest son of Lorna Tolentino. What’s the real score between them? “Kami ang magka-date sa Star Magic Ball kaya siguro may nagsulat na kami na. But our families are very good friends kasi both our dads, pareho nang naging sakit.

Yun lang lang yon.”

BELA REPRESENTS PH IN ASIAN SUPER MODEL TILT

BELA Padilla is excited to represent the country at this year’s Asian Super Model competition to be held in Nanning, China, with “StarStruck” discovery Fianca Cruz and model Kimberly Tan. “It’s an honor na ako’ng napili ng GMA Artist Center and I promise to do my very best para hindi mapahiya ang ating bansa roon,” she says.

They’ll be wearing the trend-setting  creations of designer Nono Palmos. More than 30 young beauties from China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and India will participate in the region's biggest modeling contest. The competition, open to 16 to 24 year old girls, requires models to display their "Asian style and charm."

Last year, Pinay representatives Mariana del Rio, Bianca Paz and Gwen Ruais made our country proud. Mariana won third runner-up while Bianca and Gwen bagged the special awards for Ms. Photogenic and Best Runway Walk. GMA Artist Center (GMAAC) head Ida Henares was the first-ever Filipino judge in the competition usually dominated by representatives from founding countries China, Korea, and Japan. Now a member of Asian Model Association, she led GMAAC delegates Rhian Ramos, Stephanie Henares, Rich Asuncion, Arci Muñoz, Lou Munoz, Abby Cruz, Rhea Nakpil and Anthea Murfet to a triumphant stint in the same competition a couple of years back.

‘IN THE COMPANY OF SIDE A'

JOEY Generoso of Side A Band is enjoying his current stint as a mentor in GMA7’s hit talent search “Protege.” In searching for his own talents to mentor, he went to a church and found some vendors who turn out to be good singers. "It's very satisfying to help talented young people achieve their dreams as singer with you guiding them along the way," he says.

But this doesn’t mean he’s abandoning his job as Side A’s vocalist. This coming Friday, 8 p.m., he and bandmates Kelly Badon, Joey Benin, Lee Von Cailao and Ned Esguerra will join forces with The Company of Moy Ortiz, Sweet Plantado, Annie Quintos, Cecille Bautista and Jay Marquez in a special concert, “In the Company of Side A,”  at the NewPort Performing Arts Theatre of Resorts World Manila. It’s double the music and double the entertainment as Side A sings their hits like “Hold On,”  “Tuloy Pa Rin Ako,”  “Forevermore,” “So Many Questions,” and “Aawitin Ko Na Lang” while The Company sings their own hits like “Now That I Have You,”  “Pakisabi Na Lang,”  “Muntik Na Kitang Minahal,”  “Isang Taong Lumipas” and more. Produced by Viva Concerts that also mounted the hit Martin Nievera tribute concert at Resorts World Manila, Beth Martin is the musical director with arrangements by Naldy Gonzales of Side A and Moy Ortiz of The Company. Tickets ranging from P2,500 to P3,500 are at TicketWorld (891-9999) and at the theatre box office.