EMPRESS Schuck has dropped her surname and she’s now known simply as Empress. After being launched in the afternoon soap “Rosalka” and supporting Bea Alonzo and Robin Padilla in the primetime soap “Guns and Roses,”  she now topbills another afternoon drama, “Mundo Man ay Magunaw,”  a remake of the Seiko Films tearjerker of the same title. She plays the role originally portrayed by Sheryl Cruz so she’s now also named Sheryl in the show. Nikki Gil plays the villain role first played by Jennifer Sevilla so she’s now also named Jennifer.

Playing their mom who was separated from her two daughters after she got jailed is Eula Valdez as Olivia, then played by Susan Roces. The role of the haughty grandma then portrayed by the late Alicia Vergel is now interpreted by Tessie Tomas. They’ve expanded the story now that it’s a teleserye. Playing Eula as a young Olivia is Jodi Sta. Maria. Her sister who makes her believe her younger sister is dead is Katya Santos, later played by Sylvia Sanchez.

Her estranged husband is played by James Blanco as a young man and later by Allan Paule. Then there’s the family of Pinky Amador who’s running after the family riches inherited by Tessie Tomas. Her kids are Dianne Medina (last seen in TV5’s “Babaeng Hampaslupa”) and Alex Castro (of GMA’s “Are You the Next Big Star”).

Playing Empress’ leading man is Ejay Falcon. Their love team that started in “Guns and Roses” was well received so they’re now together again. And we must admit that they do look good together. How does Empress, who has never had a BF, feel about Ejay?

“We’re good friends even before we worked together,” she says. “Lumalabas kami as a group with other Star Magic friends kaya comfortable na ako with him nang magkasama kami. I’m excited with my role in ‘Mundo Man ay Magunaw’ kasi mas mature ako rito. Inaaping anak pero palaban pa rin. I work hard for my college education but my mom, Sylvia Sanchez, ginagamit sa alak ang savings ko. Aapihin ako rito ni Nikki Gil sa school without us knowing it na we’re really long lost sisters. I’d like to thank Directors Rechie del Carmen and Jeffrey Jeturian dahil ang gaganda ng bawat eksena namin dito. I’m sure viewers will like it.”

CESAR WANTS TO FIELD NEW MOVIE FOR INTERNATIONAL FILMFEST

VIVA Films’ first offering for 2012, “Hitman,”  is written and directed by Cesar Montano who also plays the title role. His son Diego (with Teresa Loyzaga as mom) is in it.  He was billed as Diego Loyzaga when introduced by ABS-CBN. But in the movie, his name in the credits is Diego Montano. How did this happen?

“I told him we’re doing an action film,” says Cesar. “Okay ba sa kanya kung gamitin niya ang Montano? He said yes.”

But he’s still billed as Loyzaga at ABS. So what happens now? “Siguro dalawang tao na siya,” he laughs. “When he’s doing drama, Loyzaga siya. Sa action, Montano. Bahala na siya what he wants to continue using.”

Alfie Lorenzo says if the project is booked by his Mom Teresa, then Diego will be billed as Loyzaga, and if it’s his dad, then he’d use Montano. Cesar is very proud of “Hitman” and he’s optimistic it’ll bring back the interest of viewers to action flicks.

“It happens only in 48 hours. I play Ben, a hitman who used to work for crime lord Mando, played by Ricky Davao. Pinapatay niya ako sa kanyang chief henchman, Tom, played by Phillip Salvador, dahil marami na akong alam sa illegal operations nila, but the ones killed were my wife and son. So I want to take revenge. Anak niya si Sam Pinto as Gina, a model, and I intend to use her to get back at her dad Ricky. Ang problem, I fall in love with her.”

Cesar intends to enter the film in festivals abroad. After this, he’ll do a dramedy for Viva, “Getting To America”, co-written with a Hollywood screenwriter, Donald Martin, based on a true story about the travails of a Filipino who wants to migrate to the U.S. “Ito talaga, pang-international filmfests,” he says. “After that, I’ll do another action movie. Marami kaming planned projects ni Boss Vic del Rosario.”

Is it true he’s moving to TV5? “Nothing is final. My contract with GMA7 expired so now, I’m a free-lancer. I also have an offer to do a soap with John Lloyd Cruz  and Bea Alonzo this March, pero wala pa akong tinatanguan as I’d be busy with movies.”

PAULEEN SAYS SHE HAS NOTHING TO EXPLAIN

HER original press release was she had an accident while biking during the Christmas holidays and her doctor said she had to rest first. But when Pauleen Luna returned to “Eat Bulaga” this past week, people suspected she just underwent rhinoplasty as it’s very obvious she has acquired a new very high nose.

“Halatang-halata naman 'yung pagbabago sa mukha niya,” says one newshen. “Very obvious na naiba 'yung ilong niya from before.”

Pauleen herself no longer wants to talk about what happened to her. She says it’s up to people if they want to believe it or not that she figured in an accident. “Hayaan na lang sila kung anong gusto nilang isipin,” she says. “We’re all entitled to our own opinion.”

People are now wondering if her rumored beau, Vic Sotto, has prior knowledge of her plan to change her nose. But Pauleen has remained silent about the issue whether she and Vic are now an item, so don’t expect her to say anything about informing Vic first that she’ll undergo rhinoplasty.

What she admits is that she really had given up her Twitter account because she gets affected by the comments of various people on her reported romance with Vic. “Naba-bad mood lang ako dahil sa comments na nababasa ko kaya tinigilan ko na,” she told a friend.

One of those who allegedly post negative Tweets about her was Oyo Sotto but she no longer wants to comment about it. As far as she’s concerned, her conscience is clear and she doesn’t need to explain anything.

PATRICK NO BAD BLOOD WITH LUIS

PATRICK Garcia is back with ABS-CBN, where he started as a child actor in films like “Separada” and “Batang PX.”  He plays Maja Salvador’s rich boyfriend in “Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin.”  How did it feel when Jennylyn Mercado did to him the title of his new soap? “Lumayo man siya, nagkalapit din naman kami uli dahil sa anak namin at magkaibigan kami uli ngayon,” he says.

He was interviewed in “E Live” by host Luis Manzano, who happens to be the new beau of her ex-GF, Jennylyn Mercado, mother of his love son, Alex Jazz, who’s about 4 years old. Did he feel awkward about it? “No, kasi nga, wala namang bad blood sa amin ni Jen and I’m really happy that she has found a new love in Luis. Mabait naman si Luis at magkaibigan kami as we’ve worked before in ‘Kampanerang Kuba’ with Anne Curtis, so walang ilangan sa amin at all.”

He admits he now has a non-showbiz GF. About ‘Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin’, what made him move back to ABS? “When I did my last show sa GMA, ‘Iglot’, all my co-stars, puro galing sa ABS, like Claudine Barretto, Marvin Agustin, Jolina Magdangal. Sabi ko, parang it’s a sign. Timing naman, natapos ang contract ko with them and there was an offer from Direk Lauren Dyogi for me to do a new show with ABS, so tinanggap ko. Bukod dito sa TV show, may offer din silang movie with Star Cinema so I’m really happy to be back here and I’m glad everyone has given me a warm welcome.”

KIDDIE HOST PUT ON THE SPOT

KIDDIE host Miggy Jimenez has a special birthday celebration this morning in “Tropang Potchi.”  But he’s put on a spot when co-host Bianca Umali gets into trouble with other boys from a rival group of kids. It’s good Miggy and another Ka-potchi co-host, Julian Trono, come to her rescue. But will Miggy spend his special by getting into a fight? Meanwhile, at Potchi’s house, Sabrina Man and Liane Valentino share with friends their memorable experience while attending the first Picasso Art Exhibit held in the Philippines. Considered as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso is truly a very influential artist. Aside from Picasso, they also have an encounter with a sand artist. Learn more about this unique art form and how to create your own masterpieces out of sand this coming summer on the beach on “Tropang Potchi” at 9a.m.