SARAH Lahbati had a bruise on her elbow when we were invited to the final press visit of “Kokak” last Thursday. She just shot a scene with Vaness del Moral who plays the villain Elizabeth. “Nasa may hagdan kami tapos tinulak ako ni Vaness kaya nahulog ako and rolled down the stairs,” she says. “Ang sakit, pero okay lang. Maganda naman ang eksena at take one lang.”

They’re rushing all her scenes as she’s leaving on February 9 for her concert with Derrick Monasterio and Enzo Pineda in Geneva, Switzerland on February 11. “By February 8, magla-last taping day ako, but ‘Kokak’ will still be shown up to the first week of March, to be replaced by ‘Hiram na Puso’ with Kris Bernal and Rocco Nacino.”

She’s rehearsing her songs for her concert with Director Freddie Santos. “I’ll have duets with both Derrick and Enzo then the three of us will have a musical production number. We’re all excited kasi we’ll go snowboarding after the concert. Winter doon at tiyak na sobrang lamig as we’re surrounded by snow-covered mountains.”

So what’s next for her? “May sinabi na sa’kin, project sa primetime, but I’m not at liberty to reveal it yet.”

We told her we already heard that since “Kokak” is a hit in the afternoon slot, GMA is now planning to include her in the new soap that Richard Gutierrez will be doing on primetime. How does she feel about it? “I’m just praying na sana nga, totoo, sana matuloy. It’ll be great to be given the chance to work with Richard.”

'REBELDE AKO NOON'

SHYR Valdez plays the trusted friend and caregiver of Gary Estrada in “Kokak.” She feels lucky that GMA7 is giving her one show after the other. “Thank God kasi single mother ako of four kids, two girls, two boys,” she says. “My eldest is now 23 and is already working. Ang bunso naman is 14. Yung 17-year-old ko, si Rafael, gustong mag-artista. He’s 5’11” and Beverly Vergel will be helping him.”

Shyr was only 13 when we met her through her mom, Cherry Cobarrubias, who was producing movies then. “I’m now 40,” she says. “I talked to all my kids and told them all my mistakes so they can learn from it. Iba-iba ang fathers nila, eh. I lived such a sheltered life then. Over protective and strict si Mommy kaya nagrebelde rin ako. Now, I give my kids more freedom at hindi ko sila masyadong iniistriktuhan.”

TESSIE'S SON WANTS TO DESIGN FOR HER

TESSIE Tomas is glad to be acting again in a soap like “Mundo Man ay Magunaw” where he plays the imperious Donya Alicia, a role originally played by the late actress Alicia Vergel in the original movie on which the series is based. “Before this, I got two other drama offers pero tinanggihan ko kasi hindi ko gusto ang roles given to me,” she says. “I missed acting but I’m glad I waited for the right role.

Saludo ako sa yumaong Alicia Vergel sa atake niya sa role in the movie, but I’m interpreting the character in my own way dahil ayoko masabing nanggagaya lang ako. Iniwasan ko ring mai-compare ako sa impersonations ko of Meldita. When I act in front of the camera, I just focus on my character based on what I learned from our workshops. I also focus on the scene and become more sensitive doon sa sinumang kaeksena ko.

Kontrabida ako rito kay Eula Valdes na nalayo sa dalawang daughters niya. One of them, si Nikki Gil, grew up with me. The last time I played a villain role was in the 90s pa sa ‘Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako’ starring Marvin Agustin. Doon unang napansin si Piolo Pascual. Pero ibang-iba taping ngayon. Patayan talaga sa magdamagang trabaho, but I’m so excited with this show.”

Her only son, Robin Tomas, is now a successful designer in New York. “He started as a designer for J Crew, Gap and Tommy Hilfigger, but now, he has his own label, Tomas, and he has his own line in a Manhattan boutique. His winning t-shirt was launched in Bloomingdale’s, the largest department store there, and he’s the first Filipino designer to be launched there. Now, kinuha siya ni Bobby Garcia ng Atlantis Productions to be the designer for their big musical, ‘Nine’. I’m really so proud of my son. Siyang nagsabi sa ’king tigilan muna ang pagganap in roles na naka-duster lang ako para di ako ma-typecast. Doon naman daw ako sa mayayamang roles na magaganda ang wardrobe para maipag-design niya ako. O ayan, pinagbigyan nga ang wish niya dito sa ‘Mundo Man ay Magunaw’ na donya ang role ko, kaya answered prayer ito for him.”

FROM IMPEACHMENT TRIAL TO BIRTHDAY PARTY

SEN. Bong Revilla was at the birthday party of Alfie Lorenzo at Century Imperial last Wednesday night. He came straight from the Corona impeachment hearing and was still wearing a suit. He said the feedback on the senate using Tagalog during the hearing is very positive. Earlier, we talked to his wife Rep. Lani Mercado who told us watching the hearing is a great learning experience for her.

“She just left today for the U.S. to accompany our son Jolo sa pagpapatingin doon about his recurrent migraines. Dapat kasama ako, kasi may migraine din ako, but I couldn’t leave. Duty calls dahil sa impeachment hearing. I told her kung ano ang ibibigay na gamot kay Jolo, yun na rin ang para sa ’kin, dahil pareho lang kaming may migraine,” he laughs.

He says the hearings have affected the lives and schedules of all the senators. “Siyempre, lahat kami, pinag-aaralan nang husto ang bawat anggulo sa kaso. This is history in the making and it’s nice to be part of history. We don’t want to fail the people.”

'KAHIT ANO'NG SABIHIN, PINOY PA RIN TAYO'

"PBB Unlimited"  will have its first eviction night among the top 14 finalists tonight. Nominated are Wendy, Carlo, Divine and Joya. We got to talk to some of the former housemates who once lived with the nominees and asked them who they think deserve to be evicted. Roy, the salesman who tortures his bangs forward his forehead; Naprey, the wheelchair-bound teacher; and Ryan, the balikbayan dancer from the U.S., all agree that Wendy and Carlo deserve to be booted out. They say Wendy has always wanted to leave Kuya’s house and this shows she has no determination. This should be enough reason for her to get out of the competition since only the resolute should be worthy of being one of the top 14 housemates.

It’s also common knowledge that Wendy and Carlo have the hots for each other and their romantic fling once culminated in an unabashed kissing scene in front of the camera. Roy, who’s obviously very conservative, thinks Wendy should be booted out now before further damaging her reputation.

“She admitted before that she has a boyfriend,” he says. “Wonder what the guy thought when she’s seen flirting with Carlo on national TV. It must’ve hurt his ego.”

Female ex-housemates Luz and Erica (both moms) add that Carlo and Wendy are not ideal role models to the show’s dedicated viewers, especially the younger set.

“They might be lonely inside Kuya’s house but this is not enough reason for them to behave improperly,” says Luz. “They should both be held accountable for their actions.”

“Kahit anong sabihin, Filipino pa rin tayo,” says Erica. Still another ex-housemate, Kim, says that Carlo showed how selfish he is when he sabotaged Ryan’s chance to be part of the top 14 when he did a task that could have saved Ryan from eviction.  Although the ex-housemates have spoken, we personally believe that Carlo will not be evicted. On the net, he has lots of fans rooting for him. Since he’s matinee idol material, we won’t be surprised if he’d be an “artista” later. He just has to learn how to speak Tagalog more fluently, along with another heartthrob, Kevin. To save him, text BB(space)Name of Housemate and send it to 2331 for Globe, Sun Cellular, and TM subscribers, and 231 for Smart and Talk N’ Text subscribers. You may also vote online on pinoybigbrother.com.

SUCCESSFUL VALUES-ORIENTED SHOW

CONGRATS to GMA7 for its successful values-oriented kiddie show, “Tropang Potchi,” that starts airing their 4th season today at 9 a.m. The show was created when morning programming for kids had nothing but foreign cartoon shows and anime that merely entertains. “Both entertaining and educational at the same time, Filipino culture is seamlessly incorporated into each episode imparting lasting values of family, friendship, helping others, patience and other time-tested virtues that make the fun show an electronic classroom of sorts,” says program manager Ian Roxas. “The stories show kid viewers how to handle issues like misunderstanding between friends, being responsible, even broken homes and depression from the perspective of children.”

Hosted by the lovable mascot “Potchi” and GMA’s talented child stars Julian Trono, Sabrina Man, Miggy Jimenez, Liane Valentino, Lenlen Frial and Bianca Umali, "Tropang Potchi" is a consistent recipient of the coveted Anak TV Seal awarded to TV programs deemed safe for kiddie viewing by children.