AGA Muhlach worked with younger actresses before like Claudine Barretto in “Kailangan Kita,” Kristine Hermosa in “All My Life,” Angelica Panganiban in “A Love Story,” and Anne Curtis in “When Love Begins.”He had love scenes with all of them. How is it working now with Angel Locsin in Star Cinema’s “In the Name of Love”?

“I admire her dedication to her work. She doesn’t seem to get tired at all as she was busy shooting this and also taping ‘Imortal’. I don’t think she sleeps at all. Para ngang aswang. You can see she loves what she is doing with a passion. She’s not doing it just for money. She’s just totally devoted to her craft.”

What will he do in the name of love? “Sa dami ng nakarelasyon ko, I’ve done a lot and I’m willing to do everything sa ngalan ng pag-ibig. Kasi when you love someone, no questions asked, you’re willing to do anything to make your loved one happy. Ako, I’ll give my body and soul, just like what Emman, the character I play in ‘In the Name of Love,’ does.  Now that I’m happily married and have a beautiful family, I will give everything for my wife and children. Ipaglalaban ko sila habambuhay.”

His role in “In the Name of Love” is something he has not played before. “This is actually a film noir, something very dark. It’s not the usual romantic movie that Star Cinema does so it’s a big challenge for me. Even the structure is different as it’s not told in a chronological manner. Although I play a dance instructor, it’s not really a dance movie. Before we started shooting, Direk Olive talked to me if I’d be willing to portray someone na matanda na, may wrinkles, malaki ang tiyan, a loser. I’m not the usual heartthrob here. There’s a scene where I look at myself in the mirror and I don’t like what I see, I cry. I have a dark past. Nag-hosto ako sa Japan.”

MANNY'S LAST FIGHT?

MANNY Pacquiao was interviewed live via phone patch in “Showbiz Central” after he won in his bout with Sugar Shane Mosley last Sunday. Pia Guanio and John Lapus were the only hosts present as Rufa Mae Quinto and Raymond Gutierrez were both in Las Vegas to watch the fight live at the MGM Grand Arena. So how was it fighting Mosley? “Nahirapan ako kasi mabilis din si Mosley,” says Manny who was introduced before the game as “the only fighting congressman.” “Hindi ako satisfied sa laban kasi he kept on running. Ayaw niyang lumaban.” It’s noticed that they seem to be whispering to each other. “Mabait kasi si Mosley. Pareho kaming gentleman. Sinasabihan ko siya ‘Be careful with your head’ and he was saying ‘What? What?’” What happened on the 10th round when he fell? “Natulak ako kaya nadulas ako, tapos binilangan nila ako. Pero masaya ako kasi nanalo pa rin ako. I just feel sad for the fans kasi naghahanap sila ng mas magandang laban. E, wala akong magagawa kasi si Mosley takbo ng takbo, ayaw lumaban sa ’kin.” Nag-

cramps ka raw before the fight? “Oo. Nagka-cramps ako pero pinamasahe ko at nawala naman.”

Naaksidente ka rin daw? “Nadaplisan lang 'yung ilaw ng kotse ko, pero hindi kami tumatakbo, naatrasan lang kami at nagasgasan ng kaunti.”

Is this really your last fight? “No, hindi pa huling laban ito. May mga darating pang laban.”

With whom? “'Di ko pa alam. Babalik muna ako diyan to work sa congress for my district.”

BARON HAS TO APOLOGIZE

BARON Geisler was interviewed in “Showbiz Central” while in Penuel House where he’s been on a rehabilitation program for three months now. He toured the TV crew around the house and told them how he spends the day with the other inmates from their wake up call up to the time they sleep. He showed the place where they read the Bible, meditate and pray. It’s apparent his stay there is doing him a lot of good as he certainly looks much better. He said he’s required to cook there, clean the house and even the toilet, something he never did before. He has chosen to stay there for a few more months even if he’s eligible to go out now.

“I’m given the opportunity to fix my life and my future here,” he says. Maybe now, he’ll finally have the humility to admit that he did harass the actresses who complained about him to show that he’s really contrite and remorseful then ask for their forgiveness so that they will just withdraw the cases they filed in court.

DIREK MARYO: MINSAN, NAGI-GUILTY AKO

DIRECTOR Maryo de los Reyes says it’s always a joy to direct a seasoned actress like Gloria Romero. “Kung lahat ng artista gaya niya, tapos agad ang trabaho mo. Very professional na, she always delivers pa what you ask her to do,” he says. “But in fairness to all my stars in ‘Munting Heredera,’lahat sila maaasahan kaya madali ang trabaho, like Mark Anthony Fernandez, Camille Prats, Katrina Halili, even the comebacking Ynez Veneracion and Leandro Baldemor. ‘Munting Heredera’ is not the typical telefantasya seen on GMA’s presstime. This is more straight drama na family-oriented. Everyone is looking for love.”

How did he recruit the three new child actresses in the cast: Mona Louise Rey, Barbara Miguel and Kyle Ocampo? “We had a series of auditions. Minsan nga, nagi-guilty ako. I felt like I’m torturing the children kasi you ask them to emote, to laugh, to cry. But that’s really part of their training also. Sa hundreds na nag-audition, standout ‘yung tatlong napili namin. They all have great potential.”

Mark Anthony was absent in the presscon. Is it true he’s difficult on the set? “No, he has quirks, but I fully understand where he’s coming from. I was also with him in the last afternoon drama I did, ‘Little Star.’  Wala siya rito kasi nag-taping din siya sa ‘I Heart You Pare’. But patapos na ‘yung guest role niya roon so he’ll focus on ‘Munting Heredera’ na. Bata pa si Mark na member ng Guwapings, nakatrabaho ko na siya sa ‘Laklak.’ We respect each other and I understand his personality kasi I know the heartaches he went through, his coming from a dysfunctional family. Not everyone, naiintindihan siya. Basta I always remind him na ayusin ang sarili niya.”

ERIK NOT INTERESTED IN RUFA MAE ANYMORE

PRINCE of Pop Erik Santos laughs off the rumor he’s trying to win back Rufa Mae Quinto who’s now linked to Fabio Ide. “We’ve remained good friends,” he says. “'Yun lang ‘yon.”

He remains one of the most sought-after singers in the country today and he’s happy to embark on a nationwide tour of major Casino Filipino branches. Catch the “Prince of Pop: Casino Filipino National Tour” on the following dates: May 14 (Celebration Hall Casino Filipino Angeles), May 25 (Pantawan Hall Casino Filipino Davao), June 3 (Alegria Casino Filipino  Pavilion), and June 11 (Teatro Casino Filipino Cebu). For tickets, please call PAGCOR Entertainment Department at 8527758 to 60 or the Casino Filipino branches in Angeles - (045) 8925074; Pavilion – 5241973; Cebu - (032) 2330004; and Davao – (082) 2343998.  Erik enjoys every minute he is onstage performing for his fans. “I love performing in front of people. It gives me so much joy and satisfaction to be able to share my God-given gifts with them. I continue to work hard so I could inspire and touch people’s lives with my music,” he says. For booking, please call Backroom, Inc. at 4351108 and 4351120 or email at backroomtalents@ pldtdsl.net