Toni Gonzaga on being "heir apparent" of Kris Aquino: "Walang papalit sa kanya dahil nag-iisa lang siya."

Sinabi ni Kris Aquino, during the time na nakaramdam siya ng fear tungkol sa kanyang hosting career, na kung may isa mang TV host na kinaalarmahan at nararamdaman na maaring pumalit sa kanyang trono—ito ay walang iba kundi si Toni Gonzaga.

Kilala sa kanyang frankness and honesty, mismong si Kris ang nagkuwento na napaginipan niya si Toni replacing her as the Queen of Talk; reflection lang na sa subconscious ng mahusay na TV host ay nandun nga ang takot at pangamba na mawala sa kanya ang titulo.

Last Sunday, February 15, ay nakausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Toni at kinuha namin ang reaksiyon niya tungkol sa sinabi ni Kris.

"Matagal na yun, last year pa yun," saad ni Toni. "Alam mo naman si Ate Kris, ganun talaga siya, palabiro lang yun. Pero napaginipan niya pala talaga ako, so ibig sabihin iniiisip niya pala ako. Iniisip ko rin naman siya palagi, pareho pala kami.

"Nung makarating sa akin 'yan, ano naman ang ipi-feel mo dun? Ayoko namang mag-feeling hanggang sa sinabi sa akin yun ni Ate Kris nung in-interview ko siya sa E-Live, siya mismo ang nagsabi sa akin.

"Si Ate Kris, kung ano ang nasa isip at nararamdaman niya, sinasabi niya talaga, walang siyang preno. That's what kakaiba kay Ate Kris. Siya lang yata ang nakakagawa ng ganun, yung hindi niya ine-edit kung ano ang nararamdaman o gusto niyang sabihin."

For Toni, wala pa ring papalit sa trono ni Kris as Queen of Talk.

"Alam mo, walang papalit sa kanya dahil nag-iisa lang siya. Hindi ako anak ng bayani at hindi ako anak ng presidente. Puwede lang siyang tularan o hangaan sa mga achievements niya. Pero wala sigurong makakapalit sa kanya dahil kanya-kanya namang estilo 'yan."

Toni recalled her fondest memories with Kris, lalo't sa simula pa lang ng paglipat niya sa ABS-CBN from GMA-7 ay wala itong pangit na ipinakita sa kanya.

"Mahal ko si Ate Kris, ang bait niya sa akin," sambit ni Toni. "Dati, nung bago ako dito, natatakot ako sa kanya kasi baka mataray or hindi namamansin sa mga bagong artista. Pero nagulat ako dahil kilala niya ako agad. She's really aware of her environment, kilala niya talaga ang mga tao sa mundong ginagalawan natin."

Bukod kay Kris, inisa-isa ni Toni ang iba pang mga TV hosts, mapa-local man o international, na hinahangaan niya.

"Pagdating sa seryoso, mga news, hardcore facts, si Ms. Korina Sanchez. Tito Boy naman when it comes to longevity of his career, pagiging spontaneous and the wisdom he has already in the business, kahanga-hanga. Sa international, I love watching Ellen Degeneres. Rachel Ray is funny. I also like David Letterman," paglilista ni Toni.

Toni having movie with Sen. Bong

Sa nakaraang thanksgiving party ni Bong Revilla para sa entertainment press ay nabanggit niya na pinanghihinayangan niya na hindi natuloy ang pelikulang pagtatambalan sana nila ni Toni sa Star Cinema.

Ayon sa actor-politician ay matagal na niyang gustong makasama sa isang proyekto si Toni, pero dala ng kanyang hectic schedule ay hindi ito magkakaroon ng katuparan sa ngayon.

Aminado si Toni na kahit siya ay nakaramdam ng panghihinayang sa nangyari. Pero positibo siya na matutuloy rin ito sa tamang panahon.

"Sayang nga, kasi siyempre Senator Bong Revilla yun. Kasi, lahat naman yata gustong makatrabaho ang mga beteranong artista. Nagkaproblema yata sa schedule ni Senator Bong kasi may gagawin yata siyang isang movie [Panday], nagka-conflict, hindi kakayanin. Pero may right timing naman ang lahat, siguro sa ibang pagkakataon."

Ayon kay Toni, napanood na niya ang ilan sa mga pelikulang pinagbidahan ni Bong with his respective leading ladies at nagustuhan naman niya ang mga ito.

"Napanood ko na sa Cinema One yung mga movies niya, mga action, yung movie nila ni Judy Ann [Santos], Sharon [Cuneta], kay Ms. Maricel [Soriano]... Actually, maganda yung movie nila ni Ms. Maricel, yung away-bati sila nang away-bati. Nagandahan ako dun.

"Yung sa amin, darating din yung time. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali, lahat naman nasa perfect timing lang. Hindi kailangang pilitin o madaliin," saad ni Toni.

Ikinuwento rin ni Toni sa PEP ang experience niya nang humingi siya ng tulong noon kay Senator Bong noong kagawad pa ang TV host-actress sa kanilang lugar sa Antipolo.

"Siguro mga two to three years ago pa yun, kalilipat ko lang sa ABS. Lumapit ako sa kanya before, pumunta ako sa office niya, sa Senate. Humingi ako ng dental chairs para sa mga kabarangay ko nga, and he was very approachable and accommodating. I think he was able to help kasi, siyempre, pagkatapos ko siyang kontakin, yung mga taga-barangay na yung kumontak sa kanya. Kumbaga, ako yung ginawang koneksiyon," lahad ni Toni.

Toni Gonzaga on success of team-up with Sam Milby: "Siguro dahil hindi kami."

Pagkatapos ng tagumpay ng tatlong pelikulang pinagtambalan nina Toni Gonzaga at Sam Milby—You Are The One, You Got Me, and My Big Love—marami sa mga tagahanga nila ang naiinip na sa susunod na pelikulang pagtatambalan nila. Wala man silang pelikulang gagawin sa ngayon, isang duet album naman ang handog nila para sa kanilang mga tagahanga.

"Siyempre, pinapasabik muna namin sila," ani Toni sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). "Pero mahal na mahal namin talaga ang mga Sam-Tiners dahil binigyan nila kami ng magandang opening movie. Yung first movie namin hanggang sa mga sumunod, sinuportahan nila talaga.

"May gift naman kami ni Sam sa kanila, bagama't hindi na kami nagsasama sa television or sa pelikula. We'll be coming up with an album. The title of the album is Love Duets, the whole album is a duet and it's under Star Records. Na-realize namin ang dami na naming nagawang movies, mga TV shows na magkasama kami. I think, this time, it's about time to give it back to our fans by giving them an album.

"Actually, we recorded seven cover songs na duet talaga, tapos mayroon na kaming na-record na before like 'If Ever You're In My Arms Again,' 'You Are The One,' isasama din yun. Last year pa nag-record si Sam; ako, this year ko nasimulan. Now, natapos na namin lahat ng kanta," kuwento niya.

Tinyak din ni Toni na magugustuhan ng mga tao ang album nilang ito ni Sam dahil kakaiba raw ang style at approach nito kumpara sa ibang albums.

"We made good music talaga ni Sam!" sambit ni Toni. "Narinig ko yung boses niya, tapos na-finalize namin. Natuwa ako kasi masarap siyang pakinggan sa tenga. It's something na masarap na pakinggan, so, sana magustuhan din nila. Hindi siya typical kasi may transition ang bawat kanta. Hindi siya pagkatapos ng track 1, track 2 agad. May transition music, may mga tawid. Lahat ng music, connected to one another."

Ano sa palagay niya ang mayroon ang tambalan nila ni Sam at kinakagat at sinusuportahan ito ng mga tao?

"Siguro dahil hindi kami," sagot ni Toni. "Narinig ko 'yan kay Ted Failon and Ms. Korina Sanchez. They've been partners for 15 years, tinanong sila kung bakit nagki-click ang tandem nila. Sabi ni Ted, because hindi raw sila ni Korina. Maybe because of the partnership, walang ilangan, kasi hindi kayo. If you're really friends and you work as partners, you bring out the best in each other. Siguro, yun ang mayroon kami ni Sam."

Toni Gonzaga puts heart, soul in relationship, says BF

"She's the best, for me."

This was how director Paul Soriano described his girlfriend, television host-actress Toni Gonzaga, who celebrated her birthday Saturday.

"She put her 100 percent, heart and soul into this relationship just to make me happy, to make me feel secure, to make me smile," Soriano said in a taped message.

"The best has just begun. I'm here, I'm gonna journey with you throughout everything," he added.

Aside from Soriano, Gonzaga's celebrity friends and family, including her grandfather who flew from the US, also greeted her.

A teary eyed Gonzaga, who spent the holidays in the US, shared that she requested her grandfather to come home so that she could spend her birthday with him.

Toni Gonzaga not leaving the Kapamilya network

Television host-actress Toni Gonzaga firmly denied reports saying that she was leaving ABS-CBN allegedly because of dissatisfaction.

Gonzaga said she was not transferring to another television station, saying that in the first place the Kapamilya network has lined up many projects for her this year.

The actress, who celebrated her birthday Saturday, added that she is “happy” in ABS-CBN.

“Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa ABS-CBN. Talagang naging ganap akong artista sa ABS. At may gagawin pa ako this year sa kanila so hindi ako pwedeng umalis,” she said.

Toni Gonzaga clarifies issues that came out during the holidays

Sa pagbabakasyon ni Toni Gonzaga, kasama ang buong pamilya, sa Amerika last holiday season, samu't saring mga intriga agad ang lumabas tungkol sa TV host-actress-singer.

Una na rito ay pagkakalabuan daw nila ng boyfriend na si Paul Soriano. Ikalawa ay ang napipintong paglipat daw ni Toni sa ibang istasyon dahil sa kakulangan ng mga proyekto na ibinibigay sa kanya ng ABS-CBN.

Sa panayam ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) kay Toni kahapon, January 11, sa dressing room ng ASAP '09, ay binigyang-linaw niya ang mga isyung ito.

"Regarding kay Paul," simula ni Toni, "I left na malungkot dahil hindi siya nakasama in States. But I left with a happy heart dahil may babalikan ako pag-uwi.

"Siguro kaya may mga issue na ganyan, kasi hindi kami masyadong napagkikita. Hindi rin kami nagpapa-interview. For me kasi, I think sapat na I was honest enough to admit na I have a boyfriend, I'm committed now. Tapos hindi na ako nagpa-interview about it para hindi na nakakalkal."

Last Friday, January 9, lang nakauwi si Toni from their vacation. Hindi nakasama sa nasabing bakasyon si Direk Paul dahil bukod sa lakad yun ng buo nilang pamilya, alam ni Toni na may sarili rin namang pamilya na dapat makasama ang boyfriend sa special occasion na yun.

"Galing kami ng L.A., New Jersey, New York," kuwento ni Toni. "Family lang, exclusive for family, it's our first White Christmas... Bonding, updating sa mga nangyayari sa amin, so talagang excited kami nun. 

"Actually, gusto sana naming isama siya [Paul]. Kaya lang, siyempre Christmas and New Year is panahon para sa pamilya. Puwede naman kaming mag-spend ng Christmas namin every day."

Vhong, Toni’s friendship blossoms in ‘My Only U’

At the presscon of their soon-to-be released movie "My Only U," Vhong Navarro and Toni Gonzaga admitted that they nearly fell in love in the past and they didn’t do it just for show.

"We became too close for comfort, sabihin na natin," said Vhong. "Yes, that was even before we started work on our first movie together, ‘D’ Anothers.’

"Kasi si Vhong ang una kong naging kaibigan when I first joined ABS-CBN," said Toni. "At sabihin na nating napaka loveable din naman niya."

But surprisingly, even with the big box office success of "D’ Anothers," Star Cinema didn’t pair them right away in another movie. Vhong instead was given his own solo movies such as "Supapalicious," where he had Valerie Concepcion for his leading lady. Toni, for her part, was teamed with other leading men. She, in fact, did two movies with Sam Milby, "You Are the One" and "You’ve Got Me" (which also starred Zanjoe Marudo).

Both Vhong and Toni admit they are happy working together in "My Only U." Star Cinema insiders said that this is different from the movies Vhong and Toni did before.

"Iba ang ginawang approach nila Vhong and Toni sa funny moments nila sa ‘My Only U.’ At tiyak maiiyak ka sa kanilang drama scenes," they said.

"My Only U," directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, is about the friendship of Bong (Vhong) and Winona (Toni). Bong falls in love with Winona who only has a few moths to live.

"We all gave ‘My Only U’ our own unique touch," said Direk Cathy. "And that, I believe is the greatest asset of the movie."

Toni Gonzaga reunites with Vhong Navarro in "My Only U"

Nagulat si Toni Gonzaga nang makarating sa kanya ang pag-amin ni Vhong Navarro sa naging feelings nito towards her. Muntik na ring ligawan ni Vhong si Toni noon at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin daw nawawala ang feelings sa kanya ng leading man niya sa My Only U ng Star Cinema.

"Eto naman si Vhong, kung anu-ano ang pinagsasabi!" natatawang umpisa ni Toni sa PEP. "Ano yung kay Vhong, siya kasi yung unang-unang naging close ko sa ABS-CBN. Kasi nung nasa ABS na ako, siya na yung unang-una kong nakakasama dito. Sa kanya pa kumuha ng number si Luis [Manzano]. Oo, totoo yun. Talagang siya yung  pinaka, kapag may nanliligaw noon dati, kay Vhong muna nila itatanong.

Was there a time ba na na-in love din siya kay Vhong?

"Dahil super close namin na parang, ‘Ay, gumagaan ang loob namin sa isa't isa.' Pero kasi yun ang lagi kong sinasabi na kapag si Vhong ang kasama  mo, parang hindi ko maseryoso yung mga pangyayari. Parang nakakatawa lagi. So, magtatawanan na lang kayo. Hanggang eventually, lumapat kami doon sa stage na ano, friendship talaga," lahad ni Toni.

Kung niligawan ba siya ni Vhong ay sasagutin ito ni Toni?

"Ah, hindi marunong manligaw si Vhong, e. Ang alam ko, hindi siya marunong manligaw!" pambubuko ng dalaga.

Kumusta naman ang working relationship nila ni Vhong after three years na huli silang nagkasama sa D' Anothers?

"Ay, hindi nagbago! Ganun pa rin kami ni Vhong. Hindi nagbago dahil lagi kaming nagkikita sa ASAP."

May  pagdududa ang iba na kaya raw ibinalik ang tambalan nila ni Vhong dahil masyado nang involved kay Anne Curtis ang leading man niya sa three consecutive movies na ginawa niya na si Sam Milby. Ano ang masasabi ni Toni rito?

"Hindi kasi, ganun naman talaga yun, di ba? Hindi naman kailangang lagi kang ma-identify sa isang love team. ‘Tsaka hindi rin naman din natin masasabi kasi, baka who knows in the future, gumawa ulit kami ng movie. Pero for now, nagko-concentrate muna kami with Vhong. ‘Tsaka si Vhong naman ang original na naka-partner ko," paliwanag niya.

Pero matagal daw bago sila pinagtambal ulit ni Vhong, unlike Sam na sunud-sunod ang pelikula nila.

"Oo, dahil kasi siguro talagang nagustuhan ng tao yung ano namin ni Sam," sabi ni Toni. "Na meron talaga kaming malaking ano, fan-based. So, ‘ayun, nagustuhahn talaga nila and we're very thankful for that. Hindi naman namin kinakalimutan ang suporta nila."

Kumusta naman sila ng boyfriend niya na si Direk Paul Soriano?

"Ay, okey naman, direktor pa rin siya!" biro ni Toni. "Naku, huwag na nating pag-usapan si Direk. Hindi siya kasali sa movie. Nung My Big Love, hindi ko rin siya pinag-usapan. Kasi ayaw ko nung may pelikula ako, nadadamay siya kasi hindi naman siya kasama sa pelikula."

Sino ang My Only U sa buhay niya?

"Sa pelikula si Vhong. Sa personal, ay, kilala mo na ‘yon! Alam mo na ‘yon!" sabi sa amin ni Toni.

Kakabugin ba nila ni Vhong ang tandem nina John Lloyd Cruz at Sarah Geronimo, na huling idinirek ng direktor ng movie nila na si Cathy Garcia Molina sa A Very Special Love? May sun dance portion din ba siya sa movie?

"Hindi ko nga alam, baka tribal dance!" tawa niya. "Hindi, hindi ko alam. Siyempre, wala naman kaming gustong taubin na kung ano dahil iisang film outfit lang kami. Isa lang ang pinagtatrabahuan namin, which is Star Cinema. We're just really thankful na nabibigyan kami ng opportunity ni Vhong na kahit papano masimulan ang movie namin this year."

May pressure ba sila na napi-feel dahil galing sa isang blockbuster movie ang pinagsamahan nila ni Vhong at box-office director naman si Cathy?

"Si Direk Cathy, I think sa dalawang pelikula na ginawa namin—and this is my third with her—she knows kasi how to handle pressure."

What about her?

"Oo, siyempre ganun na rin. Nasanay ka na rin dahil hindi lang naman sa pelikula, e. Kahit sa mga shows na ibibigay sa ‘yo, may pressure talaga ‘yon. Ano siguro, instead of focusing sa pressure, ini-enjoy na lang namin yung trabaho, yung working relationship, yung camaraderie. Kasi magaan sa set, masaya, walang iringan, walang tensiyon masyado," pagtatapos ni Toni.

Toni Faces The Real World Again

Toni's presence inside the house was certainly refreshing for everyone. Even if her stay was a brief one, she succeeded in touching the hearts of the housemates with her funny stories as well as her preaching moments.Tonight, they were just having dinner as if nothing momentous was about to happen. What seemed so important was the fact that Big Brother allowed them to eat together in an easier way.

Later however, they were suddenly told to lock themselves up inside the boys bedroom until further instructions. For the last time, the selected housemates rehearsed a surprise number for Toni's mom since the latter is celebrating her birthday today. It was an original composition of Mcoy which was performed by Victor and Riza. In between verses, Yayo read heartfelt words of gratitude to a loving mother.

Big Brother gave them the impression that the whole thing would simply be recorded. But even as they practiced, Toni was already on the confession room, preparing for her unexpected departure! Soon after this, the housemates cautiously gathered on the living room, waiting for another impromptu task from Kuya. Much to their shock however, Toni, in her black dress, gave her farewell message to them!

As she recited her moving poem that reflected her appreciation for the housemates individualities, they weren't able to resist the urge to cry. For in truth, she has become a certified housemate to them. It was obvious on how she tightly hugged each of the girls while she whispered words of courage at a time where they are all fighting exhaustion not only from the various challenges but also their personal worries.

To fetch her on the spot was Mrs. Crisanta Gonzaga who heard the housemates special number for her in the flesh! Afterwhich, Toni tearfully thanked her mom for raising her as she is now. But the touching picture they made quickly passed to the moment of her goodbye. She will certainly be missed not only by them but also the viewers loved to see her longer inside the big yellow house.

Toni the Swimming Instructor???

It was fortunate that Yayo and Mcoy were obliging to join Toni on the pool. After all, they were clueless on the stipulation behind their sudden swimming lesson. Mcoy was the hardest to train though since he has a fear of deep waters! But the Musikerong Daddy has nothing to be worried about because actually, Toni is the perfect instructor for them for she had been taking lessons since she was six years old! With that edge, she succeeded in persuading her students to complete one lap!

To Big Brother, Toni admitted how difficult the task was for her, knowing that she's impatient by nature. However, all her efforts became worthwhile after she witnessed the emotional reunion of the Mom in Distress and her son Adam Martinez. Unable to believe Kuya's surprise, Yayo refused to move towards him at first. Then with Toni's urging, Adam tightly hugged Yayo, who burst into tears. Later, she stressed that there's nothing more satisfying than sharing precious minutes with a loved one.

The newest celebrity houseguest

A mystery box in the living room revealed 2 medallions for the first two nominees. However, Toni brought in from the confession room two more medallions for Baron and Donnie to wear. The tense atmosphere inside the house didn't even give room for Toni to make "chika" with her fellow host and now houseguest Mariel Rodriguez. But it turns out that Kuya has another trick up his sleeve and is giving time for the two to bond! Toni gets presented a box similar to Mariel's when she first entered the house. Almost on the verge of tears, Toni opened the box that contained her lapel mic, a robe and a "secret phone", Kuya's gift to his second celebrity housemate. What will Toni do now that she's inside the house? Will she adjust as well as Mariel did?