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 Gonzaga on Faces, Voices & Bodies @ Zirkoh

Zirkoh Timog together with Lucida-DS, Vaniderm and CardioPlus present a night of Faces, Voices & Bodies @ Zirkoh on Thursday, August 14, 2008, 10:00pm. Catch Gabby Concepcion and Toni Gonzaga live with the special participation of Valerie Concepcion and Joross Gamboa.

The show will also feature the following performers: Baywalk Bodies, Raphael Martinez, Eleoner G., Lex Lopez together with Yellow Milano, Trisha Gayod, Kobe Bryant Yulo, Kaye Hiñola, Jmore, Camille Tarray, Mo Jack, Garry Esguerra, Princess Mampusti and Pinky Fernandez.

For ticket inquiries, please call 09236491784 & 4674088. Tickets are available @ Zirkoh, Timog.

25 Stars including Toni pay tribute to Gary Valenciano

The finest singers in the industry are giving tribute to the man who has been considered the embodiment of a total performer, Gary Valenciano, also known as Mr. Pure Energy.

The artists have come together through the album "GV25 All-Star Tribute Collection" under Star Records, featuring the greatest hits of Valenciano.

Respected artists from the music industry were honored to take part in the GV25 album, rendering their own version of Gary V.'s timeless songs in celebration of the artist's 25 years in the industry.

Some of the artists include Jericho Rosales (Di Bale Na Lang), Martin Nievera (Narito), South Border (Laughter All The Time), Bituin Escalante (Take Me Out Of The Dark), Christian Bautista (After All), Sarah Geronimo (Kailangan Kita), Toni Gonzaga (Wait Forever), Zsa Zsa Padilla(Ikaw Lamang), Kuh Ledesma (Could You Be Messiah), Sam Milby (Each Passing Night), Erik Santos (Gaya Ng Dati), Jed Madela (Until Then), Randy Santiago (Eto Na Naman), Piolo Pascual (How Did You Know), Aiza Seguerra (Fool 'Til The End), Vina Morales (Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos) and Sharon Cuneta (Sana Maulit Muli).

"Gary V. is the epitome of excellence! He is an inspiration. It's an honor to be a part of his 25th anniversary album and to sing "Could You Be Messiah", one of his biggest hits," Kuh Ledesma said.

"Gary is such an inspiration to millions and his music has touched so many hearts including mine. It is such an honor to be a part of this tribute album for an icon of music & inspiration," said Jed Madela.

"I am truly inspired of what Kuya Gary has achieved throughout his 25 years in the business. I was full of love and inspiration when I was recording "Gaya Ng Dati", my favorite GV song. Truly, Gary V. is one of the most effective performers in our country, for me he's one of the greatest icons of this generation," said Erik Santos.

"Gary V. is the most dedicated artist in the business. His musicality is unmatched. He memorizes every beat and every lyric and if you're not careful, he will memorize your beats and lyrics too. It's an honor to share the stage with him, but an even bigger honor to sing one of his classics. Gary is more than a friend, he is our spiritual hero," said Concert King, Martin Nievera.

"I can't imagine the Philippine music industry without Gary Valenciano. He's really the only one that does best with what he does. That's why when you say Mr. Pure Energy, that really means so much more that what it initially seems to mean.

"Gary is an institution at such a young age. He's a huge, huge superstar and has brought our country many honors," said the Megastar, Sharon Cuneta.

In showbusiness, there are many stars who have lost their shine over the years. After 25 years, Gary V. still stands strong, making music that continues to appeal to people.

GV25 All-Star Tribute Collection is now available under Star Records. Hear the new versions of Gary V.'s best hits, available in all record bars worldwide.

Cathy Garcia Molina to direct Toni Gonzaga and Vhong Navarro’s reunion movie

After the successful team-up of Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz in A Very Special Love, Director Cathy Garcia-Molina has a new film project coming up with Toni Gonzaga and Vhong Navarro. Director Cathy Garcia-Molina was assigned by ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. to direct the big screen reunion of Toni Gonzaga and Vhong Navarro.

The Toni Gonzaga and Vhong Navarro team-up was last seen on the 2005 movie, D’ Anothers. This follow-up movie of the Toni-Vhong love team only proves that the love team has a great number of followers.

Director Cathy Garcia-Molina is truly very blessed career-wise. Watch out for this movie!

Toni Gonzaga is MEG’s Cover Girl!

The famous and talented multimedia star, Toni Gonzaga graces the cover of MEG August 2008 issue! Despite her very busy schedule, she took time to pose for MEG’s cover this month. Not only did she pose for the cover, she was also interviewed by the MEG team about love, relationships and career. Although her schedule is occupied with television guesting, hosting gigs, pictorials, shoots, and other commitments, she doesn’t forget to go to church because of her great faith in God.

Even at 24, she achieved a lot of things in her chosen career — numerous acting awards, gold and platinum records, box-office movies and many more. Toni is kept grounded by her faith in God, a positive disposition, and untainted dedication to her craft.

Here is an excerpt of her interview with the MEG team:

What to you is the most important ingredient of a successful relationship?

I don’t know the secret actually, kasi siyempre hindi ko pa rin naman alam what’s going to happen, all I know is that I’m just really blessed to have this wonderful relationship with someone who I know is on the same track and is heading in the same direction with me. I’m just really thankful, but hindi ko pa masasabi na success story na ang love story namin kasi hindi pa naman natin malalaman yan.

But how do you keep things interesting for both of you?

Kasi we don’t have the same kind of job, so I think it’s interesting for him and for me cause we get to learn about each other’s craft, kasi when he asks me something, may explanation, this is how it’s done. It’s also good to be with someone who’s not really doing the same thing that you’re doing… everyday we learn from each other.

What advise can you give to girls about relationships?

I guess you have to first obey your parents and trust the discernment of your parents. Pray about it and keep God in the center of the relationship so it will never go wrong. I think that’s very important with me. Nakakita ako ng isang tao na pareho talaga kami ng priorities in life, pareho kami ng values, which is hard [to find]. So I feel really blessed that we were able to cross paths.

What has been the biggest learning experience you’ve had so far?
[That] “everything works for good for those who love God,” Romans 8:28. That has been my life verse ever since. Lahat ng mga rejections ko sa VTRs, commercials, everything that I tried out before na hindi nag-work, I always think na, everything has a reason. May isa pang verse about that says, “For I know the plans I have for you to prosper, to give you a good future,” Jeremiah 29:11.

What’s your advise to young people who want to follow your footsteps?

I was once a fan too when I was younger and I would always dream of being a part of this industry, just like them. Keep on visualizing what you really want and have a vision of what you want to achieve in the future, and what you want to be. And be determined, be focused, pray about it. And obey your parents— that’s very important.

Toni Gonzaga hosted Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?

The Much Needed Vacation

After the success of Game Ka Na Ba’s new format, the actor, TV host and head of the Optical Media Board, Edu Manzano took a much needed but short vacation in Mexico and Los Angeles. During his vacation in Mexico and Los Angeles, the actor-host was overwhelmed because of the warm welcome he received from the Filipinos abroad.

“Salamat kasi kahit saan tayo magpunta ay parang pag-aari ng Pilipino,” Edu Manzano said in an interview conducted by ABS-CBNnews.com. He also added that the Filipinos abroad would talk to him about his famous dance steps, the Papaya dance.

He was surprised and happy about the fact the Filipinos outside the country are familiar with the show he is currently hosting.

The Temporary Hosts

During Manzano’s short vacation outside the country, the award-winning actress, singer and TV host, Toni Gonzaga replaced and took care of the hosting chores of the show, “Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba”. The veteran comedian, Brod Pete, joined Toni Gonzaga in hosting the said show. Avid viewers of the show were happy about the Toni and Brod Pete tandem.

When Edu Manzano, the real host of the show came back from his vacation, he thanked Toni Gonzaga and Brod Pete for taking care of the show and its viewers.

“I would like to thank of course Toni Gonzaga and Brod Pete for taking over while I was away,” Manzano said on the same interview conducted by ABS-CBNnews.

'Direk' Paul Soriano hopes to marry Toni Gonzaga

Actress, singer and TV host Toni Gonzaga and director Paul Soriano have been an item for only a year, but they're already setting their sights on settling down not soon, but eventually.

In separate interviews with The Buzz, both Toni and Paul expressed their desire for their present relationship to culminate in marriage, even as they revealed the gifts they exchanged to mark their first year anniversary.

Paul said he gave Toni a Tempur-pillow, it's a pillow made from high-tech "memory foam" that was once developed by NASA for its astronauts. Basically, pillows and mattresses made from memory foam mould themselves to the shape of the body or object placed on it. As a result, there's less pressure to the user who will sleep very well on the memory foam.

He must really want Toni to have very sound sleep wherever she goes after all, she's one of the busiest ABS-CBN talents with tapings and shows that last well into the early morning hours.

Toni on the other hand gave Paul a scrapbook filled with magazine clippings and other odds and ends that are souvenirs of the most memorable moments of their relationship in the past year.

The lovers only had good words about each other during their interviews. Toni described Paul as 'sweet. Marami syang ginagawa na unexpected". Paul on the other hand said that he appreciates Toni's efforts to see him despite her busy schedule.

"She finds ways to make time for me, for dinner, coffee, hang out," he said.

Paul also said that their shared Christian faith is a big help in keeping their relationship strong, despite the issues and intrigues local showbiz throws at them.

Remember when rumors spread about how Paul was supposedly one of the "suspects" who fathered the child of actress Camille Pratts? That proved to be false after the Pratts family announced that the father is Camille's childhood sweetheart, Anthony Linsangan.

Toni hasn't been spared: some very nasty remarks and accusations by still unidentified people were posted on her own Multiply blog.

Paul shared the secret of why their relationship is still going strong: "We pray a lot together. I think that's something her dad and mom taught us, we cannot do anything just the two of us, we need to put God at the center of the relationship."

Paul also said that he would want his relationship with Toni to go on for a lifetime.

"I definitely want this to lead to marriage obviously, that's why I put so much time and effort into this. I think she's the one for me, if you ask me, this is the direction I wanto to go," he said.