MANILA, Philippines - Asking for a public apology seems to be the ?in? thing in show biz these days. Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby want one from Lolit Solis for her alleged libelous article about them. Cristine Reyes demands the same from Carlene Aguilar after the beauty queen confronted her regarding Dennis Trillo.

PJ, Sam and Cristine have every right to do so. But isn?t an act of contrition more sincere when it?s said behind closed doors? Perhaps what erring show biz folk ought to make is an apology to the public for thinking they can get away with anything just because of who they are. How long can the public endure show biz excesses being rammed down their TV screens?

Waiting for a promise

Cristine Reyes is still licking her own wounds. She has filed a case against Carlene Aguilar for oral defamation and slander. Although Dennis has apologized to her already for the trouble Carlene has caused her, Cristine is still waiting for his promise to clear her name in public.

?I hope he makes a statement soon to defend me. I don?t wanna talk to him now. Masama pa ang loob ko sa mga nangyari,? she laments.

It?s not true that she?s planning to quit show biz due to the scandal. Isn?t there a chance for her and Dennis to pick up from where they left off?

?Only time will tell,? she sighs. ?But I?d be lying if I say I don?t miss our closeness. One thing I miss about Dennis is the way he always knows how to cheer me up by giving me a big hug and kissing me on the forehead.?

Hmm ... kiss and make up? Or kiss goodbye?

Slander of unjust vexation

Speaking of Cristine?s lawsuit, I wonder if Carlene?s nasty text messages and her whispered bitchy remark to Cristine is considered slanderous since it wasn?t heard/read by the public and it just transpired between both of them. Isn?t it technically more of an unjust vexation?

I?m no lawyer but having been embroiled in several controversies myself, I?m quite familiar with some nuances of the law. Oh well ? if a lawyer is creative enough, then he can make the improbable probable.

How true?

A reader from Austin, Texas (Irene Rose) e-mailed me, asking to check out track seven of Jim Brickman?s latest CD ?Hope? (http://profile.imeem.com/ESFcCb8/music/JXd9udy6/hope/), because it sounds very much like Nelson del Castillo?s early ?90s hit ?If.? I listened to it and I agree with Irene?s observation. She wonders if Nelson is aware of this since his name isn?t in the album?s credits. But would a renowned songwriter like Brickman dare take credit for a composition that?s not his own?

Soiree Beaujolais

Join the revelry at Le Club French Chamber of Commerce?s 13th celebration of Soirée Beaujolais Festival at Sofitel Philippine Plaza on Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. This year?s theme is ?Loire Valley Castles,? which will take guests into the vineyards where Beaujolais Nouveau is sourced. The show?s hosts are Johnny Litton and Tessa Prieto-Valdez, with guests The Bloomfields and The Hotlegs. A whopping P1 million worth of raffle prizes are at stake. For tickets, call 8139005. Faisons la fete!

Staple location

For any romantic scene, Miladay Jewels has become a staple location for Filipino filmmakers. The cast of ?One More Chance? had fun shooting at the jewelry store?s Trinoma branch. SVP for Marketing Christine Dayrit, who?s also chairperson of the Cinema Evaluation Board, says that many show biz couples like Susan Roces and the late FPJ got their wedding bands from her family?s store.

?Sikil?

Temperatures will rise to the max in the provocative film ?Sikil? (New Life Cinema), which will have its Philippine premiere on Nov. 22 at the UP Film Center (5 and 7 p.m.). It is top-billed by Roni Bertubin, Ken Escudero, Will Sandejas and Ashely Silverio. The uncut version is the lone Philippine entry to International film fests in Valencia, Cancun and Palm Spring. Sikil means to restrain. Catch it and see how long you can contain your hidden desires. What you resist will persist!

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com.