MANILA, Philippines?Heads turned at the sight of controversial couple Gretchen Barretto and Tonyboy Cojuangco during their first public appearance after their rumored separation courtesy of Greta?s alleged liaison with businessman Dodie Puno. Their exit turned out to be even more dramatic than their entrance.

Eyewitnesses at the birthday party of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada claim that Tonyboy had too many drinks so he wanted to go home already. But Greta wanted to stay a bit longer.

It sparked an argument between them. Phillip Salvador shielded the bickering couple from the fotogs and pleaded them not to take snaps anymore.

?Kawawa naman sila pareho. I just felt that they needed to be protected that night,? said Ipe.

Having been caught in the web of intrigue himself many times before, Ipe knows what needs to be done and has the heart to do so.

Surprise treat

Rachel Alejandro is still in a festive mood after her best friends Geneva Cruz, Ricky Rivero and her BF Philip Palma gave her a surprise birthday party at the Vera Perez compound last Saturday.

?I was clueless,? gushed Rachel. ?Gen kept texting that she was waiting for me in Cuisine resto and she was all alone so I panicked. ?Yun pala scripted na lahat!?

Philip hired a mobile to play ?80s and ?90s music, which is exactly what the birthday girl wanted. Rachel?s major want, though, is to make it in the US.

?I?m leaving April. I?ll stay in the States for awhile to audition for shows. Philip is still undecided whether he?ll join me. It will be hard for our relationship but my mind?s set on my US plan already.?

Will Philip?s next surprise to Rachel be his ticket to the US and cloud nine? When your heart is in it, the sky?s the limit!

Preggy role

Rufa Mae Quinto had a taste of what it feels like to be pregnant in ?Manay Po 2,? where she plays a baby maker.

?First buntis role ko ito. Kahit kunwari lang, ang hirap pala maging preggy,? said Pchi.

In jest, she picked Polo Ravales among her co-stars in the movie when asked who she wouldn?t mind having a baby with. What about the foreigner who was her date at a show biz party?

?He?s based in Hong Kong so mahirap mag-bloom ang relasyon namin pero like ko siya talaga,? she said, blushing. ?Kailangan mag-effort siya lumipad-lipad dito kung feel niya ko (laughs).? I teased her. ?So that means in your next interview, he will be an addition to your controversial BOYography?? Pchi laughed. ?Hopefully siya ang maging last. Awat na ang listahan ko!? Good until it lasts or lusts?

?Mockumentary?

Hilarious duo Maverick and Ariel gear up for their Hollywood dream as GMA Films produces their first movie to be shot in the US. The ?mockumentary? tells a story of two caricatured characters that are let loose in America.

For the ambitious tandem, ?American Idol? is the perfect venue. They think nothing of the age and citizen requirements. They have plans on how to get around those rules. Will the special auditions be a bust, leaving their AI dreams in the dust? Find out soon in ?Maverick & Ariel: Hollywood or Else.?

Maiden show

Catch Carpe Diem Productions? maiden offering ?Mister Solness,? a play based on Henrik Ibsen?s ?Bygmester Solness,? on Feb. 25 and 26 at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at SM Cinema One. For tickets, call 0915-4938709.

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com.