MANILA, Philippines - Claudine Barretto and Angel Locsin kiss and make up?but not in a salon, where they allegedly had an ?exchange of words.?

Top network execs intervened to iron out the duo?s differences. The girls were reluctant to smoke the peace pipe, but had a change of heart?especially after seeing the knitted brows and frowning face of a Female Exec, swears a witness.

Same source insists that tears were shed as the two hugged. An official statement from ABS-CBN confirmed a meeting between the two on July 23, in the presence of Kapamila execs, Angel?s manager Becky Aguila and Claudine?s husband Raymart Santiago.

But all?s not well ? not yet, anyway, a source insists.

Sharon-Gabby near encounter

A tabloid headline screamed that Sharon Cuneta purposefully avoided ex-husband Gabby Concepcion at the birthday party of columnist/TV host Cristy Fermin.

At the press con for the ?Megathirty? concert, Sharon explained: ?I didn?t want to cause a scene or for people to toy with us.?

Till debt do them part

Now, it can be told. The real reason why Musical Couple broke up is because the male half allegedly incurred huge debts from the family of the female half. Part of the loan was in US dollars, says a mole. The ex-sweethearts are still sorting out the financial mess.

Hunt for fearless host

There seems to be a campaign to get Cesar Montano hired as host of ABS-CBN?s upcoming reality show ?Fear Factor.?

But all indications point to Ryan Agoncillo as the most probable pick. The franchise is set to tape in Argentina. Ryan auditioned for the slot, as did Derek Ramsay and Luis Manzano. No Cesar on the list.

Charlie in town

Filipino-British kid Charlie Green, who made waves on the talent show ?Britain?s Got Talent,? is in Manila for a slew of guest spots on Kapamilya shows like ?Wowowee,? ?Pinoy Dream Academy? and ?Sharon.?

The 11-year-old jazz singer?s homecoming is reportedly a pet project of ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez.

Explained Leon Roldan, PDA executive producer: ?When Sharon was in London [for the ?Caregiver? premiere], Gabby asked her to meet with Charlie and Madonna Decena (another BGT contestant).?

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Top of the tabloids
The top show biz stories in local tabloids this week. (And why we are moved, if we are moved.)

Money, money, money
Mukha ba akong nagpa-botox?-Gretchen (A, eh.)
Gretchen at Gabby Concepcion noon pa nagkikita at nagtatawagan sa Amerika! (Naku, delikado ?yan.)
Bong Revilla super-iwas na kay Greta; takot na kay Lani Mercado! (Half of this is possible.)

Claudine-Angel saga
Hindi ka-level ni Claudine Barretto si Angel Locsin! (Taray!)
Pag galing sa kampo ni Claudine?natural si Claudine ang tama at si Angel ang masama! (Natural!)
Angel, wala raw sinigawan, dinuro at sinipa sa ?away? nila ni Claudine! (Di ito galing sa kampo ni Claudine.)
Bangayang Angel-Claudine nakakahiya! (Actually, marami pang mas nakakahiya.)
Soap ni Katrina Halili mas mataas pa ang rating sa soap ni Claudine! (Sa?n galing ?to?)

Shoulda, woulda, coulda
Kung magpapabuntis din lang ako yung kasal na ?ko?Sunshine Dizon (Puede ?to.)
Lucy Torres-Gomez buwan-buwan buntis?! (Puede ba ?to?)
Lucy ayaw makasama sa movie si Richard Gomez! (May offer ba?)
Patrick Garcia ayaw nang mag-artista? (Ito, may offer kaya?)
Aawayin ko si Jennylyn Mercado kung??Patrick (Afraid)
John Lloyd Cruz tumangging mag-endorse ng alak! (Paracetamol lang.)
Snooky Serna naging ex ni Rudy Fernandez?! (Huy, kayo ha?)

Chains of love

Rhian Ramos di raw type si Jake Cuenca! (Bakit naman?)
Alessandra de Rossi tinanggihan si Rhian! (Competition?)
Marian Rivera ?binalahura? ni sexy star! (Word of the week.)
Bea Alonzo bantay-sarado kay Jake! (Owsss?)
Sarah Geronimo hindi raw makakilos nang malaya dahil sa ina! (Tagal na ?to.)
Yayo Aguila naloka sa isinampang kaso ni Baron Geisler laban sa kanya! (Kalowkah nga ?yun.)

Tears for fears

Yasmien Kurdi at JC de Vera nagsawa sa laplapan! (That word again!)
Yasmien magpapahinga muna sa show biz! (Napagod?)
Shaina Magdayao takot maghubad! (May multo siguro.)
Jean Garcia, si Polo Ravales ang ?nakauna?! (Ha?)
Ara Mina tigang sa lalake! (Ha uli?)
Angelica Panganiban nag-overreact lang sa problema nila ni Derek Ramsay! (Kasi naman.)
Angelica, may topak! (Si Derek kaya?)

(Bandera, Tumbok)
E-mail us: rushes@inquirer.com.ph