MANILA, Philippines - After Francis Magalona?s leukemia diagnosis, two other Kapuso stars have been similarly stricken with serious ailments, according to a source from the health industry.

A Sexy Kapuso was reportedly downed by an infectious disease?one that caused the death of heroines in tragic operas. Same story for another Female Kapuso.

Is this because SK and FK have been overworked and overexposed of late?

Troublesome caller

A Kapamilya Actress was recently caught in a major controversy, a scandal that exposed her mean streak.

Rushes witnessed how one of KA?s Trusted Advisers avoided the girl like the plague. KA kept calling TA, who judiciously refused to pick up.
Is this because TA has grown tired of KA?s troublesome ways?

Did he, really?

TV host Joey de Leon, famous for being intractable, reportedly ?apologized? to a group of journalists after he cracked an ?offensive? joke on ?Eat Bulaga.?

Jerry S. Yap, president of Alyansa ng mga Filipinong Mamamahayag (Afima), put De Leon to task in a letter addressed to Chief Censor Marissa Laguardia.

Yap asserted that De Leon?s joke made light of the murder of journalists. ?We are requesting the Board to request ?Eat Bulaga? management to exercise some degree of self-restraint and self-regulation if only for the sake of forming good manners ? among Filipinos.?

Laguardia told Rushes that the issue was settled amicably because De Leon ?sounded sincere in his apology ? and, according to a letter sent by [?Eat Bulaga? producer] Malou Choa-Fagar to the Board, his apology was accepted by Yap.?

Celeb birthdays

Today, Robert DeNiro turns 65; Sean Penn, 48.
Tomorrow, Roman Polanski turns 75; Robert Redford, 71; Patrick Swayze, 56; Madeleine Stowe, 50; Christian Slater, 39; Edward Norton, 39.
Aug. 19: Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, 63; bassist John Deacon of Queen, 57; Peter Gallagher, 53; John Stamos, 45; Kyra Sedgwick, 43; Kevin Dillon, 43. Matthew Perry, 39;
Aug. 20: Jimmy Pankow of Chicago turns 61; Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, 60. Joan Allen, 52;
Aug. 21: Kenny Rogers turns 70; Kim Cattrall, 52; Hayden Panettiere, 19. AP

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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.)

Nudies and boobies
?Bossing Vic Sotto, buhay na buhay ang sex life! (Mabuhay!)
?Sheree at Gian Magdangal, 6 na beses mag-sex sa isang linggo! (Ba?t n?yo naman alam?)
?Dingdong Dantes handa na ring maghubad sa pelikula?! (Post-Bench?)
?Paolo Contis maghuhubad na rin! (Ay, anuyan, virus?)
?Cristine Reyes bilasa na! (Isda lang po ang nabibilasa.)
?Marian Rivera vs. Anne Curtis: Boobs kung boobs ang laban! (Di puedeng Olympic event ?yan.)
?Yasmien Kurdi tunay ang boobs, di basta taba o pagawa! (Taba ba ang boobs?)
?Yasmien pinahihipo ang boobs! (Ay, ?wag po!)

Some like ?em young
?Jean Garcia, adik sa bagets? (?Di nga?)
?Mariel Rodriguez mabenta sa bagets! (Kasi mabilis magsalita?)
?Jomari Yllana, inaalagaan ang anak ni Pops! (Why not?)

Spot the error
?Katrina Halili dalawang linggo nang umiiyak! (Baka practice lang.)
?Katrina, wala nang panahon para sa love! (Tsk, tsk, bakit kaya?)
?Jennylyn Mercado tinitipid ang hawak na pera! (Aba, dapat lang!)
?Bernard Palanca sinisikap na maging maayos ang relasyon kay Meryll Soriano. (Aba, dapat din!)
?John Lloyd Cruz biglang taas ang talent fee!

Fuss over Gabby-Mega-KC
?Gabby Concepcion laos na? (Mukhang one bad endorsement lang.)
?Mga billboards ni Gabby ibinababa na! (Kitam?)
?Gabby nag-aalangang tawaging ?balae? si Annabelle! (Di kaya natatakot?)
?Sharon Cuneta ayaw pagamit kay Gabo! (Di naman yata dapat.)
?KC, ?nag-enjoy? sa halikan nila ni Richard Gutierrez! (Mukha nga.)
?KC gustong burahin ang sosyal na imahe! (Too late.)
?KC at Bianca Gonzales magtatapat! (Naku, may alam kami.)

Confession time
?John Prats inaming labs niya si Shaina Magdangal! (Kilig ba?)
?Kahit kulang daw sa height, ?Mahaba naman ang ?ano? ko??John Prats (Pasensiya!)
?Sam Milby halatang in love na in love kay Anne! (Oo nga.)
?Gov. Vilma Santos gusto talaga si Angel Locsin para kay Luis Manzano! (Sure na?)

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