MANILA, Philippines?Paolo Contis is elated for being chosen as one of Cosmo?s most sought-after bachelors. (The Cosmo bash is on Sept. 11 at A.Venue Events Hall, Makati Avenue.)

?I feel more confident now,? Pao says. ?But also pressured because I have to maintain my body or else people might think that my sexy pics are fake (laughs).?

His photo op with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant is real and surreal at the same time. ?I just woke up and was having breakfast sa hotel in Macau,? he recalls. ?I thought I was still dreaming when Kobe walked in and played billiards in front of my table.?

Their pic scores a thousand points in Pao?s memory bank.

Guess list

? A contender in a reality show is already a sure winner. ?Niluluto na ang victory niya,? insists an insider, ?para sa ikabubuti ng next big move niya.?

The other contestants are clueless about it. So beware of what you see on reality shows. It may not be the real thing, after all.

? An aging actress volunteered to bring boxes of cheap liquor as contribution to a ritzy party. The birthday girl snapped back, ?Pleeeeze don?t. We have no room for that.? Cheers and jeers!

After his Heart

Jericho Rosales bounces back after his split-up with Heart Evangelista. He?s paired off with Malaysian actress Carmen Soo in ABS-CBN?s ?Kahit Isang Saglit? soon to premier in the Primetime Bida block.

Echo and Carmen play star-crossed lovers in this one-of-a-kind story that transcends culture, class and the odds in between. Echo is still hoping to have ?kahit isang saglit? with his ex Heart so they can achieve closure after their messy breakup.

Is there a chance for Kai Palomares, the mom of his love child, Santino, to reconcile with Echo? I teased Kai, whom I bumped into at a party. ?We maintain a certain level of friendship to be able to raise our son well,? Kai said. ?We have reached a mature understanding in respecting each other?s boundaries. Nothing more, nothing less.?

Is Echo a better father now that he?s single again? ?He makes it up to our son when his schedule permits. Santino and I were the last ones to know about their breakup because all we watch is the Disney Channel.?

Despite the intrigues, Kai and Echo strive to be the best parents, over and beyond the call of duty.

No girls now

Dennis Trillo would rather not elaborate on his breakup with Cristine Reyes. He?s focusing his attention on the first birthday of Calix, his son with Carlene Aguilar, and his many projects lined up.

?Without girls, thank God! Dens can now concentrate on his career,? his indefatigable manager Popoy Caratativo exclaims.

But with Dennis? charms, can girls be completely erased from the picture? What he resists will persist!

Diana?s match

Diana Zubiri?s multiply.com site is full of sweet photos of herself with her non-show biz BF. Their online album comes with a complete backgrounder on how their love story blossomed.

So now it?s confirmed that any actor linked to Diana is purely for publicity?s sake. She has found her match in an unpretentious guy who keeps her grounded yet also takes her to cloud nine.

Business venture

Eighties chanteur Bobby Valle has ventured into business. His Doing Manpower promo company sends cultural performers abroad and his Sining Makuhari (located in his Kimura-Valle building) has the biggest ballroom dance floor in Manila. Bobby and his wife Chicko Kimura?s new project is the Heartful Philippine Institute Inc. (1971 Leon Guinto St, Malate), a Japanese language school specializes in care-giving with guaranteed jobs in Japan (Call 522-1671). Enroll now and aim high for the ?Japajackpot? dream job.

Male vanity

The latest copy of Metro HiM Magazine, the Pinoy?s style bible, has Manila?s top male models on the cover: Victor Basa, Mikee Carrion, Carlo Adorador and Trishan Cuaso. It also features ?80s director Danny Zialcita in his first interview after two decades of reclusion and an 11-page special on hair. Who says only women are vain?

Acoustic night

For a cool Sabado night, catch Lolita Carbon, formerly of the folk band Asin and Noli Aurillo in a dinner benefit show ?Acoustic Night? on Sept. 13, 7 p.m. at Max?s Scout Tuazon, QC. (Call 0917-7372153.)

PERSONAL: Congrats to my dear friends Jiji and Alex Fernandez for their fourth McDonald?s branch (SM City Marikina). IC and I enjoyed hosting their opening program. Love ko McDo at kayo, Ji.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart and Greygoose glass to Patric Platon, Chef Dennis Villalobos and the efficient staff of my fave hangout in Greenbelt 3 (2/f) Tropezz for always making me feel so at home. (Call 757-4484 to 85.)

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com