MANILA, Philippines—Jennylyn Mercado and her obstetrician/gynecologist had a girls' night-out at Tropezz. "It's my first time gumimik since I gave birth," Jen said. "'Di na ako sanay. Niyaya lang ako ng doc ko. One month and a half na my baby AJ (Alex Jazz)."

Her love child's christening may be in December. Some of the godparents are her ex Mark Herras, Rainier Castillo and Katrina Halili.

Jen doesn't look like a mother who gave birth just recently. "I breast-feed; that's why I lost weight quickly. No carbs ang diet ko."

She's back in shape, but is her heart in good form, too? "My baby is my BF (laughs). Guys don't cross my mind anymore. Medyo na-trauma na ako (laughs)."

After the trauma and drama, Jen's now one happy mama.

Haunted by spirits?

Joyce Jimenez had a car mishap after her guesting stint in "Phil's Scariest Challenge." After being hospitalized, she's still being haunted by spirits that may have been bothered during their taping of the show in Baguio.

Another guest, Gwen Garci, is said to be spooked, too. Heard that they are consulting a geomancer to drive the evil spirits away.

How uncanny that my son IC had to be confined in the hospital, too, after he taped an episode for the same show in a mystical cave. Doctors found nothing wrong with IC even if he kept throwing up. "Namatanda lang 'ata siya," a friend said.

Maybe the show should reformat before it puts more celebs in danger. Halloween is in the air but it should not last ON the air with scarier episodes of the reality show.

Reacting to intrigues

To react or not to react to intriga? That was the topic when I guested in "Sweet Life." Hosts Lucy Torres-Gomez and Wilma Doesnt agree that celebs should just be honest instead of denying, and then retracting.

Rhian Ramos feels that one tell-all interview is enough to clear an issue. Iwa Moto prefers to make deadma because for her, only people close to her matter. John Lapus says that celebs owe the public an explanation as public properties.

My take on the issue is to fight only with your equals and not your inferiors. Being a true child of show biz, I've learned to live with intriga on a daily basis as a necessary evil.

Storybook event

I immensely enjoyed being a judge in Enchanted Kingdom's "OtakonEK 2008's" cosplay (costume players). Otakon is a convention of anime/manga lovers, toy enthusiasts and gamers. Over 100 participants came in their colorful character costumes - Catwoman, Spiderman, Sailor Moon, etc.

I felt like I was trapped inside a story book. Due to the success of the event, E.K.'s charming owner Tita Cynthia Mamon says they will hold OtakonEK again next year. They will have a grand 13th year anniversary celebration on Oct. 25 with a fireworks competition and will soon launch the "Shake Rattle & Roll" ride inspired by Regal Films' horror movies. At EK, it's chillax to the max!

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