MANILA, Philippines?More than a year after Rivermaya front man Rico Blanco left to pursue a solo career, it?s now the other members? turn to take drastic action.
No, none of them is about to leave the band again. Instead, they have decided to part ways with manager Lizza Nakpil. One band member was said to have consulted with a songwriters? group about record contracts that Rivermaya has entered into since its inception.
One of the major issues at hand, according to a source, is the unauthorized collection of royalties due the band.
Contacted by INQUIRER.net, Nakpil said the allegations were ?untrue and baseless.? ?They are pressuring me to give up the Rivermaya trademark, which I worked hard for years, by coming up with these trumped-up charges,? Nakpil said. She described the charges as ?incredible and bizarre.?
Nakpil said the attempt to have her give up the trademark was due to a planned Rivermaya reunion concert. ?You can just imagine how expensive that (trademark) will be. I call that greed.?
Rivermaya drummer Mark Escueta?the only original band member to have remained after Perf de Castro, Bamboo Maalac, Nathan Azarcon and Blanco all quit?declined to comment as advised by lawyers, but sent the Philippine Daily Inquirer this SMS: ?All I can tell you is that she is no longer our agent, and no longer allowed to represent Rivermaya... ?
Secret weapon
Embattled Actor has an ace up his sleeve.
EA is currently battling it out with another Controversial Celebrity and her Hired Hack.
A friend suggested to EA to ask the help of a Former Lover who is now the mistress of the brother-in-law of a Powerful Politico.
A mole surmises that the reason HH was sacked by a major network was that EA pulled strings with the help of FL and her PP-benefactor.
Fall from grace
Another spy thinks HH was relieved from her hosting chores because she involved a Network Talent in her raging war with a Bitter Enemy.
She claims NT knocked up BE who?s very much involved with another man.
Another version of this conspiracy theory?
HH?s fall from grace was sparked by the machinations of another ?frenemy??a Fellow Host with whom she had a very public falling out because HH lambasted FH?s hubby.
Confusing, but one thing?s clear: HH has lots of enemies.
Follow the leader
HH?s minion, a Male Host, was similarly eased out from the same network, said a source.
The official explanation given was MH?s intrigue-mongering offended the channel?s Biggest Star.
A Network Insider, however, alleges that the real reason MH was booted out was because bosses found out that, like HH, he receives $100 every time he greets US-based friends on his shows.
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Top of the talk shows
For those who missed last weekend?s gabfests on TV. (And why we are moved, if we are moved.)
? Pauleen Luna, asked about a snubbing incident with Michelle Madrigal in a recent story conference for an upcoming GMA 7 program because of a longtime spat over JC de Vera:
?Mas okay naman pong ganoon kaysa mag-ka-clash kami...?
? Michelle?s reaction:
?Sa akin naman, wala naman akong problema. And, one thing nga with me, kung may problema ka sa akin, if you want to tell me something, kung naiinis ka sa akin or anything, just tell me na lang straight up...?
? JC?s reaction:
?Gusto ko lang i-clear yun, di sa akin. Wala po akong kinalaman sa away nila.?
? Heart Evangelista, who is the lead star in the drama, also reacts:
?Naiintriga ako kay Paulene at kay Michelle. Pagbabatiin ko talaga sila. Meron akong goal. Kailangan may kabutihan na maiidulot ang soap na to, sa mga buhay naming lahat.?
? Paolo Paraiso, on the possibility of reuniting with Mylene Dizon, who?s pregnant with their second child:
?Maganda kung magkakabalikan kami dahil mahal namin ang isa?t isa ... yung kusang loob na tatanggapin ako ni My uli.?
? Mylene, asked if she would want to mend ties with Paolo:
?I want to wait for that time, that sign, that feeling. Ayokong pilitin. Gusto kong dumating nang kusa.?
Second time around
? Benjie Paras, on finding and marrying his second wife, Ly Diomampo:
?Before I entered sa ibang relasyon ulit, kailangan kong isipin yung mga anak ko. Ako ba tatanggapin with them? So nung nakita ko naman na, uy, teacher, mahaba ang pasensiya nito dahil sanay sa mga bata, nag-work.?
Warm welcome
? Francis Magalona, on his return to the ?Eat Bulaga? stage last Saturday:
?Ang feeling ko, from the last time I stepped there was Aug. 4, you know, it?s been a long journey ... And now to actually step into the studio, grab the microphone, perform, see all of the people, I?m very happy. I?m glad to be home.?
No love lost
? Jennylyn Mercado?s handler Mel Pulmano, on her boss Becky Aguila?s legal action against her for allegedly pocketing millions of pesos from her talents:
?Akala ko mahal niya ako kasi siya mahal ko siya eh. Tapos sumusunod lang naman ako sa lahat ng gusto niya ... Wala nga kaming pera dito eh. Ginagamit ko nga ang pera ko para sa kanya tapos sasabihin niya ako lang ang gumamit. Walong milyon (piso) na daw ...?
Judai?s discretion
?Judy Ann Santos, on stumbling upon a kissing scene between Ryan Agoncillo and Krista Ranillo when she visited the set of her fianc?s afternoon soap:
?Alam ko ang pakiramdam ng leading ladies kapag darating sa set ang dyowa ng kapartner nila sa set. Ayokong ma-offend si Krista and I respect her being an actress. Wala, umalis ako. Hindi ako bastos sa mga katulad kong artista pag nagtatrabaho.?
(Startalk, The Buzz)
Email us: rushes@inquirer.com.ph
