MANILA, Philippines—Everyone saw the Dingdong Dantes-Karylle split-up coming. As a friend, I respected their silence when they needed it most.

I’ve seen them in their unguarded moments. They were good for each other because they have the same sensibilities.

I’ll never forget the time Karylle helped me bug Dong to e-mail me his answers for a full feature about him. As she placed in the caption of our pic together: The interviewer, the interviewee and the kuliter.

This time, I wish I could be the kuliter. I would bug Cupid to bring them back together. I remember Dong’s advice to me when I poured my heart out to him about my (in)significant other: Dapat masaya ka whether magkasama kayo o hindi. Or else you better confront him. But we guys don’t like mahabang usapan. Gusto namin straight to the point na.

The mahabang usapan between K and Dong is now over. He insists that it’s their change of priorities that led to their breakup. If Marian Rivera is not the cause, then could she be the after-effect of Dong and K’s separation?

Reluctant lovers

Billy Joe Crawford and Nikki Gil were reportedly seen smooching in a parking lot. Perhaps they wanted to avoid the traffic jam of intrigues so they got lovey-dovey when they thought nobody was looking. Has l’amour turned the green light on for the reluctant lovers?

New love

Aiko Melendez’s ex-hubby Martin Jickain has found a new love in a charming Fil-Am girl named Carmina, who comes from a prominent clan in Pangasinan. “It looks serious because Martin has met her family,” said my source. “And she has met his daughter with Aiko, Martina. They are classmates in culinary school.” Have they found the recipe for a lasting romance?

Horror off-cam

Gerald Anderson loves to scare Kim Chiu off-cam during their shooting of “Shake, Rattle & Roll 10’s” Class Picture episode.

“Horror na nga ang movie, lalo pa akong tinatakot at ginugulat. Magkakasakit na ‘ata ako sa nerbiyos ,” Kim said, laughing. “At least it becomes easier to internalize.” Feel na feel! Does that include romantic feelings?

Unusual set-up

I teased Paolo Paraiso. “Balikan na ba kayo ni Mylene Dizon since she’s now preggy with your second child?” He shook his head “Hindi pa!” Not yet or no more? Theirs is an unusual setup. No to working it out... beyond a second round.

Good news

Diether Ocampo was pleased when I told him that his ex Kristine Hermosa and I have made peace. “That’s good news,” Diet said. “One of my best friends used to be my mortal enemy. You’ll never know.” Friendship comes from unexpected places.

Guess list

• Young Actor couldn’t stop laughing backstage because an actor from another network kept doing push-ups. “The show was about to start. Feeling niya ’ata gaganda ang abs niya in just 10 minutes. Di pa siya namamansin,” YA said. “Lahat kaming artista sa dressing room ready na. Siya parang nagpapa-attention na panay workout.” Toned body, oversized ego?

• Young Actress was amused to see the yaya of another actress holding on to a Perrier bottle in an unusual manner. “The poor yaya looked like an endorser of the mineral water,” YA said, laughing. “It was sitting on her palm na may tissue and the side of the bottle was leaning on her other hand with tissue also. Tipong nobody’s hands can touch the bottle except the actress. Naka- posing talaga ang Perrier until the actress hollers for water.” Thirsty for attention?

PERSONAL: My endless thanks to the wonderful Cinema One family Cathy Solis, Ronald Arguelles, Ann Marpuri, Donald Cordon, Toffee Nerviza, Ann Marpuri, Beng Dimanarca and Ruby Gonzales for a splendid weekend in Boracay. Bonding with you all was the best part of the trip.
Belated Happy Birthday to ABS-CBN’s lovable bigwigs Bong Osorio and Deo Endrinal. Thanks for the “un-show biz” friendship.

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com