MANILA, Philippines?Luis Manzano is more excited than nervous to work with his mom Vilma Santos in her forthcoming movie with John Lloyd Cruz.

?I have no apprehensions,? says Luis. ?I?m a bit anxious yet ecstatic about the project, where I get to act side by side with my loving mom and the Vilma Santos.?

How is he preparing for his gay role? ?I observe the gay people I work with. I study their nuances. It?s amusing. I learn something unusual each day. I?m not homophobic at all.?

Luis? many charms work well. Gender bender and blender!

Working double-time

Rufa Mae Quinto?s foreigner BF Bobby Lopez split up with her via e-mail. ?But he?s trying to woo me back again,? reveals Pchi. ?Long-distance romance kaya mahirap. I?m not closing my doors, though. For now, I?m busy building my dream house so I have to work double-time. Bahala na si Papa Jesus to lead me to the right Papa.?

Working hard, playing harder to get.

Watching over him

Gabby Concepcion was moved when he got an invitation to grace the opening of Padre Pio Healing Center in St. Francis Church, Mandaluyong on Nov. 19.

?My late dad was a devotee of Padre Pio.? Gabs said. ?Even in his coffin naka-scapular siya ng sect na ?yon. I was the one who put it on him. I believe this invite is a sign from my dad that he will continue to guide me as I face all my battles.?

As Gab?s dad proudly watches over him, he must be telling Padre Pio up there ?That?s hijo mio!?

Concert Prince?

The recent lovers? quarrel that Pops Fernandez and Jomari Yllana had served as a renewal of their ties. Their romance is stronger than ever. They were spotted watching Pipay?s son Robin and his acoustic band perform at Pier 1 in Parañaque. Is a Concert Prince now born?

Misunderstood

My heart goes out to Becky Aguila. She?s often misunderstood. Her former assistant Mel Pulmano accuses her of pocketing a huge sum of her wards? talent fees.

?It?s unfair to be going through a trial by publicity,? says Becky. ?Wala naman silang proof and yet pinapako na nila ako sa krus. I have my flaws like anybody else but duping my talents is not one of them. Four years ago, Jennylyn Mercado?s parents requested me to handle her finances. Had I foreseen this problem, di na sana ako pumayag. Imbes na ma-appreciate ako, ako pa ang napagbintangan.?

Becky?s prized wards like Angel Locsin and Jennylyn Mercado would have dumped her a long time ago if she?s not good at what she does. They know that they can count on her even when there?s no money to count.

So did he?

Phil Younghusband is upset over rumors that he got drunk and called Carlene Aguilar at 4 a.m. and said, ?I love you? and told her his problems with his manager Joyce Ramirez.

?He?s upset because of what Carlene tells people, which is unnecessary,? Joyce laments. ?We are fighting over it. I hope the issue won?t be blown out of proportion.?

Did he or didn?t he? Feel ba ni Phil si Carlene?

?Iskul Bukol?

?70s-?80s sitcom icons Victor Ungasis, Tito and Joey Escalera are back in ?Iskul Bukol... 20 Years After.? Tito Vic and Joey reprise their roles from the trend-setting TV show.

Some of the original cast members relive their roles like Bibeth Orteza as Bibeth, Jimmy Santos as Big J, Mely Tagasa as Miss Tapia and Anthony Raquel as Tonette Macho.

It?s an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival of OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions and APT Entertainment. It?s touted to solidify Vic?s hold as MMFF?s undisputed Box-office King for six straight years now.

?Graduates? of Iskul Bukol who grew up watching the show will surely be in complete attendance at the principal?s, este, box office.

Heroic deed

Kudos to the hardworking MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando for bagging first prize in GMA 7?s ?Celebrity Duets.? Like a true ?bayani,? he will donate part of the P1 million prize money to Childhaus and Caritas Manila. Heroic feat calls for a heroic deed!

PERSONAL: Muchas gracias to my funny friend Mark Ortiz of Sandbar, Roxas City for making me laugh at myself.
Happy Birthday to my cool kapatid Edgar Mangahas. Your charms are legendary, my co-P.P.

ERRATUM: In last Monday?s column, I wrote that Joy Gonzales is Gabby?s road manager. She is his personal assistant.

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com