MANILA, Philippines -- Proud mama Gina Alajar is ecstatic that her son, Geoff Eigenmann, has been tapped to portray Fernando Jose in ?Rosalinda.?

?I told him to keep in mind that Fernando is a hunk,? she relates, ?and not a chubby boy.?

Any apprehensions about Geoff taking on a major role? ?I?m no stage mother,? Gina says. ?I have full confidence in Direk Maryo J and Ann Villegas.?

Would she approve if Geoff fell for his leading lady, Carla Abellana? ?I haven?t met her so I can?t say anything. When it comes to love matters, I try to be more of a friend to my son so I can understand him more. I never want to cramp his style.? Gina is never too much of a mother to be a friend to her kids.

Sad Pokwang

Pokwang is more sad than hurt that her name got dragged in the issue about Cristine Reyes? return to GMA 7. There?s talk that Cristine might play Pedra in ?Rosalinda? or Valentina in ?Darna,? and that she?s at odds with Pokwang and her other co-stars in ?Banana Split.?

?I just want to make it clear,? Pokwang says, ?na ?di siya pinaalis sa ?Banana Split.? Siya ang gustong umalis. Three weeks na kami nag-te-taping na wala siya. Ewan ko kung babalik pa siya. Kahit dati pa, nabalitaan ko nang may pagka-moody siyang katrabaho. Kung may pinagdadaanan siyang problema, ?wag na sana niya kaming idamay. Bakit ako ang mag-a-ayos ng gulo na di naman ako ang nagsimula? [She wasn?t booted out of ?Banana Split.? She wanted to leave. She has been absent for three tapings. I don?t know if she?s coming back. I heard before that she?s moody. If she has a problem, she shouldn?t involve us. Why will I fix I mess that I didn?t start?]?

Knowing how good-natured Pokie is, it?s impossible not to get along with her. Perhaps Cristine is just going through a phase. When I asked, Cristine replied, ?Saka na ako magsalita ?pag plantsado na lahat [I will speak when everything is fixed].? She has split from ?Banana Split.? Wonder if rumors about her split personality have anything to do with it?

Another split-up

After I wrote in a previous column that Abby Cruz and Paolo Bediones have split up, Abby sent me this text message: ?Honestly, I don?t want to talk about it, especially since Pao?s not here. Just ask him when [he?ll be] back. He?s shooting for ?Survivor Season 2.?? Will Pao and Abby?s survival rate diminish without each other?

Queen Osang

Rosanna Roces is now in ABC-5?s ?Lipgloss,? where she plays the Queen Mother of Lovi Poe. An interesting twist is that Lovi happens to be the girlfriend of Jolo Revilla, who?s the ex of Osang?s daughter, Grace, with whom Jolo has a love child. Will the outspoken Osang give Lovi unsolicited advice or ample warning about Jolo?

No more snakes

Could it be true that Katrina Halili doesn?t want to work with Marian Rivera anymore? I thought their gap before has been resolved or was it all for show? So even if Kat fits the role of Valentina in Darna which will be reprised by Marian, she would rather not portray it. Besides, with all the controversies hounding Kat these days, she needs no more snakes a la Valentina.

Spa people

What do Angel Locsin Katrina Halili, Valerie Concepcion, Isabel Oli, Tanya Garcia, Rica Peralejo, Jaya, Nina, Rachelle Ann Go, Sheryl Cruz, Ehra Madrigal, Katya Santos, Iwa Moto, Meagan Young and Dingdong Dantes have in common? They frequent Posh Nails Hand and Foot Spa (Jupiter St. in Makati, Fox Square Bldg. Connecticut in Greenhills, and CTTM Bldg. along Timog Circle. QC). I myself enjoy my kikay days at Posh. Thanks to my wonderful Posh family ? Kat Ilacad, Kelly Tueres, Marivic de Guzman and Rico Argamazo for giving me a sanctuary. They have nailed the perfect nail care!

Juicy June

Grab a copy of S Mag?s juicy June issue, featuring the Hayden-Katrina scandal, Martin Nievera, an exclusive story by Ryan Agoncillo?s manager, Noel Ferrer, about the Juday-Ryan wedding.

E-mail: wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com