COULD it be true that ABS-CBN will axe ?George & Cecil? because Ryan Agoncillo is now also on GMA 7?s ?Eat Bulaga?? His Kapamilya sitcom with Juday has been extended for one season, and they are taping till early January. It has been successful in terms of quality and ratings.

Some people have unfairly called Ryan selfish for taking on ?EB? hosting chores. That was a decision made out of love and respect for producers TAPE Inc. and MZET, which never fail to celebrate Ryan?s birthday in their shows.

?EB? also accommodated the launch of Ryan?s pioneering love album collection while other shows turned it down. He may not have a contract, but ?EB? is surely a group where he feels at home and appreciated. For the sake of argument, though, ?G & C? should not be canceled because of Ryan?s joining ?EB.? In this industry, we should be coexisting in spite of the network wars.

A new squeeze

A fellow lunar-powered creature, who requested anonymity, e-mailed me an intriguing photo of Lovi Poe and Ronald Singson, with this message: ?I read in your column that Lovi is the new apple of Ronald?s eye. Looks like there?s some truth to it. Take a look at the attached pic.?

Hmmm... could Ronald be the result or cause of Lovi?s breakup with Jolo Revilla?

Good example

I am very impressed with Yeng Constantino, who guested on my daily show with Maui Taylor and Mr. Fu, ?Stop, Talk & Listen,? on Cgnal TV?s Viva Cinema Channel.

Yeng?s new album, ?Lapit,? has all-original songs that she composed herself, such as ?Jeepney Love Story,? ?Wag Na,? ?Akin Ka Na? and ?Siguro.? The girl?s got depth and her music?s got oomph.

She turned misty-eyed when asked about her band. ?We?ve been together since high school,? she said. ?So walang iwanan. Ayokong ako lang ang sumikat. Dapat sabay-sabay kami, tulad ng pagsimula namin ng band.?

Yeng is a good example to other artists who suffer fame-induced amnesia when it comes to former friends. How does she feel, now that her ex-suitor (Be Bench winner) is the BF of Brazilian model/host Diana Menezes? ?I?m happy that he found what I could not give him,? she said. ?Di niya ako naligawan nang husto, kasi strict ang dad ko. Unfair naman sa kaniya, so okay lang that he stopped pursuing me na.?
And so they loved happily never after!

Enterprising stars

I?m so happy for my two cohosts. Maui has ventured into a new biz?an online shop of Hollywood-inspired clothes? with her BFF Katya Santos (tuttifrutti.multiply.com). Mr. Fu is now a recording star: His signature expression, ?May Ganun?? is now a song with matching dance steps. Their success is mine as well.

Art for Payatas

?Art for Youth?s Sake: Exhibit Para sa Kabataan ng Payatas,? was organized by the Helping Hands Foundation to benefit the children of Payatas in Quezon City. The project will be launched today at the lobby of the House Representatives in Batasan.

Spearheaded by the foundation?s executive director, former child actress Precious Hipolito Castelo (wife of Councilor Winnie Castelo), the exhibit aims to raise funds for the construction of a daycare center.

More than a hundred top painters from all over the country, such as Bencab and Ed Castrillo, are supporting the project. Call 5096606 or 7037935.

Speaking of which...

My best guy friend, Cesar Montano, painted his heart out for his first solo art exhibit, ?First Impression,? ongoing at ArtistSpace Ayala Museum until Nov 29. Proceeds will go to the Panaghoy Children Foundation Scholar Program.

?At the end of the day,? he says, ?what matters is not what we got but what we shared; not our success but our significance.?

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com.