MANILA, Philippines ? Biz newcomer Alex Gonzaga relies on big sister Toni for advice, especially on handling hurtful comments.

Such was the case when fans of on-screen partners Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson posted negative remarks about Alex on the Web. ?I cried and confided in my ate,? said Alex. The sisters have just renewed an endorsement deal with Shapes Apparel.

Members of the Kimerald fan group were reportedly offended by Alex?s comment on Kim?s weight. ?I got hurt because I used to be close to Kim and spent time with some of her fans, too. They said I didn?t deserve to be Kim?s friend,? said Alex, who appears on ?Juicy,? ?Everybody Hapi? and ?Lokomoko? on TV5.

Said Toni, host of the reality show ?Pinoy Big Brother? on ABS-CBN: ?Alex may be makulit sometimes, but she still gets depressed about these things. I told her, ?Welcome to show biz!??

Did you discuss it with Kim?
Alex: Yes, I was worried that the issue would get blown out of proportion. She said not to mind it.

Is that normal for fans?
Toni: They are very passionate, but we respect them; we understand. Kim is dear to us.

Did you come close to quitting because of that?
Alex: I did, but now I?m having such a great time.
Toni: Minsan nagdadrama s?ya. Ayaw na daw n?ya, tapos kapag dumating na ang paycheck, go na ulit.

Do you fight?
Toni: She was mad at me just yesterday. She sent me a text message: ?Bwisit ka talaga, nasuot ko na ?yang suot mo sa PBB.? I was at the premiere night of ?Ang Tanging Pamilya? when I got the message. Imbis na bigyan ako ng moral support, inaway pa ako.

Who?s your mommy?s favorite?
Alex: I used to be. Ngayon si Toni na.

Toni, you?ll be doing a movie with Robin Padilla, a real ladies man. Aren?t you worried about getting romantically linked to him?

Toni: Not really. Of course, before I think about things like that, dapat alamin ko muna kung matutuloy nga ang movie. Seriously ... it will be an honor to work with Binoe.
Alex: She seems okay with Direk Paul (Soriano, Toni?s boyfriend), so we?re not worried.

Do you like the same types of men?
Alex: I don?t like the boy-next-door type. Gusto ko ?yong brusko.
Toni: Jericho (Rosales) is her ultimate crush.

Anything you hate about your sister?
Alex: When she?s tired, she can be very moody.
Toni: She still doesn?t know how to handle her finances. She got used to having me pay for all of her bills. Naiinis ako. When she goes home from the mall, kailangan may bitbit pauwi. There?s one store na puro pangalan n?ya ang nasa record. N?ong pumunta ako doon, nasabihan ako, ?mabuti pa po ang kapatid n?yo bumibili; kayo tingin lang nang tingin.?

Who is your dream interview?
Alex: Kris Aquino, Vilma Santos and Sharon Cuneta.
Toni: I?d like to sit down with Tito Dolphy ... also the People?s Champ, Manny Pacquiao.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph