MANILA, Philipines--Marvin Agustin is more than proud of ?The Red Shoes,? the film starring him and Nikki Gil which opens today. Too bad I was absent at the Cinema Evaluation Board Screening of the film, but my CEB ?classmates? gave it rave reviews and an ?A? rating. They told me that it?s not your typical Pinoy movie. I can?t wait to watch it myself.

What makes it a different kind of love story? ?It speaks of love on many levels,? says Marvin. ?Like a widow?s love for her husband, love for material things and my character?s search for true love?taking care of it, betraying it, asking for forgiveness, letting go and moving on.?

In what way did the movie change Marvin?s definition of love? ?It taught me various kinds of love. I learned a lot from my portrayal of Lucas, a poor boy who fell in love with a rich girl. It made me realize that true love really conquers all. The movie teaches us that life is a journey where we will love, get hurt, heal, learn, evolve and travel on.?

What?s his fave line in the movie? ?The quote from Jose Rizal to throw both shoes para pakinabangan. We should look out for others and send a loved one on a journey with both shoes on.?

Just like a pair of comfy footwear, ?The Red Shoes? has the perfect fit of elements. If the love fits, wear it baby!

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Coco Martin was spotted hanging out with chef Rosebud Benitez (of QTV?s ?Quickfire?) and some friends at Reserve. I teased Rosebud about it. ?We were just introduced there by our common friends who own the bar. We were in one big table,? she explained.

Isn?t Coco her type? ?He?s a cutie but he?s too young (laughs).?

Will chef Rosebud?s next recipe be a Coco-based dish?

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The Facebook status of one of my close showbiz friends caught my attention. It read: ?Gerald Anderson and Kim Chui?s billboard endorsing a watch brand proclaiming they are proud to be Pinoy made me wonder if they are true-blue Pinoys. Isn?t Gerald?s dad an American and doesn?t Kim have Chinese blood??

In the cut-throat advertising race, race doesn?t matter.

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Kris Aquino made a public apology to Ruffa Gutierrez for her tactless remarks that made Ruffa walk out of ?The Buzz? last Sunday. An industry insider who knows Kris too well wonders if she apologized sincerely. Or is it just damage control since her brother Noynoy has been dragged into the controversy by Ruffa?s mom, Tita Anabelle Rama?

But that?s part of Kris? charm. Love her or hate her, she just can?t be ignored.

If there?s one thing Kris hates, it is being upstaged. Ruffa?s towering presence and queenly bearing does exactly that even if it?s not her intention to steal the limelight from Kris. It would be interesting to watch when Gretchen Barretto joins ?The Buzz.?

As my gay colleague puts it, ??Di magpapatalbog si Greta kay Kris at si Kris kay Greta. Pabonggahan sila ng outfits at jewelry.?

There can only be one Queen in a show. Who will the viewers crown?

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All the single ladies (and men, too, 20-40 years old) put your hands up a la Beyonce and audition for GMA 7?s dating game show every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the GMA Network Drive.

Applicants must bring the original and a photocopy of their birth certificate, valid ID and whole body/close-up photo and look for Virna Cañete. Find your puso?s match with the help of the Kapuso network.

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My all-time fave band, True Faith, will launch its new album under Viva Records, ?Love Parade,? on Friday, March 12, 8 p.m. at Eastwood.

It contains 12 brand new original compositions and features Luke Mejares, Carlos Magno of Out of Body Special, Ryan Armamento of Corporate Lo-fi, saxophonist Dix Lucero and Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down.

Come all ye (true) Faithful!

E-mail mailto: wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com