MY heart goes out to my BFF Cesar Montano. People who don?t know the story behind the story are calling him an ingrato for cutting ties with his longtime manager, Tita Norma Japitana, and signing a one-year contract with GMA 7 without her knowledge.

As far as I know, Buboy has been closing deals on his own for quite some time now, and his arrangement with Tita Norma is on a per project basis. He is set to do a fantasy/drama on the Kapuso network which premieres Aug. 2 in time for his birthday.

At this point, it?s only Buboy and Tita Norma who should sit down and talk. The last thing they need is the meddling of Pami (Professional Artists Managers Inc.) and the media. That will only aggravate matters.

Buboy has suffered a double whammy with the death of his son Angelo and his failed gubernatorial bid. He hasn?t fully recovered yet, but he has to get back to work to provide for his family.

Knowing Buboy and Tita Norma, they will make peace soon enough?away from the media circus. After all, they are family. Their ties are more binding than any network contract.

Unsolicited advice

Dina Bonnevie is clueless about the split-up of her ex-husband Vic Sotto and Pia Guanio. Among all the women who got involved with Vic, she?s the only one he married.

?Ako pa rin ang nag-iisang Mrs. Vic Sotto,? she beams. ?I have nothing against Pia. But my unsolicited advice to all women who are smitten with Vic, ?wag niyo siya habulin (laughs). Si Vic pag type niya ang girl, di niya pinapansin (laughs).?

What if in the distant future, they still end up together? ?Kung ako?y isa pang mahalimuyak na bulaklak para sa kanya, why not? Pero dapat ligawan niya ako uli (laughs).

Excitement of the Ex-es!

New inspiration

Ruffa Gutierrez has a new inspiration?Cesar Flores of Smartmatic. Is he BF material?

?Gosh! It?s too premature to say,? she says, blushing. ?I met him at my birthday party. Our common friend Anton San Diego introduced us. We went out twice after that but he had to leave for Belgium for business. I call him my NFF, Newfound Friend.?

Or could NFF stand for New Future Father (of her kids)?

Foursome

?Starstruck V?s? Final Four?Sarah Lahbati, Steven Silva, Diva Montelaba and Enzo Pineda?have their baptism of fire in the newest offering of ?Lovebug, Exchange of Hearts? (Sundays on GMA 7 after ?Party Pilipinas?).

The four-part episode was shot in the island paradise of Camiguin. It?s a romantic comedy about switching partners, unexpected flames and lovers turned stalkers. Did love really bloom during their shoot? Will their acting make them worthy to be called the Kapuso network?s awesome foursome?

Sister act

Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo grew so fond of each other when they shot ?Hating Kapatid? that they felt like they?re truly sisters.

?I wish I could be Sarah?s road manager (laughs),? Juday says. ?She?s working too hard. She should find time to enjoy her youth and her money.?

Sarah is all praises for Juday. ?I wish I could be like Juday someday,? she muses. ?Successful na ang career pati personal life niya wagi.?

Theirs is a ?sister act? that?s tough to follow.

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com