MANILA, Philippines?Remember Mars Ravelo?s ?Jack and Jill??the 1950s comedy that starred Lolita Rodriguez and Dolphy as siblings, she a tomboy and he a flaming queer?

It was remade with Nora Aunor and Dolphy, and later with Sharon Cuneta and Herbert Bautista as leads.

Turns out, pretty Reality Singer?whose Non-Showbiz Brother is happily gay?is now a suspected butch. Well, she?s always been too gruff for comfort. Real-life ?Jack & Jill?!

Hunk on the prowl

After being linked with Reality Hunk, Rich Gay is eyeing Cute Graduate of another reality game show.

Seems RG is keen on winning CG?s heart. Is RG willing to give everything to CG, including the fame that still eludes him? In turn, is CG ready to surrender everything to RG?including his body, which was the subject of a cyber rumor in the past?

Devilish sister

Controversial Star knows how to push Pretty Sister?s buttons. In the heat of an argument, CS screamed at PS, loud enough to rouse the comatose: ?You?re the devil!?

PS was stunned speechless. That?s because PS is a devout Christian, assertive in her faith. Pray-overs don?t work on CS!

In the bag

In light of the Ronald Singson arrest in Hong Kong, Drama Actress recalled how upset she got at Former Husband.

DA was then flying out of the country. At the airport, DA learned from an assistant that FH had borrowed her bag a week before her trip. DA went nuts! ?The bum may have left something in my bag!? Something that could land DA in jail.

Midnight caller

Macho Star was paranoid: He had read in Facebook that his Former Manager was embroiled in a controversy.

Panicked, MS phoned Trusted Confidant to ask for details, though it was way past midnight. MS was relieved to hear that the intrigue had nothing to do with him.

The fear wasn?t unwarranted; FM had been attacking MS relentlessly, like any dumpee would.

Disappearing Coco

At the recent 50th birthday bash of Cannes-winning director Brillante Mendoza, Coco Martin was among the early well-wishers. But when he spotted a certain reporter in the crowd, Coco vanished!

He must have been spooked because another guest had asked about a rumor linking him to ?Dalaw? co-star Kris Aquino. ?That?s nothing,? Coco told an old friend at the party.

Unpaid debts

SAO PAULO?Sylvester Stallone may be heading for box-office success when his latest action flick, which he also co-produced, opens this month. But in Brazil?where the movie was filmed?companies are complaining he left a string of unpaid debts, according to a report.

The Brazilian weekly news magazine Veja said Sunday the producers of the movie, ?The Expendables,? owed more than $2 million to the local partner company O2, a lighting firm, drivers, security guards and other workers.

?The Expendables? is billed as the most expensive movie ever filmed in Brazil, with a budget of $63 million. Stallone, who earned fame from his ?Rocky? and ?Rambo? franchises, is banking on a muscular cast?including Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mickey Rourke, Jason Stratham and Jet Li?to make the film a hit. AFP

Mesmerizing Maria

We were mesmerized by Cherie Gil, who?s currently playing Maria Callas in a Philippine Opera Company production of ?Master Class.?

The Tony Award-winning play is based on a series of master classes given by the legendary opera diva Maria Callas at the Juilliard School of Music in New York in 1971 and 1972.

Cherie?s performance is seamless in all manner of measure?she should be giving master classes to all young actresses in Philippine movies and television today. Yes, all.

Applause to director Michael Williams and the whole cast, with no exceptions.

This is the second cycle of the POC production. Cherie as Callas was cited as Best Actress in Inquirer?s Best of Theater in 2008. Succeeding presentations are on Aug. 6, 7, 8, 12, 13 and 15 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza. Call 892-8766 or 881-7168.

Overlooked films

Interesting news for cinephiles: A series of screenings dubbed ?Overlooked Films, Underrated Filmmakers,? will be held at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde, Cultural Center of the Philippines, at 2-5 p.m.

To be screened are the following: ?Krimen: Kayo Ang Humatol? (1974), directed by Jun Raquiza, Aug. 14; ?Masquerade? (1967), directed by Danny Zialcita, Sept. 11; ?Kasal o Sakal? (1964), directed by Efren Reyes and Johnny Reyes, Oct. 9; ?Ito Ang Pilipino? (1966), directed by Cesar Gallardo, Nov. 13; ?Gaano Kita Kamahal? (1993), directed by Butch Perez, Dec. 11; and ?Waray-Waray? (1954), directed by F.H. Constantino, Jan. 15. E-mail sofiaphils@gmail.com or call 0920-2836393.

Top of the talk shows

For those who missed last weekend?s gabfests on TV. (And why we are moved, if we are moved.)

Mark Anthony Fernandez, on the cause of his breakup with Claudine Barretto:

?Ang theory ko, talagang naging busy na lang [kami] sa kanya-kanyang buhay... Si Claudine, bilang sikat na noon, lalo pang sumikat, lalong naging busy. Nung ako, nung naging okay na, naging busy na rin. Wala nang oras para magkatawagan. Sa tingin ko... priorities.? (No regrets?)

Claudine Barretto to Mark, on their past relationship:

?[It] was young love na may pagka-mapusok. Kung ano ang mga yun, a big part of that would always be yung part na naging tayo. For that, I?ll always be thankful and grateful. If I were to live my life again, I?d still choose you to be my first boyfriend and my friend now.? (Good answer. No, great.)

Sharon Cuneta on alleged hurtful social network messages from Piolo?s son Iñigo against KC Concepcion:

?Piolo has always treated KC with respect. At this point, I know naman na it wasn?t really Piolo or it?s coming from Piolo.? (Come on, P!)

Sharon?s message to KC on choosing the right man:

?I hope you marry someone like daddy (Sen. Francis Pangilinan), who?s gonna fight for you, who?ll stand up for you, love you.?

Mura?s message to Willie Revillame who helped shoulder his medical expenses:

?Salamat kuya Willie sa lahat ng ginawa mo sa akin. Alam ko may problema ka rin ngayon. Malaking tulong po itong ginawa ninyo sa akin. Sana gumaling na ako para personal ko kayong mapasalamatan.? (Get well soon, Mura.)

Cristine Reyes, asked if Rayver Cruz was dating her:

?Hindi eh, magkaibigan lang po talaga. As a friend, nothing more. Open ako mag-entertain ng iba. Hindi ako nakikipag-date or exclusively dating, wala akong boyfriend.? (With regret?)

Erich Gonzales, asked if Coco Martin was courting her:

?Ayoko pong mag-assume. Siguro mabait lang talaga siya sa akin.? (With hope?)

Kris Aquino on James Yap:

?Nagkakaintindihan na kami. Alam niya at alam ko kung nasaan na kami at this point? Wala nang problema. I sincerely wish him the best and I hope he also wishes me the best.? (With vengeance.)

Kris on her five-year marriage to James:

?I gave it my best and I have no bitterness in my heart. Walang halong kaplastikan ?yan. Naubos ?yung kagustuhan ko to make it work. I was miserable and I?m sure? ikaw (James) din miserable.? (We could?ve sworn it was with bitterness. Hindi naman daw.)With Gerry Plaza

(Startalk, The Buzz, Showbiz Central, Paparazzi)