Piolo Pascual Denies Romancing Cristine Reyes

Piolo a no go with Cristine Reyes (PROMOTIONAL PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines – Piolo Pascual is too busy for love.

According to the actor, he is juggling far too many projects of late to be able to explore matters of the heart.

"I was segueing from one set to another. I finished shooting for ‘Every Breath [You Take’]. And then the TV show [‘Dahil Sa Pag-ibig’] and we’re also doing Star Magic movie to segue to Kris’s [Aquino] movie [‘Undo’]. So, I hardly have time for anything else," said he in a recent interview with PEP.

Because of his loaded schedule, rumors romantically linking him to “Dahil Sa Pag-Ibig” co-star Cristine Reyes is just that though he admits that they have gotten to know more of each other in the course of work.

"You know what, inevitable naman 'yan [his closeness with Reyes] sa trabaho, especially when you’re together every day sa soap," he said. "[Pero] hindi natin puwedeng bigyan ng malice yun.”

He added, “You know, I’ve always been a friend [to Reyes].”

The 35-year old hunk pooh-poohed the odds of this friendship blossoming into something more intimate, saying he respects Reyes’ beau, Rayver Cruz.

“I’m Rayver’s friend before I became Cristine’s friend. Matagal na kaming magkatrabaho ni Rayver. Mag-Kapamilya, magkapatid kami sa Star Magic,” he said.

 Candid as he was in discussing seemingly inconsequential worries, Pascual was quick to lose himself in rhetoric when it comes to questions relating to his ex-girlfriend, KC Concepcion.

Asked if he is bothered with his name being constantly dragged into issues involving Concepcion, Pascual said, "I’m good. I mean I shouldn’t complain. It’s a blessing. It’s a blessing to be alive every day… to be waking up to a new day and having something worthwhile to do. So, it’s a blessing."

He went back to being outspoken when talking about the movie he is set to do with Aquino.

"We already had a preliminary meeting with Kris and Direk Chito [Rono] and Star Cinema. So we hope to start rolling in June," he said.

Pascual described the film as “serious.”

“A lot of people think it’s horror but it’s not," he said hinting that he and Aquino will have some steamy scenes for the movie.

"Mag-asawa [kami dito], so it’s quite legal," he explained.

Ara Mina sues Cristine Reyes for libel

Just when you thought nothing could beat Annabelle Rama’s feuds with Nadia Montenegro and Amalia Fuentes for sheer nastiness, here comes Ara Mina suing her sister Cristine Reyes for implicitly calling her a prostitute, among other unprintables.

Ara filed charges of libel and grave coercion against her younger half-sibling at the Quezon City fiscal’s office Wednesday afternoon.

Media reports have it that the root cause is a financial dispute over the payment for their mother’s house which, Ara alleged, caused Cristine to send her a series of vulgar text messages throughout Holy Week.

Ara, 32, whose legal name is Hazel Pascual Reyes, shed copious tears during a press interview in which she explained why she felt compelled to take legal action against Cristine, 23, whose full name is Ara Marie Cristine Reyes.

Ara claimed they shared in the payment of the property for which Cristine gave the down payment worth P1 million while Ara made installment payments totaling P3.2 milion.

The actress, whose father is former politician Chuck Mathay, said the deed of sale is in Cristine’s name.

Ara said Cristine wants her to pay for half of the down payment and has been badgering her to surrender her SUV in lieu of the P500,000.

The report also had Ara sharing some of the messages Cristine had sent her: “Kung ayaw niyo manggulo ako sa buhay niyo, bayaran utang niyo sa akin. Kung wala kayo pangbayad, ibigay niyo hinihingi ko.”

She revealed another text, which could form the crux of the libel case: “I’m sure ibebenta mo ‘yang laspag mong katawan na pinagsawaan na ng lahat. Daig pa aso sa sobrang kati.“

Cristine’s manager, Veronique del Rosario, declined to comment until she and Cristine have received a copy of the lawsuit.

Ara said this is not the first time she and Cristine had a serious feud, but she brought the matter to the court this time to “teach her a lesson.”

Cristine’s vile comments on Ara’s sex life fuel case

Blood is thicker than water, so they say. But in the case of half-sisters Ara Mina and Cristine Reyes, blood is boiling and the water has dried up. It’s sad that fame and fortune has come between them.

Cristine’s nasty text messages prompted the latter to file a libel and grave coercion case. I texted Ara to check on her. Her reply: “It’s with a heavy heart that I am suing Cristine.”

It seems unimaginable how angelic-looking Cristine could use such foul language in her texts to her sister. But then again, looks can be deceiving. As sisters, isn’t Ara’s shame, Cristine’s too?

This is not the first time they have waged war against each other. Their relationship has always been strained.

Ara made her name in show biz before Cristine came around. Ara has supported Cristine since the latter’s struggling days in “Starstruck.” Perhaps even back then, Cristine was already envious of her Ate’s success and this bottled-up resentment made her threaten to reveal what she describes as Ara’s rabid sex life?

It’s too bad Cristine has let fame get into her pretty head. A young star who used to be close to her told me that she was surprised when Cristine refused to give out her new number. Apparently, more than Cristine’s number has changed because of her newfound fame.

Certainly, Ara is no saint herself, but stories about her kind-heartedness are not unheard of in show biz. For instance, she recently gave her longtime publicist a brand-new car.

Based on her text messages, Cristine has no respect at all for her Ate Ara. Neither as a sister nor as a human being. It seems the side effect of fame on Cristine is amnesia. Has she forgotten all the sacrifice that Ara has made for her all these years? I don’t think Ara’s keeping score. But it is basic human courtesy to give credit where credit is due. Even if Cristine doesn’t appreciate Ara, the least she can do is to acknowledge Ara’s role in her life especially when she was still a nobody. Is that too much to ask or too much to give, Cristine?

Maybe Cristine should remember her near-death experience when she got stranded in their houseduring a typhoon. That should bring her back to her senses. Or does fate need to send her a more traumatic wake-up call to make her realize that everything is fleeting, including fame?

Free spirit

When I saw BB Gandanghari at the birthday bash of Perci Intalan, our cool “Bossing” on TV 5, she nonchalantly told me: “Ikaw ha! I didn’t think you would write down everything we talked about. Pati about the black guy. Kawawa naman siya pag nabasa niya yun.”

I laughed it off because I didn’t mention the black guy’s name, so BB need not worry. I meant no harm. But being the free spirit that she is, I know BB gets my drift.

Missing

Kris Aquino is conspicuously missing in the fab Summer Station ID of ABS-CBN. It does not seem complete without her. According to Deo Endrinal, whom I fondly call “Classmate,” Kris had already booked her schedule during the dates allotted for the shoot. Ever so busy Krissy!

Matching rings

Fanatics of ABS-CBN’s “Walang Hanggan” can now  do a Daniel (Coco Martin) and Katarina (Julia Montes) number by wearing the same infinity ring that binds the lovers in the top-rating teleserye. The  eternal symbol of love a la Walang Hanggan is available at all branches of Karat World nationwide in 14-K yellow gold, 14-K white gold, and silver 925 to suit every budget. Check it out at http://www. karatworld.net/infinity/.

PERSONAL: Madamo gid na salamat to Boy So and my La Carmela de Boracay family for always pampering me more than I deserve, and also to the wonderful Ortiz family, especially Mark and Tita Cora  of San Antonio Resort in Roxas City for making me their adopted daughter!