TFC All Access Vol 2 Issue 3

VO LU M E 2 I S S U E 3

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The Making of the ‘Old Hollywood’ Debut Party of KATHRYN BERNARDO

DANIEL PADILLA on ‘My Girl’ TFC MAY-JUNE 2014.indd 1

Wedding Style KARYLLE & YAEL BIANCA & JC

A Promise of Forever: JERICHO ROSALES & KIM JONES

Love Rekindled ANGEL LOCSIN & LUIS MANZANO 5/23/14 7:20 PM

“Itama Po Natin!” with Ben Lou Ben Lou answers your questions about personal finances that matter to you most. After all, health is wealth and good financial health supports good health. A client has just gone through divorce and was left in financial shambles because of unsecured debts.

What options does he have?

Living a Healthy Financial Life: The Financial aftermaths of divorce Q: When I divorced, I was left heavily in debt. How do I get out of this problem?

A:. 70% of all divorces say money has something to do with the divorce. Ang apoy po ng pagmamahalan ay namamatay pag wala nang ma-kain ang pamilya. This is very true dahil pera ang laging dahilan ng awayan.

The increasing fees from divorce lawyers is another ordeal for the divorcing couple, dahil walang gustong malamangan. I am not saying not to fight for your right but in doing so we are getting buried in debt from attorneys service fees. The best thing to do is to try to always think matters through so that divorce does not become the only answer to the problem.

Ideally, I encourage divorcing clients to try to work out their differences so that no one walks away financially drained and traumatized by the divorce process. Kung kulang ang kita ng isa, ay dapat parehong mag-asawa ang magtrabaho. At kung kulang pa rin ay dapat talagang magbudget. Always live within your means. Nababaon ang iba sa utang ay dahil kulang sa disciplina ng pag-budget. It’s easier said than done but sometimes we have to do what is necessary in order to stay together and put our lives in order.

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Note from the Editor June’s Wedding Stories June as a popular month for weddings goes all the way back to the early Roman times. The Romans celebrated a festival that honored the deity Juno, the goddess of marriage and childbirth and the wife of Jupiter, king of the gods in Roman mythology. On the practical side, June was also an ideal time to conceive a child because that meant the woman could deliver the baby the following year and be back in shape to help out during harvest season.

But for our June 2014 issue, our special features on weddings have just one primary reason: LOVE. Take for instance Jericho “Echo” Rosales and Kim Jones who tied the knot in a beach wedding in Boracay. Echo, one of the top leading men in the country who has done some 20 movies and 15 soap operas in his 18-year career, drew over half a million hits on YouTube when he knelt down and proposed to Kim on her birthday while in their church. Theirs is a love story that people cheered on. Folks were thrilled for the matinee idol-singer falling in love with the balikbayan Filipino-English model who was born in England, raised in Australia and who decided to stay for good in Manila after a five-week vacation. It was destiny. They were worlds apart but fate found a way to bring them together.

Meanwhile, it was a celebrity-studded wedding for music loving stars Karylle and Yael Yuzon in Tagaytay. This was in contrast to the very low key relationship that the private couple had prior to getting married. Find out the love story of the singer-actress from the top noontime variety show, “It’s Showtime” and the vocalist and guitarist of the famous Filipino band Sponge Cola.

Other love-worthy features include the much talked about rekindling of romance between actor-host Luis Manzano and actress Angel Locsin. After parting ways in 2009 and getting involved in high profile relationships, it had to be an alignment of stars that both these relationships ended in October 2013, paving the way for the two to find their way back into each other’s arms. Meanwhile, the celebrity couple whose airport wedding proposal also made entertainment headlines – basketball player JC Intal and TV host-model Bianca Gonzalez - likewise shared their swoon-worthy romantic story in this issue.

Love fills the air while we hear the peal of wedding bells in this June issue of TFC All Access. Happy Reading!

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KATHRYN BERNARDO “OLD HOLLYWOOD DEBUT”

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WHEN ECHO MET MS. JONES: FINDING LOVE THAT IS TFC ALL ACCESS V O L U M E 2 • I S S U E 3 “MORE THAN PERFECT.”

ANGEL & LUIS: BOLD AS LOVE

08 The Beat of Love (Karylle

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& Yael)

“Like” us on Facebook and get special fan-only surprises!

10 Journey to Love (JC & Bianca)

11 They Did it Too (Drastic Hair Makeovers)

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38 Star Speak - Daniel Padilla

Echo & kim • luis kris & hErbE&rtANgEl

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storiEs From tales of heartbreak, a rekindled romance, promise of forever, to a exclusive details StarStudio gives you the freshest of this season’s most controversial celebrity love affairs mEEt LoLa lANi’s apo!

exclusive

mArk hErrAs

A new dad’s story

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rAymoNd gutiErrEz glimpse of the high life

confession

the shocking reason why

father’s day

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left for the states—and why she’s back

For the latest in entertainment news and celebrity lifestyle, read StarStudio Magazine. Digital edition available via www.zinio. com/starstudio and the iTunes App Store

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Yael Yuzon and Karylle found the best harmony to the music of their lives. Tying the knot in a fun and festive garden affair, it’s true that the best is yet to come for this talented musical couple

By Grace Libero Photography by Pat Dy

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t was at the reunion concert of The Eraserheads in 2009 where Yael Yuzon, vocalist of the pop-rock band Sponge Cola, and singerTV host Karylle met. Introduced to each other by Gary Valenciano’s manager/wife Angeli and their son Paolo, Yael and Karylle initially became friends on Twitter.

Their next encounter was at the MYX Music Awards that same year, where Karylle won an award for Favorite Guest Appearance in a Music Video for Gary V’s “Only Hope” song. When they saw each other, Yael used a funny pickup line on Karylle, after which he asked for her number. Unfortunately, he didn’t have his phone with him, so he asked for her number again via Twitter.

Following that second encounter, Yael and Karylle fell into the habit of exchanging text messages every day and talking to each other on the phone for hours, prompting Yael to quip, “Mainit na ang cellphone ko.” Though she was obviously showing interest in him by entertaining his text messages and calls, Karylle would always decline whenever he asked her out.

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Yael describes Karylle as “mabait, Three years into their relationship, matalino, and pleasant,” while she Yael popped the question. The type thought he was “very passionate”. to not follow trends, his proposal was Eventually they got closer and closer simple: he did it inside a car, where until their relationship became official Karylle said they had their first kiss. (at exactly 4:23 PM, according to Yael) Karylle formally announced their mid-year of 2010 at a coffee shop date in marriage plans in the February 8 Manila. “It was a sunny afternoon, guest episode of Showtime. “Not a lot of pa ako dati sa Pilipinas Win Na Win, people know, some three and a half at kumain kami sa Mister Kebab kasi years ago, a new chapter in my life mahilig ako sa kanin and after that started—the happiest and most exciting we had coffee. And sinagot ko siya,” one yet. I started as a hurado here in recalled Karylle.

Showtime, and I became part of the Karylle’s career received a major Showtime family, at kakambal po nito, boost the year after they became dumating si Yael sa buhay ko,” she said. boyfriend-girlfriend when she scored To celebrate their engagement, the lead role of Maddie Avilon in The a segment on their love story was Kitchen Musical. She had to fly to dedicated to them on ASAP 19, where Singapore to work on the show, but the Karylle said, “I’m so thankful that I couple didn’t allow the distance to ruin found someone who’s very supportive, who understands how weird I am, and their deepening relationship. Every somebody who truly inspires me.” three to four weeks for around four months, Yael would go to Singapore to visit her. This chapter in their relationship inspired the recent Sponge Cola hit,

To read the full feature, “Singapore Sling (Dahil Kilala Na Kita).” download the digital edition of t h e

StarStudio from www.zinio.com/ starstudio or the iTunes App Store

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storiEs From tales of heartbreak, a rekindled romance, promise of forever, to a exclusive details StarStudio gives you the freshest of this season’s most controversial celebrity love affairs mEEt LoLa lANi’s apo!

exclusive

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A new dad’s story

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rAymoNd gutiErrEz glimpse of the high life

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the shocking reason why

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lANi misAluchA really her las Vegas home

left for the states—and why she’s back

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The best men and groomsmen wore black, navy, and dark gray suits, accessorized with satin silver neckties. Yael was flanked by the men from the entourage: (From left, standing) Armo Armovit, Niles Chong, JP Mateo, Sidney Yap (who wore a floral print blazer), Gian Carlo Vizcarra, Tedmark Cruz, Robin Nievera and Leon Yonzon; (From left, seating) Saul Ulanday, Paolo Valenciano, Jay-R Sillona and Gosh Dilay.

The newlywed posed by their bridal car, a gray Hyundai Sonata, which had their names on the plate.

Karylle with parents ZsaZsa Padilla and Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari. ZsaZsa’s gown, a pastel pink three-fourth-sleeved lace piece with a flared hem, is by Rajo Laurel.

The bridesmaids—(from left) Kim Marvilla, Gaki Azurin-Sanches, Ysabel Yuzon, Reg Geotina, Iza Calzado, and Divine Lee—wore floral print kneelength dresses by Charina Sarte.

Her maids of honor were her sisters Zia and Nicole Quizon (extreme left and extreme right, respectively) and her matrons of honor (from second from left) Diana RiveraO’Keefe, Trina Velilla-Milan, and Paula Boon-Sbisa donned painterly, summery dresses also by Charina Sarte.

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Evoking the sunny vibe reminiscent of that afternoon when Karylle agreed to be Yael’s girlfriend, the wedding reception venue, Angelfields Nature Sanctuary in Tagaytay, was dressed up with bright-colored round paper lanterns.

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Blooming Bride-to-Be JOURNEY TO LOVE

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JC INTAL & BIANCA GONZALEZ Engaged: March 20, 2014

hey are both alums of Ateneo de Manila University, and back when they were still students, JC said Bianca already caught his eye. But maybe because it wasn’t the right moment yet, the two didn’t connect immediately; they went their separate ways and became romantically involved with different people.

Then they saw each other again at a UAAP basketball game, and though there was a chance to engage Bianca in deep conversation, JC was too shy to start or even get her number. So he looked for their common friend, and asked for Bianca’s contact details. But Bianca, who had suffered heartbreaks before, wanted to prolong their getting-to-know-you stage. Once they passed it, JC courted her for five months until she finally agreed to be his girlfriend in 2011 while on a trip with friends in Boracay.

Aside from a love of sports, JC and Bianca are also travel buddies. Among the places they’ve been to are Maldives, Indonesia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Japan. Aside from Boracay, the next place she’s convinced offers a “paradise-type experience” was Maldives. “Kasi siyempre it would be so expensive to go there… naalala ko, when I pitched the idea to him, sabi ko, ’pag tumanda na tayo, iba na ang priorities natin, ngayon lang tayo makakagastos for ourselves, so ngayon na natin gawin,” Bianca shares with StarStudio. During their interview on Buzz ng Bayan last April 20, JC recalled his most memorable experience there. “We played ping pong. Sobrang competitive niya na napipikon na siya sa’kin kasi natatalo siya.”

During the Buzz ng Bayan interview, they also detailed the incident that convinced JC to propose.

They call it the “big fight”. “You know how girls are OA. I was so tired from work and at the end of the day, binisita ko siya sa house niya tapos feeling ko hindi ako pinansin at nag-walkout ako tapos umuwi ako. Then when I left, nag-away kami over the phone,” Bianca narrates. To which JC said, “Dumating na lang talaga ’yung time na I felt na parang sure na ako na I want to marry Bianca. Wala akong nakikitang reason para hindi ako mag-decide na pakasalan siya… Nakita ko na kasi ’yung bad side n’ya. So sabi ko, I think it’s time to settle down.”

JC and Bianca are yet to set the exact date and other details of their wedding, but they plan to hold it this December since they see no point in delaying it further. But Bianca told StarStudio, “No details at all yet. But my personality… if I were to choose, I really like a simple event as long as my family and closest friends are there. But siya, he likes to celebrate with a lot of people, so ’yun pa lang, clash na. So we will see kung ano ang magiging ending. Siyempre it’s the decision of two people now.” - Grace Libero

A CLASSIC BEAUTY

Fashion designers Pepsi Herrera and Cherry Veric dish on what they think is the best wedding gown style for the stylista and TV host extraordinaire that Bianca is

Pepsi Herrera: “I have dressed Bianca in the past, so I’m familiar with her frame. I’m dreaming of making something soft, frothy, disarmingly dainty in proportion to her frame. Something very feminine.

Nothing big. Having a touch of modernity, in my humble opinion, will work for Bianca.”

Cherry Veric: “I think the best silhouette for her is a classic serpentine gown in full lace.”

Already overwhelmed by the proposal, the surprises kept coming to Bianca during her flight. She received three notes from JC given by the plane’s crew, with the last note even personally handed to her by the

A heavily beaded tube serpentina gown by Pepsi Herrera

pilot.

THE MUCH-TALKED ABOUT PROPOSAL. Social media exploded last March 20, when news came out that JC proposed to Bianca in NAIA Terminal 2.

She was about to leave for London to take up a short course on Data Visualisation in Central Saint Martins and a three-day course on Lifestyle Journalism at the London School of Journalism. “Little did I know that before my 6AM flight on March 20, the biggest surprise of my life has been planned and was about to be revealed to me,” Bianca wrote on her blog, iamsuperbianca.com.

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During their guesting on Buzz Ng Bayan, Bianca said, “I’m just thankful. Na-prove niya na di mo naman magagawan ng formula na itong klase ng tao ’yung gusto mo at makukuha mo. I’m just thankful ’cause he treats me so well talaga, as in super swerte ko talaga.” JC, on the other hand, expressed, “I love her very much. No promises. I’m sure nafi-feel naman n’ya everyday ’yung love na gusto niya. Of course may mga times na and’yan ’yung away at bati, but I I S S U E think 3 kakayanin namin.”

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THEY DID IT TOO

Kris Aquino isn’t the only woman who has expressed a dramatic change in her life with a startling hair makeover. It’s a female thing that expresses grieving for a love lost, boosts her self-esteem with an invigorated look, relaxes and distracts her with pampering, and making her ex-boyfriend regret his decision by showing how even more beautiful she is and what he’s missing out on.

Here are other female celebrities who rocked shorter ‘do’s after changes in their relationship status:

Sarah Geronimo’s new bob isn’t the first time she had a hair makeover after her family disapproved of a suitor. After they shot down Gerald Anderson’s chances with her, she also had her hair style changed.

SARAH GERONIMO. In March this year, Sarah Geronimo, singer, actress, product endorser, wholesome role model and darling of the Philippine music industry long known for dutifully following her mother Divine and her father Delfin, cut her hair short to both the shock and delight of fans. More than a fresh makeover, the shampoo endorser reportedly wanted to express rebellion with her parents’ disapproval of her reported suitor—actor, model, endorser and race car driver Matteo Guidicelli. Her parents’ disapproval is rumored to be the reason for the demise of previous relationships with Rayver Cruz and Gerald Anderson. Reportedly, they were concerned that the budding romance might affect the appeal of Sarah’s upcoming screen pairing with Coco Martin, with whom she co-stars in the upcoming romantic comedy Maybe This Time. The singer’s long gorgeous hair was cropped to a youthful chin-length bob.

Bianca Manalo’s new look not only helped her get over her heartache; it reinvigorated her image as a more sassy and spunky girl.

BIANCA MANALO. In 2012, Binibining PilipinasUniverse 2009 winner Bianca Manalo and actor and former child star John Prats broke up. Bianca described the event as nothing less than “traumatic”.

Today, they are both in relationships: Bianca with a non-showbiz boyfriend and John with actress Isabel Oli, whom he publicly declares he plans to marry.

Indicative of her newfound happiness, Bianca sports a chin-length bob instead of the long hair she once had.

VENUS RAJ. In July of 2013, 2010 Miss Universe fourth runner-up and product endorser Venus Raj decided to end a year-long relationship with tv host Andrei Felix, whom her family never approved of. The two met as co-hosts on the morning show Umagang Kay Ganda in March 2012. Besides wanting to heal the rift with her family, Venus regrets the relationship with Andrei and says she does not wish to see of or hear from him.

“Marami kasing taong nasaktan eh. Maraming taong nadamay, especially ‘yung pamilya ko. Umabot kami sa point na nag-away-away kaming magkakapatid. Umabot sa point na pinapapili ako ng mga kapatid ko kung sila or siya. Mas pinili ko siya. Hindi kami nag-usap ng mga kapatid ko for a few months. Na-miss ko ang pamilya ko doon,” she revealed to ABS-CBN. For his part, Andrei confessed on Buzz ng Bayan that he was initially clueless as to why Venus left him. He confided, “Noong time na ‘yon, hindi ko talaga maintindihan. It wasn’t clear but I understand.”

In March this year, Venus premiered her new and exciting cropped hairdo that proclaimed the still-single model was ready to live life to the fullest again. In an interview with ABS-CBN, she clarified, “Hindi po ako heartbroken. Yes, I’m still single. I like it that way and of course I’m still waiting for my God’s best.” She added, “Medyo nanibago but now mas manageable actually for me. Gusto ko talaga ng maigsing buhok.”

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Going back to one’s family means leaving much of her hair behind for Venus Raj. The shorter length accentuates the natural waves of her hair, making I S stand S U Eout 3even further.

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In keeping with the debut’s “modern vintage” theme, the debutante arrived in a sleek chauffeurdriven 1933 white Ford Cabriolet. The guests were told to enter the ballroom as soon as they arrived, to make sure the driveway would be free and clear for Kathryn’s grand entrance. Kathryn’s excitement was written all over her face when she got out of the car.

The full details, exclusive photographs and what went on behind the scenes on that magical night as Kathryn Bernardo turned 18

Cover photo by MARK NICDAO. Photography by CATILO PHOTOGRAPHY (main event) and 2 • I S S U E 3 QUIRKY CREATIVES PHOTOGRAPHY (pre-debut) courtesy of Jillian Panganiban of SPARK MAA INC.

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On the day of the debut, Kathryn’s glam team arrived at the Solaire Resort and Casino around 3 PM to help her get ready.

According to her makeup artist Denise Go-Ochoa, Kathryn asked her for light makeup. “Dewy and fresh daw,” Denise shares. “Just neutral colors. To make sure it wasn’t thick, I airbrushed her cheeks, eyes and face and I also put highlights on her collarbones.”

Kathryn prepares for her big step into the limelight and to becoming a woman

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he debut was just hours away. Kathryn Bernardo was waiting in one of the Solaire Resort and Casino’s suites, trying to look relaxed while holding back her excitement.

Working busily around her were makeup artist Denise GoOchoa and hairstylist John Valle.

As Denise dabbed at Kathryn’s cheeks with a makeup brush and John pulled her hair into a loose updo, the debutante kept up a steady stream of chatter. When they finished working, Denise and John stepped aside to let Kathryn’s style team help the debutant change into her first outfit for the evening, a pink Francis Libiran bouffant gown and Christian Louboutin heels. Francis made a similar dress in a smaller size for Kathryn’s niece Lhexine to wear.

While Kathryn and her family were getting ready for the debut, a camera crew was filming everything that was going on, gathering footage of the debutant and her family for the documentary. They followed the Bernardos as they got glammed up for the debut and posed for a family portrait, up until they piled into separate cars— Kathryn got into a white vintage car from supplier Don Robert Bautista; her family took another—to go to the venue.

At her birthday press conference several days before, Kathryn told reporters about the planned documentary. “Actually, nag-sit down meeting ako from the very start with (ABS-CBN’s) Special Projects team and lahat ng preparations, lahat ng pinuntahan namin, ma-fifeature ’yun sa Sunday’s Best,” she revealed. “So lahat ng behind-thescenes at ’yung the making, mapapanood n’yo.”

Before she left her daughter to prepare for the grand entrance, Kathryn’s Mommy Min posed for a quick photo with the debutant.

In a separate interview with StarStudio, Min said she’ll continue to guide her daughter even if Kathryn was about to cross the threshold into adulthood. “Lahat kasi ng sumusunod sa magulang, feeling ko hindi napapariwara.”

NC.

Kathryn wore two gowns. The first (background) is by Francis Libiran. Originally designed to have a generous amount of tulle, her ball gown was later topped off with heavy art deco-esque embellishments instead; underneath the ball gown are layers and layers of petticoat that give it a fuller effect. The second (foreground) is by Vania Romoff. Kathryn’s soft and flowy party dress featured manually-placed laser-cut flowers and Swarovski crystals.

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Kathryn wanted an Old Hollywood feel for her debut and was pleased when she saw the results

The interiors were done mostly in black and white, in keeping with the “modern vintage” theme. But since Kathryn wanted the décor to have a feminine air to it as well—and to include the color pink—Michael’s team went for flowers. “I would rather use flowers for the pink kasi kung sa linens ko ilalabas ’yung pink, baka mag-blend sa dress ni Kathryn or sa dress ng guests,” Michael explained. “The flowers we chose for the décor are from Australia, Ecuador and Poland. We used few local flowers. The roses are big, and the carnations and stargazers we used are of different varieties para ma-achieve ’yung look.

We also used lilies.”

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Kathryn chose The Blue Leaf Filipinas because she was looking for a place that would allow her and her guests to have lots of fun. According to a representative of the venue, The Blue Leaf Filipinas was exactly the kind of place Kathryn was looking for. “Its modern Filipino architecture and beautiful gardens fit the debut’s theme so well.”

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rom the beginning, Kathryn made it clear that she wanted a unique theme for her debut. “Ayoko ng princess na debut, ayoko ng circus, ayoko ng typical theme,” she told StarStudio. “And feeling ko, ’yung very close to my personality is modern vintage (which is a blend of the old and new), kasi gusto ko more on classic. ’Yung tipong kahit i-look back ko siya years from now, hindi pa rin nawawala sa uso.”

Kathryn left it up to Michael Ruiz and his company Flower and Design Station Event Styling to execute her ideas. On the night of the debut, Michael’s handiwork amazed everyone present, including the debutant. In a throwback to the most glamorous era in Hollywood, the Blue Leaf Filipinas halls were turned into ballrooms straight out of the 40s and 50s—complete with black and white drapes on the ceiling and walls. But the feminine, fresh touch Kathryn asked for was also present in the crystal lamps and vases filled with flowers on the tables, and chandeliers and fairy lights hanging from the ceiling.

“The good thing about this is, the debutante knows what she wants. So she made a mood board already,” Michael says. “The mood board is vintage. It’s so Chanel. So based on the mood board, I just had to reinterpret it in a way na pang-event setting talaga. Kailangan it would look feminine and young pa rin, at the same time timeless.

So parang binigyan ko lang ng buhay ’yung idea ng debutante.”

Before the program began, however, the guests milled about in the courtyard, where a dessert buffet, mobile bar and photo booth had been set up, and guests could leave their own gifts for her. Michael and his team also designed the foyer, cocktail area and courtyard— and they did so with a certain movie in mind. “Hindi siya overdone, kasi minsan sa debut you tend to pour everything. Dito, it’s really classy. Parang may pagka-The Great Gatsby feel nga siya, eh.”

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t first, Kathryn didn’t want a big debut. Her original plans for her 18th birthday included a simple dinner or vacation with her nearest and dearest.

“Feeling ko kasi, napaka-stressful,” she said of putting together a grand celebration.

“So, masaya na ako sa Europe tour or magtatravel with family. Alam n’yo ’yun, ’yun ang gusto ko. Pero in-explain nila sa akin na malaking milestone daw sa buhay ng babae ang debut, kaya pumayag na rin ako.”

When Kathryn finally agreed to a debut and became involved in the planning, she didn’t bat an eyelash when the guest list ballooned to 500 people. She realized that many people played a part in helping her get to where she is today, and she wanted all of them to be with her on her special day.

In fact, she told StarStudio that one of the hardest parts of preparing for the debut was finalizing the guest list because she didn’t want to forget anyone. “Mahirap mag-arrange ng invites kasi ’di ko maalala minsan, baka may na-miss akong tao.

Tapos may mga gusto akong i-invite pero wala na akong contact sa kanila, so pinahinanap ko pa sila.

Mahirap pagsama-samahin ulit sila lahat sa isang gabi.”

But on her big night, Kathryn’s efforts to build the perfect guest list paid off. Most of Kathryn’s guests were execs and stars from the Kapamilya network, with the exception of GMA-7 actress Marian Rivera.

(Kathryn invited her because she played the young Jenny Dizon in the teleserye Endless Love; Marian played the older version of the character.

The arrival of the Padilla clan—Robin, Mariel, Rommel and his children (including Daniel Padilla), even BB Gandanghari—drew excited chatter from the rest of the guests and even the debutante herself. According to Daniel, the presence of his family made the night even better for Kathryn. “’Yung buong pamilya ko pumunta, kaya maraming salamat sa kanila kasi natuwa talaga si Kathryn. Crush niya kasi si Tito Robin,” Daniel joked.

For her part, the debutante said of the Padilla clan, “Siyempre nagpapasalamat ako sa family ni DJ kasi winewelcome ka nila talaga. Ganun din naman sa family ko, especially my Papa, okay ’yung bond nila ni DJ.” Kathryn was glad she decided to have a big celebration after all, because it meant she was able to invite more people to share in her happiness that night.

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Star Magic Circle 2013 teens Jon Lucas, Michelle Vito and Khalil Ramos have all worked with Kathryn on separate projects. Jon (left) in Got to Believe, Michelle (middle) in Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay and Khalil (right) in Princess and I.

Sam Concepcion and Jasmine Curtis-Smith made a beautiful pair that night. Sam’s classic black and white suit with a bow accent and Jasmine’s white turtleneck dress with a cut-out accent made them look like a Hollywood couple.

Kathryn’s guests were a mix of family, friends, and showbiz industry colleagues

In the days that led up to the debut, Mariel Padilla remained coy about whether she and her husband Robin would be at the debut or not. The fans’ speculation ended when Mariel posted her invitation on Instagram, and again when she posted a photo of her and Robin at the debut.

Angel Aquino—who appeared in Magkaribal, the show in which Kathryn played the younger version of her character Vera Abella’s fiercest rival—was accompanied to the party by her daughter.

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The day after the debut, Carmina Villarroel—who arrived with her husband Zoren Legaspi, son Mavy and daughter Cassy—said on the showbiz talk show Buzz ng Bayan that she felt people were watching her to see if she would greet her ex Rustom Padilla (now known as BB Gandanghari).

But out of respect to Kathryn, she chose not to. “Dahil debut niya, ayaw ko naman mag-create ng [scene]. Hindi kami nagkita. Siguro baka hindi pa oras,” she said.

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The program was simple and sweet—just like the showbiz princess it sought to honor

Before she got out of the car to make her grand entrance, Kathryn flashed a peace sign at the photographer.

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hen Kathryn and her team were putting together the program for the debut, she wanted to keep it simple because she didn’t want to bore her guests with a long, drawn-out ceremony. She also tapped Robi Domingo to host the program, which turned out to be a good choice. Robi was able to keep the program moving at a fast yet fun pace with his quick wit and sense of humor.

Case in point: once all the guests had taken their seats, Robi kicked things off by introducing Kathryn’s parents. As Teddy and Min Bernardo made their entrance, Robi quipped, “Tingnan niyo sila, parang sina Sir Chief at Maya lang,” referencing the popular couple from the daytime teleserye Be Careful With My Heart. Everyone, as well as Teddy and Min themselves, laughed appreciatively at Robi’s joke. Kathryn’s siblings Chrysler, Kaye and Kevin entered next, with Chrysler’s husband Marco Alcantara and daughter Lhexine bringing up the rear.

Robi introduced Kathryn a few minutes later: “Please welcome the glamorous, worldwide trending teen queen—Kathryn Bernardo!” Kathryn made her entrance to the tune of the song “Midnight City” by French electronic music band M83. She rolled up to the entrance of The Blue Leaf Filipinas in a white Ford Cabriolet, and was met by Richard Poon, Erik Santos and Matteo Guidicelli, who serenaded her in turn before escorting her into the ballroom.

The guests rose from their seats when Kathryn finally entered.

Flashbulbs popped as Sam Milby approached her to sing the Michael Bublé hit “Everything,” which is among Kathryn’s favorites

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Kathryn’s family entered the Blue Leaf Filipinas main ballroom in twos and threes.

Her parents walked in at 9:24PM, and her siblings followed two minutes later.

Kathryn was the only one who entered the venue alone—before she was met by Sam Milby and the other singers who escorted her to the stage.

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Kathryn was treated to songs from the Great American Songbook by ASAP Sessionista Richard Poon (“You Make Me Feel So Young”), Prince of Pop Erik Santos (“The Way You Look Tonight”) and Matteo Guidicelli (“Can’t Help Falling In Love”).

The Galema star can sing, but he’s more known for his acting skills. As he led Kathryn to the entrance of the ballroom, he held out the mic to her and urged her to sing a few lines of his song. She obliged with part of the second verse before dissolving into giggles.

The guests leapt to their feet when the debutante glided into the ballroom. Most of the guests were seated by group— Kathryn’s fellow Goin’ Bulilit alums were together at one table and her Got to Believe family was at another.

Kathryn made sure to include her current and former Star Magic handlers in her 18 candles. (From left) Lulu Romero is her current handler and Cris Navarro wasALL Kathryn’s first V O L U M E TFC ACCESS handler when she joined Star Magic as a child actress.

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and whispered the lyrics to Sam (e.g. “It’s you, it’s you, you make me sing / You’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything”).

Shortly after Kathryn made her way to the stage and sat down, Robi introduced the escort—and who else would it be besides her perennial onscreen partner? As Daniel went to Kathryn’s side, Robi asked the Teen King to say a few words. An uncharacteristically shy Daniel laughed and declined: “Nakakahiya, ’wag na.” Robi looked like he wanted to poke fun at Daniel some more, but decided against it and went on with the program instead.

Dinner was served as Kathryn did a lap around the ballroom to greet her guests, stopping at each table to do so. When she saw her old friend Aria Clemente (who appeared in the 2010 remake of Mara Clara with Kathryn), she said, “Aria, ’wag kang umalis agad after the program, ha? Stay ka for the afterparty. Mag-enjoy tayo doon later.” The food was sumptuous—Kathryn worked closely with Juan Carlo Catering, her debut’s official caterer, to ensure her guests would love the food, and she succeeded.

The five-course meal, consisting of four appetizers, two plates for the main course and three desserts, made for happy tummies all around.

Robi had been told to keep the program going even while the guests were eating, and so somewhere between the first and second plates of the main course, he called the 18 roses to the stage. Robi didn’t let the moment pass without making another joke: “The men who will dance with the debutante

Kathryn’s past road managers delivered their message to the birthday girl together. Danilyn Nunga (left) joined Abigael and Nina, but it was Nina’s message that actually revealed the most about how Kathryn bonds with her road managers: “Never tayo naging seryoso mag-usap,” she giggled, which made Kathryn smile as well.

Marian Rivera’s message was sweet: “Parang kelan lang ikaw ’yung batang ako sa Endless Love.

Happy ako na marami kang natatanggap na blessings kasi mabait ka. Stay humble and nandito lang ako bilang Ate mo.”

Kathryn’s closest female friends in showbiz (from left to right: Miles Ocampo, Julia Montes, Aria Clemente and Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina) stepped up to the mic one after another. Aria talked about how long she’s known Kathryn while Direk Cathy joked: “Maraming beses na akong na-interview tungkol sa birthday mo and maraming message na rin ang nabigay ko, kaya panoorin mo na lang.”

During the 18 candles part of the program, Kathryn alternated between giggling and making sure her tears of joy didn’t ruin her makeup.

Kathryn’s sisters Chrysler (left) and Kaye (right) were among the last to give their messages to her during the 18 candles; but that didn’t matter. Their words left the debutante wiping away tears of joy even after they left the stage.

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will get to hold her hand, and maybe even give her a kiss—if Daniel will allow it.” No one tried to kiss the debutante, though. After Kathryn’s last dance with Daniel, Robi went around the ballroom and asked some of the guests to describe the debutante. ABS-CBN director Erick C. Salud, who has worked with Kathryn on episodes of Wansapanataym, said, “She’s simple yet beautiful. Ever since nakatrabaho ko siya nung bata pa siya, wala na siyang arte.”

Robi then went to Kathryn’s father, who took the opportunity to remind the debutante that although she is already of age, she will always be his baby. Robi said, “Daniel, para sa ’yo ’yun,” at which the guests laughed uproariously. As Robi returned to the stage, he said to Daniel, “DJ, complete the sentence: ‘Kathryn, ngayong 18 ka na, pwede ka nang mag-…’ ” As everyone in the ballroom waited eagerly to find out what Daniel would say, Robi posed the same question to Kathryn’s father and mother, who said the same thing: “Pwede ka nang mag-drive.” Robi tried to get Daniel to say something else, but Daniel just grinned and said, “Tito, turuan na natin si Kathryn mag-drive.” Robi decided to keep the program moving by calling the 18 candles to the stage, saying, “Tama na nga, baka mapagalitan pa ako dahil sa ginagawa ko.”

Like the 18 roses, the 18 candles were composed of people who Kathryn deemed had a big impact on her life. “Sa eighteen roses ko, more on ’yung mga nakasama ko sa Goin’ Bulilit, and sa very start ng buhay ko sa loob at labas ng showbiz. ’Yung eighteen candles kasama ’yung mga naging mentors ko, mga teachers ko dati, and of course ’yung mga showbiz and nonshowbiz friends ko,” she explains. “Bale ’yung eighteen treasures, sinama ko na sila sa candles para nga hindi masyadong mahaba ’yung program.”

The program ended with a bang—literally.

After the final toast to the debutante, the wiring of the sound system shortcircuited, sparking a small electrical fire which was put out fairly quickly. No one was hurt, fortunately, because by that time everyone had left the ballroom for the function room next door, where the afterparty was already in full swing.

When the cake (from Sugarbox Cakes) was lowered from the ceiling, Robi quipped, “Grabe naman ’yung cake ng debutante natin, may sparks pa. Hashtag ikaw na, Kath!” Before the debut, Kath said of the cake, “’Di ba kakaiba siya?

May nag-suggest din na parang baliktad na cake, pero sabi ko parang mas okay na isabit siya sa chandelier.”

special is sue

may 2014 VOL. 14 NO.2

Kathryn and Daniel were joined onstage by her family for the ceremonial toast.

While her father took the chance to send a message to Daniel, Kathryn thanked her parents and siblings for their love and support. There were barely any dry eyes left onstage after Kathryn was done.

To read the full feature, download the digital edition of StarStudio from www.zinio.com/ starstudio or the iTunes App Store

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AND CELEBRITY LIFESTYLE

her lavis

h ‘old hollywood’

debut party

an all-acces behind-the-sceness and look

a special celebrity lensmanpictorial with Mark Nicdao

her private life story

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as revealed by her family

daniel speaks

She’S 18!

sweet secrets he dares to tell

K at h ry n the teen q a l l- o u t b i u e e n ’ s r e xc l u s i v e t h day

rica’s bundle of joy

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• The glam gowns • The decor • The invite, setting and menu • Her fab looks • Who came with whom plus

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stephanie, chanel, danielle and sophie

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Daniel Padilla played the perfect gentleman on the evening of Kathryn’s debut, cementing their special friendship

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ong before any of the other details of Kathryn’s debut—like the cake, the gowns or the venue—were finalized, the identity of her escort was already set in stone. “Siyempre si Daniel (Padilla) po ang escort,” Kathryn told reporters at the Got to Believe finale presscon some weeks ago. “Pero walang official na ’yung tinatanong. ’Di ba officially tatanungin niya kung pwedeng maging escort? Parang automatic na. Kasi sa isang interview, tinatanong ako, siya na ’yung sumagot, ‘Oo naman, ako ’yung escort.’ Of course siya naman. Wala namang iba.”

He was the perfect choice. Daniel arrived at the venue long before Kathryn did and mingled with the guests until the debutante made her entrance. Later in the evening, Daniel and Kathryn danced together during the 18 roses ceremony. Daniel was her last dance—the honor of being her first went to her father Teddy—and, if the guests’ reaction to that particular moment was any indication, it was the most kilig, too.

When program host Robi Domingo called his name, Daniel appeared holding one of the crepe paper flowers that were used to decorate the stage. He held it out to Kathryn, but as the debutante reached for it, he tossed it aside and produced a single long-stemmed rose. Kathryn and Daniel moved together in unison to the beat of American Idol season eight champion Kris Allen’s version of the classic “The Way You Look Tonight.”

Every guy who danced with Kathryn during that portion of the program was given the same treatment—a montage of their photos set to a slow song with Kathryn played while they were onstage—but while the others used a maximum of two to four

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photos, Daniel got to stay onstage longer than any of them, staying until the “The Way You Look Tonight” ended. It took more gentle ribbing from the host to bring them both back to reality. “Tama na ’yan, ang haba na niyan,” Robi joked. “Ayaw niyo na ba bumaba ng stage?”

Kathryn has previously rated their closeness an eight out of 10, with 10 being the highest, and added that Daniel needs to prove himself worthy of the remaining two points. “Siyempre, hard work, patience and dapat ano siya, consistent—’pag nakikita mo na tuluy-tuloy siya—and of course pati ’yung perfect timing, para makuha niya ’yung two points,” she says.

Right now, Kathryn and Daniel are content with the “special friendship” they have now. Besides, she says Daniel has most of the qualities she’s looking for in a boyfriend. “Kung ’yun ang paguusapan natin ’yung qualities, pati ’yung effort na pinapakita niya ngayon, malaki talaga ’yung chance ni DJ kasi nakita ko na mabuting tao siya. Aside from ’yung pagiging gwapo niya, ’yung personality niya ’yung gusto ko.”

Kathryn’s perspective on love and relationships must make her parents happy—especially her father. After Kathryn’s birthday cake was lowered from the ceiling amidst a shower of golden sparks, she blew out the candles and returned to the stage for the final toast, during which Teddy raised his glass and told Kathryn to “enjoy your single blessedness.”

As the audience erupted in laughter, he nodded to Daniel and added, “Thank you for taking care of my daughter. So far, so good.”

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Daniel did everything in his power to make sure Kathryn would have a great time that night, from barely leaving her side throughout the program to singing the Beatles’ “Till There Was You” for her.

Daniel was visibly nervous about singing live in front of all the guests (he even joked, “Kinakabahan ako, ano ba ’yan!” at one point) but he did it for Kathryn.

All of this prompted Kathryn to Instagram a photo of them together after the debut, which she captioned simply, “Thank you @agentyellow. #kathryn18”

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Hope amidst Destruction

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tty. Gurfinkel by nature is a compassionate person. He is always ready to help others in need. That is why when he heard about the Sagip Kapamilya’s 48-hour telethon for Typhoon Yolanda victims in Redwood City, CA, he took time off from his busy schedule to join the efforts and answer phones. And in his words, helping our Kapamilyas in Tacloban was a humbling and fulfilling experience.

Atty. Gurfinkel’s dedication for our Kapamilyas in Tacloban did not end there. With the Citizen Pinoy crew, he flew to Tacloban in March 2014 to see for himself how people are slowly rebuilding their lives, months after the typhoon’s destruction. With the donations during the 48-hour telethon, Sagip Kapamilya built classrooms for children to continue their education and repaired dozens of boats for the fishermen to continue their livelihood.

In speaking with the locals, Atty.

Gurfinkel expressed his respect and admiration for their unwavering spirit, a characteristic known for many Filipinos.

The REO Brothers, Ralph, Raymart, RJ, & Reno are examples of how the people of Tacloban cope with misfortune. With only their guitars (the only possession that they were able to save), they endured a 2-day trip to Manila to rebuild their lives, with the hope of making a name in the world of music. Little did they know that it’s not just Manila they would reach but New York City as well.

When the Alvarez Foundation was organizing the Pinoy Relief Benefit Concert for Yolanda Victims in New York’s Madison Square Garden, they asked Atty. Gurfinkel to help the REO Brothers obtain entertainer visas, so they could perform. Atty. Gurfinkel gladly donated his services to help with the cause. Though their visas were initially refused, Atty. Gurfinkel was able to convince the US Embassy to reconsider and to give the REO Brothers a second interview, at which time their visas were approved. The REO brothers not only performed, but through them, they helped in raising funds for their Kababayans.

ATTY. GURFINKEL WITH THE TACLOBAN FISHERMEN. Atty. Gurfinkel as he tried the boat donated

by Sagip Kapamilya.

Amidst all the struggles and the losses, what everyone gained was a sense of unity, of brotherhood. When one Kapamilya is down, another extends a hand and is always ready to help. This is what Atty. Gurfinkel and Citizen Pinoy’s mission is—to assist and give hope for our many Kapamilyas—to let them know that we are here to stand by them.

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Is love really lovelier the second time around? No one knows the answer to that question better than Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano who are starring a sequel to their own real-life love story

By Rome Jorge With additional interviews by Francis Simeon Main photography by Allan Sancon

Angel Locsin shows her affection on the season finale of Minute to Win It television game show that Luis Manzano hosted. Aired on February 29, the show had Angel saying yes to Luis, making them officially a couple.

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t was a scene straight out of a romance blockbuster movie like Notting Hill. At a press conference, a normally private and circumspect superstar, with all the media’s attention focused on her, throws caution to the wind, takes a leap of faith, and boldly professes love for a man who had previously broken her heart.

But instead of the Hollywood movie’s fictional Anna Scott, it was the Philippines’ own real-life acclaimed actress Angel Locsin, at the press conference for the premiere of the controversial TV drama The Legal Wife on January 15, confessing her love for then-ex-boyfriend and fellow celebrity Luis Manzano before a multitude of glaring video camera lights, blinking photo flashes, flabbergasted faces, and dropped jaws.

Reacting to interview questions, Angel confessed her undying feelings for Luis despite nearly five years of separation, answering, “Oo, mahal, mahal naman. Andyan ’yung love, hindi naman nawala eh.”

Just a girl

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For a moment, life froze, the world gasped, and people saw Angel not as a superstar, or a fantasy heroine like Darna or Mulawin’s Alwina, or The Legal Wife’s scorned spouse Monica Santiago-de Villa. They saw her as a woman, vulnerable and candid.

And just to anchor people back to the reality of the moment, Angel continued her answer: “...pero hindi naman ibig 2

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sabihin noon eh magiging kayo ulit o magkakabalikan kayo, di ba? Kasi kailangan pag-usapan muna ang napakaraming pinagdaanan namin.”

Unlike in romance movies that are quick to cut to happy endings, Angel anticipated possible negative reactions, saying, “Alam kong marami ang magre-react dito sa sinabi ko pero pasensiya na kayo, ayaw ko lang magsinungaling,” and “Ganyan talaga. Siguro gusto ko nang magalit sa akin ang mga tao kaysa lokohin ko, di ba? Mas konsensiya ko naman ’yon. So pasensiya na. Gusto ko lang maging honest. Importante lang talaga.”

She even took the time to dispel rumors that she intentionally broke up with her most recent ex-boyfriend Phil Younghusband, whom she went out with for two years, to be with Luis again. “Hindi po talaga, sobrang hindi.

Si Phil, ilabas natin sa usapan pero masasabi ko honestly na wala kaming usap kahit text ni [Luis] at masasabi ko minahal ko ’yung tao [Phil] talaga.

Walang panlolokong involved. Siguro habang tumatagal parang nare-realize mo ’yung pagkakamali,” she said.

“For the longest time, hindi talaga kami nag-uusap [Luis]. Iniiwasan talaga namin ang isa’t isa for two or three years. So walang makakapagsabi na naglalandian kami, kasi nagiiwasan talaga kami ng napakahabang panahon,” she added.

Angel explained that she and Luis were still working out their differences.

But she nonetheless openly expressed hope that she and Luis would get back

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together again. “Sana kasi wala naman akong ibang makita.”

“Kailangan pag-usapan muna ang napakaraming pinagdaanan namin…depende ’yun sa amin kung magiging okay kami ulit,” she said before becoming too teary-eyed to continue.

In a world where people fear rejection above all and old conventions expect women to be at the mercy of a man’s romantic initiative or lack thereof, Angel’s forthright profession of love as well as her courage and wisdom to seize the opportunity before the eyes of the world was both admirable and exemplary.

Only a fool, a chauvinist, and someone unworthy of such a brave woman’s love would think less of her for being so honest and so bold.

Thankfully for the both of them, Luis immediately stepped up, visited Angel that very The lovely couple cozy up to each other at Chili’s restaurant for day in her dressing room, and a photo posted by Luis on his Instagram account on April 12. His answered her declaration with caption for the photo read: “Finally spending time with the beautiful girlfriend @therealangellocsin! Days don’t get any better than this. his own. “We’re slowly talking and naging magkamukha na ata kami ha!! Good for me then.” again so sana, kung pupunta du’n sa patching things up and maybe rekindling,” he promptly responded.

She also addressed speculation Real-life drama Luis sent a text message to StarStudio that her emotional confession was a Luis also took the time to quash rumors magazine’s Liaison Editor Francis publicity stunt for The Legal Wife. that he and Angel had been seeing one Simeon which read, “It leaves me so Angel said, “I’m sorry kung nagkaroon another while in relationships with happy na after more than 2 years of no ako ng medyo emotional episodes other people. It was in October last year communication we found each other kanina, pasensya na po, nagulat din that both Angel and Luis broke up with again :)” naman ho ako sa sarili ko, at hindi their exes, Phil Younghusband and That very night, Angel took time to ko po sinasadya ’yon. Siguro ayoko Jennylyn Mercado, respectively. do an interview with DZMM’s Ahwel lang po magpaka-ipokrita. Kagaya “How is that even possible? For three Paz and Jobert Sucaldito on the radio ng sinabi ko, ‘Hindi mo naman years na walang text, walang kahit ano. program Mismo. “Hindi niya alam maitatago ’yung nararamdaman In fact, Angel was even scared to see me kung ano ’yung lumabas. Nagulat siya. mo eh.’ Kung ito talaga ’yung for the first time kasi iniisip niya, there’s Kanina po, dumalaw siya after no’n, sa nararamdaman mo, eh mahal mo eh.” so much negativity between us. That’s dressing room habang naghihintay,” why we also didn’t want to see each she recounted. other. Naiisip namin, kapag nagkita kami, it would bridge negativity. We were in that stage. So, how could I be the reason of their breakup, and how could she be the reason of my breakup?” he testified. He also emphatically denied that Angel was the reason for his breakup with Jennylyn.

“Hell no,” he exclaimed.

For her part, Jennylyn has stated that she is moving on and would rather busy herself with work. On the other

Oo, mahal, mahal naman.

Andyan yung love, hindi naman nawala eh.”

— Angel on how she felt about Luis

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would send a birthday greeting... I guess we simply continued where we left off after the first relationship.

That’s why we still have that bond, we still have that relationship,” he explains.

Makings of a sequel

To fully understand how their love has been rekindled, it is important to appreciate the long and curious path that Luis and Angel took that led

Childhood photos of Angel and Luis, Childhood photos of on Angel and29, Luis, posted on Instagram March posted on Instagram on March captioned with their pet names 29, for one captioned with&their pet names for one another: “Kiti Kulet” another: “Kiti & Kulet”

hand, Angel’s ex-boyfriend Phil denied he was the one who got Denisse Oca (daughter of character actress Melissa Mendez) pregnant, or that domestic issues or money matters were the cause of their breakup, while still professing his continuing love for Angel.

Since then, Luis and Angel have gotten back together as a couple, and in the process, have become dramatically more open, more loving, and more tender.

Having matured much since they broke up nearly five years ago, they are now much more a part of each other’s lives. On Instagram, they often post picture of themselves kissing and hugging as well as photos of Luis giving Angel a bouquet of scarlet roses for Valentine’s Day on the set of The Legal Wife and Angel even guesting on Minute to Win It, the local franchise of the television game show that Luis used to host. Most heartwarming of all are the photographs of Luis at Angel’s family reunion and of Angel together with Luis’ mother, Star for All Seasons and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, his stepfather Senator Ralph Recto, and his stepbrother Ryan Christian Recto.

In an interview with StarStudio, Luis confirmed that Angel gets his mother’s vote. “Oo naman, that’s why I could watch them on their own, I was stepping back, I was talking to Ryan (his younger brother Ryan Christian) while they were having a girls’ moment.”

He also has the approval of Angel’s family. “I was always in touch with the ate. Even nu’ng birthday ni Tito (Angel’s father Angelo Colmenares) I 26

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Born Luis Philippe Santos Manzano on April 21, 1981, he is certified showbiz royalty. Besides having no less than Vilma for his mother, his father is none other than veteran movie actor, television host and former Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman Edu Manzano. Even before they first saw him, the public had long heard of Luis. In the 1980s, Vilma would always end her weekly evening variety show with the words, “I love you Lucky,” calling Luis by his nickname. Luis’ parents Vilma and Edu married in 1980 but separated in 1982. His mother remarried Senator Ralph Recto in 1992.

Christened Angelica Locsin Colmenares in Bulacan on April 23,

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1985 to Angelo and Emma Colmenares, Angel bears an even more royal lineage.

Though born to the Christian faith, Angel (according to abs-cbnnews.com) has for a maternal grandfather one of the 15 sultanates in Lanao del Sur, making her part of the royal family of Marawi City. Royal blood however did not mean royal wealth. Angel grew up living a simple life. Like Luis, Angel’s parents also separated. At 14 years of age, she had to leave her mother and live with her father, who lost his eyesight when she was 19.

Angel has been careful to keep her family, especially her mother, out of public scrutiny and protect her kin from intrigue. In contrast, Luis’ family, steeped in both politics and entertainment, savvily engages the press.

Angel and Luis were first seen by the public together in 2008 when Angel switched networks and was introduced

by ABS-CBN as its latest addition to its roster of superstars on the noontime variety show ASAP with Luis by her side. But the couple back then was secretive, and gave nothing away to the public or the press. Without publicly confirming their status, Luis and Angel ended their romance in 2009, again without any explanation. There were reports that Luis attempted to woo her back in 2011 but nothing came of it.

Dimples Romana—actress, longtime friend of Luis Manzano and best friend of Angel Locsin who she first met on the Luis Manzano and Angel Locsin at her brother Angelo Colmenares Jr.’s post-graduation celebration. At the center is Angelo Colmenares Sr., Angel’s father.

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set of fantasy television series Lobo— recalls how devastated Angel was when the couple broke up. “Si Angel, lagi ’yan very reserved. She’s very strong. But it was clear she was very sad. Mahal na mahal talaga niya si Luis,” she recalls.

Comedian and host Vhong Navarro, who is close to both Luis and Angel, notes that Luis back then was much a much less expressive and open person. But Luis had his reasons.

Vhong explains, “Medyo mahirap kasi ’yung stage na ’yon e, that time kasi parang kakapasok lang ni Angel dito sa ABS alam ko parang may hindi pa ata pwedeng gawin so mahirap ’yung pinagdaanan nila ’yung first. Si Luis kasi gusto niya ’yung siguradongsigurado siya. Maganda naman kasi ’yung ganon e. ’Yan pag in love, ’yan talagang pinagmamalaki niya sa buong mundo. ’Yun ang nakaka-proud sa kaibigan nating si Luis, si may labs naman si Angel ay proud din ’pag in love.”

The contrast between them as a couple before and now is remarkable.

Billy Crawford, Luis’s close friend and co-host in Philippines Got Talent, notes, “It’s a new beginning for him. I think mas vocal and mas demonstrative si Luis ngayon.” Billy also opines that it was also a matter of timing. “He was single and so is she. And I think when the time was exactly right and perfect, they both mutually felt that they would belong to each other and then they just went with the flow.”

Dimples expresses the joy that the couples’ friends all feel with their reunion. “Natutuwa ako that they found each other again. They seem so inspired. Love really is sweeter the second time around.”

Vhong also recalls them visiting during his time of crisis immediately after he was allegedly mauled. “Nakita kong bagay na bagay talaga sila at isa sa hindi ko makalimutang araw ay ’yung first time ko silang makitang magkasama ay ’yung binisita nila ako sa hospital that time,” he recalls.

Luis himself agrees. In a press conference in March, he revealed, “She texts paggising niya or when she gets home. Before, wala eh. Right now, she exerts more effort. It’s really the smallest things that count in our relationship.

We talk. If there’s any issue, we talk beforehand. Before we act, we talk.

We’re sweeter. She’s always good,” he

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I want it when she’s vulnerable. That’s when I’ll pop the big question.”

-Luis on when he plans to ask Angel to marry him

reveals, adding, “’Yung first part of the relationship, I was more romantic. But now, humahabol siya. It’s one of the things I was open to her about. I am more showy eh.”

More importantly, the couple communicates more openly now. “We had a conversation about our previous love story and we cleared all the issues out. At least now she knows what I want, what I’m expecting at the same time I know what she wants so I guess with everything ironed out it’s gonna be smooth sailing for this next chapter in our love story,” Luis shares.

Forever after

The two are also more mature in their perspective now . When asked about marriage, Luis himself squarely confronts the issue: “Engagement, maybe yes. Marriage, I still wanna do some things. I still want to make more money, to be perfectly honest. For

example, I have this idea of a good life that I want to give my soon-to-be family.

With my current income, I could give a good life for, you know, maybe three, five years? But once you have children it’s a different topic. We’ll start sending them to school they have their expenses I have this notion of a life I want to give my family and with the way things are I still want to work for that life. I still have to work for that life.”

Luis even openly talks about proposing. He confides, “If there’s one person who’s gonna find out first, definitely it’s gonna be my soon-to-be fiancée ‘cause right now it’s hard to give any teasers. I don’t want to put all the guards up. para sa akin I want it when she’s vulnerable that’s when I’ll pop the big question.”

— With additional research by Yen Tuquero, Kay Geronimo and Rhadsley Inguillo

t h e

To read the full feature, download the digital edition of StarStudio from www.zinio.com/ starstudio or the iTunes App Store

l o v e

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YOUR BEST SOURCE OF

juNe 2014 VOL. 14 NO. 3

AND CELEBRITY LIFESTYLE

Echo & kim • luis kris & hErbE&rtANgEl

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storiEs From tales of heartbreak, a rekindled romance, promise of forever, to a exclusive details StarStudio gives you the freshest of this season’s most controversial celebrity love affairs mEEt LoLa lANi’s apo!

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left for the states—and why she’s back

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Photo by CHUCK GOMEZ

TWO FREE-SPIRITED, BEACH-LOVING PEOPLE RIDE THE WAVES OF LOVE IN A CEREMONY THAT CELEBRATES EVERYTHING THEY ARE AND THE FUTURE THEY WILL HAVE TOGETHER. STARSTUDIO RECOUNTS THE STORY OF WHAT HAPPENED WHEN ACTOR-SINGER JERICHO ROSALES MET TV HOST AND MODEL KIMBERLY CAMILLA JONES, HOW SPARKS FLEW, AND SHOWED THAT IT’S POSSIBLE TO FIND LOVE THAT IS, AS THE GROOM PUT IT, JUST LIKE HIS BRIDE—“MORE THAN PERFECT”

By Tinna S. Bonifacio

With additional interviews by Francis Simeon

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A NEW START. Kim and Echo immediately after their wedding in an interview, the groom said: “I just wanna thank God that desidido ako to have this kind of life, to share my life with someone, and I have this joy. Masaya kaming dalawa. I just wanna remind myself that great things are ahead. I wanna make Kim happy. I want her to feel secure. I want to be faithful and stuff. My mission in life is to make her happy.”

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ronically, the first time Jericho Rosales met Kim Jones, it didn’t come at an auspicious time in his life. If there’s anything he remembers about it, it’s that he was ready to write off romance, put his career on hold and move half an ocean away to New York.

The actor, who had been in several high-profile relationships over the years—his past girlfriends have included former screen partner Kristine Hermosa, commercial model and actress Cindy Kurleto, broadcaster Cesca Litton and actress Heart Evangelista— also had a son with a non-showbiz girl and had just about hit the quota for romantic attachments. Career-wise, he was also at a crossroads, thinking of going abroad and maybe taking a Film course. “That was the time when I just wanted to give up already,” he recalled to Martin Nievera during a guesting on the latter’s talk show in April last year. “Sobrang dami ng rock-n-roll na nangyari sa akin dito. I wanna try New York.”

When a friend suggested he might want to consider dating again, Jericho replied that he was not interested. “No, I’m done,” he replied. “I don’t want to do it anymore.” The friend, makeup artist Effie Go—sister of Denise Go-Ochoa, also a makeup artist and wife of actor Dominic Ochoa—had someone in mind and thought to add: “But she looks like Katy Perry!”

First date

The girl Effie was suggesting he date was Kimberly Camilla Jones.

The Filipino-British TV host was born in England but migrated to Australia, where she grew up sheltered by her family. Eventually, Kim, then 22 and wanting to be more independent, followed her brother to the Philippines. Here, she found a job as a VJ on the youth-oriented lifestyle channel ETC where Patti Grandidge became one of her friends.

Patti, 27, moved to Manila in 2010. Like Kim, she is FilipinoBritish. “We met on our first day of taping for season one of ETC. We had never met before. We met for the first time in the hair and makeup room, and we literally were chatting the whole time.

We just couldn’t stop talking! Kim is so bubbly and friendly, and I think we fell into a close friendship because neither of us had lived in Manila before. We didn’t grow up here, and we were both figuring out work, our love lives, and our careers. This whole Manila experience was unfolding for us at the same time.”

If Kim was the product of a mix of cultures, Jericho was, and is, very Pinoy. The product of a broken home, he grew up amid humble beginnings; at age 11, he sold fish in the market to help augment the family income. They also moved around a lot. ““I

went to five schools in elementary. I had no permanent school so I had no permanent friends. My parents are separated and I stayed with my mom. My mom had to keep moving, from Baguio to Manila to Marikina to Bicol. I was super shy when I was a kid. I was so quiet in school, always daydreaming,” he admitted to blogger, TV host and The Philippine STAR columnist Bianca Gonzalez.

Effie knew how Jericho, or Echo felt, but she persuaded him to reconsider.

“He was reluctant to go out on a date because of what he’d been through with his past relationships,” says Effie. He said, ‘Ayoko na ng date-date. Pagod na ako’. It was during a TVC shoot we did together in 2011 that I thought of setting them up. My thought that time was, ‘He’s single’ and in the stage of having fun and hanging out with friends all the time. I was hanging out frequently with Kim too, and I just said to myself, ‘Why not introduce him to Kim?’ Naisip ko pa na Kim doesn’t have a lot of friends and relatives here. She has her half-brother and her niece, but that’s it.”

Effie went back and asked, “So you’re not dating anyone?”

Echo said, “No.” Effie offered: “I have a friend that you might like to hang out with. She’s a model, I did her makeup twice na for commercials.’ No pressure, just hang out with her. In fact, let’s all hang out together. Don’t think of it as a blind date, just friends having fun. I said, ‘She’s from Australia, but half-British and halfFilipino. She’s new here and she doesn’t know a lot of people yet.’

Echo asked what she looks like, and that’s when I said, ‘She has Katy Perry eyes’.”

On hearing that, says Effie, “his face kinda changed from a hesitant ‘hmmmm…’ to a more positive kind of ‘hmmm….’ Then he goes, ‘Can I see a pic?’ I told him I would send him the link of our TVC when I got home. Then I said, ‘Just think about it and let me know. We can just hang out, and you don’t even have to come with us next time.’”

Several hours after Effie sent the link, Echo texted back, obviously excited. “Sabi ko, ‘Woah!’” Echo tells StarStudio. “I found her—talagang the word is ‘beautiful’. To Effie, he texted: “Sige, let’s go out!!”

Meanwhile, Kim had no idea who Echo was. Effie had to help her. “I fed her some stuff about him. ‘He’s my age, and I’ve known him for quite a long time already. By the way, he’s an actor.’ I didn’t tell her yet how famous he is and that he is one of Manila’s eligible celebrity bachelors. I said, ‘He knows that actor that you went out on a few dates with, etc., etc.’ Then she asked what he looks like too. So I Googled some pictures of him on my phone and showed them to her. She was kind of deadma at first, maybe because she was already seeing someone—I don’t know—but she didn’t look that interested to meet him. But like I said, Kim that time was game for fun and just hanging out, so she said, ‘Okay, let’s hang out.’”

Once both had agreed to meet up, the chase was on. The first meeting happened at Burgoo Restaurant in Rockwell, Makati City, where they had dinner with Denise and Dominic and their two Cebu-based pamangkins Annika and Isaac who were vacationing in Manila and staying with the Ochoas. Effie asked her sister and brother-in-law to come along “because I didn’t want to be a third wheel, and in case they both ended up talking to each other lang,

Photos from the Instagram accounts of BIANCA BALBUENA, CONNIE REYES, BORACAY WEDDINGS, GAB VALENCIANO, GIDEON HERMOSA, MARVIN GERMO, MEL NOCHE, YVONNE GERMO, ACE AQUINO, JAY R, JANNOFFICIAL, RJ DELA FUENTE AND VANIA ROMOFF Special thanks to JED MADELA

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Echo and Kim said their I do’s at a romantic, airy and breezy beachside wedding at the Alon Garden of ShangriLa in the afternoon, just as the sun was exploding brilliant colors over the Boracay sky

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bout 15 minutes to 4PM on May 1, guests at the wedding of Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones were asked to were asked to start assembling in the resort hotel’s Alon Garden. The couple, who started planning for their big day eight months before, chose the garden because it afforded a view of the brilliant Boracay sunset.

“Kim loves sunsets,” says their wedding coordinator, Amanda Tirol of Amanda Tirol’s Boracay Weddings and Events. According to Amanda, the couple preferred an afternoon ceremony so they could have photos taken just as the sun was setting. Everything was timed perfectly to achieve what Echo and Kim wanted on their special day.

They chose a “beach glam” theme. At one of their endorsement gigs last January, Echo and Kim spoke to reporters about their wedding. It was the first time they revealed that they were planning on a Boracay wedding in May. “We really wanted a beach wedding,” said Kim. “Honestly, we wouldn’t have imagined any other wedding.

We’re both beach people; I am from Australia (which has a 50,000 kilometer-long coastline and numerous beaches) and he grew up surfing. So, it just fits. I don’t think it was a question for us to pick. It just has to be around water. We had to have that vibe.”

But not a surf spot, Echo said. “No, when it comes to the wedding,” interjected Kim. “Kasi yung friends namin, lahat, surfers eh. Nilayo namin sa beach na may alon.”

The couple worked closely with their event stylist Gideon Hermosa to incorporate surfing into the set-up. “This (beach glam theme) was something the couple came up with and they wanted to have little things of what they both loved.

Kim knew exactly what she wanted, and told the event stylist, who put them all together and showed her the pegs for them to approve.”

As early as 10PM on the eve of the wedding, Amanda, Gideon and their teams went to work, setting up the venue and getting it ready. They completed the job just a few minutes before the ceremony began at 4:30PM. Aside from the couple’s first kiss at the altar, the other highlight was their wedding vows. “They were so meaningful and funny at the same time,” shares Amanda. “The words uttered were very touching and loving. It would make you fall in love all over again. It was very solemn yet very warm.”

The whole thing lasted for an hour and 20 minutes, and was officiated by Pastor Joe Obordo from New Life, who was also a ninong of the couple. Cocktails followed straight after, and the reception, hosted by Echo and Kim’s friends Tin Magsaysay Matic and Kiddo Cosio, began shortly before 7:30 PM. Ultimately, says Amanda, the Echo-Kim wedding “was one of the best weddings we have had in the island.

Everything they did from the pre-wedding showed what they love doing and how they are as a couple.”

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Banners fluttered gently in Boracay’s afternoon breeze as Echo and Kim exchanged their “I do’s” at the Alon (the Tagalog word for ‘wave’) Garden of the Shangri-La Boracay Resort. Since bride and groom are both surfers, surfboards (middle left) were incorporated into the wedding set-up. Pastel colors were also used not just for the décor, but also for the invitations (middle right). To complete the look, event stylist Gideon Hermosa also suggested that they include a backdrop of a surfboard with Kim and Echo’s love letters to each other. (Above left photo) By the time Kim emerged for her walk down the aisle on the arm of her brother Apollo, the sun was casting a soft glow on her face. When it was time for Echo and Kim’s first kiss as husband and wife (Above right photo)—captured by excited guests with their camera phones and sent out over social media, the sun was beginning to set.

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I would have them to talk to also. I didn’t want to just listen to both of them,” she laughs. “It was a good idea because it was kind of awkward at first. Kim and Echo were talking, but just about trivial things. That time, the connection wasn’t there yet, but dinner was still great.”

Echo shared his recollection of that first meeting during his Martin Late @ Night guesting. “I went there, nag-meet kami sa mall, and we didn’t know na may mga kids na kasama,” Jericho recounted. “It was so cute kasi parang first date namin, first meeting namin, may mga kids. Parang children’s party.”

When they finally met face-to-face, not only was Echo taken

by Kim’s looks and Katy Perry eyes, but he was impressed by how intelligent she sounded. “Nu’ng first time ko siyang nakausap, that really attracted me to her. Sabi ko, ‘Wow, this girl makes a lot of sense.’”

However, he spent most of that evening just staring at her, and it wasn’t just because of her looks. “I remember not being able to understand her,” laughs Echo. “Kumbaga, nahirapan ako sa accent niya; ang kapal ng Australian accent niya, so mostly nakikinig lang ako.” Kim also didn’t get what she called his “Pinoy jokes”.

After the dinner at Burgoo, Echo asked if they had plans to grab after-dinner drinks. Effie said yes, and that they were going to the Bowler Resto-Bar in Salcedo Village, Makati. “Okay, let’s go there,” said Echo. But first, Effie had to pick up another friend who lived nearby. Because she didn’t want Echo to be alone on the way to Bowler, she asked Kim to ride with Echo in his car. “I let her ride with him so they could chat some more. At first, Kim was like, ‘Uh, why do I have to ride with him?’ Obviously she didn’t want to. Echo was like, ‘I promise to keep my hands to myself. You’re safe with me’, stuff like that.”

They drove in a convoy to the bar, the same place where Echo famously accidentally spilled some of his beer on Kim’s dress. It wasn’t the most promising of beginnings. “Natapunan ko siya, and then that’s it. Our first date was the last for about two months.

Isang date lang, tapos di na kami nagkita ulit until after, ‘yun nga, mga two months. Nag-hang out kami with friends pa rin. Basically nagkaroon kami ng mga eight to 10 months na getting to know each other,” recalls the actor.

After that Burgoo ‘date’, Effie drove Kim home. On the way there, she asked Kim what she thought of Echo. “She said, ‘He’s just ok.

He’s nice, that’s it.’” A few days later, Echo texted Effie and asked if Kim wanted to watch a movie with him. “I texted Kim, and she said ‘No, I’m not really interested. But you guys have fun!’ That’s when I

realized Echo had been ‘friend-zoned’. I was like, ‘Oh man, how am I going to tell Echo?’ I felt embarrassed,” recalls Effie. “I just texted him back and told him, ‘My project DATE-abase failed.”

Echo wanted to see more of Kim, but to keep busy in the meantime, he pushed ahead with his plans of going to New York to study and also took on a few projects. Meanwhile, Kim and Effie continued hanging out.

Two months after that first date at Burgoo, at one dinner, Kim asked Effie: “How is Echo? Text him, tell him ‘let’s hang out again.’

I guess things didn’t work out with the guy she was hanging out with.”

When they started hanging out again, both took the time to really get to know each other. Echo discovered a lot of things he liked about her, such as her love of music.

“She was very cool; she was heavily into indie (independentlyproduced) music. Naaalala ko, ‘yung music ko sa collection ko, sobrang mga luma. Sabi niya sa akin, ‘Bigyan nga kita ng music kasi bulok na music mo’, parang ganu’n. At saka ‘yung mga songs na sumikat dito sa atin, ‘yung mga ngayon lang sumikat, two years ago pinapakinggan na niya. Ganu’n siya ka-advanced kasi fina-follow niya mga plugs about new bands. She also likes playing the guitar. So music was something that we shared sa mga first dates namin. (She was) very hip, very classy, very intelligent, very nice, ang sarap kausap, and we clicked on the first day. That’s why nag-hope ako na magkikita ulit kami, pero di agad nangyari, kaya parang na-frustrate ako.”

But time couldn’t stand in the way of two people meant to be together—and the more time Echo and Kim spent in each other’s company, the more things they discovered they liked about each other. Kim also began to miss his friendship.

Then the inevitable happened. On an out-of-town trip in October 2011, they became an official couple.

Recalls Echo. “I remember sinagot niya ako, meron akong gig sa Baler (located in Aurora, Quezon, it is one of the country’s prime surfing destinations and a popular vacation spot for avid surfers like Echo) with Paolo Valenciano’s band Salamin, they backed me up and then when it was the other band’s turn (to play), du’n ko siya tinanong.”

Kim’s answer was, of course, a resounding yes.

Getting serious

Echo and Kim’s relationship developed quickly. The two were drawn together by a mutual love of music and sports, particularly

THE OUTFITS

The newlyweds, who are both surfing enthusiasts, stun in their beach-perfect wedding attires BEACH GODDESS Kim was a gorgeous bride in her easy, light, and frothy wedding gown by Vania Romoff.

Made of pure silk chiffon and French lace, it features a sweetheart neckline and a thighhigh slit. Making the gown more romantic are details of imported French lace hand-cut and hand-sewn on the bodice and the hem. The whole gown is made up of about 28 yards of tulle and 20 yards of silk chiffon. Kim wore this gown from ceremony to reception. Kim’s hair was styled into mermaid waves at the ceremony and later tied into a rope braid bun at the reception, revealing the sexy bare-back

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style of her gown. “It was a breeze working with her. She’s one of the easiest and most kind-hearted women I have worked with,” Vania told StarStudio.

KING OF THE WAVES Sticking to the beach glam theme of their wedding, Jericho wore a beige or sand-hued suit with a white inner button-down polo by Francis Libiran. Smart yet effortlessly stylish,

the outfit looked great on the handsome groom. Come reception time, he dropped the coat for a quirky-looking vest in the same nature-inspired TFC ALL hue.—Grace ACCESS VLibero O L U M E 2 • I S S U E 3

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SPECIAL PEOPLE The Echo-Kim wedding was a private, exclusive affair that gathered the couple’s nearest and dearest as guests, which was just the way they wanted it Echo with his groomsmen, including (extreme left) Gab Valenciano, who took time off from his studies in the United States to attend the wedding (and fulfill other showbiz commitments in Manila). Also among the groomsmen were Gab’s older brother Paolo (second from right) and Echo’s friend Dohn Cerenado (second from left). Dohn and Echo used to be in a band together called Jeans, which put out one album for EMI Philippines some years back. They still jam and make music together occasionally.

Kim also had her own posse at the wedding. Among her bridesmaids were Sam Valenciano, Paolo’s wife (extreme right). Kim is now officially a Genesis artist and so is Echo is—which is why she became close friends with so many people connected to the agency, including Sam.

As the day wound down, the newly-minted husband and wife made sure to pose for a souvenir shot with their principal sponsors, which included Genesis’ Marinez Elizalde and Angeli PangilinanValenciano (extreme left and third from left, respectively), Coney Reyes (second from left), Star Magic head honcho Johnny Manahan (fourth from right) and Gary Valenciano.

Coney Reyes and Jericho first met in 1999, on the set of the family drama Ang Munting Paraiso. The show ran for three years on the Kapamilya network and marked Coney’s return to TV screens after Coney Reyes on Camera. Before the ceremony began, Coney shared a light moment with Angeli, which they documented with a selfie.

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R&B singer Jay-R (left)—here with WCOPA (World Championships of the Performing Arts) Hall of Famer Jed Madela (right)—were among the few celebrities who attended Echo and Kim’s special day. Jay-R mingled freely with the other guests and spent a lot of time with his girlfriend (not in photo), who was part of the wedding party.

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erhaps one of the most touching moments in the wedding of Echo and Kim was seeing his parents Santiago and Rosario, who separated when he was younger, come together for this special occasion in his life.

All the other wedding guests, including the Valenciano family—Gary, wife Angeli (who was a ninang), brothers Paolo and Gabriel (both groomsmen), Paolo’s wife Samantha (a bridesmaid) and Gary and Angeli’s only daughter Kiana (also part of the bride’s entourage)—were there because the couple wanted them there. Every name on the guest list was there for a reason.

Some people who were invited, like Piolo Pascual, reportedly could not make it because of the inability to book a flight to the island. Flights and hotels were full, because on the same day as Kim and Echo’s wedding, there was a big party going on in Boracay to coincide with the May 1 Labor Day weekend. Called Laboracay (as in “Labor Day in Boracay”) it featured several performers, including DJ Steve Aoki (an American electro house musican and Grammy-nominated record producer), who flew in especially for the event.

Somehow, Echo and Kim succeeded in keeping their big day private with the special people in their lives.

That was the way they had wanted it from the very beginning of their relationship. “We tried to keep it (the relationship), kumbaga, below the radar,” explains Echo to StarStudio. “Di ko masyadong hinayaan na ma-hype.

Because lahat ng relationships ko di ba, high-profile and I said this one is different? Sabi ko, hayaan ko mag-grow naturally na hindi ini-involve ‘yung press or ibang tao or fans, alam mo ‘yun? Even the wedding, di ba, di namin pinili na maging highly-publicized ‘yun because we wanted our relationship to be an inspiring relationship na hindi napuno ng perception. We wanted it to grow naturally like a real relationship, and we wanted to enjoy that feeling na hindi siya ipinanganak sa newspapers.”

A StarStudio source says of the May 1 wedding, “They really wanted to keep it low-key.” There were only a few celebrity guests present, including Iya Villania and Donita Rose. R & B prince Jay-R was also there because his current girlfriend was one of Kim’s bridesmaids.

Other members of Echo’s Manila Genesis family were joined by people from ABS-CBN, where the groom currently appears in the primetime series The Legal Wife.

One member of Echo’s family who was not present was his son Santino, nicknamed Saint. Kim said in her wedding vows: “Even though he isn’t here today, when God says the time is right for Saint to come into our lives, I’m going to be there for him as well. He’s my family ‘cause he’s family.”

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water sports. Echo, an avid surfer, taught Kim how to ride the waves.

More important was that little by little, things were happening that told their friends the relationship was becoming potentially serious and was heading toward marriage. For Effie, that was when Kim started going with Echo to church. Patti, for her part, recalls that more than once, at work, Kim would talk about “a guy” that Patti eventually learned was Echo.

“She would tell me how he made her so happy, and they would have so much fun. We would have really long taping days, and he would text her (sweet messages) like, ‘I can’t wait to see you later, or ‘You guys will be fine. Do a good job.’ He was always a very thoughtful guy. One time he showed up at one of our shoots with a cooler of ice cream for everyone because it was so hot, and Kim had no idea he was coming. He was really sweet. Kim naman would get so kilig.”

But it was the little conversations they had that told Patti there was something deeper and more serious to Echo and Kim’s relationship than just the usual kilig. Their conversations started verging on more serious topics. “Before both of us even got engaged, we would talk about weddings, rings, how excited we were about marriage, and to be married,” says Patti. “We were like these crazy girls.”

Echo was having these conversations with nearly everyone who knew them and who was significant to their lives. He also talked to Dominic (who was his batchmate in Star Circle Batch 4). Dominic remembers a phone call that Echo made to him early last year— around January or February—during which he wanted to talk about married life. “I would even give him advice on handling his finances because that’s part of it,” recalls Dominic. “I told him, ‘You have to lessen your expenses.’”

On one double-date with Patti and her husband, DJ Jon Herrera to Sunshine Kitchen (a restaurant in The Fort) before Kim and Echo were engaged, Kim got up to go to the bathroom and left Echo behind at the table with Patti and Jon. As soon as Kim was out of sight, Echo began asking questions. “He asked us, ‘How is it like being married? How do you guys feel? Is there a difference (once you’re married)? That was when I knew, this guy is thinking of it (proposing). He’s going to ask the question,” says Patti.

He did, on Kim’s 26th birthday in August last year during a church service in Alabang. It wasn’t a spur of the moment decision, Echo told The Buzz host Boy Abunda during a taped television interview in August 2013.

According to Echo, he had been thinking about proposing four months before he actually did it.

“Four months ago. That’s when I thought about the proposal.

Sabi ko, ‘I need to buy the ring.’ Yung mga previous trips ko to the US, naghahanap na ako ng singsing nu’n,” says Echo. “Then, a few months ago, I started praying about it. I said, ‘Lord, ready na ako.

When do I propose?’ Kasi tinanong ko, sa birthday ko, ‘What do I want for my birthday?’ and the first thing that came to mind was ‘I want a wife.’”

Several days before Kim’s August 4 birthday, he asked her the same question. “Sa birthday niya naman, parang sabi ko, ‘Babe, what do you want for your birthday?’” Kim’s reply was short and sweet. “It’s okay, ‘Baby. Nothing. I just want you.’”

The proposal

At that point, Echo had made up his mind to propose. He told Boy the whole story during their August 2013 appearance on The Buzz.

“Ito pa ‘yung sobrang messed talaga ako nu’ng time na ‘yon kasi ni

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hindi pa ako nakapag-paalam sa nanay niya,” he said. On August 3, the night before Kim’s birthday, he secretly got on Skype to talk to Kim’s mom. He had to take pains to hide the fact from Kim so as not to spoil the surprise. “Medyo freaky ng konti kasi hindi ko nakikita sa video,” recalled Echo. “Ako lang ‘yung nakikita niya sa video sa Skype. So, hindi ko alam ‘yung reaction niya. But she was happy and then her next words were, ‘You have my blessing.’”

Then he turned to Kim and asked: “Babe, what time do you want to go to church?” Kim replied: “O sige, let’s go at 10AM.” On the way to the New Life Christian Center in Alabang, recalled Echo, “Muntik na kami ma-late. Umabot na kami ng 12, eh matatapos ‘yung church service ng 12:30.” On arriving at church, Echo saw one of his friends and grabbed him. Echo pleaded: “Mon, you have to help me.”

The friend asked why. “I need to propose today,” said Echo.

They went to the front, and later, they texted him: “We’re working on it.” Five minutes later, another text message. “I’m sorry, bro, we can’t because it’s a Sunday service.’ Another five minutes passed, another text message came. Echo was flooded with relief. “Echs, they agreed. The pastor will call you.”

Echo was nervous. His heart was pounding, he told Boy. “Answered prayer na ‘yun para sa akin, na it was meant to be. Du’n ko naramdaman ‘yung kaba.”

Echo and Kim were seated together, then Echo was called to the stage. Addressing the congregation, he said: “Hi guys, good morning. Thank you, pastor, thank you so much, Pastor Jeric (Soriano, who delivered that morning’s message), thank you. This is just five minutes. Pastor Joey (Rafael) was speaking kanina, and I’ve been asking myself always, this message talaga is so good and all the time, I just ask myself, ‘Why me?’ I’m a person who, you know, I’m still a sinner and everything, but God’s just proven Himself so good to me. I used to be everything you can think about, so it’s really a capital W-H-Y-M-E. ‘Why me?’

That’s my question to all the pastors here, and every message here every time I come here it’s just to prove that God is so good, di ba? (The) next question is also, ‘Why me?’ Parang (you could) take out the ‘H’ and it’s still ‘WY Me’, right? It’s ‘WY me’ which stands for, ‘Will you marry me?” Today is Kim’s birthday, and I don’t know why, after everything, God still gave me the best person in the world.”

“So…” he said, turning to Kim who, by this time, was sitting open-mouthed near the stage, “Will you marry me?”

Kim was in tears as Echo came down the stage, approached her, got on one knee and slipped the ring on her finger. Everyone was looking at her. Kim told Boy on The Buzz: “I started crying, and (wondering), ‘Do I go there or… because I know, there’s a ring here somewhere. And then he came down, and then, yeah, of course I said yes.”

As everyone knows, the wedding happened on May 1 at the Alon Garden of the Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa and was celebrated by Pastor Joe Obordo, a personal choice of Kim and Echo. “It was a very intimate ceremony,” recalls one guest.

For Echo, the whole journey has been a dream come true. He tells StarStudio: “If there’s one thing I can say, she is more than my dream girl. Ang lagi kong nai-imagine dati (was someone na) maganda ‘yung mata. Tapos Kim popped in with amazing qualities. She’s not perfect, but para sa akin, she’s perfect, she’s more than, more than perfect.”

- With additional research by Adelaine Tuquero, Kristin Kay Geronimo and Rhadsley Inguillo TFC ALL ACCESS V O L U M E

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THEIR BIG DAY Echo and Kim’s wedding came off as perfect because of the effort the couple put into it

O

nce Echo proposed to Kim—and once they decided on a date for their wedding—the couple did everything they could to make sure that their special day would go off without a hitch.

The journey to the big day began eight months before.

“They spoke to me when they were considering Boracay,” recalls their Boracay-based wedding planner Amanda Tirol, who was recommended to them by Kim’s friend and fellow ETC VJ Patti Grandidge-Herrera, whose marriage to DJ Jon Herrera was also coordinated by Amanda. Echo texted her, and they agreed to meet in a restaurant along Tomas Morato in Quezon City to discuss the details of the wedding.

Throughout the whole process, both groom and brideto-be worked very closely with Amanda. They were both involved, she says, “but since Echo is very busy, it was more Kim (who was coordinating things), but Echo made sure he was part of it the entire time as well. They were very handson. They each had their own things to take care of, like the entertainment and songs were assigned to Echo.”

For the songs, the groom chose a mix of Christian and contemporary songs. Echo walked in to “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer for the processional. The song was performed by Paolo Valenciano with Dohn Cerenado, Jericho’s good friend, groomsman and former bandmate in Jeans, a group Jericho and some friends formed in 2006.

Kim, meanwhile, walked down the aisle to “The Wedding Song” by Angus and Julia Stone, performed by Gary and Angeli’s daughter Kiana Valenciano. Manila Genesis talent Julianne Taroja sang “Oceans” by the Christian group Hillsong during the wedding’s praise and worship segment with a violin instrumental. Gary Valenciano also sang as Kim and Echo signed their marriage contract and as they exited the wedding venue to go to the reception and after-party.

It being a Boracay wedding, there were some parts of the wedding and reception that were uniquely Boracayconnected, like the island’s famous fire dancers. Echo and Kim’s entrance was greeted by brightly-lit sparklers and a four-minute fireworks display just before the prayer of blessing over the food. The menu—which was catered by Shangri-La—was divided into four sections: appetizers, a salad bar and condiments, hot dishes and desserts.

Among the most touching moments at the reception were the mother-son dance of Echo and mom Rose, and the brother-bride dance of Kim and Apollo.

Amanda and her team made sure that nothing would spoil Echo and Kim’s day, especially not any sign of rain.

“We had fears of showers, but we already had a back-up plan in the works in case it did, and upon checking on the weather forecast the day before, it showed that we would have clear skies,” she shared to StarStudio.

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(Top to bottom): Mason jars were lit and illuminated the dinner venue on Boracay’s Banyugan Beach; Kim and Echo slice into their wedding cake. As they were introduced, the song “Have You Met Miss Jones” by Frank Sinatra played. The song, which was part of Sinatra’s Sinatra Swings album, was written for the musical comedy I’d Rather Be Right; a fireworks display lit up the night sky over Boracay as the couple kissed; Echo and mother Rose in the mother-son dance during the reception. After the wedding, Echo, Kim and some of their party stayed in Boracay for two to three days, then returned to Manila.

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STAR Photo by CATILO PHOTOGRAPHY

SPEAK

MY GIRL Daniel Padilla shares some of the things he loves about Kathryn and the many sweet and simple ways she makes him feel special

A scent I love smelling on Kathryn is ’yung pabango niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano tawag sa scent na ’yun, pero parang fruity na sweet.

We both like… dogs.

One thing we like doing together is... mag-bike sa village nila.

A gift she gave me that I treasure is... actually, lahat. Basta galing sa kanya iniingatan ko.

Whenever I’m sad, she cheers me up by feeding me. Bumibili siya ng pagkain para sa akin. ’Yung mga street food, tulad ng isaw, ’yun ang mga binibili niya.

The color I love to see her wearing is… black. Parang pang-rockstar kasi ang black. So ’pag naka-black si Kathryn parang rockstar siya. At gusto ko ’yung kulay na ’yun, eh.

We both hate mga kupal na tao. (Laughs.)

We are total opposites when it comes to… everything. Magkaiba ang taste namin sa movies, music, lahat.

I remember, the first time I saw her, I thought… “Artista ’to, ah. Ito ’yung napapanood ko lang dati.” Mas nauna kasi siyang naging artista kesa sa akin, ’di ba?

When it’s just the two of us, I call her… “bal.” As in “kambal.” Palagi kasi kaming magkasama sa lahat ng bagay, para na kaming kambal.

When I get a nice or sweet text from Kathryn… natutuwa ako.

Together we love to eat chocolate. Pero siya gusto n’ya, plain lang na chocolate, ako mahilig ako sa chocolate na may nuts.

I feel bad when… may nambabastos kay Kathryn.

If there’s one line I wish I could tell Kathryn, it would be… I want to grow old with you. Parang ’yung kanta lang.

— Julian Mauricio Special thanks to LUZ BAGALACSA and WORKING MOM

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