ANDI AND ANGELICA

Is Jake Estrada Andi’s prince?
Despite her height, Andi Eigen-mann held her own and stood tall amidst the towering professional models during the Lee Jeans’ fashion show held at the main atrium of SM Mall of Asia as part of the recently concluded Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013.

Andi, together with actor JC Tiuseco, headlined the clothing brand’s “Night Skins” collection—a seven-piece suite featuring the sexiest of skinny jeans coated in metallic leather.

The petite actress was still evidently on a “high” as she met with entertainment reporters shortly after the fashion show, sharing how much she enjoyed her catwalk debut.

“Feel na feel ko nga eh, kahit hindi ko sila ka-length or ka-width. Nakibagay ako ‘di ba, bongga!” Andi gushed, beaming with pride.

The Secret Affair star admitted to being quite nervous at first. “Kina-bahan ako siyempre, pero pakapalan na ng mukha. Sobrang frustration ko kasi ito, kasi nga hindi naman ako masyadong katangkaran.”

One reporter then asked if she heard the “boys” screaming as she walked out the stage. “Puro boys talaga ha? Na-surprise ako, siyempre sobra akong kinikilig the entire time I was doing it because it’s my first time to be a part of the Fashion Week and the modeling industry, and to model—period. Sobrang fun! Sana yung daughter ko maging model!”

Turning tables
Andi’s recent success could be considered as one of the most surprising comebacks in showbiz as many had already doubted her career could ever recover after her surprise pregnancy in 2011.

Andi said that she is very thankful for all the blessings she has been receiving, from her hit TV series Kapag Puso’y Masugatan, her Fashion Week debut, and the success of A Secret Affair, which she co-stars with Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsay.

“I cannot thank the Lord enough for everything that is happening in my life,” she related.

According to Andi the movie made about “P20 million,” during its first day of showing.

“Sobrang saya ko! I mean, hindi ako makapaniwala na nakabilang ako sa ganyang pelikula, na ganyan kalakas yung impact sa mga tao,” Andi continued.

She also couldn’t believe when one reporter said critics lauded her performance in the movie, with some even saying she outshined Anne Curtis.

“Oh, no, that’s impossible! In my opinion, Anne Curtis is Anne Curtis. She’s beautiful inside and out. But siyempre po, nagpapasalamat po ako, kasi I think isa sa mga to be thankful about is never ko naman in-expect na may magsabi nun. To be able to hear something like that, that’s so awesome,” she added.

But for the 22-year-old actress, it’s more important that viewers were able to appreciate the hard work she put into the movie.

“Thankful ako kasi, kahit na ano pong nangyari, never ako nawalan ng project. Tinatanggap pa rin ako ng mga tao, kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng lahat kasi gustung-gusto ko ito na makabalik sa industry. [I promise to be] a better person, a better actress, than I was before. So, nagpapasalamat po talaga ako sa mga tao na hindi nila ako jinudge ng negative.”

Besides her movie and TV pro-jects, Andi is also busy preparing for the first birthday party of her daughter Adrianna Gabrielle or Ellie who was born on November 23, 2011. The theme will be “Alice in Wonderland” and will also be Ellie’s dedication to the Christian world.

Special someone
Apart from all the blessings, however, perhaps the biggest reason why Andi is always smiling these days is because of one special person—Jake Estrada.

How is her love life? “Masaya . . . ay hindi . . . wala akong love life!” she laughed trying to collect her thoughts, before adding, “Ay! I’m not a liar everyone knows that basta I’m happy.”

Andi giggled like a school girl when TV Patrol’s Mario Dumaual tells her something that Jake Estrada, her rumored boyfriend, supposedly said about her.

“Sinabi niya ‘yon?” she asks excitedly.

“He’s really special to me po. Pero para sa akin, if we’re meant to be, then we’re meant to be. And for me, seryoso na if and when the time comes na I will end up with a guy like him. Ipagpapatuloy niya ‘yong dream ko being a princess and with him as my prince.

“We’re really good friends, but, you know, hindi pa kami nagpipilit sa mga bagay na hindi naman puwede,” she ended.

* * *

Angelica spends birthday with John Lloyd
It was truly a happy birthday for Angelica Panganiban as she turned 26 last weekend with her new love John Lloyd Cruz in Tokyo, Japan.

Now that the new couple has admitted their relationship in public, the actress openly shared details about their dinner date, constantly tweeting messages and thanking her friends and followers who greeted her. The actress also posted a collage of photos taken during their date with the caption, “Nung kami ay binusog . . . Happy birthday!! Indeed!!”

Angelica and John Lloyd spent the evening dining at the posh Le Chateau de Joël Robuchon, whose founder, French chef and restaurateur Joël Robuchon, was named “Chef of the Century” by the influential French restaurant guide Gault et Millau in 1989.

Not so romantic beginnings
Prior to her birthday getaway, however, Angelica first shared their story at the press conference of ABS-CBN’s gag show Banana Split held at Napa Restaurant in Quezon City.

She narrated how their relationship began, with the actress admitting that they were barely friends despite being both talents of ABS-CBN for many years. Angelica said that she only felt a connection after she opened up to John Lloyd about her experiences and realized that she actually enjoyed talking to him.

“Habang nag-kuwe-kuwentuhan, nagsi-share ako ng mga experiences at nangyari sa akin and nagulat ako na may tao palang ganoon—actually, na may lalaki palang ganoon na pakikinggan ka lang hanggang matapos mo yung kuwento mo. Tapos nagulat ako na as in nakapagkuwento ako nang hindi siya sumasabat.”

As for the high she is feeling, she gushed, “Iba, kasi parang hindi mo alam na nag-e-exist pala yung ganoong klaseng happiness. Puwede pala na may dala-wang tao na talagang magkakasundo at kayang suportahan ang isa’t isa. Ganoon ka-simple, walang hassle, walang issue, walang problema.”

“Siguro mas masasabi kong mas OK ako ngayon, mas kumpleto yung pakiramdam ko dahil may taong nagpapasaya sa akin, nagpaparamdam sa akin at nagpupuno ng wala sa akin.”

Angelica also clarified the issue that they had long been hiding their relationship saying, “Wala naman kaming tinatago. Nagkataon lang na noong tinatanong kami ay wala naman talaga. So mahirap bigyan ng label ang mga bagay na wala pa namang label. So ngayon alam na namin kung ano kami sa isa’t isa, kapag tinanong kami diretso na din naming sasagutin.”

Meanwhile, Angelica’s former boyfriend, Derek Ramsay, only had good words for John Lloyd.

In an interview with entertainment website PEP.ph Derek said; “I know John Lloyd. I’ve met him and he’s been good to me. I have nothing against the guy. He’s a great actor who, again, I admire.

“I’m very happy for John Lloyd, and for Angel. I hope that things really work out for them, and it’s healthy to see that they’re out in the open already,” Derek added.

Derek also seems to have found happiness and has been reportedly dating a fellow Frisbee player named Alexa Amos.