Mr. Grae Turns 15

Gimme 5 cutie Grae Fernandez turns 15 older and, well, more handsome today, and he chose to celebrate it in advance yesterday with his Dakilang Fans, the GraeNation. Grae had a great time catching up with, eating with and even doing some magic tricks for his princesses, as he calls them. He was showered not just with gifts and well-wishes, but love from GraeNations who have been with him ever since he started out three years ago.

Happiest birthday Grae!!! I, your Dakilang Friend, Kuya, Ate, Ninang at kung anu-ano pa, am so proud of everything you have achieved! Working on "Bridges of Love" and "Pangako Sa 'Yo" as promo was truly unforgettable and special, one of the reasons is you. There's a long way ahead waiting for you, your talent and your dedication! Just keep up the good works - I, we will just be here for you every step of the way.

MOYA

Nikki Grace Lim. 

The friendship I share with Janella Salvador was something unexpected. I didn’t see it coming at all. I didn’t ask for it. But it happened. And I am at my happiest it did.

During a set visit. Didn't know Janella joined us in this pic.

Hindi pa kami close nito. At kumusta yung photobomber?

When I became friends with Jerome Ponce, her co-star and “Kuya” in “Be Careful With My Heart”, and I would visit the serye’s set, wala kaming masyadong pansinan ni Janella. We were smiling at each other, pero hanggang ganun lang. May one picture lang kami sa tent, ayun. I had this impression na slightly mataray siya. Or baka di lang kami nabibigyan ng chance chumika.

That first pic with her at Robinson's Novaliches.

Dalawang mall shows na magkasama sila ni Jerome, I was there, wala pa rin. May one point lang na nagpa-pic ako sa kanya, sa Robinson’s Novaliches. That was the first. She was actually accommodating. Then sa launch ng Star Magic Circle 2013, nagpa-sign ako ng DVD ng BCWMH. Pero hindi ako nagpa-pic for some reason. But naalala ko, she was happy signing the DVD and even thanked me for the support. Gusto ko kasi ng remembrance from the cast. Very fan lang, di ba? And I loved Nikki’s character, in fairness naman. Her quirks, her nuances… You’d love and hate her at the same time.

Up to this day, I still don't know why she posed like this
on this pic with Jerome.

Jerome would always tell me na gusto niya maging friends din kami ni Janella, because Janella is really nice and friendly daw, kahit medyo childish. Sabi ko nga, that time, Janella just turned 14 so talagang “bata” pa siya kumilos. I observed na magaling siya not just umarte, but also kumanta. Sa mall shows, I would hear her sing, and nagagandahan ako sa boses niya. Hindi lang basta carry a tune ha. Thought that she was a mas sosy version of Jolina Magdangal of the 90s.

That night we became mag-Moya

All those walang pansinan, medyo dedmahan mode between me and Janella would change sometime in August 2013. It happened set Siena Taytay set ng BCWMH. Jerome was all by himself sa dressing room niya, and he had to take a sequence, so he asked Janella if I could stay with her. Suddenly, we found ourselves talking to each other. Halo-halo ang pinag-usapan namin e. Basta ang natatandaan ko, I was making this joke na papasok ako sa BCWMH as kontrabida to her na teacher sa school na baliw kay Luke (Jerome’s character in the show), and I have a dog with me everywhere I go. Parang si Reese Witherspoon sa “Legally Blonde”. Yun lang, bulldog ang bitbit ko. Janella was laughing so hard at my jokes. Then napasok ko pa sa joke si Jovit Moya, the 90s actor na pulis na ngayon.

With her BCWMH loveteam, Marlo.

Kaya naging tawagan namin sa isa’t isa ang Moya. Hindi namin namalayang, 2 hours had passed. Masaya palang kausap at kasama si Janella. Very real at natural na tao. Simula nun, a friendship between me and Jea (as those close to her call her) was born. Hindi na lang si Jerome ang dinadalaw ko sa set… Siya na rin. We would often “make chika” as we put it, and catch up pag nagkikita kami.

Backstage of her Isetann Recto mall show

At ASAP Prom Special Production Number in 2014.

At hindi na lang sa set. Pati sa ASAP, nag-uusap na kami. At hindi lang basta usap. Nari-realize, marami kaming pagkaka-pareho, especially on how we look at things and people. Pumupunta na rin ako sa mall shows niya. I was becoming attached to Janella.

Went to her Siena Taytay because we were going through something together.
We ended up crying and laughing at the same time,

From mga cute-cute girly stuff, we were aware na mas lumalalim ang nagiging usapan namin. Personal stuff I can’t post here… Hindi naman malala ha, take note. But at that point, we were already trusting each other with our secrets. May time pa na kahit wala si Jerome sa set, I visited her and we ended up crying and laughing at the same time. We were opening our hearts to one another already. I must say, at a young age, she’s already one sensible girl in giving thoughts and opinions. May maturity.

Janella loves posing like this.

Clingy kami sa isa't isa

Janella was my first girl friend in showbiz na, I realized, “not a girl, not yet a woman” as Britney put it. Nung una, takot akong mag-advice o mag-comment, because ayokong may mali siyang masabi o maging desisyon because of me. Alam niyo yun? But then I realized, I was learning too sa friendship ko kay Janella. I just have to be real, to be true to myself. At hayaan si Janella ma-experience ang pagiging teenager. Ang importante naman, if she makes a mistake man, I would just be behind her.

One of BCWMH's last taping days.

BCWMH was just the start for us. Wala pa sa mata ng bagyo, actually. It would be in her next show, OMG, where talagang na-define ang pagiging mag-Moya namin ni Janella. And that’s for another post for me to tell, and for you to read.

GV Lang! (Journal #1)

So I’ve decided to put this segment, “GV Lang”, here at “Ang Diary Ng Dakilang Fan” to write stories you might not see on big time newspapers or websites, but deserves to be read. Bits and pieces of people and happenings that will make us smile, will inspire us… Good vibes lang, as they say. In this world filled with nameless and fameless critics and bashers who have nothing but ill words for others, and not so pleasing news of killings and corruption, we deserve to see the good in goodness.

Circulating on Facebook now is netizen Justine Fajardo’s post about him bringing his deceased niece Ynah to Sagrada Familia in commemoration of her first “angel-versarry”, because her idols Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla were there months ago to shoot their film “Barcelona: A Love Untold”. Ynah was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014, and succumbed to death on October 31 last year. Surely, heaven gained an angel in Ynah, smiling down and guiding her loved ones, including KathNiel.

Last weekend, I got to meet Chichay, one of the dogs rescued by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society at the “Pet Café” they set up at Trinoma all month of October for fund-raising and dog adoption awareness. When I asked why the lovely Aspin’s name, I was told that her rescuer 2 years ago is a KathNiel fan, thus named after Kathryn’s unforgettable character from "Got To Believe" teleserye,. I hope Kathryn meets Chichay one of these days.

From JK's Instagram account

Riding the SkyTrain, credit to owner.

Photos courtesy of Star Magic's Ate Janice Damasco 

One of Juan Karlos Labajo’s dream came true last weekend as he had his first gig outside the country, “The Hit Parade” in Vancouver, Canada, with KZ Tandingan. He had mentioned to me before that he wanted to have a show abroad. Not only did he get to perform in front of our mga kababayang OFW and meet his fans there, he was also able to explore the sights and beauty of Vancouver, and even take the SkyTrain. Most special of all, he was with his Lola Linda in this bucket list moment of his life! So happy for you, my JK!

Gimme 5’s Chinito Cutie rocked his 16^th birthday last weekend by being a fan boy himself, and watch for the first time Eraserheads’ Ely Buendia perform last weekend in a gig – thanks to the VIP ticket gift from his Joaquin Lovers fan group. Though he didn’t get to have a picture with his idol, Joaquin was at his happiest, as his mom described it to me afterwards, seeing his biggest idol perform on stage. And he got a bonus later on: another Eraserheads member, Raymund Marasigan, replied to Joaquin’s photo of him wearing an Eheads inspired shirt. Such a lucky fanboy you are, Joaqui Boi! Happy birthday, indeed.

Credits to MyChos

From Brace's Instagram account 

Teen singing heartthrob Darren Espanto successfully staged his first digital concert for One Music PH, “The Other Side Of Darren” last Sunday. But what made the event more special was the presence of his friends, fellow teen stars from Star Magic Andrea Brillantes, Kyline Alcantara, Dance Kids’ grand winner AC Bonifacio, and Gimme 5’s Dance Heartthrob Brace Arquiza. I’ve always known Darren as an extraordinarily talented kid – arguably the best especially in singing among his contemporaries. But it’s nice to know that amidst the competition, pressures and intrigues in this industry, even at his young age, he has found really good friends he can count on in moments like these.

10 Ka Sa Akin

Not a few have been asking me for the longest time, bakit si Jerome Ponce ang most favorite ko at, um, Ultimate Crush as I put it, among my favorite young stars of this generation. I always answer, "hindi ko rin alam". And that's the truth.

As a Dakilang Fan through all these years, masasabi kong wala talagang eksaktong sagot bakit ka nagiging fan ng isang tao o artista. Hindi lang kasi sa kung magaling ba siyang kumanta, sumayaw o ano pa mang talento na meron siya. I always say, being a fan equates to being in love - kasi nagbubuhos ka ng hindi birong panahon at emosyon sa idol mo. 'Yung mas nauuna na minsan sa utak mo ang welfare niya kesa sa pansarili mo. Minsan, pag minalas ka, unrequited pa 'yan. But that's how a fan life goes. But let's talk more about it sa mga susunod kong mga entries.

For now, as a closing to my Jerome Ponce special here on my blog, na one week delayed na, sorry I've been busy, let me share to you the Jerome I know, kaya naman ako'y naging isang "Dakilang Fan" niya.

1. Handsome and charming

He's got those dreamy, Chinito eyes, disarming smile, cheeks na ang sarap kurutin, napakatangos na ilong... Gwapo siyang talaga. Kaya naman unang pasok pa lang niya sa "Be Careful With My Heart", marami na ang kinilig at naging fans niya. I'm one of them. And until now, pag nakikita ko siya, may moments na natu-tulaley ako pag kasama o kausap ko siya. Gwapo talaga e, promise!

2. Good young actor

He may not be the best, but he's one of the better ones sa batch at generation niya. From pa-cute, light-light lang sa BCWMH, he successfully transitioned into more matured na pagganap in "Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita". But he was most praised by the viewers sa kanyang performance bilang gay grandson ng isang siga ng Tondo sa MMK. I personally see how he gets into his characters - he studies his lines, he asks questions, he listens senior actors, writers and directors... He continuously improves and learns his craft, at sa bawat bagong proyekto niya ay may pinapakita siyang bago sa kanyang mga followers.

3. Humble beginnings

Isa sa mga hindi nagbabago sa kanya is yung recognition and pagtanaw niya sa humble beginnings niya. That he was your regular teenage boy in school. How he tried several times sa PBB, but didn't make it. How he was discovered. How he won his "Be Careful With My Heart" role. It wasn't an easy journey. Sa mga panahong reality shows ang entry point ng mga aspiring celebrities sa showbiz, he made it through via different path. At napatunayan niya ang worth niya. Until now, everytime we'd talk, nakikwento niya that he still hangs out with his high school friends and non-showbiz barkada, he keeps in touch with them... Fame hasn't changed him.

4. Young achiever 

I'm more than proud because he has been nominated and has already won awards at this point, including Candy Magazine's Male Rising Star in 2014, and German Moreno Youth Achievement Awardee at 62nd Famas Awards. And I'm looking forward to that time when he starts winning acting awards for his TV and movie roles - I know he will, given the right project, at the right time. Nakakatuwa din that Jerome was chosen and trusted to endorse three major products: Coca-Cola, Boardwalk and Greenwich. His face is almost everywhere: sa mga stores, catalogues, TV commercials, and even billboards. Hindi naman siya pagkakatiwalaan ng mga malalaking kompanya na ito kung hindi siya nakitaan ng hatak, sa mga panahon ngayong napakarami ring artistang ka-edaran niya.

5. Family guy

He has been vocal that he comes from a broken family, and has lived most of his life independently, but that didn't prevent him from being a good son, good brother and good provider. Nakaka-proud kasi natulungan niyang bigyan ng magandang buhay ang pamilya niya, and he really makes time for his siblings and cousins. Minsan magki-kwento siya na nakipag-bonding siya sa mga pinsan niya, or nasa bahay niya yung bunso niya at younger sister niya kapag sem break o mahabang bakasyon.

6. Flawed but straightforward

He's misunderstood. As I've posted before, napagdaanan niya 'yung isyu ng pagiging mayabang, may "attitude" sa work. But he's not. I'd describe him as someone straightforward - he says what he knows and he feels, no holds barred. Ilang beses na rin kaming nag-debate, nag-away at nagtampuhan because sometimes, his words get into me. But he knows how to say "I'm sorry" once he realizes na nasaktan ka niya. Ayaw niya kasi nang ma-drama - at understandable naman given 'yung pinagdaanan niya growing up. He'd rather enjoy what life has to offer to him.

7. Brave

Another trait that I appreciate and proud of Jerome is yung pagiging matapang niya. Hinarap niya ang imbitasyon ng PBB, even if it may go against him and may lose someone and/or something in the process. Hinarap niya ang mga isyu sa kanya about his attitude at work (sa Aquino and Abunda Tonight). Matapang niyang tinanggap ang pagganap ng bakla sa MMK. He bravely answers questions thrown at him. He is brave na harapin ang mistakes niya. He is brave to fight for what he believes in. He is brave to say what he feels. Though minsan, we think and feel na he should slow down a bit. But it's really in him.

8. Loverboy 

Isa ako sa magsasabing hindi niya naman "tinatago" ang girlfriend niya when he is in a relationship. Jerome is just being "private" about it. He is protective of his relationship. Pero nakita ko ng ilang beses kung paano siya sa girls... Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanya, "swerte ng magiging girlfriend mo". He's really sweet, maalaga... Kahit busy, he goes out of his way to be with his girl. Grabe siyang magmahal. kaya kapag nasaktan din, grabe. Ako 'yung nadudurog when I see him sad and heartbroken.

9. Great Friend 

Without going through details, Jerome is that guy na, when he has every reasons to turn his back on me, he chose to stay. Hindi man siya masalita, but in random moments, he would make you feel his pagpapahalaga. I remember him sending me a message thanking me for everything before he entered PBB. Tuwing I visit him sa tapings or mall shows, di niya ako pinababayaan, and would make sure na makakauwi ako ng maayos o makakakain. Sometimes, he would just open up to me. Anything, and everything. At nung may pinagdaanan ako earlier this year, he really made me feel that he was there. Kahit through text. Kahit may sarili siyang pinagdaraanan. Minsan, up to now, may mga hindi ako maintidihan sa kanya. Lalaki e, bata pa rin. But everytime he'd say, "be strong, Sajorda", or I will remember all our moments as friends, I realize I am blessed to have him around.

10. Mabuting tao

Hindi lang joke-joke ito (sa "Aquino and Abunda Tonight" nag-umpisa), but what I have put in here won't do justice to Jerome's pagiging "mabuting tao". Once you know and understand him... He truly is. And I'm more than grateful na isa ako sa nakakita at pinakitaan niya no'n. And I'll be, sabi nga ni Edwin McCain sa kanta niya, just here, not just to be his crying shoulder, but to be "the greatest fan of your life" niya.

America's Sweetheart

Julia Roberts just turned 49. But for most of us, she doesn't really age as her movies have become timeless hits - she actually defined Girl Power in Hollywood in the 90s. At one point, she was actually the highest paid actress in the world, and the only woman on the A-List filled with male superstars.

Let's look back at five of the most unforgettable roles she played on the big screen that turned Julia into an icon - America's Sweetheart of all time. Those characters that left indelible marks in our hearts, at one or more points in our lives, she actually embodied who we are or how we feel not just as women but as people.

As Vivian in "Pretty Woman".
This was Julia's breakthrough film in Hollywood,

Who can forget Vivian, that struggling hooker hired by Richard Gere's Edward to be his escort in social and business functions for a week in "Pretty Woman"? It was like a fairy tale: someone like her actually found a man, a prince charming that is, who falls in love with her, no matter who and what she is. Vivian gave us hope.

As Julianne in "My Best Friend's Wedding"

Maybe at a certain point, we were Julianne in "My Best Friend's Wedding". That successful, reputable woman who did the craziest stuff just to stop the best friend she loved all her life from marrying his fiancee. Julianne was the bida-kontrabida of her own story, just like all of us, aminin! But in the end true love prevailed as she let her best friend go and be happy with the one he truly loved.

As Maggie in "The Runaway Bride"

Sometimes, we are also escapists, afraid of conquering our fears and making crucial choices of our own. Very much like Maggie in the "Runaway Bride" who had this reputation of leaving her groom at the altar on their wedding day. It took a pessimistic and overly critical columnist Ike (she is reunited with Richard Gere in this film) for her to have that courage take the next step and finally believe in commitments and happily ever after.

As Anna Scott in "Notting Hill"

Some of us are lucky to have almost everything in life. Julia herself is a perfect example. She's got fame, fortune power... But at the end of the day, we are like Notting Hill's Anna Scott, a superstar who "is just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."

As "Erin Brockovich".
Julia won an Oscar for Best Actress in 2001.

Love isn't always romantic. In fact, most of us work and strive each day for our families. Just like Erin Brockovich, who is "smart, hardworking and I won't leave here without a job" in spite not finishing school, who brought a company down to its knees and a community to its feet after leading a town's legal battle against a multi-billion company. Against all odds, and her flaws and other's judgment, she won the case and proved her worth as a mother, employee and woman.