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Martin Nievera adds another chapter to the protracted word war with former wife Pops Fernandez. His interview with ABS-CBN's "The Buzz" on Sunday however shows something new--tears rolling down his cheeks as he wishes the best for his wife as he seeks an end to the controversy. The mere fact that the interview is granted shows Martin isn't really planning to end the word war. In fact he made a previous statement saying the "best reaction is no reaction." Well, he shows he isn't true to his word. But let us assume however that he read the entire YES! Magazine article on Pops' revelations about their separation nine years ago, despite his claim that he only read portions of it. Maybe then we can understand how this outburst of emotion emanates. He cried saying these words:  “I don’t even know why we’ve gotten this far with this problem. I don’t know why we can’t seem to fix this. So to Pops, I don’t know what to say.  Just try to forget about the nine years. I think she’s having a hard time also moving on. I know what I did to you was unforgivable but it’s kinda a long time ago so I’m hoping for the sake of everybody especially our children that you’ll forgive me for that. I know forgetting is a tall order. I don’t know why. Just take it easy and breathe. Enjoy life and all the blessings around you. I’m there somewhere. I’m rooting for you. I’m praying for you. I don’t want to say anymore I love you because everyone knows I do. Maybe I say it too much. Maybe I didn’t say it enough before. Whenever you need me I’m there. I’m not that show biz person who pretends to disappear then come back. I’m not leaving. You can’t get rid of me. I’m there for you if you need me.” End of story? Hardly. * * * In another startling confession, young star Patrick Garcia goes on air for the first time admitting illegal drug use earlier in his life but has gotten over it. Hopefully. Asked by Showbiz Central if he would "seal or reveal" a killer question the show presented to him, Patrick chose to reveal the truth. The "killer question"? Did he ever use illegal drugs? He answered without hesitation: “Depende kung anong klaseng droga. I’ve tried marijuana. It was a long, long time ago. It comes with teenage (curiosity). But of course with the guidance of my…you know, my sister’s there, my brother’s there, and my dad and mom. Kumbaga, I’ve lot of good things around me. So basically, I haven’t gone through any problems because it was nothing. It was being a teenager. Now I’m a better person.” Has Patrick indeed become "better"? Only family or colleagues can attest. But his willingness to open up about something bad in his past is definitely an improvement.

POPS FERNANDEZ'S lengthy interview with YES! Magazine indeed became the talk of the show biz world, considering the very detailed revelations she made on her separation from former husband Martin Nievera. While supporters had praised Pops' candor, her interview naturally enraged Martin's family, particularly his mom, Conchita Razon. According to reports, Chonchita was discussing with her lawyers possible legal action against Pops, YES! and the magazine's editorial staff over the article. Though Martin insisted that the best reaction was no reaction, Conchita was clearly upset over Pops' move, which came over a decade since their separation. A clear indication of how the article had affected Martin was a series of show biz tabloid columns claiming "sirang-sira na si Martin Nievera" and that his fans had dumped him over the revelations. YES! was unfazed by the threat. It insisted the article was not libelous and treated the subjects fairly, even alloting space for Martin's own comments though not in reaction to the Pops interview in the same October 2007 issue. It even offered Martin his own point-by-point interview to react to Pops' charges. Maybe Martin himself will discourage his mom to push through with the legal action. The balladeer would definitely want the brouhaha to stop so that he could live his life in peace and move on, not engage in yet another tussle--this time in a court of law. Ditto for Robin and Ram, who had suffered so much in the crossfire. * * * Television heartthrob Dennis Trillo was said to have been preparing a statement finally admitting that he is the father of rumored girlfriend and beauty queen Carlene Aguilar's newborn child. According to people close to Dennis, he actually wanted to admit this when Carlene announced she had given birth in the United States. But Dennis, they say, was merely giving in to the wishes of Carlene, who wants the identity of the father kept so that she would deliver and take care of the child without fanfare. In fact she told GMA-7 that the father of her child was a "Chinese businessman" to veer attention away from Dennis. Now Dennis wants to take this paternal responsibility, despite his matinee idol image. If he decides to admit fatherhood, will this affect his career? Maybe not. A lot of the top leading men had taken this route but never lost their luster and still took their careers to even greater heights. It's how Dennis should handle the situation that matters. * * * Camille Prats is reportedly set to walk down the aisle with boyfriend Anthony Linsangan in the United States this December. I'm sure this will be a grand event that people would most want to witness. I mean, we've seen this child grow up from being a cute child in "Ang TV" and "Oki Doki Doc" to once gracing the cover of a men's magazine. Now that another milestone would come her way, I'm sure it will be a treasured show biz moment. Oh yes, "Princess Sarah" getting married and giving birth is definitely one for the books.

KC CONCEPCION will soon start her show biz career with a television special on ABS-CBN. Part of her entry into show biz is, naturally, the onset of intrigues. First, the long-time rumor linking her to film-TV director Lino Cayetano. Then the controversial statement of singer Billy Crawford that she was a "good kisser." Amid all the intrigues, however, KC remained poised and unaffected, still beaming that affectionate smile when reporters continue to bug her about these so-called issues. About Lino, she politely gave not really a showbiz remark but a response anyone could give: it's something personal and should remain as such, without confirming or denying the rumor. As for Billy, she immediately said that the comments made by the international Filipino singing sensation was understandable and would not think of making them to undermine her person. With his public apology, KC did not waste any more words: "Apology accepted." She comes into show biz without any sign of antagonism or indifference -- a fresh breeze amid a polluted set of pretentious souls. Here's hoping she remains as wonderful as she is once the real challenges of a show biz career becomes evident to her. I'm sure she will. * * * There's an interesting rivalry on Philippine TV. No, not really the continuing ABS-CBN vs GMA-7 network wars but the international reality television producers apparently joining the protracted battle. Dutch giant Endemol, which has partnered with ABS-CBN since 2003 for the Pinoy Big Brother franchise, is now faced with a formidable opponent: the British Fremantle empire that spawned the "Idol" phemonenon around the world. Things will come to a head in February when Endemol-backed ABS-CBN talent show "Pinoy Dream Academy" faces the Fremantle-produced "Philippine Idol," which is now part of the GMA-7 stable. We should expect more of their international hit shows to enter local airwaves as the intense rivalry now reached the Philippine arena. * * * It seemed Pops Fernandez made her revelations to YES! Magazine to prove that she gave Martin all the chances in the world to save their marriage. Well, the rest is history. But Martin has a point in his desire to move on. Another painful attack, he says, but chuckled and remarked he has gotten used to it. He was hoping that he would soon be spared from all of it. Actually, this whole brouhaha would not have become "showbiz talk" again if the issue of the "jumping like monkeys" remark had not emerged. Did Pops overreact? Or has Martin failed to act properly?

WELCOME to one of the newest blogs on INQUIRER.net, Showbiz Talk, dedicated exclusively to the latest in show business. Please feel free to comment on all the posts we make in this blog. *** Aiko Melendez filed before a QC court a permanent protection order that would keep her a safe distance from estranged husband Martin Jickain. In the PPO, Aiko alleged that there were certain “abuses and other forms of violence” committed by Martin during the course of their marriage. Martin, on the other hand, denied ever abusing his wife of about two years. In a recent television interview, Martin made it clear that he was never an irresponsible husband who depended solely on Aiko’s earnings while he painted the town red like there was no tomorrow. He also denied taking his wife’s property, allegedly her Louis Vuitton bags and other luxury items. While no criminal case has been filed yet, Aiko’s camp was seemingly pursuing the option. Robbery? Physical and verbal abuse? It won’t take long before Aiko launches her biggest assault against Martin, if things again get out of hand. Aiko was reportedly fuming after the latter had given an interview despite a court order discouraging both parties to discuss the case in public. Because of this, these cases may continue to stack up against Martin. The real victim? Their toddler, Marthena, who is too young to understand what’s going on. *** Another Martin is in hot water -- Martin Nievera, the quintessential Filipino balladeer who has been placed on the spotlight in recent months over his girlfriend Katrina Ojeda’s not so kind remarks about his children with ex-wife Pops Fernandez -- Robin and Ram. Katrina had described Robin and Ram as having acted "like monkeys" when they destroyed their father’s bed in a Quezon City apartment many years back. Although the incident happened nearly a decade ago, such comments seems like only yesterday for Pops, who remained upset to this day. Her blitzkrieg against Martin continued with a tell-all exclusive interview with YES! Magazine, wherein she revealed for the first time the events that led to their separation and Martin’s supposed actions that caused their break-up. GMA-7’s “Startalk” caught up with Martin, who gave his reaction to the story: “I think the best reaction is not to have one. If I had a reaction, the best thing is to not to make it any bigger than what it already is. So I’d rather keep my comments and my feelings. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a very painful thing to read again. I think it’s kinda old news already. Sa mga ibang katulad ko na lalaki na guys who have gone wrong, I don’t think they have to keep on going through this the way I keep on going through this. I don’t know why. I’m the only ex-husband who has to keep being punished for this.” *** A few months after the successful Christina Aguilera concert, several foreign acts have slated shows in Manila. A-List US recording artists, such as Beyonce Knowles, Josh Groban and Kevin “Babyface” Edmonds, are just the big name acts slated to come in the next two months. Such music royalty previously descends upon our shores once in a few years, but now they are coming in droves. Let’s see how the local music industry would react to this seeming “invasion.” I’m sure our local artists have something to show amid this deluge.