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Beginnings. Angelika dela Cruz has finally tied the knot—through civil rites first—with long-time non-showbiz boyfriend Orion Casareo. This was revealed while she was strapped to a lie detector during the “Don’t Lie To Me” segment of GMA-7’s Showbiz Central last Sunday.

Of course, this writer doesn’t need to strap the return-to-Kapuso actress now seen in two shows, the SineNovela Una Kang Naging Akin and the new primetime show La Lola, to get the 411. The moment we texted our congratulations, she spilled everything but the name of the baby. She only asked one small favor: not to write this ahead of the GMA Sunday talk show. And who are we to argue? As long as we have more information than what was revealed, we’re already happy typing in our little corner.

Angelika and Orion have been engaged for the past two years but showbiz dictates that this must not be revealed while she’s at her peak. However, Orion must have finally persuaded Angelika to say ‘I do’ last August 19. Last week, her OB-Gyne at St. Luke’s gave them good news: she’s in her first trimester of pregnancy.

Cheers to both Angelika and Orion! Don’t forget to stock up on diapers and Gerber from here on.


Try out. Move over Chris Tiu. Simon Atkins is about to trade his #7 jersey for a script as the De La Salle University Green Archers point guard will be introduced to the movie world in GMA Films’ horror flick, Sundo. Reportedly Rhian Ramos’ boyfriend, is it a happy coincidence that Rhian is also part of the Robin Padilla starrer? Not really. Rhian has Mark Bautista as her partner in the movie, and Simon will just basically see if he can do well in showbiz—in the same way he’s outstanding on the hard court. Now, we hear Ateneo Blue Eagles point man Chris is also being wooed to try acting. Regal Films and APT Entertainment, in a joint venture, even prepared a script already, just in case he’s interested. Guess who’s the scriptwriter?


Back. The fourth and final Gwapings is back—older but still looking youthful. We’re talking about Jao Mapa, of course, who recently signed a five year contract with Viva Artist Agency (VAA), the talent department of Viva Films under Ms. Veronique del Rosario. Jao, turning 32 this December 17, has admitted he has a family now. He finished Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas with honors and already had his first one-man exhibit. Yes, he paints. Asked why he’s making a showbiz comeback, we get the standard answer: showbiz is in his blood. Well, why did he leave in the first place? We get another standard answer we won’t bother writing here.


Heard and seen. Matinee actor J bought more than a hundred front seat tickets to the upcoming major concert of singer-turned-young-actress L. J and L were also seen HHH (holding hand-in-hand for you) in an upscale mall south of Makati about two weeks ago. And get this: L couldn’t remember if she visited J’s senator grandfather in the hospital a week ago. A case of amnesia, you ask? Nope, that’s just the hippest way to say ‘No comment’ nowadays, just in case you’re still in the dark. And we all thought it’s all over now.

Check out the gallery that follows.