JULIE Anne San Jose is aware that her fans are requesting GMA-7 would give a Book 2 to her primetime series, “Heartful Cafe”, that will have its last week of telecast starting this coming Monday.

“Well, sana nga, GMA will grant their request because I really enjoyed doing this show,” she says at the zoompresscon of “All Out Sundays GMA 71st Anniversary” presentation. “I’m really so thankful that I did ‘Heartful Cafe’. First time ko to do a romcom na may kakaibang twist in that it gave me the chance to do breaking of the 4th wall of being able to talk directly to the audience.”

Doing lock in taping for the show is a memorable experience for her. “I am so thankful sa lahat ng mga nakasama ko sa show dahil pinaghirapan namin ang buong process of doing this. Sobrang saya naming lahat sa set. We treated each other as a family so I will miss them all.”

Will she miss her leading man, David Licauco? “Oo naman. David and I got to know each other better during the taping and it’s a great experience working with him, also with our amazing writers, directors and the entire creative team. I will miss ang friendship naming lahat and I will also miss the coffee we drink sa ‘Heartful Cafe’. Before the show ends, may special guest pa kami who’s close to me kaya abangan nyo. Bawal lang i-reveal ang identity niya para surprise.”

Julie is taping right now for a musical entitled “Still” for an outside company called Vue which is about the pandemic. “I’m very thankful to GMA for allowing me to be a part of it. Marami kaming singers dito, along with Christian Bautista, Bituin Escalante and other artists from the theatre. It’s very inspirational and is about friendships and the strength and resiliency of the Filipino spirit. Katatapos lang ng first leg ng aming lock in taping and we will have the second leg soon.”

She was bashed by Aldub fans then for being linked to Alden. How is their working relationship now in “All Out Sundays”?

“We’re okay, we’re good. When we see each other in the show, we say hi, hello, usap-usap here and there. Walang ilangan kasi, for me, wala naman talagang issue or kaso at all. Whatever issues before, ilibing na lang natin sa limot kasi 2021 na ngayon. We’re in good terms. Tigilan na mga intriga and let’s just all help each other lalo ngayong may pandemic. Let’s move forward and live a healthier life not only physically but spiritually and emotionally.”

Julie Anne will do the fantabulous opening number in AOS’ special 71st GMA anniversary presentation this Sunday noon. This will be a medley of all time OPM dance music with AOS regulars Lani Misalucha, Barbie Forteza, Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista, Ken Chan, Rita Daniela, Ruru Madrid, Miguel Tanfelix, Kyline Alcantara, Mavy Legaspi, Kim de Leon and other Kapuso stars Rhian Ramos, Benjamin Alves, Sanya Lopez, Katrina Halili, Winwyn Marquez, Jeric Gonzales, Kate Valdez, Ysabel Ortega, and Cassy Legaspi.

Julie will also later perform a special number with the Queendom Divas Aicelle Santos, Rita Daniela, Jessica Villarubin, Thea Astley, Jennie Gabriel, Hannah Precillas, and Lani Misalucha. All Kapuso top stars will perform: Dingdong Dantes, Heart Evangelista, Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Alden Richards, Lovi Poe, Carla Abellana, Tom Rodriguez, Aiai delas Alas, Eugene Domingo, and Michael V.

Also participating are the stars of Kapuso shows Bubble Gang, Pepito Manaloto, Daddy’s Gurl, Dear Uge, Catch Me Out Philippines, iBilib, Centerstage, Mars Pa More, Sarap ‘Di Ba, Taste Buddies, Farm To Table, and Eat Bulaga; plus the cast of First Yaya and upcoming GMA series Legal Wives, Nagbabagang Luha, Las Hermanas, and The World Between Us. And GMA News pillars Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, Vicky Morales, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino, and Jessica Soho will also share their anniversary greetings to loyal Kapuso viewers.

Maxine in yet another challenging role

MAXINE Medina first appeared as a Kapuso in “First Yaya” where she plays a contravida role to title roler Sanya Lopez. Gardo Versoza played her dad in the show and Gardo, in turn, plays contravida to leading man Gabby Concepcion.

Because of her fine performance in that series, Maxine is now given the chance to do a lead role in tonight’s episode of “Magpakailanman” entitled “Mahal Kita, Mahal Mo Siya” which is about a very complicated love story. “I want to thank GMA for giving me this story about a very messy relationship na maraming makaka-relate kasi nangyayari talaga siya sa tunay na buhay,” says Maxine.

“I’d like to thank my co-stars, Dion Ignacio, Arny Ross and Yvette Sanchez and also our director, Neal de la Cruz, for helping me do justice to my very challenging role na ngayon ko rin lang nagampanan.”

Maxine plays Anne in the story. She is into a lesbian relationship with Arny Ross. Dion Ignacio is Jon, who is living in with a much younger girl, Yvette Sanchez as Kim. Things get really convoluted when Anne and Jon fall for each other.

Jon leaves Kim but later on, he discovers that Anne is not really into him but only wants to use him as a sperm donor so that she and her lesbian partner can have their own baby.

Jon is disappointed and tries to reconcile with Kim, but he learns she already has another boyfriend. Jon goes to work abroad and Anne realizes that she’s really in love with Jon now. When he returns, they continue their relationship but both Roxy and Kim will also return, give them problems and make life miserable for them.

“Don’t miss this Saturday night how this very intricate and magulo story will be resolved kasi very engrossing talaga siya mula umpisa hanggang wakas,” adds Maxine.

Who is opposed Dingdong joining politics

DINGDONG Dantes is GMA’s Primetime King. Now, he is also the certified King of Replays as he has two shows simultaneously being shown on the Kapuso Network right now. First is the love triangle drama, “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real”, where he shares topbilling with Maricel Soriano and Lovi Poe shown in GMA’s Afternoon Prime.

And in the evening on primetime, his romance-drama with wifey Marian Rivera, “Endless Love”, is being shown on GMA Telebabad. His fans are no doubt pleased that they can watch him twice in one day, in the afternoon and in the evening.

Some quarters continue to convince to run for the Senate in the elections next year. They think he is a sure winner as he not only has a huge fan base, not only being an accomplished actor but also well known for his enviable family life with wife Marian Rivera and their two adorable kids, Zia and Ziggy.

“At si Dingdong, mas competent kaysa sa ibang mga aktor na na-elect sa Senado,” says one supporter. “Nakatapos siya so he has a college degree, he’s very articulate and has a good heart in helping the needy gaya ng pinatutunayan niya sa pagtulong niya sa health workers and poor people sa panahon ngayon ng pandemya.”

But we heard that the first one who is opposed for him to join politics is his own better half, Marian Rivera. Someone close to Marian says she prefers their family to have a simple life with their children. “Alam niyang compared to showbiz, mas magulo ang politika,” says someone close to her. “Mas priority nila talaga ni Dingdong ang family nila kaya nga ni ayaw nilang tumanggap ng teleserye habang may pandemya pa.”