Claudine leaves Kapamilya network

MANILA - Actress Claudine Barretto has left her mother network, ABS-CBN, to move to GMA 7.

On Wednesday, Barretto inked a 2-year contract with the Kapuso network at GMA Network Center. Reports said her parents accompanied her when she signed the deal.

Present during the contract signing were the network’s top executives, reports added.

This development came more than a month after she signed a two-film contract with Viva Films.

Barretto, a contract star of ABS-CBN for almost 17 years, was considered to be one of the biggest stars of the Kapamilya network.

In October, Barretto denied that she was leaving ABS-CBN in spite of signing a contract with Viva Films. Originally, she was scheduled to do a television series with her older sister, Gretchen Barretto, on ABS-CBN, but the project was cancelled.

Her last television series with ABS-CBN was "Iisa Pa Lamang" in 2008. This year, she appeared on "May Bukas Pa" as a guest star.

Who is Krista Ranillo?

MANILA – Actress Krista Ranillo (born Cristalle Lauren Tupaz Ranillo) is the talk of the town these days because she is being linked to Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

But very little is known of the 24-year-old sexy starlet, who has graced the covers of numerous men's magazines and starred in racy independent films.

Intrigues may be nothing new to Ranillo as she comes from a showbiz family. However, it is safe to say that her rumored affair with Pacquiao is the biggest intrigue she has faced yet.

Ranillo is the daughter of actor Matt Ranillo III and Linda Tupaz. She is the granddaughter of Matt Ranillo, Jr. and Gloria Sevilla, considered the "King and Queen of Visayan Movies."

Her father’s siblings, Suzette, Lilibeth, Dandin and Juni, also joined show business. Her step-grandfather is actor Amado Cortez, who comes from the Padilla showbiz clan which includes Rudy Fernandez, Robin Padilla, Carlos Padilla and Zsa Zsa Padilla.

According to The Internet Movie Database (IMDB.com), Krista’s name came from the movie “Kristo,” wherein her father played the title role of Jesus Christ.

It also reportedly comes from her birthday's (December 10) proximity to Christmas Day.

She started out in television soap operas in GMA-7 where she was under contract for almost 12 years. She took a break from showbiz from 2002 to 2007 to focus on her studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.

'Angelic but wicked'

She earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with tracks in Communication Arts and Psychology in 2007, and was reported to be a consistent Dean’s Lister.

In her school yearbook, Aegis '07, a write-up describes her thus: "Everyone beware of Krista Ranillo! With her angelic face, sweet smile, gorgeous body, and brains to die for, she seems heaven-sent."

"This religious, charming, talented artista/model/everything-else princess seems too good to be true," the write-up states, with glowing reviews of her loyalty and warmth as a friend.

However, the writer notes that Ranillo also has a naughty side.

"But behind that innocent facade lies a mischievous little devil who can make you believe that you can only buy blue books in the States and and that you missed a very important quiz when you were absent," it states.

Of her "wild side" the write-up goes: "When you're with Krista, you're sure to be laughing your head off with all her hilarious tricks and quick quips. It doesn't matter what you do together, for she's always ready to go along with anything spontaneously crazy."

She is described as a responsible student who "finishes her papers early so she can spend the weekend with her friends" and was often described by peers as being aloof.

"Often one of the first to rally loudly for a free cut in class, Krista is actually quite a nerd!" the text states. "Though some may think she's 'mataray' because she hardly hangs out in school, she's actually sleeping at home!"

"Truly, Krista Artista is a walking contradiction. Angelic but wicked, funny but serious, silly but nerdy, social but anti-social, sweet but naughty, caring but mischevious," the write-up says.

Already having the makings of a celebrity, Ranillo's batchmate ends the write-up with: "Can I have your autograph?!"

Wholesome to sexy

Krista Ranillo on the cover of MAXIM Philippines. She writes as a sex columnist for the magazine.

Ranillo shunned her wholesome image and became a sexy actress for her showbiz comeback. She even serves as the resident sex columnist for MAXIM Philippines.

Her father was opposed to her sexy image, and the two were reported to have fought over this issue for a time.

Her film credits include the action-drama flick Two-Timer (2002), followed by Chopsuey (2007), where Ranillo played the sister of actor Piolo Pascual, a Filipino-Chinese man on the throes of depression.

In 2008, Ranillo starred in the comedy film "Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After" as part of an ensemble cast.

She also starred in Paupahan (2008) as a bit-player actress who provides sexual favors for even the lowest-tier production staff while shooting a movie. She has scenes in the indie film where she goes topless.

This year, she starred in Marino, a film about seamen. Ranillo, who played the role of a prostitute, was cast along with Ara Mina and Allen Dizon (who produced the film Paupahan).

Krista signed up with ABS-CBN in 2008 and starred in Carlo J. Caparas’ “Pieta” alongside Ryan Agoncillo. She played the role of Martha, the love interest of Agoncillo’s character.

She also appeared in episodes of "Your Song" and "Maalaala Mo Kaya" and was also a temporary Star Patrol host for TV Patrol World.

Krista is part of the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Wapakman" topbilled by Pacquiao. She is also set to star alongside Coco Martin in "Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla presents Tonyong Bayawak."

Love life

A mystery girl (left), said to be Krista Ranillo, rides shotgun with boxer Manny Pacquiao (right) after he guested on an American talk show.

According to numerous reports, Ranillo had been in a long-term relationship with television director Dominic Zapata. The pair were reportedly together for 7 years, though there are also reports that the pair have split up.

Most recently, she was romantically linked with her co-star in the film "Whapakman", boxer Manny Pacquiao.

Rumors swirled that the pair were having an off-screen affair after they were seen together at a party in Hong Kong.

During Pacquiao's latest bout with Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Ranillo was brought along with the "Pacquiao team." Entertainment reports alleged that Pacquiao paid for Ranillo's stay at a Las Vegas hotel.

A video on the internet also purportedly shows Pacquiao getting into a black sedan with a mystery girl (said to be Ranillo) in the passenger seat, after he guested on the US talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

These rumors were further fueled when Pacquiao's wife Jinkee was seen crying during a thanksgiving mass after Pacquiao's "Firepower" match last Sunday, and refused efforts by Pacquiao to comfort her.

Mrs. Pacquiao also skipped out on her husband's after-party and mini-concert at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Later on, actress Gina Alajar said on her Facebook account that Mrs. Pacquiao should not let Manny go since "Krista Ranillo is not worth it."

Answering comments posted on her Facebook page, Alajar went on to allege that Ranillo likes married men and that the young actress is short on values.

Ranillo was reported to be the cause of Alajar's split with her former husband, director and actor Michael de Mesa.

These rumors, however, were denied by her manager Arnold Vegafria. He insisted that Ranillo and Pacquiao are "just good friends."

Pacquiao refused to comment when abs-cbnNEWS.com pressed him on the issue, while Ranillo has yet to give a formal statement.

Toni Gonzaga leads relief operation in Taytay

MANILA – Actress-host Toni Gonzaga is leading a relief operation in her hometown in Taytay, Rizal, one of the affected areas when tropical storm Ondoy (international codename Ketsana) hit the country last week.

During the press conference for ABS-CBN's "Pinoy Big Brother Double Up," Gonzaga was thankful that she and her family had been spared from the wrath of Ondoy.

However, a big number of her town mates have been displaced by the storm, prompting the actress and her family to come to their aid.

"Alam ko na may nangyayari dito sa Manila, sa ABS-CBN, but instead of bringing my stuff there and 'yong mga goods na mayroon kami, since nasa Taytay na din ako, kami na ang nag-organize ng sarili naming pagtulong, ng pagbibigay ng relief goods," said the actress-host.

The former village councilor added: "Hindi naman kailangan kang maging pulitiko o hindi ka kailangang maging miembro ng anumang organization para makatulong in your own special way. Sa sarili mong paraan pwede kang tumulong sa mga kababayan mo.

"Up to now, my mom is still organizing some stuff na pangtulong naman sa ibang mga staff namin sa 'Entertainment Live' na naapektuhan."

Gonzaga, who is one of the hosts of the upcoming “Pinoy Big Brother Double Up,” said she's happy that a lot of stars are also helping the flood victims.

The lead star of "Precious Hearts Romances: Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin" added that people should now take a more proactive stance in taking care of the environment.

“Tayo din naman siguro ang dahilan kung bakit nagkakaganito, kung bakit binabaha dahil sa sarili din nating kapabayaan. Siguro ginigising lang tayo na mas maging aware at mahalin ang ating lugar, ang ating bayan," Gonzaga said.

Ruffa Gutierrez files custody case in QC court

MANILA, Philippines - Actress and former beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez-Bektas has asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to award to her the custody of her two minor daughters.

Gutierrez-Bektas, whose real name is Sharmaine Gutierrez, filed a petition for custody in which the defendant is her estranged husband, Turkish businessman Yilmaz Bektas.

The case docketed as Civil Case No. Q-09-64795 is now assigned at the sala of QCRTC Branch 107 Presiding Judge Jose Bautista, Jr.

The contents of the petition, however, were not revealed since the case falls under the jurisdiction of a family court.

But it was learned from the sala of Judge Bautista that summon has already been sent to Bektas in his address in Istanbul, Turkey informing him of the petition filed against him.

It was also learned that the court would still determine if the case is under its jurisdiction or whether it is not dismissible before it would schedule a hearing.

The estranged couple got married in The Fort, Taguig on March 25, 2003. They had two daughters ages Lorin, 5 and Venice 4.

But on May 8, 2007, the couple announced their mutual decision to end their four-year marriage. Ruffa returned to the country with her two daughters on tow.

Several reports disclosed that the actress is already ready to file an annulment of their marriage but up to this time, no petition for annulment has yet been filed.