Showbiz circles are abuzz with talk of unrest in the little paradise of Assunta de Rossi and Jules Ledesma.

The couple, once the very picture of wedded bliss, is said to be no longer living together. But someone close to Assunta and Jules says there’s no truth in that. It’s more likely they do live in one roof, but not sharing interests, hardly communicating and finding each own’s amusement in the company of each own’s set of friends. But together still and that’s what’s important, says the source.

Assunta admits she’s bored with her life. She adds that Jules buries himself in work, in his business now that he’s retired from politics. He used to be the congressman from his province of Negros Occidental. The actress, who married when she was barely 18, says her husband spends most of his waking hours in his room, running his business.

But Assunta emphasizes she does not resent Jules; she understands his work and that there’s really no trouble in her marriage. She also says that she has Jules’ blessings to pursue what she likes best, which is acting, so the actress is circulating these days, making obvious she was available for casting.

According to Assunta, she wants to debunk the impression that she does not need work. She does, she says, although perhaps not for the obvious reasons. She wants only to have something to do; getting paid for doing it is only a bonus. She wants to have something to occupy her mind and nourish her soul, Assunta claims.

That’s probably why she has consented to do a less than significant role in an ABS-CBN soap. A few of her showbiz friends are wondering why Assunta grabbed the role like a hungry starlet, but majority in her circle understand.

Another R.P. film wins
at world filmfest

“Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros,” the Philippines’ entry to the 29th Montreal World Film Festival, claimed first place and bagged the Golden Zenith Award at the First Films World Competition section of the festival held Aug. 26 to Sept. 5 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The film bested 15 other entries in the competition, including Germany’s “Truth or Dare” which bagged the Silver Zenith and USA’s “London,” winner of the Bronze Zenith that starred Jessica Biel and Leelee Sobieski.

Over 300 films from 70 countries from five continents were screened at the festival.

“Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” was written by Michiko Yamamoto, whose earlier work, “Magnifico,” also won a string of awards in several international film festivals last year.

The film, directed by Aureaus Solito and originally in digital format, first gained notice at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival last July in Manila where it reaped three awards for best production design, best performance of an actor (Nathan Lopez who plays the title role) and a special jury prize.

“Ang Pagdadalaga...” is described as “a coming-of-age film about young Maximo whose unquestioning devotion to his family of small-time criminals in the slums of Manila is undermined when he strikes up a friendship with a principled young policeman.”

The Montreal World Film Festival is divided into the following sections: World Competition, First Films World Competition, Hors Concurs (World Great, Out of Competition), Focus on World Cinema, Documentaries of the World, Tributes, Cinema Under the Stars and the Canadian Student Film Festival.

Will Joey stop at kid #12?

Now that Kris Aquino professes to be madly in love with her fiance James Yap will she give a hoot — that her ex Joey Marquez is rumored to be a father again soon?

Joey’s current girlfriend, the one who came after Kris, is rumored to be heavy with Joey’s baby, his 12th if and when. The woman is said to be an executive of a bank in Parañaque where Joey was mayor for three terms.

Can’t hide the bump

According to co-employees, the lady executive’s condition is getting obvious by the day and has reached a point where fashion can no longer hide it. The entire bank is buzzing but no one claims to have seen Joey in the premises ever.

One source says the ex-mayor has smarted from his affair with Kris and now exercises discretion and silence in his love affairs.

Something that Kris has yet to learn.