Livid that Lorna replaced her as Dr. Vicki Belo’s endorser and also as co-host in GMA-7’s “Startalk” (Rosanna left the show last year following a quarrel with co-host Lolit Solis), Rosanna supposedly made a public statement that said, among other things: “Lorna may have taken over my two jobs, but I got her husband (Rudy Fernandez).”

Any wife would have been devastated by those words but not LT. The clear-thinking actress snooped around and discovered that the hurting words were put into the former bold actress’ mouth by overeager handlers. Not that she’s playing the martyr but Lorna says it’s hard to fight with someone who may not be the direct enemy. Lorna said Rosanna’s camp can talk all it wants but she won’t be suckered into a fight with the has-been boldie who seems to thrive on such publicity seeking stunts.

LT claims her marriage is solid. She’s also proud of the fact that her two sons Ralph and Reinz have turned out well and have so far resisted the lure of show business.

Because Rudy and Lorna are undereducated, meaning they didn’t go to college, a good education is something that their kids must have at all cost. Their eldest Ralph is in his third year of college at the Ateneo, while Reinz has just started studies at the Thames International School of Business.

Although show business is decreed taboo on the boys while still in their studies, sometimes Lorna and Rudy allow them an occasional TV exposure. Some weeks ago, Ralph and Reinz joined “Extra Challenge,” the premier reality show of GMA-7 to which Lorna and Rudy are contracted. The boys did really well, prompting the network to send overtures to the Fernandezes, but the couple demurred, saying, “wait until the boys finish college.”

‘Sigaw’ a screaming hit at L.A. film festival

There’s word that Regal Entertainment’s “Sigaw” is doing brisk business and earning critical notice at the ongoing Screamfest Film Festival in L.A.

According to reports, even the local mataray film critic Kevin Thomas is all praises for the film that has been retitled “Echo” for American audiences. It stars Angel Locsin, Richard Gutierrez and Iza Calzado.

Director Yam Laramas along with Richard and Iza left for L.A. last week to grace the event. Iza is a best actress nominee in the festival which winds up this weekend. Yam says he is feeling prescient about an Iza victory but asks kababayans around the world to pray anyway because the country could really use another happy jolt (following Precious Lara Quigaman’s Miss International win) at this difficult time in its history.

“Sigaw” created such a stir during the qualifying rounds of the screamfest festival last month that a big agency sought out director Yam and offered Hollywood management. Yam, of course, accepted and is now being repped by the powerful Creative Artists Agency. He could be working on his first Hollywood film soon if “Sigaw” really makes good in the screamfest. Good luck Yam!

Salonga expecting

From Lea Salonga’s camp comes the happy news that she and her husband Robert Chieng are expecting their first born due July next year. The good news comes with the assurance that the Broadway star’s delicate condition will in no way affect her forthcoming singing commitments, foremost of which is her upcoming appearance at Carnegie Hall early next month. Lea’s Manila concert slated for January 2006 will also go as planned. Friends predict Lea’s baby is going to be a girl (it’s still too early for an ultrasound) because the original “Miss Saigon” star is looking lovelier and glowing these days, a sure sign, according to a Pilipino belief, that an expectant mother is carrying a girl.

Why Filipinos adore Buble

One reason why Michael Buble is adored by Filipinos — always conferring his shows sold out status when he plays the town — is his boyish good looks plus the man’s seeming understanding of the Pinoy psyche and his willingness to ride along with their idiosyncrasies

Michael’s show last week at the Araneta Coliseum Cubao was, needless to say, a huge sold out event. The locals broke into wild applause at each of his numbers, almost all of them familiar and hummable to the musical Filipinos.

At one instance a female voice in the audience broke out “I love you Michael!” This was greeted by the singer with a wide grin before firing back: “You’re only saying that because I’m here in front of you, I bet next week you’ll be yelling ‘I love you Christian Bautista!’ Then you will be saying I am a bakla!”

The coliseum, of course, exploded in laughter and catcalls endearing Michael more to the audience.