
Tabing Ilog: Then and Now
Because <em>Tabing Ilog:</em> premiered 15 years ago
Published Apr 18, 2014
(SPOT.ph) Three of them have children, three of them got married. One graduated from UP Diliman with honors, one of them allegedly got slapped by Anne Curtis. It's been 15 years sinceTabing Ilog premiered and the cast members have grown up. In the spirit of melodrama: where has the river taken them?
Presenting the cast ofTabing Ilog, then and now!
Kaye Abad(31) (Epifania "Eds/Ponyang" delos Santos)
She started out as a fresh-faced teen but now, she's a wicked stepmother to Anna Liza in the eponymous series. Abad's TV time was whittled down to performances inMaalaala Mo Kaya post-Tabing Ilog and she was more famous for being Parokya ni Edgar's girlfriend more than anything else. Her success comes from keeping her name clean from lewd scandals, something she couldn't help but be proud of when her ex's sex video leaked to the public.
Proudest achievement sinceTabing Ilog: Not being involved in a sex scandal.
Number ofMaalaala Mo Kayaepisodes post-Tabing Ilogpremiere:Nine (9)
John Lloyd Cruz (30) (Rolando Victor "Rovic" Mercado)
Who would've thought that this boy would grow up to be one of the country's most bankable leading men? He retained his chubby-cheeked cuteness, but Lloydie has come a long, long, long way from Koolits to Kanto Boys. He's the star of countless blockbuster hits, a bankable endorser, and he's a budding name in the art scene as a discerning collector. You can once again catch him on TV every weekend inHome Sweetie Homewith Toni Gonzaga.
Proudest achievement since Tabing Ilog: Being classy enough to be slapped by Anne Curtis. Allegedly, of course.
Number ofMaalaala Mo Kaya episodes post-Tabing Ilog premiere:Eight (8)
Jodi Sta. Maria (31) (Georgina "George" Fuentebella)
Her big eyes and full lips had boys (and possibly, some girls) crushing on her from the onset. Sta. Maria got married, had a kid, separated, and found a new love while doingMaalaala Mo Kaya episodes and playing supporting roles in other projects, with a notable performance inAparisyon. Her celebrity status skyrocketed with the sleeper hitBe Careful with My Heart, playing the role Maya. Who knew that her pairing with the older Richard Yap would prove to be a winning formula? Sta. Maria also appears in several commercials aimed at parents with her son, Thirdy.
Proudest achievement since Tabing Ilog: Grand fictional wedding.
Number ofMaalaala Mo Kaya episodes post-Tabing Ilog premiere:Ten (10)
Patrick Garcia (32) (Jaime "James" Collantes)
After several small stints in a few telenovela for ABS-CBN, Garcia switched networks and tried his luck with GMA's soaps. He appeared in variousfantaseryes, but his name gained buzz when he hooked up with Jennylyn Mercado. The public was shocked when he left the country despite the fact that Mercado was pregnant with his child. Garcia returned to the country in 2009 to attend the Garcia-Kramer nuptials, and in October 2013, he went public with his non-showbiz girlfriend Nikki Martinez with their daughter, Chelsea. He has reunited with hisTabing Ilog co-star Kaye Abad inAnna Liza,but left the show February 2014. Physically, he doesn’t seem like he has aged a year sinceTabing Ilog, but fathering two children has certainly had an effect on him.
Proudest achievement since Tabing Ilog: Children.
Number ofMaalaala Mo Kaya episodes post-Tabing Ilog premiere:One (1)
Paolo Contis (30) (Salvador "Badong" Magtibay)
Contis left ABS-CBN soon afterTabing Ilong concluded and molded himself into both a comedian and a villain (and, sometimes, a comedic villain). His move seemed fruitful, as he immediately received an award for his work in Cesar Apolinario'sBanal in 2008, a year after he terminated his contract with the network. Contis isn't quite what his co-star Lloydie is in the industry, but he is never without work. He has appeared in more than 20 GMA productions as both an actor and host. His romantic life, on the other hand, isn't as smooth. Contis is hoping to finalize annulment with EB Babe Lian Paz, with whom he has two children.
Proudest achievement since Tabing Ilog: Children.
Number ofMaaalaala Mo Kaya episodes post-Tabing Ilog premiere:None listed.
Desiree Del Valle (31) (Corrine Ledesma)
If you can't beat them, beat them. You know, slapping and the like? Del Valle embraced villainy afterTabing Ilog, putting her expressive eyebrows and high cheekbones to good use. She even starred as the super villain Luminax inKrystala. She had brief affairs with GMA, appearing in the seventh installment ofNow and Forever,Dangal, and the reality showKung Ako Ikaw, but has remained with ABS-CBN since 2005. She dated Elaine Crisostomo (yes, a woman) and was also with Vhong Navarro-though both parties refuse to talk about the breakup. She is currently datingAryana co-star Boom Labrusca.
Proudest achievement since Tabing Ilog: Not being a stereotypical lesbian...or is it bisexual now?
Number ofMaalaala Mo Kaya episodes post-Tabing Ilog premiere:Five (5)
Paula Peralejo (29) (Angela "Anne" de Guzman)
Paula Peralejo took a break from acting in 2005, finishing her studies in UP Diliman. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and a minor in Tourism in 2008, got married to Charlie Fernandez in 2013, and is proud to have explored 73 of the 81 provinces of the Philippines. No surprise, as "PaulatheExplorer" and her husband are owners of the travel tour company, Our Restless Feet. Her Instagram has a few selfies here and there, but most will harbor feelings of envy while scrolling through the photos of places she has visited.
Proudest achievement since Tabing Ilog: Graduating. Magna Cum Laude. Traveling. Getting married. "TMTM" as the old slam book answer goes.
Number ofMaalaala Mo Kaya episodes post-Tabing Ilog premiere:None
Baron Geisler (31) (Alfonso "Fonzy" Ledesma)
Oh Baron. The young...well, then-young actor has a pretty stellar career on paper. He has appeared in numerous films, most of them critically-acclaimed with particular praise to his performances (like inJay). However, his personal life is riddled with instability-made clear to the public during his appearance in the second season ofPinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition. Despite being found guilty of Acts of Lasciviousness, he makes time for movies (appearing in all of Jeorge Estragan's MMFF entries). HisKidlat co-star Derek Ramsey advised him to stay focused (he seems to have genuine talent) and Geisler hopes to turn things around this 2014. Let's hope he keeps it together.
Proudest achievement since Tabing Ilog: Staying relevant despite various instances of misconduct?
Number ofMaalaala Mo Kaya episodes post-Tabing Ilog premiere:Six (6)