Remember Fred Payawan? He is one of Big Brother’s housemates in the first Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition. On TV he doesn’t look appealing but when I saw him once I think he is a lot good looking than Joaqui. He is from the same batch of Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson. Being a son of a military officer Fred showed good attitude specially towards the girls. He became like their kuya inside the house.

Recently, another alleged scandal plagued the ex-housemates of Kuya, if you remember Matt Evans, Josef Elizalde and Ejay Falcon had their own share of the scandal controversy. Now, it’s Fred’s turn, a cellphone scandal is circulating insisting that it was Fred. But as always, the guy in the cellphone video is just another copycat. Obviously, it was not Fred, thankfully!

Anyway, if you are wondering where he is now, aside from continuing his studies at De La Salle University taking up Business Management, Fred is also a mainstay of LipGloss at TV 5 together with Mikee Lee a fellow ex-housemate who was Kim Chiu’s first love team inside the house.

Aldred Gatchalian, auditioned and got the part of student activist in the Indie Film “Bente”, originally cast was Marky Cielo who died before the film could start to shoot. Aldred is the first Teen Pinoy Big Brother contestant who volunteered to exit the house because of homesickness. But is was also speculated that it was not voluntary at all since at that time he is only 15 years old, which is below the required 16 years age limit.
Mel Chionglo  is the director of Bente, one of six indie entries to Sine Direk ongoing in SM cinemas. Written by Ricky Lee, Bente focuses on a malaise which has shocked Philippine society for the past so many years — the mysterious disappearances and killings of Filipino journalists and activists.
Jinggoy Estrada is the crusading radio announcer.  Also in the film are Richard Gomez, Snooky Serna (as Jinggoy Estrada’s wife), Glaiza de Castro (as Aldred’s girlfiend), Ricky Davao (as the town mayor at odds with Jinggoy), Iza Calzado (as the wife of Richard) and Ryan Eigenmann.
Although the film is said to have limited budget, most of the cast and staff just received honoraria – or no fees at all. But we all know that Indie film is very popular today, of course with the great reviews it had been receiving here and abroad. Most actors would love to participate in something non-commercial as it is.
The five other entries Sine Direk,  a joint project of Tony Tuviera’s APT Entertainment and the Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc. are Joel Lamangan’s Fuschia, Soxie Topacio’s Ded Na Si Lolo, Lore Reyes’ Litsonero, Peque Gallaga’s Agaton and Mindy and Maryo J. de los Reyes’ Kamoteng Kahoy.

After paparazzi caught Matt Evans with his new non-showbiz girlfriend during his birthday party last October, people have been asking the Iisa Pa Lamang actor how his on-screen partner Melissa Ricks felt about it. “Hindi naman siya nagseselos. Alam naman niya yun. At saka yung trabaho naman namin hindi naman namin pinapabayaan. Kumbaga personal ko na lang yun. Hindi naman naming pinagsasabay. Yung kuha sa birthday ko, bumibisita siya. Pero kumbaga yung sa amin, nagsisimula pa lang talaga,” Matt says.

His girlfriend, whose identity he wants to keep private, was one of his friends even before he entered the Pinoy Big Brother house as a Teen housemate back in 2006. After his two-year romance with fellow Teen housemate Olyn Meimban ended, many wonder if the young actor now wants to date only non-showbiz girls. “Hindi naman sa ganun. Actually kahit naman showbiz or non-showbiz okay naman sa akin. Basta yung tipong seryoso talaga ang gusto ko,” he admits. Matt also wants his personal life to be separate from his public one which is why he chooses not to bring her to showbiz events. “Iba talaga sa trabaho, iba rin sa personal. Actually matagal ko na rin siyang kaibigan,” he says.

One of the more challenging aspects of his job includes doing the occasional kissing scene with Melissa, for which Matt says he is thankful that both his girlfriend and his love team partner are both very understanding. “Si Mel hindi pa siya nagkaka-boyfriend talaga so parang ‘whoa!’ Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako kay Melissa kasi grabe yung tiwalang binigay niya sa akin,” he admits.

Matt also talks about honing his acting skills as he gears up for bigger roles in 2009. “Hangga’t maaari, gusto ko pa rin mag-workshop para kahit papaano ma-enhance pa rin yung acting skills ko. I want to do serious roles kasi sa ganung trabaho mo nalalaman yung acting skills mo kung hanggang saan ka at lahat maibibigay mo,” he explains.

The 20-year-old actor would also want to be a comedian, if given the chance. “Matagal ko na talagang gustong mag-comedy. As in ‘pag alam ko nga na may ginagawa silang sitcom, tinatanong ko kung puwede mag-guesting. Kahit guesting lang okay na ako,” he shares.

Currently busy working on an upcoming Your Song episode with Melissa Ricks, Matt is looking forward to the holidays and the chance to give his loved ones nice gifts and maybe even do some traveling. “Gusto ko talagang bilhan yung mommy ko ng videoke set kasi yun yung gusto niya. Mahilig din siya mag-sing-along. So I was planning on getting her a full set ng karaoke at sub-woofer. Balak ko rin mag-out of the country na kasama yung mga kapatid ko. Siyempre sa Hong Kong muna kasi madaming puwedeng pasyalan dun gaya ng Disneyland and OceanPark. At saka for shopping na din,” he says excitedly. (abs-cbn)

Anyway, I was just surprised to hear about this alleged scandal that got his name on in it. Thankfully it wasn’t him and here’s the excerpt of his interview that I’ve got from ABS site.

Young actor Matt Evans denied that he’s the guy in a controversial sex video. Although it surprised him when first he heard about it, Matt said that he is not the least bothered.

“Nagulat pero natawa din,” he told ABS-CBN.COM last July 31, during a fashion-trend launch at the Penshoppe boutique in SM Megamall. “Hindi ko naman talaga gawain yon. Tsaka hindi po talaga ako ma-Internet na tao, eh.”

The ex-Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition housemate pointed out that with the wave of new technology, videos and pictures are easily manipulated. “Alam n’yo naman po ngayon sa ating technology, pwede nang salpakan yung mga mukha,” he explained. “Ako po aminado na hindi ako yon, pero hindi ko pa talaga nakikita yung video.”

When asked for proof that he is indeed not the person in the video, Matt humorously said, “Ang balita ko po kasi nagsasarili yung nasa video, siguro tingnan n’yo na lang yung patay kong kuko (sa kaliwang index finger), ” Matt humorously answered while raising his finger.

Matt said that he is not worried about the video damaging his reputation because he has not done anything wrong so he has nothing to be ashamed of. “May mga kaibigan naman po ako na nakakita sa video na nagsabi na, ‘Hindi ikaw ‘yon.’ Natuwa naman po ako kasi may mga fans din na hindi naniniwala,” Matt elaborated. The young actor also said that he has his family’s full support. “Hindi naman po sila apektado, kilala naman po ako ng pamilya ko na hindi ako ganon.”

Matt is currently busy with the teleserye Iisa Pa Lamang, playing the love interest of young actress Melisssa Ricks.

Amerisian from Olongapo City

The only rose among the thorns, Olyn has to bear 4 overprotective older brothers. “Mahirap maging only girl. Lahat ng kilos mo pinapansin nila,” She even had to go to the same school her youngest brother goes to for her parents wanted her to have a ‘tagabantay’. Yet despite all that ‘body guards’, Olyn has already gone to Boracay unsupervised. “Nag 2-piece bikini pa nga ako. Yung parang ginantsilyo. Then nag-miniskirt…tinupi ko pa!” she shamelessly admitted. Olyn is guilty of loving fashion, being a gimikera and being maarte. She has had five ex-boyfriends. Her dad even caught her with one of her exes and spanked her like a kid, right on the butt. This is also the reason why she broke up with that guy. She is 16 and admits to have been kissed but never been touched. She doesn’t want a serious relationship at the moment for she believes she is still young for that. Olyn’ sums up her personality as someone ‘maarte pero hindi malandi’.

Olyn’s family owns a funeral parlor which she humbly says is still small time. The business started out as a ‘karo for rent’ service. Then it started to prosper and her parents eventually added embalming and funeral services. She says she is a bit of a clairvoyant but is very scared of ghosts. She joined Pinoy Big Brother because of her dream to become a teen star. Olyn expressed her willingness to do anything EXCEPT pretend to be someone dead lying inside a casket. For a girl who sees dead people all the time she can’t get over her fear of the supernatural. “Ayoko kasi ng tinatakot.” She promises to do everything that is expected of her inside the Big Brother House, “Huwag lang po yun.”

The latest addition to Kuya’s teen houseguests, Joaqui has a great passion for sports. “I love the adrenaline rush. I love competition.” And he’s real aggressive when it comes to Taekwondo where he holds a black belt. He doesn’t sing nor dance though he also excels in basketball, swimming, soccer and boxing. He has yet to achieve Olympic Level status in Taekwondo but he has competed in a lot of local tournaments. His latest was the National Taekwondo Championships where he placed second in a team competition.

His love for the sport made him compete with an injured foot. “One time I had to compete na may sprain yung right leg ko. Nainjure ako the game before. Naiiyak na ako sa ring pero sabi ko bahala na. Bumato lang ako ng bahala na na kick. Basta I was praying the Hail Mary. Tumama naman, naka-knock-out. Hindi naman tulog kaagad. Lumaban pa (ang kalaban) noong una. Medyo nataranta nga ako. Pero pinigil na rin ng referee, ‘Huwag na hindi na kaya’. Pumutok na kasi yung labi (ng kalaban). Napahiyaw ako pagsipa ko. Sabi ko sa sarili ko ‘Aray, bakit ito ang pinangsipa ko?’”

Even though he admitted that he has had about 20 flings and 5 girl friends, he has yet to find the girl of his dreams. He had his first girlfriend at the age of 12. Joaqui also confessed to two-timing and pouring on the charm when needed to. “May pinagsasabay ako. Anim sabay sabay ang pinakamarami. Isa lang official doon. Mahirap hindi ko namanage. Pinakawalan ko agad. Isang linggo lang. Iba-iba rin kasi personality nila. Kung ano trip nila, nagpapa-alila ako sa kanila. Kung anong gusto nila bahala sila. Yun nga maasikaso ako, kapag may sakit, ‘nakabili ka na ba ng medicine’ ganun. Sobrang lambing. Lambing lang. Yung pinaparamdam ko sa kanila as if sila lang ang babae sa mundo.” He can’t really describe his ideal girl at the moment for serious relationships are still far from his mind. But if when that time comes Joaqui wants someone who would really understand him. “Medyo mahirap sagutin yan kasi wala pa akong sineseryosong babae sa buong buhay ko. Gusto ko yung makakasundo ko, yung parang alam kong hindi ko mapaglalaruan. Pag medyo mas mature na ako siguro yun tamang girl na dadating ang seseryosohin ko.”

This stint on PBB Teen Edition isn’t Joaqui’s first TV exposure. In fact he was 10 months old when he modeled for his first TV commercial. He has had several print and TV ads for various telecoms, food and beauty products in the last couple of years.

Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Nina used to spend money like there’s no tomorrow, until her grandfather died that is. Nina’s mom was adopted but she was her granddad’s favorite daughter, so she also became his favorite granddaughter. Her lolo’s real family resented it and deprived Nina’s mother of her share of the inheritance. “It’s really unfair because my mom really worked hard for them.”

She witnessed how poorly her dad treated her mom while she was growing up. “She’s a battered wife. Para kaming nasa action movie, where in e-escape kami then hahabulin niya kami. Tatakbo nanaman kami then magtatago.” Her parents are now separated. Her dad is living with another woman and she has a half sister on her mother’s side. “My relationship with my family is kinda err…complicated.” Nina admits to the dysfunctionality of her family life. “I would always fight with my mom. Sometimes I even scream at her. But she always forgives me. I hate my dad because he always counts what he gives us. He’s manunumbat, he’s really annoying and feeling niya ang taas taas niya.” Nina relates sadly. “I really want to help my mom out, one of the reasons I joined Pinoy Big Brother.”

Nina has also worked before as a model for clothes and became anorexic. But after noticing her looks becoming miserable instead of glamorous, she started eating again. She sees herself now as a bit fat though and says she needs to lose weight. She has had her heart broken thrice but believes her true love is just out there. There’s a lot more of Nina that even she can’t count everything on her two hands. She’s a self confessed bratinella. But is best friends with God and M’ama Mary. She can cook. She can clean. Though she rarely puts those skills to use. She doesn’t eat insects. She doesn’t know things like isaw and betamax. She only knows that fishballs tastes ‘masarap’. And don’t forget the one thing she knows best – how to party.

“Magaling ako sa pagaaral pero hindi ako nerd.” That’s how Mikee, the Atenista of PBB Teens, describes himself. He has discovered early on that he has a natural gift for numbers but he has not only focused himself on books. “Mahilig din po talaga ako sa sports like sa basketball. Di ko rin naman po nakakalimutan makipagsocialize, pumupunta din ako di lang sa fair naming sa school, nakikikapitbahay din ako sa ibang school fairs.” Mikee prides himself as an achiever though his grades never going below the 93 mark. He is also part of the advance math and science classes, which only has 12 students from the whole high school.

He used to resent his father’s strict ways but now he understands why his dad always pushed him to study hard. “Dati hindi niya ako pinapa-review or pinapagawa ng homework magisa. Tinututukan niya ako. Na realize ko ngayon dinidiscipline niya lang ako. Para sa akin din ang lahat ng iyon. Thankful ako sa kanya.” He also thanks his teachers for shaping him to what he is now. He remembers what Mr. Jose Pagsanjan his English teacher taught him. “Pinush niya sa tamang direction ang buhay ko. Na-inspire niya ako in a way na alam kong ano man ang pagtrabahuhan ko, lahat ng pasukan ko, gaya nitong Pinoy Big Brother dapat may ibalik ako sa community.” Before he viewed Big Brother’s House as one big vacation on TV. “Parang ang sarap tu’mira sa bahay ni Kuya. Marami kang makikilala, matututunan, tapos para ka pang role model na makikilala ng mga tao. Dati naghahanap ako ng justification na sumali dito na hindi lang para sa akin, gusto kong tumulong sa ibang tao. Matagal na akong naniniwala na marami akong matutulungan na tao. Naisip ko pwede naman ngayon di ba?”

And amidst all that Mikee still has the time for love on his to-do list. “Nagka-first love na ako,” he admitted shyly. “Wala pa akong naging girlfriend. Hanggang MU (mutual understanding) lang.” He believes in saving oneself for marriage but when the right girl comes along all that would matter in the end for this genius is their love for one another.

The new high school graduate often jokes that he and his siblings are the “United Nations”. “Ako po half American, yung sumunod sa akin Filipino, si Mark. Tapos si Akira, Hapon naman.” His mom was a former entertainer in Japan, who had her heart broken a few too many times. She finally found a husband and Matt a dad in his stepfather, Mark’s father. Matt says he is lucky to ‘’’have a very supportive stepfather. “Kahit minsan napapagalitan niya ako, nakikita ko sa kanya ang pagaaalala. Di po niya ako sinasaktan. Mabait po siya talaga. Understanding din.” But if Matt had a choice he’d like to get to know his biological father too, who last saw him when Matt was just 8 months old. “Feeling ko din hinahanap niya ako eh. Nalulungkot ako kasi nawalan na siya ng connection sa akin. Kahit sumulat man lang. Marami akong gustong itanong sa kanya. Gusto ko siyang mashock dahil yung maliit niyang iniwan malaki na pala.” And even though his stepfather treats him like his real son, Matt still longs to be with his American father. “Sabik ako na makita siya at makasama. At alam ko maiintindihan ako ng stepdad ko.”

Matt likes to help augment his family’s meager income. He’s even willing to accept a job of a street sweeper so he can at least pay for their electricity bill. His Tito Joey even helps him find odd jobs here and there. His stepfather has a job and his mom accepts laundry from the boarders who rent a room inside their house. But he wants the family to live in comfort and have a steadier source of income. Though he wants to go to college his priority at the moment is finding work. “Kung kikita ako ng malaki, ako na ang magbibigay ng baon sa mga kapatid ko.”

Matt and his friends have a ska/reggae band called “Cherokee”. He’s currently the vocalist and they play in bars and productions around town. Matt, together with his friends, has already composed 4 songs that they play during their gigs. The dude admits he has been in a dance group too, way back then. He confessed that he joined PBB to enhance his character and find what he wants in life. Despite his rebel looks, Matt is the most scared of encountering war freaks. He shuns conflicts. Matt’s also afraid of heights.