Team Shalani!

What a week it has been for ex-future First Lady Shalani Soledad.  On Monday, she debuted as the newest co-host in Willing Willie.  (Capsule review:  She needs improvement in styling and stage presence, but I have to admit this is a brilliant casting coup by Willie Revillame.  People who would not otherwise watch this show (read: me) became curious and tuned in for the first time ever.)  And as the week closes, her ex-boyfriend Noynoy finally acknowledges that their relationship is kaput and that he is now going out on dates with his stylist (and ex-girlfriend of John Lloyd Cruz), Liz Uy:

I normally couldn't care less about anything involving the (not-so-dear-to-me) President of the Philippines, but I actually like Shalani.  I thought she handled herself with grace and poise when she was thrust into the spotlight as the girlfriend of Noynoy.  She kept to herself, gave as few interviews as possible and was content on just being on the sidelines.  And even if the Aquinos don't acknowledge this, Shalani's presence during the campaign gave Noynoy some pogi points (it certainly is better to project yourself as someone who was ready to settle down soon, as opposed to a 50-year old bachelor).

But even as early as the campaign, it was obvious (to me at least) that something's amiss.  Rumors began circulating that the Aquino sisters weren't warm to Shalani (highlighted by that Kris Aquino interview on The Buzz, which was awkward all around).  It was only a matter of time before the relationship imploded, so I wasn't really that surprised with the announcement that it was over.  And I certainly wasn't surprised when I read this quote from Kris Aquino, referring to the new girlfriend:

“She comes from a stable and religious family,” Kris told the PhilStar. “Her parents have been married for 33 years. They go to church together every Sunday."

Seems innocent, but to me it's an (intended?) jab at Shalani, who (as has been widely publicized) was born out-of-wedlock and didn't even who know her real father was until this year.  How classy, Kris.  I hope when your kids grow up nobody ever takes a swipe at them because they come from a broken family.

As for Liz Uy, alI can say is:  Girl, you're going from JLC to Noynoy?  That's a downgrade of several levels, in my opinion!

Does anyone else get that "arranged marriage" feeling from this latest pairing?

Post-script:  I posted the best pictures of Shalani and Liz I could find on the web, you readers be the judge on who is more suited (looks-wise) to Noynoy.  While I was looking for pictures, I found this:

Funny how things have changed so much in just a few months, no?