Is Mariel Rodriguez next?

First it was John Lloyd Cruz. And then Angel Locsin. These last few days, it has been director Joyce Bernal.

So, is “Wowowee” and “Pinoy Big Brother” host Mariel Rodriguez next to be rumored as an alcoholic?

During the press conference for her Cossack Blue endorsement last week, Mariel said she is ready for such talk but warns that she would only accept being called a drinker, not alcoholic.

“Di naman ako pa-sweet so let me say this: Drinking alcohol is not dirty – it’s fun. We all drink to have fun pero iba ‘yung umiinom lang sa lasinggera na di na makapagtrabaho o pumupunta sa work na lasing-lasing,” she said.

“Ang alcoholic, it’s like alcohol na ang breakfast mo!”

Mariel calls herself a “vodka girl” and that she used to drink more before she had regular shows on ABS-CBN because it can be a good way to bond with people.

“But remember, drink moderately,” she said. “Especially sa aming mga artista na may mga bata who look up to us. Di pwedeng laklakera.”

The desire to drink comes over Mariel when she is stressed from work. Mariel describes herself as one who “works like a mad dog” that’s why she deserves a bit of fun from time to time.

If not drinking, it’s traveling that Mariel indulges in to beat stress. She and boyfriend, model-actor Zanjoe Marudo went to Hong Kong to unwind recently.

“Kapag Holy Week, Mahal na Araw and Christmas lang talaga ako nakakapag-biyahe ng hindi job-related so we make the most of the free time we have,” she said.

Asked if she and Zanjoe drink during their break, Mariel simply said, “Umiinom din naman si Zanjoe paminsan-minsan – ‘di naman siya nagmamalinis pagdating ‘dun.”

Will she ask her new “Wowowee” co-hosts to drink with her?

“Why not? Like I said, it’s a good way to bond and even Kuya [of PBB] tells me I should bond with the new girls.”

Among all the new “Wowowee” hosts, Mariel is most amused with Malasyian actress Carmen Soo because of the latter’s limited English and Filipino vocabulary.

“Ako ang interpreter niya. When something is said on the show that she doesn’t understand, I take the initiative to explain it to her. Kulang na nga lang ay ako ‘yung laruan na nilalagyan ng mga barya tapos biglang gagana para mag-interpret. Carmen is so cute!”

She denied speculations that she is insecure of the newbies.

“I have had my time to shine on the show. Sila naman.”

Source: The Manila Bulletin