Sandara's Fave

And Joseph gets the girl

Nini Valera
Inquirer News Service

IN THE realm of teen star rivalry, Joseph Bitangcol found himself getting the girl—Sandara Park—and edging out the competition—Hero Angeles.

But the 21-year-old "Star Circle" finalist told Inquirer Entertainment in an exclusive interview last week that he felt bad for his show biz rival, Hero, whose career was in jeopardy after a falling out with Star Magic, the talent management arm of ABS-CBN.

"It's such a waste," Joseph said. "I hope he recovers from it." Hero is also embroiled in a legal battle with a tabloid columnist.

The young actor admitted that he was jealous of Hero especially when the Sandara-Hero love team became a hit. But still, Joseph pursued the girl in private, waiting in the wings.

"Sandy and I have been together for more than a year now," he said. "We came out in the open [only recently] to avoid intrigues."

Fans who sought a scapegoat for the breakup of the Sandara-Hero tandem, made Joseph out as the culprit.

But he claimed that Sandy and Hero had a falling out after they made the movie "Can This Be Love," and it wasn't because of him. He also said his and Sandy's parents had met.

"When Sandy left for Korea [last April]," Joseph related, "my parents and I sent them off at the airport."

He admitted he was missing Sandara. "But she'll be back soon," he said.