t looks like Pops Fernandez's lovelife is in the upswing.

When we spoke with her Monday afternoon during the press conference for her Valentine show with the Diva, Ms. Kuh Ledesma at the Teatrino in Greenhills, she admitted to us that she and actor Jomari Yllana are in the "very much dating process."

Pops said although she goes out with other "friends" in an attempt to water down the implication of her revelation, there is nothing romantic about the other dates she goes out to. "Hey, this makes life more exciting so please, let it be," she said with a smile.

Pops also seems oblivious to the negative reactions of the public to her new lovelife because when we asked her how she reacts to negative opinions about her going out with Jomari, she simply said, "hurt ako. I just feel that I have been in this business too long that I am entitled to a little bit of respect."

She said however that "as long as the people who matter know what's going on in my life. I'm fine. My kids know the truth and that's good enough for me."

Pops denied rumors that she has been neglecting her kids because of Jomari's presence in her life. "That's so not true. I've never been this close, never been this attentive to my kids than now. I have more time to be with them," she said.

She said that the time she spoke to her kids about Jomari, one of her sons responded "I know Mom. I heard it from some people in school." Pops said it lifted her spirit so much when her son told her he defended her by telling his schoolmate, "you should not believe everything you read. If you want to know the truth, you can always ask me."

Pops said her ex-husband Martin Nievera also knows what's going on. "Not that I needed to explain to him. But he knows. He listens. In the same way that I listen to him when he tries to tell me something," she said.

* * *

Pops also clarified that she and her mother Dulce Lukban are in the best of terms now. "We're still in love with each other. It's true na nagtampo siya , and I admit it was my fault I didn't tell her right away and that she had to hear it from someone else. But we're really okay now," she said.

The singer said "I was afraid to hurt her with my decision to switch managers (with Arnold Vegafria) that's why I asked my brother Joey to be the one to tell her. Hindi rin niya agad nasabi . And then she heard it from someone else pa . Naturally, she was hurt. I would, too, if our situation was reversed."

"But now, she's okay. It doesn't mean that she no longer has a say in my career. She is still very much a part of it. I just want her to have more time for herself, concentrate in some other things that she wants to do. Bottom line is, I just love her so much," Pops said with a big smile.

* * *

In her concert with Ms. Kuh Ledesma, Pops said she and Kuh will be doing well-loved duets that they have done in their past three shows together, the last of which was in 1999.

"We would always ask each other when can we perform together again. This year's Valentine season makes that desire come true," Pops said.

The two-night Valentine show is billed "Let's Talk About Love" and it happens on Feb. 13 and 14 at the Captain's Bar of Mandarin Oriental in Makati City . Musical director is Rey Cristobal and their special guest is businessman-turned-classical singer George Yang (of McDonald's Corp.).

The Kuh Ledesma-Pops Fernandez show is going to be an exciting showcase not only of musical artistry but of fashion as well. Kuh said she will be wearing her own designs, executed with the help of Pops, while Pops wouldn't want to reveal the designers who have contributed to the concert wardrobe, " para ma surprise kayo ," she said.

"But expect it to be some kind of a fashion show again. I don't know with Ms. Kuh, but one of the things that make me really excited about a show is the fact that I could make all those fabulous costume changes. It's the girl in me," she said.

Tickets to "Let's Talk About Love" are available at Music Museum , Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and Ticketworld at 891-9999.

* * *

Sometime this month, Piolo Pascual's new soap opera with Judy Ann Santos, billed "Sa Piling Mo" will be airing on ABS-CBN. The soap is as timely as can be knowing that the tandem had just scored a box-office victory in the reunion film "Don't Give Up On Us" under Star Cinema.

Piolo, whom we spoke to during his post-birthday luncheon at the 9501 Restaurant in ABS-CBN, said they have been taping nonstop for the new soap since second week of January. "I think they are targetting to air the pilot episode on the fourth week of February," he said.

Piolo said that for his next project, he will probably be directed by Olive Lamasan in the movie called " Barcelona ." " Sana matuloy, kasi exciting yun , Español naman ang aaralin ko ," he said.

In that conversation, Piolo inevitably was asked about his lovelife, as always, to which he answered in the negative. When asked when was the last time he had a lovelife, Piolo surprised everyone by answering "three years ago."

He refused to elaborate who the girl was and with a lot of prodding only revealed that she was a bit older than him and one who also belongs to the same business.

When asked why they had to part ways, Piolo truthfully said, "it just dawned upon me at that time that I had to prioritize my career. I came home to Manila for it. I should not mess it up. I was beginning to really get distracted but it was a mutual decision on both our part. She agreed to that decision because she also has a career to take care of."

Piolo says he does not regret having that relationship and went on to say that he would be willing to pursue this lady in the future, "if she will still have me," he ends.

- -