dev-php/mod_php-4.3.8 seems to be rock solid (but has been tested with Squirrelmail only). The only issues during the build were the following: Truetype support wants to install an older freetype library, which does not build (fixed by providing a -truetype USE flag). The USe flag -fdftk also needed (I was unable to compile support fo this one, and I do not care either).
Thanks Stefan!
stick a fork in it! (FINALLY!) .. gmp was a little more fun than I wanted
die bug die! good bug!