Charice releases her self-titled debut album under Star Records

News courtesy of PEP

Filipina singing sensation Charice (who has dropped her last name Pempengco) has just finished recording her self-titled debut album under Star Records. The six-track CD lite titled Charice will be available in all record bars by the end of the month.

Through the help of Nixon Sy, audio marketing unit head of Star Records, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was able to speak with Charice on the phone. The young singer, who will turn 15 on May 10, was then having her album pictorial with celebrated photographer Ronnie Salvacion.

How does she feel about having her first album?

"Hindi ko po ine-expect kasi matagal ko na pong gustong magka-album. Masaya po ako na nabigyan ako ng chance na makagawa ng album under Star Records," says Charice gratefully.

Charice was the third placer in the ABS-CBN talent search Little Big Star aired in 2006. Since then, she has become popular for her YouTube videos that paved the way for her to guest in Ellen as well as the British talk show Paul O'Grady Show.

This time, she joins nine other kids in showcasing their unique talents for the May 12 episode of the American TV show Oprah, hosted by popular personality Oprah Winfrey, of course.

Canadian record producer-songwriter David Foster was the one who told Oprah Winfrey about Charice, prompting the TV host to book the Filipina singer as a guest in her show. Charice performed the Whitney Houston song "I Have Nothing" for the episode titled "World's Smartest Kids."

What did Oprah tell Charice after performing her song?

"Hindi raw siya makapaniwala na ganun ang boses kasi maliit raw ako," narrates Charice. "Si David Foster po ang nagsabi kay Oprah tungkol sa akin. Sabi po niya, ‘She's a show stopper.' Naiyak nga po ako nang sinabi niya yun."

She adds: "Hindi rin po ako makapaniwala...niyakap niya [Oprah] ako...sina Mommy, lahat sila po sila umiiyak."

Charice was in Chicago, U.S.A., during the first week of April to shoot the episode, which took two hours to tape.

"I Have Nothing" is one of the songs included in her debut album. The other songs are "Mama" by Smokey Mountain plus the two songs she sang in Ellen—"I Will Always Love You" and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

Two original songs, penned by Swedish songwriters, titled "Born to Love You Forever" and "It Can Only Get Better" are also included in the six-track album Charice.

Rhian Ramos excited to be included in "Asero"

courtesy: PEP

Pumalakpak nang sunud-sunod at may kasama pang sigaw ni Rhian Ramos, nang ibalita ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na kasama siya sa Asero, ang next series ni Richard Gutierrez sa GMA-7.

Ang actor mismo ang nagbanggit ng pangalan ng young actress nang mag-renew siya ng two-year guaranteed contract sa network.

"I am? Really? Wow! What's my role? Wala akong alam tungkol sa project na ‘yan. Astig! Sino'ng nag-announce?" sunud-sunod nitong tanong sa PEP na hindi alam kung ano'ng uunahing sagutin.

Napangiti si Rhian nang ipaalala ng PEP na just two weeks ago, sa interview sa kanya sa press visit sa shooting ng My Monster Mom, nabanggit niyang isa siya sa GMA Artist talents na walang regular show ngayon at mabuti na lang, may dalawa siyang pelikula. Ngayon, magkakaroon na uli siya ng regular show at natupad pa ang wish niyang muling makasama si Richard.

Okey sa kanya na isa siya sa makakapareha ng actor and she's also looking forward to be working with Heart Evangelista.

"Matutuwa ang Rhiannatics na magkasama uli kami ni Richard. Magkasama lang kami at wala siyang sinabing ganyan. Kaya pala, may hint-hint siya sa akin, ang lakas mang-asar noon. Happy rin ako to be working with Direk Mark [Reyes] again. Yehey!" parang batang reaction nito sa magandang balita.

PARTY WITH THE CREW. Of course, excited din si Rhian na mapanood na ang I.T.A.L.Y., at sa pictorial ng movie sa studio ni Rene Mejia last Friday afternoon siya nakausap ng PEP.

Bagay na bagay sa kanya ang role ng spoiled rich girl sa kanyang ayos sa pictorial. Para siyang model, habang pabalik-balik na naglalakad.

"I'm very, very happy with this movie. I don't know why. Ang saya namin sa shooting at totoo ang sabi nina Ate Jolens [Jolina Magdangal] na we had a great time at grabe ang bonding namin. Nalungkot nga kami when we finished shooting, kaya sa last day namin, may party kami with the Pinoy crew."

"Ni-request namin sa captain of the ship na papuntahin sila sa party. Marami sa kanila ang hindi magkakakilala and to think, eight months silang magkakasama sa ship. Kinuha namin ang contact numbers nila para pagbalik nila ng Pilipinas, kami naman ang mag-aalaga sa kanila, dahil sa ship, inalagaan nila kami," mahabang pahayag ni Rhian.

"Superman" American post-prod editor impressed with Jericho Rosales

Isang text mula kay Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano ang natanggap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at matutuwa si Jericho Rosales sa ibinalita ng kanyang manager.

Sabi sa message ni Angeli sa PEP: "Good news from Los Angeles. Met up with Radian Films executive Jovie Saddul in Chandara Resto in Hollywood. According 2 Francis dela Torre, director of Subject:I Love You [dating I Luv U Virus], Jericho Rosales's film w/Dante Basco, Dean Cain, & Brianna Evigan, the post-prod editor of Superman 2 the movie, Josh Butler is so impressed with Jericho.

"Who on earth is ths Jericho Rosales? He's fantastic! His English is amazing & was a joy to work with."

Maiksing "Jericho is a star!" lang ang sagot ni Francis at hindi na nagtanong ang American post-prod editor, pero humirit uli ng "Even Gary [Valenciano] ws a surprise. Jericho and Gary, in his cameo role wer both awesome discoveries."

Nasa Malaysia pa si Jericho ngayon at nagsu-shoot ng series (ba o movie) na co-production ng ABS-CBN at Double Vision ng Malaysia. Matutuwa ito sa nalamang na-impress sa kanya ang mga nakatrabaho sa kanyang first international movie.

Si Dante ay isang Fil-Am actor na napanood sa Take The Lead with Antonio Banderas, Hook at ang The Debut with Filipino actors like Gina Alajar and Tirso Cruz 111. Si Dean ay lumabas na Lois & Clark TV series at si Brianna ang lead sa hit dance movie na Step Up 2 at one month nag-shooting sa Manila.

Wala pang balita kung kailan ang playdate ng Subject: I Love You

Billy Crawford to Host ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy?

After Heart Evangelista hit the headlines yesterday for transferring from the kapamilya to the kapuso station, Billy Joe Crawford might do the opposite.
On ABS-CBN’s 2nd quarter trade presentation to advertisers last April 23, many were surprised when the saw Billy Crawford billed as the host of Pinoy Dream Academy season 2. It was earlier reported that Ryan Agoncillo, former host of Philippine Idol, will host the season 2 of PDA but instead, it was presented that Billy Crawford will take the job with Toni Gonzaga and Nikki Gil as co-hosts.

According to a GMA-7 executive, Billy was about to host a new dance reality competition on the kapuso network called “Dance Match.” They are just waiting for him to return from the States. So the news about Billy hosting PDA was definitely a big surprise that even his manager Raul Laurente, did not know it.
Apparently, masama ang loob ng mentor ni Billy na si “Kuya Germs” German Moreno sa hindi pagpapa-alam ng binata

Heart Evangelista is the New Darna?

There are speculations in the kapuso network that Heart Evangelista is the most likely to be picked for the next Darna role in the upcoming GMA fantaserye “Captain Barbell Meets Darna.”
A GMA executive mentioned that the possibility to give the Darna role to their newest contract star is very high.

It was reported earlier that the Darna role was reserved for Marian Rivera but since she is now playing Dyesebel which could run until the end of this year, the role is now open.

It was also reported before that Marian preferred the Dyesebel role than Darna because she don’t like to be compared to Angel Locsin, the former GMA star that last portrayed the super heroine. However, Marian denied the “preference” issue and said that she’s not choosy on whatever role being offered to her.
And when asked if the role was given to her, Heart Evangelista answered, “Why Not?”

Meet the Four Villains of Dyesebel

In Marimar, Katrina Halili played the role of “kontra-bida” that made the character of Marian Rivera miserable. In Dyesebel, it’s not just one but Marian will face four villains.
The four villains are:

Mylene Dizon - she will play the role of Dyesebel’s wicked stepmother
Michelle Madrigal - as Verbula, Dyesebel’s stepsister
Marco Alcaraz - as Osaro. Not sure if he’s Dyesebel’s stepfather though.
Bianca King - as Betty, the other side of the Dyesebel/Fredo love triangle.

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The Singing Bee Debuts Impressively, Da Big Show Just So-So

Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus is no longer the no. 1 tv program on ABS-CBN. Cesar Montano’s “The Singing Bee” snatched the title from PBB because it debuted last Monday with an impressive 23.9 percent and fifth place overall in the primetime race. The newest kapamilya game show was able to maintain its 5th position until last night registering its highest rating of 25.4 percent last Wednesday.
GMA, on the other hand, launched its new game program “Da Big Show” to challenge ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Game KNB? But Ogie Alcasid’s game show was not able to topple Edu Manzano’s game show. Da Big Show debuted at no. 7 in the daytime race last Monday and maintained the position until Wednesday and dropped to no. 8 yesterday. Pilipinas Game KNB? on the other hand, maintained its 5th position from Monday to Wednesday until it climbed to no. 4 yesterday.
Here are the Top 10 daytime and primetime programs from April 21 to 24 based on the overnight ratings conducted by AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila households:

April 21 (Monday)

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 24.2%2.
Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 21.2%3.
Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 20.1%4.
Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 17.1%5.
Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16.5%6.
Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 15.9%7.
Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 15.4%8.
Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 10.6%9. SiS
(GMA-7) - 9.1%10. Boy & Kris (ABS-CBN) - 7.7%

Primetime:

1. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 34.4%2.
Kamandag (GMA-7) - 33.9%3.
Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 26.9%4.
24 Oras (GMA-7) - 26.4%5.
The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 23.9%6.
Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 23.5%7.
Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 22.3%8.
TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 21.6%9.
Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 21%10.
The Legend (GMA-7) - 20%

April 22 (Tuesday)

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 21.1%2.
Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 21.1%3.
Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 20%4. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 17.1%5.
Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16.8%6.
Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 16.7%7.
Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 14.2%8.
El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 13.6%9.
SiS (GMA-7) - 11.4%10. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 10.6%

Primetime:

1. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 36.7%2.
Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 36.3%3.
Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 29.5%4.
24 Oras (GMA-7) - 27.4%5.
The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 24.7%6.
Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 23.6%7.
Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 23.3%8.
TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 21.9%9.
Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 21.6%10.
The Legend (GMA-7) - 19.9%
April 23 (Wedenesday)

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 22.4%2.
Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 21.9%3.
Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 20.7%4.
Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 17%5.
Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16.8%6.
Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 15.7%7.
Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 13%8.
El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 12.8%9.
Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 11.6%10.
SiS (GMA-7) - 11%

Primetime:

1. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 34.2%2.
Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 32.8%3.
Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 31.6%4.
24 Oras (GMA-7) - 26.2%5.
The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 25.4%6.
Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 24.7%7.
The Legend (GMA-7) - 22.6%8.
Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 22.3%9.
Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 21.6%10.
Palos (ABS-CBN) - 20.5%

April 24 (Thursday)

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 21.2%2.
Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 19.4%3.
Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 18.9%4.
Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16%5.
Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 15.9%6.
Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 14.7%7.
El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 13.1%8.
Da Big Show (GMA-7) - 12%9.
Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 10.8%10.
SiS (GMA-7) - 8.1%

Primetime:

1. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 32.4%2. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 32.1%3. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 28%4. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 26.3%5. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) - 25.2%6. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 25.1%7. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 24.7%8. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 24.4%9. The Legend (GMA-7) - 21.7%10. Palos (ABS-CBN) - 20.2%
Figures courtesy of AGB Nielsen Philippines via PEP

Heart Evangelista is the New Darna?

There are speculations in the kapuso network that Heart Evangelista is the most likely to be picked for the next Darna role in the upcoming GMA fantaserye “Captain Barbell Meets Darna.”
A GMA executive mentioned that the possibility to give the Darna role to their newest contract star is very high.

It was reported earlier that the Darna role was reserved for Marian Rivera but since she is now playing Dyesebel which could run until the end of this year, the role is now open.

It was also reported before that Marian preferred the Dyesebel role than Darna because she don’t like to be compared to Angel Locsin, the former GMA star that last portrayed the super heroine. However, Marian denied the “preference” issue and said that she’s not choosy on whatever role being offered to her.
And when asked if the role was given to her, Heart Evangelista answered, “Why Not?”

Rhian Ramos excited to be included in "Asero"

courtesy: PEP

Pumalakpak nang sunud-sunod at may kasama pang sigaw ni Rhian Ramos, nang ibalita ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na kasama siya sa Asero, ang next series ni Richard Gutierrez sa GMA-7.

Ang actor mismo ang nagbanggit ng pangalan ng young actress nang mag-renew siya ng two-year guaranteed contract sa network.

"I am? Really? Wow! What's my role? Wala akong alam tungkol sa project na ‘yan. Astig! Sino'ng nag-announce?" sunud-sunod nitong tanong sa PEP na hindi alam kung ano'ng uunahing sagutin.

Napangiti si Rhian nang ipaalala ng PEP na just two weeks ago, sa interview sa kanya sa press visit sa shooting ng My Monster Mom, nabanggit niyang isa siya sa GMA Artist talents na walang regular show ngayon at mabuti na lang, may dalawa siyang pelikula. Ngayon, magkakaroon na uli siya ng regular show at natupad pa ang wish niyang muling makasama si Richard.

Okey sa kanya na isa siya sa makakapareha ng actor and she's also looking forward to be working with Heart Evangelista.

"Matutuwa ang Rhiannatics na magkasama uli kami ni Richard. Magkasama lang kami at wala siyang sinabing ganyan. Kaya pala, may hint-hint siya sa akin, ang lakas mang-asar noon. Happy rin ako to be working with Direk Mark [Reyes] again. Yehey!" parang batang reaction nito sa magandang balita.

PARTY WITH THE CREW. Of course, excited din si Rhian na mapanood na ang I.T.A.L.Y., at sa pictorial ng movie sa studio ni Rene Mejia last Friday afternoon siya nakausap ng PEP.

Bagay na bagay sa kanya ang role ng spoiled rich girl sa kanyang ayos sa pictorial. Para siyang model, habang pabalik-balik na naglalakad.

"I'm very, very happy with this movie. I don't know why. Ang saya namin sa shooting at totoo ang sabi nina Ate Jolens [Jolina Magdangal] na we had a great time at grabe ang bonding namin. Nalungkot nga kami when we finished shooting, kaya sa last day namin, may party kami with the Pinoy crew."

"Ni-request namin sa captain of the ship na papuntahin sila sa party. Marami sa kanila ang hindi magkakakilala and to think, eight months silang magkakasama sa ship. Kinuha namin ang contact numbers nila para pagbalik nila ng Pilipinas, kami naman ang mag-aalaga sa kanila, dahil sa ship, inalagaan nila kami," mahabang pahayag ni Rhian.

Charice releases her self-titled debut album under Star Records

News courtesy of PEP

Filipina singing sensation Charice (who has dropped her last name Pempengco) has just finished recording her self-titled debut album under Star Records. The six-track CD lite titled Charice will be available in all record bars by the end of the month.

Through the help of Nixon Sy, audio marketing unit head of Star Records, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was able to speak with Charice on the phone. The young singer, who will turn 15 on May 10, was then having her album pictorial with celebrated photographer Ronnie Salvacion.

How does she feel about having her first album?

"Hindi ko po ine-expect kasi matagal ko na pong gustong magka-album. Masaya po ako na nabigyan ako ng chance na makagawa ng album under Star Records," says Charice gratefully.

Charice was the third placer in the ABS-CBN talent search Little Big Star aired in 2006. Since then, she has become popular for her YouTube videos that paved the way for her to guest in Ellen as well as the British talk show Paul O'Grady Show.

This time, she joins nine other kids in showcasing their unique talents for the May 12 episode of the American TV show Oprah, hosted by popular personality Oprah Winfrey, of course.

Canadian record producer-songwriter David Foster was the one who told Oprah Winfrey about Charice, prompting the TV host to book the Filipina singer as a guest in her show. Charice performed the Whitney Houston song "I Have Nothing" for the episode titled "World's Smartest Kids."

What did Oprah tell Charice after performing her song?

"Hindi raw siya makapaniwala na ganun ang boses kasi maliit raw ako," narrates Charice. "Si David Foster po ang nagsabi kay Oprah tungkol sa akin. Sabi po niya, ‘She's a show stopper.' Naiyak nga po ako nang sinabi niya yun."

She adds: "Hindi rin po ako makapaniwala...niyakap niya [Oprah] ako...sina Mommy, lahat sila po sila umiiyak."

Charice was in Chicago, U.S.A., during the first week of April to shoot the episode, which took two hours to tape.

"I Have Nothing" is one of the songs included in her debut album. The other songs are "Mama" by Smokey Mountain plus the two songs she sang in Ellen—"I Will Always Love You" and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

Two original songs, penned by Swedish songwriters, titled "Born to Love You Forever" and "It Can Only Get Better" are also included in the six-track album Charice.

Charice To Appear on Oprah, May 12

NEW YORK – Mark your calendar because on May 12, 2008, Filipina singing sensation Charice Pempengco will share her talent to US audience anew in the Oprah Winfrey Show.

There is no stopping the 15-yearold diva. A video on YouTube has been showing teasers of her upcoming appearance on Oprah. The exact date, however, was revealed only on Thursday.

The upcoming episode where Charice is set to appear showcases children with amazing talents. The special performances will feature gifted children ballroom dancing, playing the drums, guitar, and even pointing cities on a World Map.

By April Tiamzon Asianjournal.com

Hero Angeles on being Kapuso: "Masaya na may halong excitement."

Ngayon ay certified Kapuso na ang young actor na si Hero Angeles. Pumirma siya ng one-year contract with GMA-7 Network and GMA Artist Center last March 1.

Bagama't regular na siyang napapanood sa Walang Tulugan Presents Master Showman, ang fantaserye na Dyesebel ang magsisilbing first big break ni Hero sa GMA-7. Bagama't hindi pa kinukunan ang kanyang mga eksena ay masaya ang 23-year-old actor sa pagkakasali niya sa isang malaking proyekto gaya ng Dyesebel, na pinagbibidahan nina Marian Rivera at Dingdong Dantes.

"Sinabi sa akin ‘to, hindi pa ako nakaka-sign nun. So hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibibigay na project. Nung nalaman ko na Dyesebel ‘yon, kinabahan ako kasi ang kasama ko sina Marian at Dingdong. E, alam naman natin na top-rater yung Marimar. So, nakaka-pressure talaga.

"Pero naging masaya rin ako kasi si Direk Joyce [Bernal] ang magdidirek. Nakasama ko na siya before sa SCQ Reload [defunct teen show of ABS-CBN], na-handle na niya ako. So nung nag-workshop kami, nandun din siya. Parang naglaro lang kami, parang reunion lang," kuwento ni Hero sa grand launch ng Dyesebel last April 21 sa poolside ng Sofitel Hotel.

Nilinaw ni Hero na hindi porke't may primetime soap na siya ay iiwan na niya ang Walang Tulugan ni German "Kuya Germs" Moreno.

"Siyempre, hindi ko makakalimutan yung pagku-co-host ko sa Walang Tulugan. Kasi malaki rin ang utang na loob ko dun, e," saad niya.

Si Kuya Germs ang naging daan kaya finally ay natuloy na si Hero na maging isang Kapuso.

Paliwanag ni Hero, "Kasi nagge-guest ako dati sa Walang Tulugan, nagku-co-host ako. Sabi lang niya [Kuya Germs], nabanggit ni Ma'am Wilma [Galvante] na gusto ka nila. So in-invite nila kami ng kuya ko [Henry Angeles] para sa meeting, sinabi nila yung ideas."

AWAY FROM SHOWBIZ. Habang hindi aktibo sa showbiz si Hero ay hindi naman ibig sabihin na wala rin siyang ginagawa. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang pag-aaral sa University of the Philippines, kung saan third year na siya sa kursong Visual Communication. Bukod dito ay sinubukan din niyang magdirek ng isang digital film, ang Stockroom.

Dagdag niya, "Sinubukan ko ring gumawa ng iba't ibang bagay. Nag-volunteer din ako, nagturo din ako sa mga bata. Saka nagde-design ako ng tourism shirts para sa Tagaytay, charity siya. Nag-volunteer akong mag-design. Yung kikitain nun, mapupunta sa Pag-asa Social Center."

Inamin ni Hero na sumagi sa isip niya na huwag na lang ituloy ang kanyang showbiz career.

"Parang naglaro sa isip ko na, ‘Magtutuloy pa ba ako sa showbiz? Para sa akin ba ito or what?' Kasi before, dapat nag-sign na ako sa GMA, di ba? Bale ako mismo yung tumatanggi sa offers. Kasi nga, naguguluhan pa ako nun.

"Hindi lang alam ng tao, akala nila ayaw ng kuya ko, bina-block ng kuya ko. Bale personal decision ko na huwag muna dahil sa mga nangyari. Kailangan ko lang ng space that time."

Tatlong taon ang hinintay ni Hero bago siya nagkaroon ulit ng regular TV show. Ang huli niyang proyekto ay ang teen show ng ABS-CBN na SCQ Reload. Gaya ng alam na ng lahat, naging kontrobersiyal ang pag-alis ni Hero sa Kapamilya network, kung saan siya nagwagi sa artista search na Star Circle Quest.

EDUCATING HERO. Ngayong nabigyan siya ulit ng pagkakataon upang humarap muli sa kamera, ano ang mga natutunan niya sa mga nangyari sa kanyang showbiz career?

"Actually, ang natutunan lang dun, hindi kailangang patulan lahat ng mga bagay na kumukuha ng atensiyon ng lahat," panimula ni Hero. "Kung hindi naman kailangan talaga, huwag tutukan kasi masisira ang buhay mo kung tututukan mo lang yun. Kasi alam naman ng lahat na ang katotohanan ang mangingibabaw, di ba? So yung mga ganung bagay, huwag na nating pansinin. Kung may mga negative—kasi hindi mawawala ‘yan sa showbiz, e—hayaan na lang natin ‘yan.

"Pero kung kailangan mong ipagtanggol ang sarili mo, ipagtanggol mo siyempre. Kahit sobrang pangit niya, sobrang hindi ko siya nagustuhan, yun yung nagmolde sa akin na lakasan ko yung loob ko, bigyan ko pa ng hope yung sarili ko, faith. Kung wala rin ‘yon, wala ako dito," pahayag niya.

Dahil sa paninindigan niya sa ipinaglalaban niya, naakusahan si Hero na masyadong matigas ang ulo at hindi nakikinig. Nakabangga niya ang ilan sa pinaka-maimpluwensiyang tao sa showbiz na lalong nakaapekto sa kanyang career. Pagkalipas ng ilang taon, natuto na ba si Hero sa mga nangyari sa kanya?

"Kung alam ko na ang pinaninindigan ko tama naman, paninindigan ko ‘yon," sabi ni Hero. "Kung alam kong mali, sinasabi ko kung mali ako. Ang nabago lang siguro sa akin, mas nag-mature ang pag-iisip ko.

"Siyempre, kailangan mong makisama dito, e. ‘Yan nga yung sinasabi nilang magtiis ka muna. Parang kalsada ‘yan, e. ‘Pag umaandar ka, hindi mo mae-expect yung mga makakasalubong mo... Kahit gusto mong tumakbo nang mabilis, mata-traffic ka. So, tanggapin mo. Kasi kung traffic, wala ka namang magagawa, kahit mamuti ka, hindi ka aandar. Sa showbiz, ganun din. Kung ano yung dumating na bagay, tanggapin mo," pag-aanalisa ng young actor.

Kapansin-pansin sa mga sagot ni Hero sa mga katanungan ng entertainment press ang pagiging "reactionary" niya, at times defensive.

Paliwanag niya, "Siyempre kapag kinausap ka, magre-respond ka. May reaction sa lahat ng bagay. Hindi yun pagiging offensive, hindi rin pagiging defensive. Hindi rin ‘yan pagiging maangas or something."

NEW KAPUSO. Noong March 29 ay nakasama ni Hero ang mahigit sa isandaang contract artists ng GMA Artist Center sa shooting para sa bagong image plug ng talent arm ng GMA-7. Aminado si Hero na medyo nahirapan siyang makibagay dahil halos wala siyang kilala sa kanyang mga nakasama.

Ayon kay Hero, "Mahirap maki-relate kasi almost lahat ng talents magkakakilala na. Bale ako, nangangapa pa lang. Pero nakakausap ko naman sila, approachable naman sila. Yun lang, di ko alam kung saan ako mag-i-start. Pero buti na lang may mga kakilala akong iba. Yung mga nakakausap ko rin talaga dun, sina Yasmien [Kurdi], si Mark [Herras], si Jennylyn [Mercado], si Nadine [Samonte]... Mga StarStruck Batch 1. Kasi nakilala ko na sila before, so sila-sila pa rin."

Ironically, ang StarStruck ang nakatapat noon ng Star Circle Quest na kinabilangan ni Hero.

Ano ang pakiramdam ng maging isang Kapuso?

"Una, hindi ko ini-expect," sabi ni Hero. "Hindi ko na-imagine na makikita ko yung sarili ko sa screen na may station logo ng GMA sa upper right. Nakakatuwa lang na yung iniisip mong imposible, puwede pala talagang mangyari. Nakakatuwa lang malaman na ang buhay mo sa showbiz, hindi lang natatali sa isang network.

"Iba, iba... Masaya na may halong excitement. Before pa bago pa ako naging artista, naging talent na ako. Nakapag-talent na ako dito [GMA-7], soap nila Dingdong Dantes at Tanya Garcia [Sana ay Ikaw Na Nga], yung wedding scene nila. Nakapag-talent na ako sa kabila [ABS-CBN].

"Ngayong nasa GMA na ako, sabi ko, ‘Ah ganito pala yung feeling ng GMA.' Kasi nung extra pa lang ako, hindi ko nararamdaman yun, e. Nung nagge-guest ako sa shows ng GMA, welcome naman ako, mabait naman yung mga tao sa akin, mga staff, mga crew, friendly naman sila. Pero dito sa Dyesebel, hindi pa ako nakakapag-taping, hindi ko pa nakikilala lahat, so hindi ko pa alam. Pero sa nakikita ko, sa preview pa lang, feeling ko magiging okay naman," lahad niya.

Angel Locsin very satisfied with her work in "Lobo"

Ilang buwan pagkatapos lumipat ni Angel sa ABS-CBN, marami ang nagsasabi na hindi siya nagkamali sa kanyang desisyon. Sa pamamagitan daw kasi ng teleserye niyang Lobo ay napansin ang lalim ng kanyang pag-arte

"Thank you. Hindi ako magpapaka-humble kasi tina-try ko talaga ang best ko. So masasabi ko, happy talaga ako sa mga nangyayari. Hindi ko magagawa yun kung wala sila Direk Eric [Reyes] and Direk Cathy [Garcia-Molina] kasi naniniwala ako na kahit na anong galing ng isang artista, ‘pag pinabayaan siya ng direktor, ‘pag di magaling yung direktor, walang mangyayari talaga.

"Siyempre, kasama dun yung mga kasama ko sa Lobo, lalo na si Piolo [Pascual]. Ang galing-galing niyang umarte, ang bait-bait sa set. Hindi ka maiilang, hindi mabubuwisit, lahat nagkakaintindihan," masayang pahayag ni Angel sa panayam sa kanya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

Para kay Angel, maipagmamalaki niya ang ganda ng istrorya ng Lobo na matalino at malinis daw ang pagkakagawa. Hindi nga aprubado para sa young actress ang pag-i-stretch nito para lang mapahaba kung magsa-suffer naman ang quality ng istorya.

"Masaya ako sa tinatakbo ng story kasi yung istorya ng Lobo, matalino ang pagkakagawa ng team namin. Alam ko hanggang June-July kami, pero tingnan natin. Ayaw naman naming mag-extend nang mag-extend kung papangit naman ang story. Ang goal kasi namin, 20 years na, may kanya-kanya na kaming buhay, pero ‘pag na-mention ang Lobo, mapapangiti ka. Kasi mahal namin yung show at gusto namin ang ginagawa namin," pahayag ng young actress.

Sa kabila ng hindi pagkakaroon ng romantic involvement sa pagitan nina Angel at Piolo ay nabuo ang isang pagkakaibigan. Sa pag-amin ng aktor na may bago siyang inspirasyon na nakilala niya sa Victory Fellowship, agad naming hiningan ng reaksiyon dito si Angel.

"May alam ako, pero wala ako sa posisiyon para magsalita," saad niya. "Si Piolo, sinuportahan niya ako sa part ng buhay ko na down na down talaga ako. Kaya kahit na ano ang mangyari, susuporta ako sa kanya dahil mahal ko si Piolo."

ISSUE WITH DINA. Sa nakaraang interviews kay Ms. Dina Bonevie ay lumabas daw ang sama ng loob nito kay Angel. Ayon sa aktres, mabilis daw napalitan ni Angel ang anak niyang si Oyo at tinext pa raw siya para ipalaam ang relasyon nila ni Luis Manzano. Hanggang sa ngayon ay tanong pa rin ng marami kung ano na ba talaga ang estado ng relasyon nina Angel at Luis. May ginawa rin kayang hakbang si Angel para makapag-usap at maklaro niya ang pangalan kay Dina?

"Wala naman akong dapat sabihin pa," giit ni Angel. "I won't deny na masaya akong kasama si Luis kasi hindi ka naman siguro didikit at sasama sa isang tao kung hindi ka masaya sa kanya. Basta masasabi ko na may chemistry talaga kami, may bonding.

"Regarding kay Tita Dina, tinawagan ko si Danica [Sotto, Oyo's sister]. Kasi bukod siya ang pinaka-close sa akin, magsasabi sa akin talaga yun kung may problema. Tinanong ko siya, ‘Danica, galit ba sa akin si Tita?' Kasi baka may nagawa ako na ikinagagalit niya, ayoko naman nun.

"Mahal ko si Tita Dina, matagal ko na siyang nakasama at nirerespeto ko siya. Kung anuman ang nagawa ko, kung mayroon man, at least sabihin sa akin para makahingi naman ako ng sorry.

"Si Oyo ang nakipag-break sa akin, saka ang tagal na nun. Nagkaroon pa nga ako ng issue kay Marvin bago yung kay Luis. Tingin ko, nalagyan lang ng issue saka na-misinterpret lang si Tita Dina. Saka ayokong magmukhang masama si Tita Dina. Nakilala at nakasama ko siya at di siya ganun, hindi siya mataray," pagtatapos ni Angel.

Ngayong araw, April 23, ay isini-celebrate ni Angel ang kanyang 23rd birthday. Pero last Sunday, April 20, kasama ang kanyang ama ay nagpakain siya at naki-celebrate sa mahigit isang daang bata na taga-Payatas.

Heart Evangelista sign up with the Kapuso network

Nakatakdang pumirma ngayong hapon, April 23, ng kontrata ang young actress na si Heart Evangelista sa GMA-7. Si Heart ang isa sa dalawang leading ladies ni Richard Gutierrez sa susunod na proyekto ng young actor sa Kapuso network, ang Asero; ang isa pa ay si Ehra Madrigal.

Matagal nang usap-usapan na may makakasama si Richard sa Asero na taga-ABS-CBN, ngunit hindi pa ito mapangalanan hangga't hindi pa napaplantsa ang lahat. Ngayong nagkasundo na ang GMA-7 at ang kampo ni Heart, tuloy-tuloy na ang paggawa ng project ng young actress sa Kapuso network.

Matatandaan na umalis na sa poder ng Genesis si Heart last week, bagama't wala naman talaga silang pinirmahang kontrata ng boyfriend niyang si Jericho Rosales pagkatapos nilang tumiwalag sa Star Magic ng ABS-CBN. Ang ina ni Heart na si Mrs. Cecilia "Baby" Payawal-Ongpauco ang siyang tumatayong manager ngayon ng young actress. Ang ina rin ni Heart ang balitang nakipag-usap sa GMA-7 para sa Asero.

Mamayang alas-tres ng hapon ang presscon at announcement ng pagiging Kapuso ni Heart. Siguradong masasagot na ang tanong kung tuloy-tuloy na ang pagiging Kapuso niya o one-shot deal lamang ito.

Maaari na rin sigurong sagutin ni Heart ang katotohanan sa balitang break na sila ni Jericho. Bagama't itinanggi na ito ng dating manager ni Heart na si Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano sa panayam sa kanya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), may nakapagsabi sa amin na nasa cool-off period sina Heart at Jericho ngayon.

RJ Jimenez still hurting over 'split' with Yeng

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Pinoy Dream Academy scholar RJ Jimenez said he was deeply hurt when he and PDA grand winner Yeng Constantino both agreed to part ways.RJ said he and Yeng had an agreement to distance themselves from one another and focus their attention instad on their individual singing careers. "I was also hurt. Parehas naming desisyon ‘yon na huwag na din munang masyadong maging super close, mas mahalin namin ang trabaho namin at pwede naman kaming maghintay," RJ told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

"Kapag sinabi mong relationship, boyfriend or girlfriend. So kami hindi namin minadali 'yon, parang ayaw pa naman ng parents mo, bakit natin ipipilit. Ang tamang term na gamitin diyan is magkalayo kasi parang close talaga kami at no pressure sa both of us na tayo na," he said.RJ said he and Yeng had to make a lot of adjustments, including balancing career and lovelife, after joining PDA. He said that he has never given up on Yeng and is open to rekindling his closeness with her.RJ said if given a chance he is open to rekindle his closeness with Constantino. "Why not? Ang isyu lang naman ngayon ay mas mamahalin namin ang trabaho namin so nagse-set lang kami ng priorities for ourselves," he said.


Asked if there was formal relationship that happened, Jimenez said: "Hindi naman ako nag-give up kumbaga [still hoping]. Well, yes [there was]." 'RJ JMNZ' the albumMeanwhile, RJ is now on a roll after officially launching his debut album "RJ JMNZ" under Star Records. The launch last Friday came almost five months the soft launch in November last year."Hindi ko talaga alam ang strategy pero siguro ganoon yung best na nakikita ng Star Records for me. Happy naman ako walang problema at diretso pa naman. At saka ito man yung official launch nagkaroon naman ng grabe CD guesting sa ASAP, mall shows ang daming gigs at masaya kami," Jimenez said. RJ said a lot of changes happened to him since he joined PDA and up to now he still attributed his success to PDA and to all who supported him.


“Malaki din ang pasasalamat ko sa Star Records for giving me the chance na iparating ang musika ko sa maraming tao," he said.Known for his breakthrough hit single "Miss Kita Pag Tuesday," this 24-year-old singer-songwriter unleashes his musical prowess once more in this 13-tracked CD with easy listening, chill-out songs perfect for people from various walks of life.Featured in the album are songs such as "Sa Wakas and "It's All About Your Love" -- songs Jimenez described as simple yet implies strong meanings.

The single "Superstar", already reached the number one spot in dwRR 101.9 For Life's hit charts. It is also continuing to climb the charts of other radio stations."Sana po suportahan n'yo ako dito dahil para sa inyo lahat ng awitin dito, " he said during the album launch at Toma Bar at Esquinita along Sgt. Esguerra Street in Quezon City.


In support of the album launch, RJ will do a series of mall shows on May 3 at SM North EDSA; May 25 at SM Southmall; June 1 at SM Taytay; and June 8 at SM Lipa.

ABS-CBN shelves "Anna Liza" for yet unknown reason

Kinumpirma ng sexy actress na si Juliana Palermo na nabimbin ang soap opera na Anna Liza sa ABS-CBN.

Kasama si Juliana sa cast ng Anna Liza, along with Dawn Zulueta, Eric Quizon, Gardo Versoza, Rayver Cruz, at Jason Abalos. Sina Maja Salvador at ang child actress na si Ella Cruz ang gaganap sana sa title role. Si Jerry Sineneng ang direktor nito.

Sa pamamagitan ng text message ay tinanong namin si Juliana tungkol sa balitang shelved na ang Anna Liza at ito ang ipinadala niyang mensahe sa amin:

"Yup! Sadly, shelved nga. We really didn't see it coming. But well, everything happens for a reason. What's more important is the relationship we were all able to build with each other.

"Dawn, as well as others, is just too much of a sweetheart to not stay in touch with. Super dami ako natutunan. So overall, it was indeed a great experience, the few days we shot. I really hope to work with them, especially with Direk Jerry again soon. Super awesome ang group na yun. Sayang nga lang talaga."

Isa sa mga original soap dramas ng GMA-7 ang Anna Liza during the early ‘80s. Pinagbidahan ito ng yumaong child actress na si Julie Vega. Naging rival pa nga ng Anna Liza noon ang Flordeluna ng RPN-9 na pinagbidahan ni Janice de Belen.

Matagumpay namang nagawa ng ABS-CBN last year ang sarili nilang adaptation ng Flordeluna na naging Maria Flordeluna at pinagbidahan ng child actress na si Eliza Pineda.

First show pa naman sana ni Ella Cruz ang Anna Liza after siyang ilipat ng kanyang manager na si Becky Aguila from GMA-7, kung saan una siyang nakilala. Gumanap siya bilang batang Angel Locsin sa Majika; bilang batang Nadine Samonte sa Super Twins; at huli siyang napanood bilang batang Marian Rivera sa Marimar.

Ang Anna Liza rin sana ang maglulunsad kay Maja Salvador bilang solo star sa primetime at ipapares siya kina Jason Abalos at Rayver Cruz.

Kung matatandaan ay regalo ng ABS-CBN ang title role na Anna Liza kay Maja nang mag-celebrate siya ng kanyang 19^th birthday last October 2007.

Hindi pa malinaw sa ngayon kung bakit nagdesisyon ang Kapamilya network na i-shelve na ang Anna Liza.

Maja Salvador as Anna Liza?

Panay ang deny ng young actress na si Maja Salvador kapag tinatanong siya kung boyfriend na niya si Carlo Aquino. Ayon sa dalaga ay magkaibigan lang sila ni Carlo.

Pero ayon sa mga kapitbahay ni Maja sa Pasig, madalas daw nagpupunta sa bahay ng young actress si Carlo at nakikita raw nila na sweet na sweet ang dalawa. Pagpapatunay lang daw ito na boyfriend na nga ni Maja si Carlo.

Sa panayam ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) kay Maja kanina, April 20, sa backstage ng ASAP '08, kung saan mainstay siya rito, ay itinanggi niya na nagpupunta sa kanila si Carlo.

"Ay naku, hindi po!" bulalas ni Maja. "Lagi nga akong wala sa bahay, paano siyang pupunta doon? Saka matagal na kaming walang communicaton."

Pero aminado naman si Maja na nakapunta na dati sa kanila si Carlo.

"Dati po nung may communication pa kami, nung natsitsismis pa kami. Pero ngayon, wala na po talagang communication," sabi ng dalaga.

Magtu-two months na raw silang walang communication ni Carlo.

"Hindi na kasi ako nakaka-reply sa mga text niya," banggit ni Maja.

Pero how true na nangungulit pa rin daw hanggang ngayon si Carlo sa kanya?

"Dati po. Pero ngayon, hindi na talaga," sagot niya.

Bakit hindi niya sinagot ang binata? Hindi niya ba type si Carlo?

"Ano lang, parang marami lang kailangang unahin," maikli niyang tugon.

E, bakit si John Wayne Sace, sinagot niya nang ligawan siya nito?

"Yung sa amin naman kasi ni John Wayne, parang fling-fling lang. Kasi siyempre magka-love team kami dati. Halos every day kaming magkasama, ganun po," paliwanag niya.

ANNA LIZA. Samantala, matagal nang napabalita na si Maja ang gaganap sa remake ng Anna Liza na pinagbidahan noon ng namayapang aktres na si Julie Vega. Kaya lang, hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nagsisimula ang taping nito.

Balitang shelved na raw ang Anna Liza. How true?

"Ano naman po, sabi naman po, may darating na mas maganda. Pero ang sabi, pagmimitingan pa raw muna," sabi ni Maja.

So, kung may meeting, ibig ba nitong sabihin posibleng matuloy pa ang Anna Liza?

"Secret po muna," bitin na sagot ng young actress. Pero di ba, ang management papabago-bago po ng desisyon? Pero siyempre, alam nila kung saan mas gaganda ang career ng isang talent nila."

Aminado naman si Maja na manghihinayang siya kung hindi na matutuloy ang Anna Liza.

"Siyempre, nakakahinayang. Kasi sabi ng lahat ng tao, 'Hoy, ikaw pala si Anna Liza!' Parang, 'Wow, thank you po!' Ipinagpi-pray ko po na sana ay matuloy," pahayag ng young actress.

May mga nagkuwento na ba sa kanya tungkol kay Anna Liza o kay Julie Vega?

"Nakita ko na po si Julie sa YouTube. Para siyang Diyosa. Sobrang ang amo ng mukha niya. Parang hindi niya kayang magalit," saad ni Maja.

Boy Abunda talks about his talents and "The Buzz" controversy

Nakausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) ang TV host-talent manager na si Boy Abunda sa ginanap na induction of officers and members ng Entertainment Press Society (Enpress) noong Miyerkules, April 16, sa Baliwag Grill and Restaurant, E. Rodriguez Ave, Quezon City.

Ilan sa mga kinumusta ng PEP kay Boy Abunda ay ang kanyang mga alagang artista at rulings niya sa mga ito. Totoo ba na may ruling siya sa mga alaga niya na huwag aamin pagdating sa mga relationship, unless unang umamin ang lalaki?

"No," tanggi ni Boy. "Listen to this, kay Mariel [Rodriguez] lamang yun. There was a time na naba-bother lang ako. Alam n'yo naman si Mariel, di ba, daldal nang daldal, sinasagot lahat ng mga tanong. Medyo nirendahan ko lang siya ng konti. Na parang, ‘Ikaw naman daldal ka nang daldal, hindi pa nga nagsasalita ang lalaki. Kung ano ang nagaganap sa inyo sa pribadong buhay, hindi namin nakikita yun. So, dapat makita naman ng publiko na mauna munang magsalita ang lalaki. Baka mamaya, hindi ka pa nililigawan, sinasabi mo nang may relasyon na kayo.'

"Pero kay Mariel lamang yun at choice ng sinumang involved. E, kung si Ai-Ai delas Alas [another talent of Boy] naman, maski sabihin pa ni Ai-Ai bago pa sila nagkakilala, e, okey lang sa akin. E, kaya ni Ai-Ai dalhin yun!" tawa ni Boy.

MARIEL & ZANJOE ROMANCE. Ayon kay Boy, nang magsalita na raw si Zanjoe Marudo tungkol sa relasyon nila ni Mariel, nagpasalamat naman daw ang talent manager sa model-actor sa isa niyang mga programa.

"Sinabi ko yun sa isa kong mga palabas. Salamat at nagsabi na rin siya na hindi ko kinakailangan kausapin si Mariel. It happened on its own condition and I'm glad. Thank you, Zanjoe."

"Para naman ako ang niligawan ni Zanjoe at nagpapasalamat ako!" natatawa niyang dagdag.

Naitanong din kay Boy, paano kung mauwi sa kasalan sina Mariel at Zanjoe?

"Ay, igagalang ko yun," sambit niya. "Igagalang ko yun kung gusto na nilang manahimik. Pero ito lamang ang sasabihin ko, hindi mangyayari ‘yan!" tawa ni Boy.

"Masyadong mahal ni Mariel ang kanyang trabaho. At saka, nagsisimula pa lang. Hindi pa siya nakakarating sa gitna kaya hindi aatras yun. Sobrang tapang ni Mariel at alam niyang kaya niyang paghaluin ‘yan. And I like that. Nasa diskarte mo ‘yan kung paano mo paghahaluin ang pag-ibig at trabaho. Hindi ako naniniwala na kailangang isantabi ang isa para pasayahin ang iba."

Para kay Boy, naniniwala siya na instead na maging negative, naging positive pa ang mga nangyaring intriga kay Mariel during her stay inside the Pinoy Big Brother house noon.

"Ang nakaganda roon, nalaman ng mga tao na palatawa, komedyante, mabait, medyo palabiro, pero she's not perfect. At natuto siya sa kanyang mga pagkakamali.

"Ang mahalaga roon, I think makita ng publiko na natuto at binago niya ang sarili niya. Ang dami niyang natutuhan doon. ‘Di ba nga, sinabi niya sa akin na bago raw siya pumasok sa bahay ni Kuya, e, hindi niya ma-appreciate yung isang box ng chocolate? Paglabas niya, big time na sa kanya yun. Mahalaga sa akin yun bilang manager," pahayag ni Boy.

RUFA MAE & BOBBY. Masaya rin daw ang talent manager sa nangyayari sa lovelife ng isa pa niyang alaga na si Rufa Mae Quinto, na ang boyfriend na si Bobby Lopez ay nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong.

"Masaya rin ako ro'n. Finally... Pero baka mausog, e, huwag tayong magsalita nang patapos. Pero sana, ‘yun na nga! Matagpuan na niya yung kanyang tunay na pagmamahal."

ISSUE WITH CRISTY. Pinag-uusapan pa rin ngayon ang absence ng co-host ni Boy na si Cristy Fermin sa The Buzz last Sunday, April 13. Iba't ibang ispekulasyon at maraming tanong ang naglabasan. Isa na nga rito ay kung mawawala na nga ba nang tuluyan si Cristy sa show at kung papalitan na siya kung sakali.

Lalo pang lumakas ang haka-haka tungkol sa diumano'y pag-alis ni Cristy sa The Buzz dahil may plug na nagpapahiwatig ng pagbabalik ng dating Kapamilya sa naturang Sunday showbiz talk show ng ABS-CBN. Marami ang nag-aakala na si Kris Aquino ang tinutukoy, ngunit may nagsasabi namang posibleng pinaiingay lang ang pagbabalik ni Cristy after her absence last Sunday.

So, mawawala na ba talaga si Cristy sa The Buzz?

"Ay, hindi ko alam ‘yan!" bulalas ni Boy. "Hindi ko masasagot ‘yan. Wala sa aking posisyon, sa aking tungkulin ang mag-confirm. I'm shocked by the question. Hindi ko alam.

"Nagkaroon ng problema, pero hindi ko alam na aabot naman saan... Ang sabi ko nga, the best person to talk to is Cristinelli. She will be able to explain. Pero as far as I'm concerned, bilang kasamahan, bilang host at bilang kaibigan, hindi pa ko umaabot sa ganoon. Sana naman hindi."

Dagdag niya, "Pero ang sabi ko na lang kanina, sana hindi nangyari ang dapat mangyari. Sana hindi nangyari ang nangyari. Iyon sana yung... Ang dami kong natutunan sa karanasan na yun. Pero patawad, dahil wala akong detalye. Pero sana, hindi talaga nangyari ang nangyari."

Ipinarating din namin kay Boy ang ilang komento ng PEPsters na dapat ay tanggalin ang ilan sa mga kasamahan niya sa The Buzz para lalong gumanda ang kanilang programa. Ano ang masasabi no Boy rito?

"Bukas naman ako sa iba't ibang opinion," saad niya. "Bukas talaga ako. Iginagalang natin ‘yan. Pero wala akong problema, e. I'm happy with The Buzz. I'm happy with Ruffa [Gutierrez]. I'm happy with Cristinelli. I'm happy, especially with the staff.

"Nine years old na ang show. Maraming pagbabago ang magaganap, siguro with the next few years. Sanay na ko, di ba? I work hard. I work hard with the show."

Dugtong niya, "Hindi ko rin kasi call ‘yon, e. Ako ay isang host. Call ‘yan ng mga namamahala ng produksiyon at programa."

Pero sinabi rin ni Boy na kung may papasok man daw na bago sa kanilang programa, sinasabihan naman at nagpapasintabi rin daw sa kanya ang production bilang isa sa mga nagsimula na rin ng programa. Pero, aniya, hindi pa naman siya umaabot sa point na may tinanggihan na siya dahil wala namang masamang tinapay sa kanya.

"Ganun pa man, wala pa rin namang pagkakataon na ako ay hindi nila kinonsulta," dagdag ni Boy.

SUPPORT FOR KRIS. Ang isa pang alaga at co-host niya sa Boy & Kris na si Kris Aquino ang sumunod na kinumusta ng PEP kay Boy. Given the condition now of Kris's mom, former president Corazon Aquino who was diagnosed with colon cancer, paano naipapakita ni Boy ang suporta niya kay Kris?

"Well, naapektuhan ang schedule niya. Lahat ng free time niya, kasama niya ang mommy niya. Nagluluto... She's by her side. So doon umiikot ang mundo niya. But of course, kahit saang paraan kung ano ang maitutulong ko, ginagawa ko. Katulad, halimbawa, pinasubukan ko yung tubig na iniinom namin ni Kris, yung may alkaline. Yung mga maliliit na bagay na ganoon, kahit na ano na puwede naming magawa. Kahit ano, kung ano ang maiuutos sa amin, gagawin namin. Si Kris, umiikot ang buhay niya ngayon sa nanay niya," pagtatapos ni Boy.

Richard Gutierrez speaks up on KC Concepcion and Dingdong Dantes

Mukhang seryoso na talaga ang panliligaw ng young actor na si Richard Gutierrez kay KC Concepcion. Nang mag-celebrate kasi si KC ng kanyang 23^rd birthday last April 7 sa isang beach resort sa Calatagan, Batangas, ay pumunta roon si Richard.

Sa panayam kay Richard ni Allan Diones na lumabas sa Abante Tonite kahapon, April 16, tumanggi ang young actor na magbigay ng karagdagang detalye tungkol sa birthday party ni KC.

"Ayokong magsalita. Siya [KC] nga, hindi siya nagsasalita about her party, ‘tapos sa akin pa manggagaling? Tanungin n'yo na lang siya. Kasi hindi pa siya nagsasalita about her birthday, ‘tapos ako pa ang maglalabas? Nakakahiya naman," pahayag ni Richard.

Kasabay raw ng birthday ni KC ang kaarawan ng dalawang kapatid ni Richard na sina Elvis at Ritchie Paul.

Nang tanungin naman ni Allan si Richard kung ano iniregalo niya kay KC, isang mahabang "secret" ang sinagot ng binata at saka tumawa. Pero sinabi ni Richard na masaya raw si KC sa pagpunta niya sa birthday party.

Tawa rin lang ang naging sagot ni Richard sa tanong kung totoong sila na ni KC, sabay sabing: "Saan n'yo narinig? I'm the last to know! Why am I always the last to know?"

Halata ring umiiwas si Richard kapag tinatanong siya kung in love siya ngayon.

"I'm in love with my job!" safe na sagot niya kay Allan.

Tungkol naman kay KC?

"Saka ko na sasagutin..." bitin na sagot ng binata.

For Richard, KC is an ideal girl "in all aspects" at naghihintay lang daw siya ng "right time" para mapa-ibig ang anak nina Sharon Cuneta at Gabby Concepcion.

Marami ang umaasa na magkasama sa isang pelikula sina Richard at KC. Nagbigay na nga ng feelers ang GMA Films sa Star Cinema for a possible co-production para matuloy ang pagtatambal nina Richard at KC. Under contract kasi si Richard sa GMA Films samantalang si KC naman ay identified sa ABS-CBN at sa Star Cinema siya unang gagawa ng pelikula.

Pero positibo si Richard sa pagtatambal nila sa pelikula ni KC.

Ayon sa kanya, "Oo, may possibility ‘yon. They're still communicating [about the project]. Sana matuloy, di ba? Yun ang ultimate dream ko talaga. I mean, it's all for the best, e. Sana matuloy."

Sinabi rin ng young actor na napag-uusapan din nila ni KC ang tungkol dito at gusto rin daw ng young actress-model na matuloy ito.

STATUS WITH GMA-7. Binasag na rin ni Richard ang kanyang katahimikan tungkol sa lumabas na balitang muntik na siyang lumipat sa ABS-CBN dahil diumano sa ilang tampo niya sa GMA-7.

Sa parehong panayam sa kanya ni Allan ng Abante Tonite, pinabulaanan ni Richard ang naturang isyu. Aniya pa, siya raw ang huling nakaalam na may gano'n palang issue tungkol sa kanya.

"Kasi nowadays, bihira akong magbasa ng diyaryo dahil sobrang busy. Sina Raymond [his twin brother] na lang ang nag-a-update sa akin dahil sila ang updated sa ganyang bagay. Tinawagan nila ako, paggising ko, it was all over the newspapers.

"So, hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ‘yon. Wala akong planong lumipat sa kabila, alam nating lahat ‘yon. Hindi dumapo sa utak ko na lumipat sa kabila kahit isang beses," pahayag ni Richard.

Nagpaliwanag din si Richard tungkol sa napabalitang tampo niya dahil hindi siya naisama sa unang pagpapalabas ng summer plug ng GMA-7. Ayon sa report ay minadali ni Richard ang pag-uwi ng Pilipinas mula sa Hollywood, California—kung saan tumanggap siya ng award mula sa First Filipino-American Visionary Awards—para lang mag-shoot ng summer plug sa Bohol, pero tila hindi ito pinahalagahan ng kanyang home network.

"Yung mga ganung bagay," ani Richard, "ako personally, kung ano ang ginagawa ng network, I've always said na I'm a soldier of the network, di ba? Kung puwede akong mag-suggest, nagsa-suggest ako.

"Pero yung mga ganung bagay, ang nakakakita no'n, yung management team ko na, e. Ako personally, kung ano yung ginagawa kong trabaho, I do my best at it. And then, kung may mga ganyang isyu, it's not me na nakakapansin, but my management."

Pero naayos na ang naturang issue dahil prominente na ang exposure ni Richard sa ipinalalabas ngayong summer plug ng GMA-7.

Nakatakda ring magbigay ng official statement si Richard tungkol sa estado niya sa Kapuso network next week, kasabay ng contract renewal niya.

"Abangan n'yo next week, may official statement ako. Kasi ako na lang ang hindi nagsasalita, e. Nagsalita na si Mommy [Annabelle Rama], nagsalita na si Raymond. Ako naman next week.

"At saka I really wanted to wait for the right time. Kasi kung palalakihin ko yung isyu na wala namang katotohanan, e, sayang lang," sabi ng young actor.

RIVALRY WITH DINGDONG. Early this week ay lumabas ang balitang nag-resign na si Richard sa SOP. Nagdesisyon ang management team ni Richard na i-pull out na siya sa naturang musical-variety show ng GMA-7 upang maiwasan daw ang ilang intriga sa show.

Nilinaw naman ng kampo ni Richard na lalabas pa rin ang young actor sa SOP kapag may promotion siya para sa bago niyang pelikula o TV show, gaya ng grand farewell promo ng Kamandag this Sunday, April 20.

Pero sa panayam pa rin ni Allan Diones kay Richard sa Abante Tonite (April 18), wala pa raw final decision sa pag-alis niya sa SOP.

"If ever man na I decide to take a leave, it's my personal decision. Well, ako kasi, matagal ko nang naisip na I work hard during the week and then, sa weekends, wala rin akong time off. So, naisip ko, why not have my time off during the weekends? Para may free time ako para sa friends and family ko. Kailangan talaga ‘yon, e."

Nilinaw rin ni Richard ang balitang may tampo siya sa staff ng SOP dahil sa limited exposure na nakukuha niya sa show.

"Ako wala, wala kong tampo sa kanila," tanggi niya. "I mean, they've been working on that show way before I started. So, sa kanila na ‘yon. Kumbaga ako, I'll do my own thing."

Nagsalita rin si Richard kaugnay ng napapabalitang friction sa pagitan nila ng co-Kapuso artist niyang si Dingdong Dantes. May lumabas kasing isyu na nagtatampo raw ang kampo ni Richard dahil sa magandang exposure na ibinibigay ng GMA-7 kay Dingdong ngayon at isa raw ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit siya aalis sa SOP.

"Wala, with Dong, wala," diin ni Richard. "At saka naisip ko talaga na I'd rather rest or give time to myself and my family. Kasi ngayon, sobrang busy ko talaga. Like sa primetime shows ko, I'm getting more involved with the production and the creative [side]. So, I really want to focus on my show."

Iginiit din niya na wala silang problema o hidwaan ni Dingdong.

"Wala. I know Dingdong is working hard and I'm happy for him kung ano yung status niya ngayon. I have zero grudges for him. I'm happy for him," saad niya.

Dagdag ni Richard, "At saka maganda nga ‘yon for the network as a whole, e. At least, sa GMA, ang competition namin, within ourselves. Kung meron mang competition, it's very healthy, very professional. It's also good.

"Nagkita kami sa birthday party ni Direk Mark [Reyes]. Never kaming nagpaapekto ni Dong sa mga nangyayari sa showbiz. Kasi kami ni Dong, ang tagal na na­ming kilala ang isa't isa. Sobrang tagal na. So, ‘pag nagkikita kami, hindi kami nagpapaapekto kung anuman ang mga lumalabas sa mga diyaryo o nangyayari sa mga mana­ger namin. Wala ‘yong epekto sa aming dalawa. Ganu'n ako sa lahat ng tao. And I know him better," paniniguro ng young actor.

Pagkatapos ng Kamandag ay sisimulan na agad ni Richard ang susunod niyang teleserye sa GMA-7, ang Asero, na partly ay kukunan sa Dubai.

GMA-7 pirating Aga Muhlach?

Looks like he’s been smitten by Anne. “Hanga talaga ako sa kanya, but before anyone thinks of anything else, I’m a married man. And I love my wife Charlene (Gonzalez) very much, matatag ang pagsasama namin, so huwag n’yo nang kulitin at intrigahin ang paghanga ko kay Anne. Na-in love talaga ako sa kanya, which is not surprising kasi sexy naman talaga siya lalo na in her bikinis, pero hanggang doon lang ‘yun sa characters that we play in our movie. Walang halong malisya ‘yun. Ngayon, kung single siguro ako at walang asawa’t mga anak, that’s another story. But since I had my own family, wala na akong leading lady na niligawan ko. I really want to thank Charlene for being supportive at hindi siya yung basta nagseselos even if I have love or kissing scenes with my younger leading ladies. She’s very secure with herself.”

Anne says he’s fond of talking to himself while they were shooting “Where Love Begins” in Boracay. “That’s my way of internalizing my role. Iniisip ko talagang in love ako kay Michelle, the character played by Anne, and I’m enamoured not only with her but with the beauty of Boracay itself. I actually told Anne na masarap siyang kasama. And that this might be our first and last movie together, but I’m really thankful for the opportunity of working with her.”

ABS-CBN is said to be proud as they now have both morning (Aga) and night (Gabby Concepcion). Is Aga somehow threatened by Gabby’s comeback since the roles he plays can also be played by Gabo? “He’s not a threat. I’m 38 and he’s seven years older. I’m really glad he’s here now and we have more lead actors with him. I consider him a long lost friend and I wish him well.”

One writer butted “Bakit naman mati-threaten si Aga kay Gabby gayong nagkontrabida lang ito sa kanya sa ‘Sinungaling Mong Puso’ with Vilma Santos at si Aga ang nanalo ng best actor award for that movie?”

Is it true GMA-7 is trying to pirate him from ABS? To which another writer also answered “Bakit naman kukunin ng GMA si Aga, e ang baba ng rating ng ‘Okey Ka, Doc’ niya kumpara sa ‘Fulhaus’ ni Vic Sotto?”

“Hindi naman for a TV show,” replies someone in the know. “They’re getting him for a movie in GMA Films dahil wala namang dudang big hits ang movies ni Aga. The movie is a co-production between GMA Films and Mother Lily, at si Marian Rivera ang gusto nilang maging kapareha niya.”

“Yes, there is such an offer,” confirms Aga. “But nothing is final kasi may movies pa ako lined up for me by Star Cinema.”

After Anne, Aga is scheduled to be paired with either Bea Alonzo or Angel Locsin. “Nababalitaan ko pa lang ang mga ‘yan, but nothing is really sure,” adds Aga. ”I leave it all up to my manager, Tita Ethel Ramos, as she makes all the right decisions for me.” [source of news]

Claudine Barretto and Gabby Concepcion in a teleserye

IT’S FINAL. Claudine Barretto will be the leading lady of Gabby Concepcion in the first teleserye he will do for ABS-CBN. This is entitled “Iisa Pa Lamang,” based on the Danny Tan hit song popularized by Joey Albert, to be directed by Ruel Bayani and Manny Palo. This was already filmed by Regal Films before starring Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta and Maricel Laxa (who won several best supporting actress awards for this), directed by Joey Reyes who wrote the lyrics of the song. Susan Roces will be part of the cast.

Claudine has just finished taping the entire four-week run of ”Maligno”, the TV remake of a 1977 horror film that gave Susan Roces her second FAMAS best actress award. She co-stars with Diether Ocampo and Rafael Rossell, directed by Wenn Deramas. In the presscon held at ABS-CBN Studio One last Wednesday, the first episode was shown and it will surely be enjoyed by horror fans as Direk Wenn knows how to push the right buttons to give them a good scare.

The series starts with Rio Locsin leaving her daughter in an orphanage. She’s a member of a cult and her daughter is supposed to give birth to the son of the devil later. In the show’s first ten minutes, all of Rio’s companions get killed horribly one by one. One is hit by a truck, another crushed by a “pison”, and still another’s skull gets split by a signpost.

Rio’s daughter grows up to be Claudine, in her TV comeback after giving birth to her son Santino, a newscaster whose documentary on “kulam” was nominated for an award abroad. Obsessed with her is a strange painter, Rafael Rosell, who turns out to be the man destined in a prophecy to be the father of the devil’s son. He rapes Claudine and this is a delicate scene since Rafael is in the nude and covered with blood throughout the sequence, but the MTRCB passed it uncut.

Claudine subsequently gets pregnant and the devil’s son grows up played by child actor Carlo Pacana, a TV commercial model who auditioned for the role. He was chosen because of his innocent looks and yet he could act menacingly evil.

Claudine plays the Susan Roces role in the original, while Rafael gets the role of Eddie Garcia and Diether Ocampo, the role of Dante Rivero. We asked them if they saw the movie and they said they chose not to so that they will not be affected or influenced by the performances of the original actors.

“Maligno” will replace “Palos” and start airing on April 28. Also playing important roles in it are Kim Chiu as a reporter, Gerald Anderson as a cameraman, and Arlene Tolibas (replacing Eugene Domingo who got so busy she cannot accept this project anymore) as the sinister yaya or nanny who takes care of the devil’s son. No doubt this will rate higher than “Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara”, the first movie in the Susan Roces Cinema Collection remade by ABS. [source of news]

Gobingo Fails to Beat Wheel of Fortune(4-14 to 4-17 ratings)

In the battle of primetime game shows, GMA’s Gobingo hosted by Arnel Ignacio debuts strongly at no. 10 last Monday with 21.1 percent. But the returning game show failed to maintain it’s premiere episode as its rating dropped to 14.2% on Tuesday and 12.9% on Wednesday. From Tuesday to Thursday, Kris Aquino’s Wheel of Fortune persisted on its timeslot.

Next week, another new game show will challenge Edu Manzano’s Pilipinas Game KNB? in the morning block and its no other than Ogie Alcasid’s “Da Big Show.” Will the new GMA morning game show be able to topple its rival or share the same fate of Gobingo?

Here are the Top 10 daytime and primetime programs from April 14 to 17 based on the overnight ratings conducted by AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila households:

April 14 (Monday)

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 22.5%
2. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 21.1%
3. Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 18.7%
4. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 18.3%
5. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 17.9%
6. Takeshi’s Castle (GMA-7) - 17%
7. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 16.4%
8. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 13.6%
9. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 12.9%
10. SiS (GMA-7) - 11.1%

Primetime:

1. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 33.3%
2. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 31.8%
3. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 29.6%
4. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 26.6%
5. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 25.3%
6. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 23.2%
7. The Legend (GMA-7) - 22.4%
8. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 22.2%
9. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 21.7%
10. Gobingo (GMA-7) - 21.1%

April 15 (Tuesday)

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 21.9%
2. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 21.8%
3. Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 20%
4. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 16.7%
5. Takeshi’s Castle (GMA-7) - 15.8%
6. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 14.9%
7. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 13.7%
8. SiS (GMA-7) - 11.9%
9. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 11.2%
10. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 9.1%

Primetime:

1. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 37.1%
2. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 34.1%
3. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 29.1%
4. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 27.8%
5. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 23.3%
6. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 22.3%
7. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 21.8%
8. The Legend (GMA-7) - 21.7%
9. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 20.9%
10. Palos (ABS-CBN) - 18.5%

April 16 (Wednesday)

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 22.3%
2. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 17%
3. Takeshi’s Castle (GMA-7) - 16.6%
4. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 15.7%
5. Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 15.5%
6. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 14.9%
7. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 14.3%
8. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 12.9%
9. SiS (GMA-7) - 12.4%
10. Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 11.1%

Primetime:

1. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 34%
2. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 31.9%
3. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 26%
4. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 25.7%
5. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 23.3%
6. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 20.5%
7. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 20%
8. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 19.9%
9. Palos (ABS-CBN) - 19.7%
10. The Legend (GMA-7) - 19.6%

April 17 (Thursday)

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 21.9%
2. Daisy Siete (GMA-7) - 20.5%
3. Maging Akin Ka Lamang (GMA-7) - 19.8%
4. Takeshi’s Castle (GMA-7) - 18%
5. Kaputol ng Isang Awit (GMA-7) - 16.8%
6. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) - 15.9%
7. El Cuerpo Deseo (ABS-CBN) - 13.9%
8. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) - 13.5%
9. SiS (GMA-7) / Prinsesa ng Banyera (ABS-CBN) - 11.1%
10. Boy & Kris (ABS-CBN) - 6.7%

Primetime:

1. Joaquin Bordado (GMA-7) - 34.7%
2. Kamandag (GMA-7) - 33.4%
3. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 28.1%
4. Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (GMA-7) - 27.2%
5. Kung Fu Kids (ABS-CBN) - 22.7%
6. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (ABS-CBN) - 22.5%
7. Lobo (ABS-CBN) - 21.6%
8. The Legend (GMA-7) - 21.5%
9. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) - 20.1%
10. Palos (ABS-CBN) - 18.5%

Figures courtesy of AGB Nielsen Philippines via PEP

Next for Charice: Debut CD and ‘Oprah’

By Pocholo ConcepcionPhilippine Daily InquirerMANILA, Philippines—

Charice Pempengco is a wounded pup.

The 15-year-old singing wunderkind has known pain and sadness since her parents separated when she was just this high. It was, by her mother Raquel’s account, a parting preceded by heart-rending incidents that Charice witnessed (and is now requesting not to be discussed in detail).

Fortunately, mother and daughter resolved to leave it all behind and move on. It was not easy, but the way things have turned out is a testament to the power of faith and the will to succeed.
On a hot Saturday afternoon, Charice is cooling her heels in an ABS-CBN office, two hours before she enters a nearby recording studio to finish three songs for her forthcoming debut album with Star Records. The album is a bit overdue, on account of a busy schedule that saw her traveling to Sweden, Korea, the United States and, only last week, England, as a sought-after guest on TV shows that beamed her awesome, lung-busting vocal skills globally.

Charice recently taped a special episode for “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where she shares the stage with other gifted children. The episode airs in May.

Her most recent appearance was on the “Paul O’Grady Show.” “Nakakatuwa, pinaghandaan talaga nila,” Charice says, referring to the top-rating British talk-comedy program. “Meron pang fireworks, para mas maganda raw habang kumakanta ako.”

The songs she sang—the “Dreamgirls” anthem “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You—were exactly what she rendered in her now world-famous stints on “Star King” in South Korea and the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” in the US. “’Yun ang hiniling nila, kung ano raw ang napanood nila sa ‘Ellen,’” Charice explains.

Perfect stranger

The studio audience on the "Paul O’Grady Show" gave her a standing ovation. She says she was told it was the first time ever.

All the attention would not have been possible, she says, without the single-handed stroke of genius of Dave Dueñas, a.k.a. FalseVoice on the YouTube channel. A 19-year-old nursing student at Perpetual Help College, Las Piñas, who also happens to be a techno geek, Dave uploaded Charice’s taped performances on YouTube, the popular video-sharing Web site whose total viewers have reached 79 million as of January this year.

Charice says Dueñas was a complete stranger and only when she sought him out through e-mail did she discover why he fancied her videos. “Kasi raw natatawa siya dun sa nanalong contestant sa “America’s Got Talent.” Mas magaling daw ako kaya pinagsama niya yung video namin.” Said videos paved the way for all succeeding uploads now currently seen by people around the globe 24/7.

The phenomenal exposure has paid off on a slow but steadily increasing rate. “Lahat ng TV appearances ni Charice sa abroad libre, pero napakalaking tulong,” mom Raquel says. “Sa ‘Oprah’ binigyan siya ng shopping money.”

The guest stint with Paul O’Grady reportedly happened on the recommendation of David Foster, the music industry stalwart who has produced albums for the likes of Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Josh Groban.

Charice laughs, saying Foster took her by the hand and introduced her as “my new singer” to the American press when they attended a high-profile show biz affair.

After mom

It’s been a long, strange trip for a teenager who remembers being very shy as a young girl. “Ang mommy ko ang talagang singer,” Charice points out. Mom Raquel, 35, used to sing with a sister in a band called Soul’s Free, and little Charice would tag along during gigs in Tagaytay and Laguna where the Pempengcos lived.

“Talagang mahilig ang magulang at mga kapatid ko sa music,” Raquel says. She tired to make both ends meet as a single mom, working as a quality control supervisor in a garments factory in the day and singing at night. “Hindi rin naman ako tumagal, six months lang ako sa banda.”
But one day she was surprised to hear her daughter, who was then 6 years old, belting a tune on the karaoke. She would go on and teach the budding singer a few techniques she learned from peers.

When Raquel opted to quit working and devote her time to raising two growing children, she got another surprise: Charice told her she would start joining singing contests to help the family survive.

One weak moment

Since then, Charice has become a “Reyna ng Singing Contest,” if there ever was one. She has joined some 70 competitions, mostly in town fiestas around the country, winning most of the time. The only time she “lost,” she says, was when she placed second or third.
The only time she felt like quitting was when she got eliminated in the early stages of the ABS-CBN singing tilt “Little Big Star”; but she was so good, she was picked as a wild card to reenter the competition, and made it to third place. “Na-realize ko hindi dapat mawalan ng pag-asa, tuluy-tuloy lang para mag-succeed,” Charice says in hindsight.

Raquel says she never tires of reminding Charice that this isn’t the big time yet—at least not in the context of what her daughter is aiming at.

Good thing Charice is having fun despite all the ruckus. “Bata pa po ako, mahilig maglaro,” she jokes before saying goodbye. But maybe it’s not entirely a joke. Moments after boarding a van that will take her to the recording studio, she starts cradling a baby doll.

Source: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080414-130356/Next-for-Charice-debut-CD-and-Oprah

Charice Sings "You'll Never Walk Alone"

Posted on April 16, 2008 Permalink Comments (0) TrackBack (0)
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Unstoppable Charice

By MARIO V. DUMAUAL

There's still no stopping singing sensation Charice Pempengco after her three unprecedented guestings on the shows of Ellen Degeneres and Paul O'Grady and soon on Oprah this May.
Coming up is the Philippine release next month of her first album with Star Records, featuring her now Internet famous renditions of "And I Am Telling You", " I Will Always Love You" and "I Have Nothing". Also part of the CD lite package produced by Star's Jonathan Manalo are her previous recordings with a European studio last year.

Encounter with Oprah

The big bonus is Oprah's supposed commitment to Charice to help her promote her album when she gets back to Chicago. "Natuwa naman po ako sa support niya, " Charice told us at her recording session in Quezon City, recounting her unforgettable encounter with the TV empress.
"Dream come true talaga, imagine sabi ko nga kay mommy, ' guesting sa Oprah , si Oprah, the most powerful woman in the world!'". Charice is not yet free to talk about the details of her meeting with Oprah; neither can she confirm the details of a supposed recording deal with esteemed American record producer David Foster.


Oprah's generosity

But this much she can say, she was given wads of dollars by Oprah after her tour at Harpo Productions. Charice is not revealing how much. Suffice it to say that her mother described it as "malaking tulong."

"Pang shopping daw, nilagay niya sa front pockets ko, hindi ko na tiningnan kung magkano, hahaha," she giggled. It was just one aspect of the overwhelming VIP treatment she received in Chicago. "BInigyan din po ako ni Oprah ng sariling hairstylist, sabi niya ako ang gumugupit kay Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Bill Clinton and ... Charice Pempengcow hahaha."

The highlight was when Charice opened up to Oprah about her personal struggles. "Nakwento ko that my mom is a single parent... what we went through. I cannot forget what she told me after. Sabi niya, everything will be better!"

Needless to say, she has been asked to guest again on Oprah on a later date. This is really not surprising given the sensational reception accorded Charice in all her international guestings. Just recently, Charice was informed that her Ellen guesting was picked as the most memorable moment on the talk show in a televiewers survey. " Lahat naman po sila, pati sina Ellen and Paul pinababalik po nila ako."

The fan who started it all

Of course, Charice will not forget that she owes her immense popularity to the Internet. "Yang youtube na yan, yan ang may sala," she laughs. "Yan ang nag-umpisa ng lahat." She credits one admirer for uploading her video files.

"His name is David Duenas, 22 years old, a nursing student, singer din siya. Kailan ko lang siya personal na nakilala, ang tawag ko nga sa kanya 'special' because he is! Major turning point yung pinag showdown niya sa youtube yung performance namin ng winner ng America's Got Talent ng "And I Am Telling You"."

Before she knew it, the Internet video files took a life of its own with over a million hits, alerting Swedish, Korean record and TV producers and finally making it on the Ellen Degeneres show. The Charice phenomenon continues with the creation of more websites devoted to her. It's the kind of empowerment that can also happen to any brilliant, struggling artist with no well-oiled mainstream machinery.

Even now that an international career is beckoning, Charice is certain that the Philippines will be her home base. "Kung ano ang ibigay sa akin ng ABS-CBN, tatanggapin ko."

source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=115338

Anne Curtis as Dyosa, new fantasy soap

SI Anne Curtis ang bagong Dyosa.

While she confessed that she doesn’t know anything sa nabalita noong ililipat siya ng sa GMA-7, mas masaya ngayon si Anne dahil kung hindi man ito natuloy, she is getting the breaks she deserve both from ABS and its film arm na Star Cinema.

Right now nga, siya ang katambal ni Aga Muhlach for the first time sa next Star Cinema movie When Love Begins na magu-open this April 30 nationwide.May kasunod na rin ang kanyang Maging Sino Ka Man book 2 at si-ya ang gaganap sa bagong fantasy soap ng ABS na Dyosa.We thought this is a remake of Lorna Tolentino’s movie of the 80’s pero iba pala ang kuwento.Isa siyang tunay na diyosa na descendant ng dalawang local folklores, sina Mariang Sinukuan at Bernardo Carpio.Ito naman ang naging kapalit nang na-shelve na yatang The Weddings. [source of news]

Maja Salvador seriously meeting her "quota" as an actress

Maja Salvador is one of the busiest young actresses today. Not only does she have a number of endorsements—making her the "Princess of EDSA," according to some of showbiz reporters, because of her billboards—she also has regular stint in ASAP '08 every Sunday.

Adding to her busy schedule is her newest show Kapitan Boom, which will air every Saturday, starting April 26. She is also currently filming a new movie with fellow dancer Rayver Cruz.

"What could be busier than that?" asked a reporter.

"Kasi po ano, e, ang dami pong dumarating," replied Maja during the press conference of Kapitan Boom yesterday, April 16, at the 9501 Restaurant in ABS-CBN Compound, Quezon City.

Maja impressed the showbiz reporters when she added, "Dapat maraming quota para maganda ang future."

Maja is surely taking her job as an actress seriously. In fact, she does not mind whether her role is big or small as long as she can earn and save money.

She reiterated, "Ang importante po sa akin, nakakaipon kahit po hindi sobrang bidang-bida [ang role] basta makaipon lang."

DREAM TO WORK WITH AGA. At a young age, Maja has been blessed to work with some of the prominent actors of local film industry. She proved her acting skill in drama when she starred in Maalaala Mo Kaya's "Regalo" with Vilma Santos and Ricky Davao. And she scared audiences when she played the role of a teenager with a third eye in the movie Sukob with the Queen of Horror Kris Aquino.

Who are the other actors Maja hopes to work with?

Maja said she wants Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd or Sam Milby to be her partner onscreen.

A reporter asked, "How about Aga Muhlach?"

Maja answered with a "kilig" smile, adding, "Sabi ko nga kay Tita Chit [Ramos], ‘Tita Chit, makaka-partner ko rin 'yan.' Tawa lang siya nang tawa."

For her to be paired with Aga, the reporters jokingly asked, is Maja prepared to wear a bikini, like Angelica Panganiban did in A Love Story and Anne Curtis in When Love Begins?

"Hindi ko po alam, 19 [years old] pa lang ako, e," Maja quickly replied.

What kind of mature roles does she want to portray?

Maja answered, "Basta ang sa akin po, yung natsa-challenge po ako."

The young actress gave her recent role in Maalaala Mo Kaya as an example. She explained, "Katulad po yung last na MMK ko, ayaw ko po sanang gawin kasi parang kakaiba, parang ni-rape po kasi ako noon 'tapos parang hinanap-hanap ko na yun." (Click here to read related PEP article).

If she was hesitant at first, what convinced her to accept the role?

Maja said, "Tinawagan po ako ni Ms Malou [Santos, SVP for Drama Production and Star Cinema], sabi niya, ‘Gawin mo 'yan, artista ka.'

She added, "Una po, natatakot ako kasi iba po sa pa-tweetums. Talagang ako po 'yong nanghahalik, ako yung, gamiting na natin yung word na 'hayok' ako talaga. Sobrang kakaiba po."

Maja wouldn't divulge information about the projects lined up for her. A reporter teased her about her supposed movie with Rayver Cruz, "Baka hindi mo pa talaga alam."

The ever-polite Maja replied, "Alam ko po kaya lang siyempre secret, baka pagalitan kami."

Charice Pempengco's first album out soon

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Charice Pempengco's first and most-awaited album will hit record stores as soon as the R n' B child star finishes recording songs for the compilation.

Pempengco announced during a surprise guesting on dzMM's celebrity show on Monday that she is just recording a few songs for the self-titled album before its release.

"I have an upcoming album, at last, first solo album. I'm just finishing it, and I will do a recording later," the child star announced during the interview with Tita Cristy Fermin and Jobert Sucaldito.

Pempengco said the album will include two original songs titled "Born to Love You Forever" and "It Can Only Get Better" composed especially for her by Swedish song artists.

The album will also include a revival of Whitney Houston's "And I'm Telling You," which paved the way for the child singer's international recognition through YouTube.com.

After guesting on Korea's Star King, Pempengco was featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show and wowed U.S. viewers.

The hit guesting eventually gave Pempengco a chance to show her talent in London at the Paul O'Grady Show.

It was also announced during the radio show that ABS-CBN's Star Records is cooking up a new singing adventure for the child singer.

Pempengco had no specific announcement about a concert, but the radio program's hosts said Pempengco may hold one abroad.

here's the link

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=114982

Oprah napabilib ni Charice!

SHOWBIZ MISMO Ni Cristy Fermin


Nagkabiglaan kami nung Lunes nang hapon sa Showbiz Mismo sa DZMM. Ang una naming panauhin ay si Maegan Aguilar, may bagong album na ipino-promote ang anak ni Ka Freddie, pagkatapos ng aming kuwentuhan sa ere ay nag-break ang programa para sa Three O’Clock Prayer.

Habang nasa lobby kami ng ABS-CBN ay pumarada ang van ni Charice Pempengco, tulad nang dati ay dumaan muna siya sa amin, nagbeso at nakipagkuwentuhan sandali.

Bago siya umakyat sa opisina ng Star Records ay sinabihan namin siya, kung meron pa siyang libreng oras ay dumaan sana siya sa aming programa ng kaibigang Jobert Sucaldito plus Wendell Alvarez, dahil maraming tagahanga niya ang bumabati sa kanyang tagumpay sa 2366.

Tumupad sa kanyang sinabi si Charice, maya-maya lang ay nandun na siya sa DZMM, kasama niyang dumating ang kanyang ina na napanood naming umiiyak habang kumakanta si Charice sa The Ellen Degeneres Show sa Amerika ilang buwan na ang nakararaan.

Pagkatapos niyang pahangain ang mga Amerikano ay sa Europe naman siya nagkalat ng kanyang talento sa pagkanta, gano’n din ang nangyari kay Charice, binigyan din siya ng standing ovation dun.

At ang pinakahuli, bumalik sila sa Amerika ng kanyang mommy dahil sa imbitasyon sa kanya ng sikat na si Oprah Winfrey, mga kabataang sikat sa iba’t ibang bansa ang paksa ng episode nun at si Charice ang kinatawan ng Pilipinas.

Masayang-masaya si Charice sa ginanap na taping sa show ni Oprah. Sino ba naman ang hindi magiging maligaya sa kaganapang yun, samantalang kasunod ng linyang “I want to see snow” na sinasabi ng mga gustong makarating sa Amerika ang linyang “I want to see Oprah Winfrey?”

Masayang ikinuwento sa amin ni Charice na pagkatapos niyang kumanta ay niyakap siya nang mahigpit ng sikat na talk show host, proud na proud daw siya, dahil hindi niya inaasahang makikita niya na nang personal si Ms. Oprah ay makapagge-guest pa pala siya sa show ng talk show host na gustong makaharap ng lahat ng sikat na artista at singers sa buong mundo.

Ipinagbilin daw ni Oprah sa kanyang staff na huwag sasabihin ng mga ito sa kanya kung ano ang gagawin ni Charice, “Gusto raw po niyang siya mismo ang magtanong sa akin kung ano ang gagawin ko,” kuwento pa rin ng dalagita.

* * *

Isang back-up sound system lang ang ipinahanda ng aming executive producer na si J.R. Antonio sa aming technician na si Kuya Cesar Atienza, nagkangaragan sila nina Rey Aganon at Henry Lopez, dahil pumayag mag-mini-concert si Charice sa aming programa nang walang kagatul-gatol.

Wala siyang hininging kahit ano, wala siyang kaarte-arte, ang magagaling talagang singers na may matinding kumpiyansa sa kanilang kakayahan ay kayang kumanta kahit sa lata lang ang mikropono.

Pero mapagkakati­walaan ang aming technical staff, marami nang grupong nagdya-jamming sa aming programa (Side A Band, Freestyle, Banyuhay at marami pang ibang banda) at isa lang ang sinasabi ng mga ito, de-kalidad ang tunog ng aming sound system sa DZMM.

Buong kasiyahang kumanta nang kumanta si Charice na parang wala nang bukas pa, napakapino at napakakinis ng kanyang boses, buong-buo ang kanyang kumpiyansa.

Pinagmamasdan namin ang kanyang ina habang kumakanta ang dalagita, walang-wala na itong nerbiyos. “Kaya lang naman ako napaiyak nung mag-guest siya kay Ms. Ellen Degeneres, e, masyado akong na-touch nung bigyan siya ng standing ovation.

“Naalala ko lang yung mga panahong kumakanta-kanta siya sa mga amateur contests, naaalala ko lang ang mga pinagdaanan naming mag-ina at ng lola niya,” kwento sa amin ng mommy ni Charice.

Ngayong Mayo na mapapanood sa Pilipinas ang guesting niya sa show ni Oprah Winfrey, maraming nangangarap na mabigyan ng panahon sa sikat na talk show, pero si Charice Pempengco ang pinalad na makagawa nun.

Isang malaking karangalan sa mundo ng musika si Charice Pempengco, maipagmamalaki natin siya bilang kababayan, napakalayo pa ng mararating ng batang singer na ito.