FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
ENZO PINEDA is seen opposite Ynna Asistio in “Diva”. He’s now also in GMA-7’s Sunday afternoon romance, “Love Bug”, with Starstruck colleagues Sarah Lahbati and Diva Montelaba. He’s also in the new sitcom, “Kaya Ba ng Powers Mo”, where he’ll be paired with Rhian Ramos. “I’m really thankful dahil our long period of waiting paid off at ang dami ko ngayong trabaho,” he says. “Iba-iba pa ang mga kapareha ko at lahat sila, puro magaganda.”
Now that the four of them in Starstruck (Sarah, Diva, Steven Silva and he) topbill “Exchange of Hearts”, their own episode in “Love Bug”, is there pressure for them to make it rate higher? “May pressure, yes, but we take it more as a challenge. Buti na lang, we have much to offer. This was taped on location sa paradise island of Camiguin and its beautiful spots kaya dito pa lang, panalo na. The story is also beautiful as it’s about two love pairs. Sarah and Steven are childhood friends and their moms want them to end up together, but Sarah is on with me and Steven, with Diva, so dinala sila ng moms nila sa Camiguin for them to fall for each other. Diva and I follow them at doon nagkaroon ng exchange of partners.”
Did the four deliver as expected? “They’re all good in their respective roles considering first starring roles nila ito,” says program manager Hazel Abonita. “This will be the new breed of stars na bagong mamahalin ng viewers. Camiguin is our first local tourist destination after Hongkong and Singapore. Next will be Calauit Island in Palawan with Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino.”
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NOW A BONAFIDE Kapuso, Cesar Montano’s first project will be the new GMA Telebabad soap to replace “Diva” titled “Romana Santa”. He’ll join the cast led by Aljur Abrenica, Rhian Ramos and Jackie Rice. This means he’ll no longer host “Singing Bee” if and when ABS-CBN decides to revive it. Cesar almost joined GMA before in “Lupin” but he begged off when he ran for the senate. He’ll be officially welcomed in Party Pilipinas this Sunday.
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ONCE KRIS Aquino gets tired of her man, it’s for good. Just like what happened to Phillip Salvador and Joey Marquez. The difference with James Yap, of course, is that they exchanged vows in the holy sacrament of matrimony while Kris just lived in with her past lovers. That Kris will eventually get tired of James has been predicted by several quarters even at the start of their relationship. They’re just world aparts from each other in terms of age (Kris is 12 years older), upbringing and social standing.
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RICHARD GUTIERREZ is now in an island off Thailand taping “Survivor Philippines” with its celebrity castaways that include real life sweethearts Michelle Madrigal and Jon Hall. But before he left, he finished two environmental shows that will be shown while he’s away. First is “Wildlife for Sale” on July 25, an investigative journalism docu shot in Myanmar or Burma about endangered species being sold and cooked in a remote place there. Next is “Anatomy of a Disaster”to start August 13, with Richard as host of a show that delves into the causes and effects of natural calamities. The first episode will show him going up to the crater of Taal Volcano at the time it’s quaking and emitting smoke.
He’ll return on August 18 in time for the opening of his film with Anne Curtis and Claudine Barretto, “In Your Eyes”. His mom Annabelle Rama says he invited her to visit him in Thailand but she begged off when she learned she’ll be sharing a bathroom with other people. “Ayoko nga, kahit maliit na banyo, okay lang, basta ako lang ang gagamit,” she says.
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CARLA ABELLANA and Geoff Eigenmann were together at the premiere night of “Sigwa” and they’re sweet to each other. “We’re here as my mom (Gina Alajar) is in the film and it’s said she gives a good performance so we want to watch it,” says Geoff.
They’re both happy due to the high ratings of their afternoon soap, “Basahang Ginto”, proof that viewers support their love team. Carla as Orang is brokenhearted when Geoff as Danny reconciles with girlfriend Sylvia (Vaness del Moral) who also exposes that Laura Leyva is actually the squatter girl Orang. Her problems get worse when she learns her sister Gilay is not reporting in school beause of bullies while brother Manoro doesn’t know he’s getting involved with drug dealers.
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PEOPLE WEREN’T surprised anymore when Yayo Aguila admitted that she and William Martinez have parted ways more than a year ago, this at the time they’re supposed to celebrate their silver (25th) wedding anniversary. How sad. But Yayo says they’re not sad but both happy about it and even their three kids are happy for them and quickly accepted their decision. She denies it’s William’s drinking habit that triggered the separation. They still work together in TV 5’s “Moomoo” sitcom with John Prats. They met on the set of the movie "Bagets" in 1984.
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ERIK SANTOS just returned from a series of shows in the U.S. with Sarah Geronimo and remains to be one of the country’s most sought after young male singers. His album “Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Songbook” is getting good reviews from listeners and music critics. Produced by Mr. Brickman himself, it has original compositions as well as revivals written by the world famous singer-composer. To promote the album, see Erik in his free mall tours on July 16 (today) at SM Rosales Pangasinan, July 17 at SM Baguio, July 18 at Robinsons Imus, July 25 at SM Clark, and July 31 at Robinson’s Lipa. As part of BPI’s Discovery and Life series of shows, he’ll also perform on July 24 at Pacific Mall Lucena, August 27 in Batangas and September 25 in Tagbilaran, Bohol. He’s also part of Sarah Geronimo’s Record Breaker concert at Cebu on July 30. He’ll celebrate his birthday on October 10 so he’ll have a show titled “10.10.10” at the SM Skydome North Edsa. “I can only thank God for all the good opportunities that continue to come way,” he says. For inquiries about him, call Backroom at 4351108 or email at backroomtalents@pldtdsl.net
ENZO PINEDA is seen opposite Ynna Asistio in “Diva”. He’s now also in GMA-7’s Sunday afternoon romance, “Love Bug”, with Starstruck colleagues Sarah Lahbati and Diva Montelaba. He’s also in the new sitcom, “Kaya Ba ng Powers Mo”, where he’ll be paired with Rhian Ramos. “I’m really thankful dahil our long period of waiting paid off at ang dami ko ngayong trabaho,” he says. “Iba-iba pa ang mga kapareha ko at lahat sila, puro magaganda.”
Now that the four of them in Starstruck (Sarah, Diva, Steven Silva and he) topbill “Exchange of Hearts”, their own episode in “Love Bug”, is there pressure for them to make it rate higher? “May pressure, yes, but we take it more as a challenge. Buti na lang, we have much to offer. This was taped on location sa paradise island of Camiguin and its beautiful spots kaya dito pa lang, panalo na. The story is also beautiful as it’s about two love pairs. Sarah and Steven are childhood friends and their moms want them to end up together, but Sarah is on with me and Steven, with Diva, so dinala sila ng moms nila sa Camiguin for them to fall for each other. Diva and I follow them at doon nagkaroon ng exchange of partners.”
Did the four deliver as expected? “They’re all good in their respective roles considering first starring roles nila ito,” says program manager Hazel Abonita. “This will be the new breed of stars na bagong mamahalin ng viewers. Camiguin is our first local tourist destination after Hongkong and Singapore. Next will be Calauit Island in Palawan with Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino.”
**********
NOW A BONAFIDE Kapuso, Cesar Montano’s first project will be the new GMA Telebabad soap to replace “Diva” titled “Romana Santa”. He’ll join the cast led by Aljur Abrenica, Rhian Ramos and Jackie Rice. This means he’ll no longer host “Singing Bee” if and when ABS-CBN decides to revive it. Cesar almost joined GMA before in “Lupin” but he begged off when he ran for the senate. He’ll be officially welcomed in Party Pilipinas this Sunday.
**********
ONCE KRIS Aquino gets tired of her man, it’s for good. Just like what happened to Phillip Salvador and Joey Marquez. The difference with James Yap, of course, is that they exchanged vows in the holy sacrament of matrimony while Kris just lived in with her past lovers. That Kris will eventually get tired of James has been predicted by several quarters even at the start of their relationship. They’re just world aparts from each other in terms of age (Kris is 12 years older), upbringing and social standing.
**********
RICHARD GUTIERREZ is now in an island off Thailand taping “Survivor Philippines” with its celebrity castaways that include real life sweethearts Michelle Madrigal and Jon Hall. But before he left, he finished two environmental shows that will be shown while he’s away. First is “Wildlife for Sale” on July 25, an investigative journalism docu shot in Myanmar or Burma about endangered species being sold and cooked in a remote place there. Next is “Anatomy of a Disaster”to start August 13, with Richard as host of a show that delves into the causes and effects of natural calamities. The first episode will show him going up to the crater of Taal Volcano at the time it’s quaking and emitting smoke.
He’ll return on August 18 in time for the opening of his film with Anne Curtis and Claudine Barretto, “In Your Eyes”. His mom Annabelle Rama says he invited her to visit him in Thailand but she begged off when she learned she’ll be sharing a bathroom with other people. “Ayoko nga, kahit maliit na banyo, okay lang, basta ako lang ang gagamit,” she says.
**********
CARLA ABELLANA and Geoff Eigenmann were together at the premiere night of “Sigwa” and they’re sweet to each other. “We’re here as my mom (Gina Alajar) is in the film and it’s said she gives a good performance so we want to watch it,” says Geoff.
They’re both happy due to the high ratings of their afternoon soap, “Basahang Ginto”, proof that viewers support their love team. Carla as Orang is brokenhearted when Geoff as Danny reconciles with girlfriend Sylvia (Vaness del Moral) who also exposes that Laura Leyva is actually the squatter girl Orang. Her problems get worse when she learns her sister Gilay is not reporting in school beause of bullies while brother Manoro doesn’t know he’s getting involved with drug dealers.
**********
PEOPLE WEREN’T surprised anymore when Yayo Aguila admitted that she and William Martinez have parted ways more than a year ago, this at the time they’re supposed to celebrate their silver (25th) wedding anniversary. How sad. But Yayo says they’re not sad but both happy about it and even their three kids are happy for them and quickly accepted their decision. She denies it’s William’s drinking habit that triggered the separation. They still work together in TV 5’s “Moomoo” sitcom with John Prats. They met on the set of the movie "Bagets" in 1984.
**********
ERIK SANTOS just returned from a series of shows in the U.S. with Sarah Geronimo and remains to be one of the country’s most sought after young male singers. His album “Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Songbook” is getting good reviews from listeners and music critics. Produced by Mr. Brickman himself, it has original compositions as well as revivals written by the world famous singer-composer. To promote the album, see Erik in his free mall tours on July 16 (today) at SM Rosales Pangasinan, July 17 at SM Baguio, July 18 at Robinsons Imus, July 25 at SM Clark, and July 31 at Robinson’s Lipa. As part of BPI’s Discovery and Life series of shows, he’ll also perform on July 24 at Pacific Mall Lucena, August 27 in Batangas and September 25 in Tagbilaran, Bohol. He’s also part of Sarah Geronimo’s Record Breaker concert at Cebu on July 30. He’ll celebrate his birthday on October 10 so he’ll have a show titled “10.10.10” at the SM Skydome North Edsa. “I can only thank God for all the good opportunities that continue to come way,” he says. For inquiries about him, call Backroom at 4351108 or email at backroomtalents@pldtdsl.net
