FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
SINGER RACHEL ANN GO is thankful that GMA-7 is giving her a chance to try acting as she's now part of the cast of "Diva". She plays Demi, a variety show host and she's paired with Carlo Aquino. In the story, Regine Velasquez as Melody and Glaiza de Castro as her arch rival Tiffany, are both tapped to be part of the TV show but they refuse to be in the same program as they're tough competitors.
"I'm really so happy dahil kaeksena ko si Ms. Regine," says Rachel. "She was the host when I won sa 'Search for a Star' dito sa GMA-7 kaya comfortable ako in her company. Talagang she encourages me sa acting ko. Sabi niya, kaya mo yan, girl. May eksena ako rito na mahihimatay ako while performing. Yun pala, pregnant na ako kay Carlo at gusto kong ipalaglag ang baby para hindi masira ang career ko. Sana nga, masundan pa ng more acting assignments kasi nag-enjoy ako rito."
About her rumored affair with Kean Cipriano of TV5, she says it's not true. "We're friends but he's not courting me. Kung kami nga, aaminin ko naman. Inamin ko before yung kina Christian, di ba?"
**********
WE'RE HAPPY that Jennylyn Mercado and Patrick Garcia are now in better terms and Patrick finally got to see his son, Alex Jazz or AJ. It was Patrick's sister, Cheska Kramer, who invited Jen and AJ to attend the first birthday celebration of her first born child. We're told it was Dennis Trillo who encouraged Jen to attend the said affair as it's time to let bygones be bygones. It was indeed a nice gesture for Dennis. As for Patrick, he was speechless and teary eyed when he finally got the chance to carry his son.
**********
CURRENTLY CELEBRATING their 25th anniversary is the country's top singing group, The Company consisting of Moy Ortiz, Cecille Bautista, Anne Quintos, Sweet Plantado and Jay Marquez. It's a fitting silver anniversary gift for them that their latest album, "Lighthearted", is a certified blockbuster hit. The top record sotre Astrovision says "Lighthearted" hit their charts as the number one local CD in the market today and is definitely one of the biggest selling albums all over the country.
"We're so happy with its success as 'Lighthearted' was just an experiment," says arranger Moy. "It's unlike any alum we made before. We got today's most popular songs and pared them down to the basics with slower tempo, sweet vocals and a generally relaxing mood."
In the process they gave an entirely new sound with wider market appeal to such top pop favorites as "Empire State of the Mind", Do You Remember", "Thinking of You", "One Less Lonely Girl/Boy", "Fireflies", "Half of My Heart", "Fifteen", "Let's Just Fall in Love Again", "Lucky", "Smile", "You Belong with Me", "Two is Better than One", "Good Girls Go Bad" and "Where Are U Now". Their winning sound will surely enthrall you. The Company will continue their show tour and watch out for their schedules. They'll also be part of "OPM Through the Years" concert at SMX Mall of Asia on July 17 with Basil Valdez, Verni Varga, Gino Padilla and Charlie Green.
**********
CONGRATS TO MOTHER Lily Monteverde for the two awards she just won. First was the lifetime achievement award from the 1st MTRCB Awards in recognition of her contributions to local films. Then there's the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Excellence from Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran "for her leadership in the local movie industry." Mother Lily's showbiz experience is a real success story. She started as an enterpreneur when she was only 22 selling ice cream and popcorn in Good Earth Emporium. With her savings, she then bought the rights for the reissue of the Hollywood drama, "All Mine to Give" and it was such a big hit she was able to produce many great local films later like "Sister Stella L", "Relasyon", "Virgin Forest", "Broken Marriage", "Sana Pag-ibig Na", and many more.
**********
WE ATTENDED the Sangyaw Festival 2010 in Tacloban City upon the invitation of Mayor Alfred Romualdez and wife councilor Cristina Gonzales with our editor Eugene Asis, PJ Tonite entertainment ed Ian Farinas and colleagues Aster Amoyo, Ricky Lo, Ronald Constantino, Jojo Gabinete, Raoul Tidalgo and Jun Lalin. We had a great time in Tacloban, the gateway to Eastern Visayas that is now so progressive, as Kring Kring and hubby are such gracious hosts. Upon our arrival there on Monday night, we were taken to the sprawling seaside home of the Romualdez family and treated to a sumptuous merienda along with Kring's two daughters who are both good-looking and star materials, Sofia, 10 and Diana, 7.
Then we checked in at the Hotel Alejandro and were taken to the Astrodome built by Mayor Alfred to watch the jampacked concert of Air Supply, with Aiza Seguerra as front act, both big hits with the audience. We were seated at the front row with Leyte Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who was making chika-chika with Eugene like they're old friends. Aster got the thrill of her life when Air Supply vocalist Russell Hitchcock came down from stage and caressed her cheek since they're also old friends as Aster handled the promo of their albums then for OctoArts EMI. The following day, we toured Tacloban, going to San Juanico Bridge crossing Samar, the Sto. Nino Shrine and to the park of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in Palo. After lunch at the Balyuan Amphitheatre grounds, we went to the fabulous Cristina Salon and Spa in the heart of the city to watch the grand Sangyaw parade with 15 contigents of colorfully costumed dancers paying tribute to the Sto. Nino. The Sangyaw is the only Sto. Nino festival in June, most others like Ati-Atihan and Sinulog are all in January, because the Sto. Nino image of Tacloban got lost at sea in June centuries ago and was miraculous found in an island later and started performing miracles. One of the judges in the contest was Shirley Halili Cruz, the ballet diva, and the winners were the Alibangbang and Manangguite Tribes that not only had a fabulous costumes but also danced well. Kapuso stars graced the whole Sangyaw Fiesta. At the Mr. and Ms. Tacloban Pageant, the guests were Aljur Abrenica and Paolo Paraiso. At the parade and Balyuan award ceremonies, it was Dingdong Dantes, Joshua Dionisio, Barbie Forteza and Mark Castillo. On June 30, Mayor Alfred and Kring Kring took their oath for their new term of office. More about them later.
SINGER RACHEL ANN GO is thankful that GMA-7 is giving her a chance to try acting as she's now part of the cast of "Diva". She plays Demi, a variety show host and she's paired with Carlo Aquino. In the story, Regine Velasquez as Melody and Glaiza de Castro as her arch rival Tiffany, are both tapped to be part of the TV show but they refuse to be in the same program as they're tough competitors.
"I'm really so happy dahil kaeksena ko si Ms. Regine," says Rachel. "She was the host when I won sa 'Search for a Star' dito sa GMA-7 kaya comfortable ako in her company. Talagang she encourages me sa acting ko. Sabi niya, kaya mo yan, girl. May eksena ako rito na mahihimatay ako while performing. Yun pala, pregnant na ako kay Carlo at gusto kong ipalaglag ang baby para hindi masira ang career ko. Sana nga, masundan pa ng more acting assignments kasi nag-enjoy ako rito."
About her rumored affair with Kean Cipriano of TV5, she says it's not true. "We're friends but he's not courting me. Kung kami nga, aaminin ko naman. Inamin ko before yung kina Christian, di ba?"
**********
WE'RE HAPPY that Jennylyn Mercado and Patrick Garcia are now in better terms and Patrick finally got to see his son, Alex Jazz or AJ. It was Patrick's sister, Cheska Kramer, who invited Jen and AJ to attend the first birthday celebration of her first born child. We're told it was Dennis Trillo who encouraged Jen to attend the said affair as it's time to let bygones be bygones. It was indeed a nice gesture for Dennis. As for Patrick, he was speechless and teary eyed when he finally got the chance to carry his son.
**********
CURRENTLY CELEBRATING their 25th anniversary is the country's top singing group, The Company consisting of Moy Ortiz, Cecille Bautista, Anne Quintos, Sweet Plantado and Jay Marquez. It's a fitting silver anniversary gift for them that their latest album, "Lighthearted", is a certified blockbuster hit. The top record sotre Astrovision says "Lighthearted" hit their charts as the number one local CD in the market today and is definitely one of the biggest selling albums all over the country.
"We're so happy with its success as 'Lighthearted' was just an experiment," says arranger Moy. "It's unlike any alum we made before. We got today's most popular songs and pared them down to the basics with slower tempo, sweet vocals and a generally relaxing mood."
In the process they gave an entirely new sound with wider market appeal to such top pop favorites as "Empire State of the Mind", Do You Remember", "Thinking of You", "One Less Lonely Girl/Boy", "Fireflies", "Half of My Heart", "Fifteen", "Let's Just Fall in Love Again", "Lucky", "Smile", "You Belong with Me", "Two is Better than One", "Good Girls Go Bad" and "Where Are U Now". Their winning sound will surely enthrall you. The Company will continue their show tour and watch out for their schedules. They'll also be part of "OPM Through the Years" concert at SMX Mall of Asia on July 17 with Basil Valdez, Verni Varga, Gino Padilla and Charlie Green.
**********
CONGRATS TO MOTHER Lily Monteverde for the two awards she just won. First was the lifetime achievement award from the 1st MTRCB Awards in recognition of her contributions to local films. Then there's the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Excellence from Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran "for her leadership in the local movie industry." Mother Lily's showbiz experience is a real success story. She started as an enterpreneur when she was only 22 selling ice cream and popcorn in Good Earth Emporium. With her savings, she then bought the rights for the reissue of the Hollywood drama, "All Mine to Give" and it was such a big hit she was able to produce many great local films later like "Sister Stella L", "Relasyon", "Virgin Forest", "Broken Marriage", "Sana Pag-ibig Na", and many more.
**********
WE ATTENDED the Sangyaw Festival 2010 in Tacloban City upon the invitation of Mayor Alfred Romualdez and wife councilor Cristina Gonzales with our editor Eugene Asis, PJ Tonite entertainment ed Ian Farinas and colleagues Aster Amoyo, Ricky Lo, Ronald Constantino, Jojo Gabinete, Raoul Tidalgo and Jun Lalin. We had a great time in Tacloban, the gateway to Eastern Visayas that is now so progressive, as Kring Kring and hubby are such gracious hosts. Upon our arrival there on Monday night, we were taken to the sprawling seaside home of the Romualdez family and treated to a sumptuous merienda along with Kring's two daughters who are both good-looking and star materials, Sofia, 10 and Diana, 7.
Then we checked in at the Hotel Alejandro and were taken to the Astrodome built by Mayor Alfred to watch the jampacked concert of Air Supply, with Aiza Seguerra as front act, both big hits with the audience. We were seated at the front row with Leyte Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who was making chika-chika with Eugene like they're old friends. Aster got the thrill of her life when Air Supply vocalist Russell Hitchcock came down from stage and caressed her cheek since they're also old friends as Aster handled the promo of their albums then for OctoArts EMI. The following day, we toured Tacloban, going to San Juanico Bridge crossing Samar, the Sto. Nino Shrine and to the park of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in Palo. After lunch at the Balyuan Amphitheatre grounds, we went to the fabulous Cristina Salon and Spa in the heart of the city to watch the grand Sangyaw parade with 15 contigents of colorfully costumed dancers paying tribute to the Sto. Nino. The Sangyaw is the only Sto. Nino festival in June, most others like Ati-Atihan and Sinulog are all in January, because the Sto. Nino image of Tacloban got lost at sea in June centuries ago and was miraculous found in an island later and started performing miracles. One of the judges in the contest was Shirley Halili Cruz, the ballet diva, and the winners were the Alibangbang and Manangguite Tribes that not only had a fabulous costumes but also danced well. Kapuso stars graced the whole Sangyaw Fiesta. At the Mr. and Ms. Tacloban Pageant, the guests were Aljur Abrenica and Paolo Paraiso. At the parade and Balyuan award ceremonies, it was Dingdong Dantes, Joshua Dionisio, Barbie Forteza and Mark Castillo. On June 30, Mayor Alfred and Kring Kring took their oath for their new term of office. More about them later.
