There were so many little known foreign stars who came to Manila to be image models of various clothing lines, like Joe Jonas, Zac Efron, Ian Sommerhalder, Michael Trevino, Liam Helmsworth, Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester who said they only have endorsements here, but not in their own country. Thai actor Mario Maurer not only became an ad model but was also hired to do a movie with Star Cinema opposite Erich Gonzales, “Suddenly It’s Magic”, which unfortunately didn’t do well at the box office.
“American Idol 2012” runnerup Jessica Sanchez came to perform with her batchmates at the Araneta Coliseum and got several endorsements. She’s said to be coming back in 2013 to do a solo concert.
Another “American Idol” runnerup, David Archuleta, did a soap for TV5, “Nandito Ako”, but it failed to register high ratings.
Charice got a lot of negative feedback for her blonde hair and masculine get up in “X Factor Philippines”. She told people just to let her be. As a result, the solo concert she did at the Big Dome was a flop.
Manny Pacquiao became a born again Christian and preacher. On the ring, he was defeated first by Timothy Bradley in a controversial split decision and later, by Juan Manuel Marquez who really humbled him by knocking him out on the 6th round. Some folks blamed his change of religion for the loss but the fact is he has just spread himself too thin in showbiz, politics and boxing, simply lacking proper focus, unlike Marquez who concentrated solely on his training to knock Pacman down.
Regine Velasquez successfully returned to showbiz after giving birth with a hit Valentine concert with husband Ogie Alcasid. GMA-7 later made her host two TV show, “HOT TV” and “Sarap Diva”. After nearly four years of being shelved, she finally finished her long delayed movie with Aga Muhlach, “Of All the Things”, and it turned out to be the best romantic-comedy of the year. In October, she staged her 25th anniversary concert, “Silver”, at SM Arena, but she lost her voice. The concert will have a repeat this January 5 in the same venue then she’ll have another Valentine concert in February with Ogie and estranged couple Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez.
Bela Padilla appeared with some black girls on the cover of FHM and the magazine was lambasted for being racists so they had to change it quick.
Nora Aunor went to the U.S. in January (courtesy of Kuya Germs) ostensibly to have her much ballyhooed throat operation that will bring back her golden voice, but she returned home still not having the said operation. In contrast, Cherie Gil also went to New York in July to have her own throat surgery. She was back in August and was able to join the Broadway musical “Nine” where she did some song numbers. Zsa Zsa Padilla was diagnosed to have a malignant tumor in her kidney and was operated on in the U.S. after the funeral of her beloved Dolphy. It’s good her tumor turned out to be benign and not harmful at all. Cebuana singer Susan Fuentes also had a kidney ailment and her fellow singers staged a benefit concert to finance her treatment.
Former child actor Jiro Manio was released from rehab, vows to shun substance abuse and finished high school. Among those who graduated this year are Alex Gonzaga who got a degree in the humanities and pre-school education at the University of Asian and the Pacific, Bianca King who finished digital filmmaking at St. Benilde.
