A total of 2,500 delegates attended the affair and they were not disappointed because food and drinks were overflowing in the 16 food stations and open bar.
Several top DJs were on hand to provide music, led by heartthrob DJ Callum David. Then all Kapatid stars trooped down the dance floor to dance with the delegates, including Ogie Alcasid, Mark Neumann and Wendell Ramos of “Confessions of a Torpe”, Alwyn Uytingco and Vin Abrenica of “Beki Boxer”, Eula Caballero, Empoy Marquez and the Juan Direction Fil-Brits headed by Daniel Marsh of “One of the Boys”, Isabelle De Leon, Lara Maigue and Suklay Girl Katrina Velarde of the new show “Trenderas”, Ritz Azul, Martin Escudero, Danita Paner, Edgar Allan Guzman, Tuesday Vargas, Artista Academy discoveries Benjo Leoncio, Akihiro Blanco, Sophie Albert, Chanel Morales, Shaira Mae, Marvelous Alejo, Malak So Shdifat and others. But the biggest come on is, of course, Derek Ramsay, who appeard as the finale when he personally handed the prize of P1 million to the winner.
Aside from MVP, the amiable TV5 Pres. Noel Lorenzana and entertainment head Wilma Galvante also helped entertain the guests. Ms. Wilma sat beside us on our table and she shared the network’s future plans with us. We learned that many stars whose contracts with them have expired were no longer renewed. “We’ll just get them on a per project basis,” she says.
She revealed their names to us but we’re not at liberty to write about them as of now. Even a top director was no longer renewed. “He’s better known in dramas, e puro tawaseryes ang ginagawa namin ngayon. So we’ll just get him on a per project basis also.”
How come this is the direction that TV5 chose to take: the tawaseryes? “Kasi as of now, ABS and GMA dominate the dramas, di ba? So useless na banggain sila head on. We believe there’s a market na sawa na sa soaps and that’s what we’re trying to tap. We want to become known as the sports and entertainment network. The PBA has its own loyal following at tumataas talaga ang rating, lalo na when Ginebra is playing. So far, happy naman kami sa feedback sa ‘Confessions of a Torpe’ and ‘Beki Boxer’ at fully loaded din sila ng commercials. Ang papalit sa ‘Beki Boxer’ is ‘Trenderas’, about three tinderas sa palengke who are also excellent singers, played by Isabelle de Leon, Lara Maigue and Suklay Girl (who really wowed the Ad Summit crowd with their great musical numbers). In the story, somebody uploaded their videos on the youtube and they become hits worldwide. Nora Aunor plays a special participation as the idol of the three girls. Eventually, one of them will be adopted by Nora. We’ve taped the whole pilot week and all those who’ve seen it believe it has great potential as it’s really very entertaining. The three girls are all very talented singers. Effortless kung kuamanta. It’s directed by Monti Parungao and Jon Red who also did ‘Beki Boxer’.”
Ms. Wilma confirmed that “Let’s Ask Pilipinas” and “Talentadong Pinoy” are definitely coming back on air and they’re now negotiating for their original hosts, Aga Muhlach and Ryan Agoncillo, to reprise their jobs in their respective shows. “Aga’s contract with us has expired but we’re hoping he’d renew it. Ganundin naman si Ryan.”
They’re also scheduling “Showbiz Police” and “Face the People” on earlier slots. Jasmine Curtis Smith is given her own title-role show, “Jasmine”, which is not drama but a suspense-thriller, to be shown on Sunday nights to further strengthen their weekend programming, directed by Mark Meily with its script writers coming from the ad agency Ace Saatchi. Jasmine appears opposite Vin Abrenica and a new leading man, Matt Padilla.
“Half-brother siya ni Daniel Padilla at pamangkin din ni Robin,” adds Ms. Wilma. “Jasmine is a very good actress and this show will highlight her great acting ability.”
