The advent of 2018 enthralls with anticipation people who assiduously patronize the movies and boob tube programs. Of course, these include the media men, critics as well who have their own predictions this New Year. Let us start with the famous love teams. Who among the Nadine Lustre-James Reid, Enrique Gil-Liza Soberano, Daniel Padilla-Kathryn Bernardo or even Alden Richards-Maine Mendoza tandems would officially announce they are engaged to be married? Majority opine it’s the pair of Nadine and James, out of their open deep relationship.
Which TV networks lead the race in the viewership and romping awards locally and abroad? Based on the yearly surveys of the credible AGB Nielsen Philippines, ABS-CBN often beats GMA-7 in the primetime shows but in the afternoon programs it’s the other way around. On the whole ABS-CBN clobbers GMA-7.
Those in the know, however, agree that when it comes to international TV Festivals, most of the time GMA-7 shows and stars received accolades, recognition more than ABS-CBN personalities. With the airing of new programs, looks like GMA-7 has en edge again, so they say.
Talking of other celebrities, what awaits Kris Aquino, Coco Martin, Ai-Ai delas Alas and ex-couple Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion? Well, the outspoken that she is, Kris doesn’t feign that no TV shows up to now makes her bendan. But at least this January, she accepted two movie starrers, big-budgeted at that.
With her recent hilarious wedding, those around Ai-Ai delas Alas cross their fingers she’ll fulfill her promise to have a baby before the year ends. And with Sharon’s screen comeback. finally Gabby would accept a reteaming with her this 2018. While Coco Martin pushes through to name the woman he dreams to to tie the marital knots. Could it be Julia Montes? It’s anybody’s guess.
Trivia:
Did you know that in the ‘50s big three movie companies discovered tyros who became instant stars through talent search? Sampaguita outfit conducted a tilt for musclemen and Mr. Philippines title holders. The first winner was Cesar Ramirez who bannered the folklore hero Bernardo Carpio. He later married actress Alicia Vergel, sired the noted figures Ace and Beverly Vergel.
Then followed Vic Vargas who was also a karate instructor at the University of Santo Tomas. Vic was launched to stardom in the action pic Diegong Tabak. Subsequently, he was paired with top Sampaguita actresses Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Rita Gomez and Gloria Romero.
Of course in the Mr. and Miss Number One search of Sampaguita Pictures, Amalia Fuentes and Juancho Gutierrez won hands down. For a while was a reel love team before Amalia exchanged I do with Romeo Vasquez. On the other hand, Juancho tied the knots with Gloria Romero.
Premiere Production s held its own by the tilt among colegialas to choose who would portray the life story of Sta. Rita de Casia. The eventual choice was Rosemarie Gil, a coed from the Assumption College. Ending up a dramatic actress and well known villainess, she eventually married Eddie Mesa, the Elvis Presley of the Philippines. On the contest for the title role of the famous comics serial I Believe Mina Aragon from the Salvador clan emerged triumphant and had a brief screen appearance to settle down with Vicor Records and Viva Films bigwig Vic del Rosario prior to her demise.
Under the fold of LVN Pictures, a UE Student Charito Solis got the title role of Nina Bonita in the contest among coeds that led to the throne of most awarded actress locally and abroad then. In the competition among teenagers to enact the major character of a trouble maker in Bad Boy, another member of the Salvador family Lou Salvador Jr. bagged it. He was popularly called the James Dean of the Philippines.
Emily, Erick: All Praises for Beverly
In a chat with Emily Bolanos and Erick Zonio, the stars of the first Filipino-Canadian film Living Instead, the duo expressed gratitude, praises for its helmer, director-actress Beverly Vergel. Emily recounted how Beverly mentored her tirelessly being an acting tyro. “In front of camera, she directed with finesse in every sequence. Not surprising at all that she won best director awards in Europe. U.S and Canadian film fests.” Emily enthused.
Erick who’s an erstwhile member of FEU theater Guild, international ramp-ad model could not believe that as first timer as a movie helmer, Beverly displayed prowess akin to a veteran. “She’s very creative, fast to inject the proper projection, with patience to the entire cast. off and on cameras, Beverly is truly admirable.” Erick uttered with candor.
For the record, Emily received the best actress awards at the Barcelona Film Festival in Spain, Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival in U.S., Brazil’s MAC Underground Festival and also given Honourable Mention at the L.A. filmfest. Out of her accolades, Emily got a special role in the award winning Canadian opus Crimson Sands, featured too in the TV Mom vs Match Maker (Season 3) and turned ad endorser for Scotiabank, Starbucks, GM Visa Card, among others.
About Erick, he was a finalist for best actor in the Barcelona Film Festival, got introduced to the modeling heightened by being part of the internationally well known agencies IPEN and Toronto based ICON Model Management.
Incidentally, I’d like to thank radio broadcaster Joey Abrenilla who’s in the cast of Living Instead for fetching, dropping me and colleague Baby Jimenez from our places. We enjoyed to the hilt Joey’s comic nature.
Marian, Andrea Still in a Rift Over Dingdong?
The TV series of Dingdong Dantes with Andrea Torres Alyas Robin Hood 2 ended weeks back yet the gossips about her and his wife Marian Rivera goes on due to the alleged affair of Andrea and Dingdong. Talks about their feud still exist. But an unflappable Andrea remains cool, saying no truth to it,
To Andrea’s bashers who continue to belittle, upbrage her she wrote a message in her Instagram. “Remind din kayo. Wala akong pakialam.” While her fans tweeted they’ll sustain loyalty to Andrea. Whatever, Andrea insinuated she would accept a reteaming with Dingdong if such offer looms.
Blind Item:
After meeting several times in showbiz events, a colleague queried if the ex-couple have feelings for each other. Both are not single anymore. The actress married a guy popular in other field. The actor has a child by a non-showbiz girl. He calibrated properly in his reply.
“We remain good friends with no intention more than that. That’s all. “However, some doubt their meaningful stare to each other. Ah, it’s anybody’s guess.
Latest Tidbits:
A writer-pal disclosed to me that Bea Alonzo confided that she looks, slimmer, prettier so Gerald Anderson would admire her more. Yes, reportedly she finally admits she’s romantically involved with him, hopeful that it will be for keeps. Thus, will Gerald no longer be tight-lipped about it?
Aldub fanatics are all agog on the return of Maine Mendoza at Eat Bulaga on Jan. 1. This dispelled doubts that she left showbiz or would transfer to another TV network. Maine just enplaned back after a U.S. vacation. Those around her express wow for her sexier figure and self aplomb.
Both Vic Sotto and Sharon Cuneta attest that Ai-Ai delas Alas finds a true, loving husband in Gerald Tibayan despite their age gap. Many times the two have noticed how Gerald has elucidated his real feelings for Ai-Ai sans material consideration. She reacted. “Last love ko na siya, promise.”
On his U.S. vacation, Aga Muhlach was reunited with close chum Lea Salonga. He watched her new Broadway show Once on This Island. To recount, the two became friends during the filming of their film Sana Maulit Muli. Aga confessed he almost courted Lea, if not for her departure to U.S. to topbill a Broadway show.
Thanks to Canada based long time friends Romano ‘Billy’ Castelvi, his wife Jean Lopez, co-writer Baby Jimenez and Beverly Vergel for going to my place for an awesome reunion. We had a wonderful time to recall our lives in the showbiz world then.
For the first time Sarah Geronimo will be paired with James Reid, the off and on the screen lover of Nadine Lustre. It’s in the Filipino version of the blockbuster South Korea flick Miss Granny. Being identified with Nadine, will James click with Sarah or the Jadine avid fans will support it?
Derek Ramsay did dross to reply on the query if he’s ready to settle down with his non-showbiz girlfriend Joanne Villablanca. What he’s blunt in saying he would quit showbiz once he gets married. For one, Derek is the type who focuses on one thing whether in career or business. And marital life is his priority, if ever.
