Mainstream stars go indie

Some struggling actors are still at it in dropping their clothes or doing provocative scenes in independent flicks hoping that they could get the attention of big movie producers and hotshot talent managers for that elusive big break in show business.

Spotlight: Superstar Nora Aunor and Drama Queen Judy Ann Santos in a grand showbiz comeback

by Nickie Wang

Two prominent showbiz names are making a big comeback on television. The first is hailed as the country’s lone superstar, who was out of the country for eight years, and the other is touted as soap opera queen, who took a short break after giving birth to her first child.

Raunchy photo drags Mark Herras’ name

by Nickie Wang

In many parts of the world, social networking and micro blogging sites have become important tools in marketing because of their huge potential in reaching a great number of people. You see, they use these social media to become productive but the snag is that these sites are also exploited by some in their malicious attempt to tarnish someone else’s reputation without any clear motive. And most of the time, the culprits are difficult to locate or identify.

The latest victim of an online scandal is actor and dancer Mark Herras. The 23-year-old Kapuso talent recently became talk of the town after the search engine term “Mark Herras scandal” hit the web. The photos, which was first posted in a forum, were reposted in many blog sites and caused a lot of curious minds (especially those with filthy intentions) to probe more.

Intensifying campaign against film piracy

by Nickie Wang

A film pirate that records the movie you are watching might be just sitting next to you. This line sounds familiar, you always see this whenever you watch a movie in theaters.

In many years that I have been in and out of the major multiplexes, I have not seen any film scalawag who got apprehended by authorities for recording even just snippets of a movie. Yes, we have appropriate laws but they are loosely implemented by the concerned groups. Well actually, apart from this fact, our laws don’t have the fangs.

Keeping that golden sheen in Sarah’s name

By Nickie Wang

Many have often wondered how Sarah Geronimo, amid her age, is able to stay on top and maintain her fame. The explanation could be sheer luck or it could be that Sarah is in the right place and at the right time making significant career choices.

The truth is, although she is already a big star and she is always been confronted by many challenges in her career, Sarah does not remain complacent. As a matter of fact, the effort and concentration she puts  in everything she does are the same amount of energy she has been dedicating to her career since the time she started in showbiz.

A very special Sarah

By Nickie Wang

If we type Sarah Geronimo’s name into the search box of leading websites and search engines, what we’d get are positive search results- string of phrases about the popular young star. For a local celebrity to have more than a million search results under her name means a lot. Good thing they can also be abbreviated in a short striking phrase – Sarah is a massive star.

Judy Ann is happy 24/7

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today Everybody is wondering how is Judy Ann feeling now that her surname is spelled as Santos-Agoncillo. The answer is: contented and very happy. A month after her much talked-about wedding with Ryan Agoncillo, Judy Ann made a recent public appearance and answered all the questions people are dying to ask her. At the launching of Sun Double Unlimited at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila in Quezon City, the young superstar threw nothing but smiles and chuckles as she officially resumes to endorsing products. “I’m overwhelmed with all the trust these products are giving me. Being the newest endorser of Sun and the latest addition to the Sun family make me feel proud. I chose this product simply because it’s affordable,” Judy Ann said. “For a person like me who is starting to have a family, Sun [Double Unlimited] is very practical to have.” As the newest face of Sun Cellular, Judy Ann endorses the Sun Double Unlimited offer that gives subscribers the flexibility of a cellular phone plus the practicality of a landline. These services all come in one sleek unit, all in one single payment and as Judy Ann said, “both in an unlimited service.” “Sun is the fastest growing mobile network in town. Very much like Judy Ann, Sun continues to be more exciting,” said Joan Dueñas, Sun Cellular’s vice president for prepaid marketing, while introducing the actress. Judy Ann’s new civil status allows her to take more endorsements that do not just cater to a particular market. She said that she is beginning to realize that she can now promote products and services that people of different age brackets can avail. “It’s fulfilling in a way that I made a sudden shift. Before the products I endorsed were only for women. Now I can actually endorse products that young children or the whole family can use,” the 31-year-old actress said. On her silent wedding A month ago, Judy Ann and husband Ryan Agoncillo graced the front page of almost all the newspapers in the country. In a very solemn occasion and with a few friends and relatives in attendance, Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo tied the knot on April 28 in San Juan, Batangas. “It was a silent wedding pero it doesn’t mean na hindi makikita ng mga tao kasi utang ko sa kanila kung ano ako ngayon,” the actress explained. “We can’t believe na nakalusot ’yung wedding namin, all the people around us had to lie to keep the wedding secret. We realized that there are people who got inspired with our wedding, so we are very happy.” The newlyweds also had to make it clear that there were two reception parties and the one held in Manila on May 2 was really part of the whole wedding plan. “Hindi ’yun putok sa buho, we really arranged that party for those na hindi talaga makakapunta sa Batangas. Besides, the venue in Batangas was very small and it couldn’t accommodate all the guests,” she furthered. Living under one roof Just like George and Cecil, the couple’s latest television project that will be aired on ABS-CBN, Judy Ann and Ryan are facing new challenges in discovering new things about each other. Now that they are living under one roof, Judy Ann made a few revelations about her married life. “I can say that I’m very happy that I married a perfect husband. Nakakatawa kasi isang buwan na pala kaming kasal. It only means that I’m very happy right now. The only thing na hindi ko pa nakakasanayan ay ’yung tawag ko sa in-laws ko. I used to call them Tito and Tita,” Juday (the actress’ nickname) shared. While the couple temporarily lives in the house of the Agoncillo’s, Judy Ann revealed that there’s a special place that they are still trying to finish designing and furnishing. She did not give any other details about it but she said that the special place is located somewhere in South Luzon. “We are busy with the new house. It has four bedrooms on the second floor and one on the first floor. It’s not that really big but it’s enough for people like us who are starting a family,” the actress said. The Agoncillo couple is just like any other new couples who want to start building a home. Ryan and Judy Ann are excited to have an angel who will be a brother or a sister to Yohan, Judy Ann’s adopted daughter. “Ewan ko parang puro hangin lang ang laman ng tiyan ko. But having a baby soon is our plan, pero kung hindi pa ibibigay, we can patiently wait,” she shared. On her perfect husband To walk down the aisle is every woman’s dream. The actress said that she had attended six wedding ceremonies and thought that she will never have the chance to exchange vows with someone who will be her lifetime partner. “I thought I’m going to be an old maid kasi lagi na lang akong bridesmaid sa mga kasal na pinupuntahan ko,” she quipped. “Kaya when my time came to walk down the aisle, I wore my hair down, and chose a perfect gown. I felt like I was a fairy.” When it was her time to tie the knot, she made sure that the wedding will go smoothly like the way she and Ryan planned it. As her face exudes a certain aura of happiness, she said that she has found a perfect match and a perfect husband in Ryan, who has become more caring and loving to her after the wedding. “Masarap isipin na ’pag gising mo sa umaga kaharap mo ’yung taong mahal mo. We are taking small steps in enjoying the married life. Now that we are married, Ryan became more caring, mas maalaga siya ngayon,” Judy Ann said. Although they already made this lifetime commitment, Judy Ann said that they still keep a personal space. As a Culinary Arts graduate, Judy keeps the kitchen as her territory or the place where she can explore and work alone. “In the house I was telling about, nandoon ’yung dream kitchen ko. Ryan and I agreed na akin ’yun at sa kanya ang garahe,” she ended while still wearing a sweet smile as if her wedding just happened yesterday.

ABSCBN dominates Star Awards

BY NICKIE WANG/ MANILA STANDARD TODAY

Network rivalry has never been this searing as Internet forums heated up few hours after the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV held at the SMX Convention Center on Nov. 30.

ABS-CBN Network dominated the event walking home with 25 awards while its rival station GMA-7 won 19 awards including the coveted Best TV Station.

Since 2004, the award for Best TV Station has been given alternately to the two local TV giants that next year, people will expect that the trophy will be given to ABS-CBN (unless miracle happens it would land on TV5).

GMA’s terrestrial channel QTV-11 won five awards while ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 got just one trophy. UNTV-37 and ABC-5 both won two awards each. RPN-9 and IBC-13 went home empty-handed.

This year’s nominees were programs aired from June 13 until July 1 of this year. Two special awards and 54 trophies where given out by the Philippine Movie Press Club.

The event that saw celestial shower was hosted by Paolo Bediones, Gabby Concepcion, Anne Curtis and Judy Ann Santos.

Iza Calzado and Dingdong Dantes were the trivia hosts with a pre-taped segment entitled “Icons [sic] in the Philippine Television.”

The drama category was a battle between the novice and veteran actors. Child actor Joshua Dionisio bested other nominees like Dolphy, John Lloyd Cruz, Eddie Garcia, John Wayne Sace, and Gabby Concepcion for Best Single Performance by an Actor category via the Maalala Mo Kaya (MMK) episode “Sako.”

Angel Locsin, who graced the awards night with Male Star of the Night Luis Manzano, received the Best Single Performance by an Actress trophy for her first acting project on ABS-CBN through MMK episode “Pilat.” She went up on stage twice after receiving the award for Lobo as Best Primetime TV Series. Angel’s leading man Piolo Pascual was named Best Drama Actor for his performance in Lobo while Sunshine Dizon, who was in a psychedelic black dress, won Best Actress award for her moving performance in Impostora.

Boy Abunda was the most decorated personality of the night. He won Male Showbiz-Oriented Show Host for The Buzz and Best Celebrity Talk Show Host, with Kris Aquino, for Boy And Kris. The Buzz was named Best Showbiz-Oriented Show with Ruffa Gutierrez and Cristy Fermin tied for Best Female Showbiz-Oriented Show Host award.

Edu Manzano, who thanked Pinky Webb (if she blushed, it’s hard to guess but she turned her back on the camera) during his speech, won Best Game Show Host and his program Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba! was awarded Best Game Show. Perennial noontime rivals Eat Bulaga and Wowowee shared the award for Best Variety Program. Valerie Concepcion got the award for Best Female TV Host while Vic Sotto snatched the award for the male category. The Best Musical Variety Show went to SOP Rules.

As it has been predicted, in the News and Current Affairs category, the awards were split between the Kapamilya Network and GMA Kapuso, but UNTV-37’s Bitag surprisingly snatched the Best Public Service Program and Best Public Service Program Host for Ben Tulfo.

Best News Program went to TV Patrol World with Julius Babao winning the Best Male Newscaster. Best Female Newscaster was given to Vicky Morales for Saksi: Liga Ng Katotohanan. Best Documentary Program was won by I-Witness: The GMA Documentaries while its hosts Kara David, Howie Severino, Sandra Aguinaldo and Jay Taruc won Best Documentary Program Hosts.

Signos: Ang Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima, GMA’s special documentary on climate change and hosted by Richard Gutierez won Best Documentary Special.

This year’s Best Magazine Show Host Korina Sanchez went back-to-back receiving the PMPC trophy as Best Magazine Show.

The night of entertainment

The 22nd edition of the PMPC Star Awards for Television had seen great entertainment from the personalities who were nominated during the night, but the show it self was crappy that people would want to watch the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Philippines instead.

There were lively performances that made the crowd screaming at the top of their lungs like the dance number rendered by Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador, Mark Herras, Erich Gonzales, Marky Cielo and Ryza Cennon. Other performances were simply rubbish. Regine Velasquez, who lip-synced just like the rest of the performers, rendered a mediocre performance. The opening number however was a great visual treat seeing Toni Gonzaga, Rachelle Ann Go and Karylle onstage covering Robbie Williams’ “Let Me Entertain You.”

Ogie Alcasid serenaded Senator Loren Legarda and Rosa Rosal who received the Excellence in Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award and Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

One of the witty speeches came from Female Star of the Night Rufa Mae Quinto who also received the award for Best Comedy Actress. Not that she gave the most intelligent speech but she blurted some punch lines that truly justified her being the winner of the award in comedy. Boy Abunda’s speech was dedicated to all the gay men and women all over the world.

Most awards nights see several torpid-minded presenters, and the 22nd PMPC Star Awards is no exception. Lovi Poe was the only presenter who committed a mistake. This year’s Best New Male TV Personality Robi Domingo was about to announce the winner for Best Public Affairs Program Host, but Lovi, who probably was out of her mind, announced I-Witness: The GMA Documentaries as the winner.

Other winners of the 22nd PMPC Star Awards for Television are:

Best Talent Search Program—Shall We Dance, ABC-5;

Best Talent Search Program Host—Lucy Torres-Gomez, Arnell Ignacio and Dominic Ochoa (Shall We Dance), ABC-5;

Best New Female TV Personality—Patricia Gayod (Maalaala Mo Kaya / “Dagat” episode), ABS-CBN;

Best Youth-Oriented Show—Boys Nxt Door, GMA-7;

Best Horror or Fantasy Program—Komiks Presents: Volta, ABS-CBN;

Best Public Affairs Program—(Y-Speak) Studio 23;

Best Public Affairs Program Host—Jessica Soho (Hot Seat), QTV-11;

Best Morning Show—Unang Hirit, GMA-7;

Best Morning Show Host—Arnold Clavio, Susie Entrata-Abrera, Lyn Ching-Pascual, Rhea Santos, Jolina Magdangal, Winnie Monsod, Oscar Orbos, Regine Tolentino, Drew Arellano, Eagle Riggs, Love Añover and Lhar Santiago (Unang Hirit), GMA-7;

Best Lifestyle Show—Living It Up, QTV-11;

Best Lifestyle Show Host—Raymond Gutierrez, Issa Litton, Sam Oh and Tim Yap (Living It Up), QTV-11;

Best Reality Program—Gandang Ricky Reyes: Parlor Game, QTV-11;

Best Reality Program Host—Ricky Reyes (Gandang Ricky Reyes: Parlor Game), QTV-11;

Best Travel Show—Pinoy Meets World, GMA-7;

Best Travel Show Host—Katherine de Castro, Uma Khouny, Franzen Fajardo, Kian Kazemi and Jayson Gainza (Trip Na Trip), ABS-CBN;

Best Educational Program—Matanglawin, ABS-CBN;

Best Educational Program Host—Kim Atienza (Matanglawin), ABS-CBN;

Best Children Show—Art Angel, GMA-7;

Best Children Show Host—Pia Arcangel, Tonipet Gaba and Krystal Reyes (Art Angel), GMA 7.