Entertainment Central joins the big league

by Nickie Wang

Solar Entertainment’s big bosses Wilson Yu Tieng and Peter ChanLiong formally announced last week the big switch that is happening on local television—the media company’s flagship channel ETC would move to RPN 9. It has begun airing on the free channel on March 2.

Transferring from cable to free television, does not mean change for the channel, this is what ChanLiong guaranteed. He assured that the network is still focused on maintaining the same target demographic of young, female, and ABC viewership and positioning.

Project Runway Philippines returns on ETC

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today

What is the measure of a great fashion designer?

Solar Entertainment chief operating officer Peter Chanliong can’t answer this question but he assures that ETC Entertainment Central viewers will find out the answer if they tune in every Wednesda y night.

“Let’s just leave this question to the fashion experts,” Chanliong piped out in response to the question indicated in the Project Runway Philippines Season 2 program launch invite.

Joined by other Solar Entertainment top executives like Wilson Tieng, Chanliong graced the exclusive preview of PRP Season 2 held at the Embassy Superclub on Aug. 7.

Everybody in Solar was tight lipped in giving further details about the show’s second season, and that what made the media and guests all excited while waiting for the exclusive preview of the reality series that premiered last night on ETC.

“The Project Runway Philippines season 1 was very successful, and that’s the very reason why we felt that season 2 will be much bigger than the previous one,” Chanliong, who is also the executive producer of Project Runway Philippines, told Standard Today. “We incorporated the experiences we had with the season 1 to make the new season much bigger, and the only thing I can assure is that the drama will definitely make it more fun to watch.”

Chanliong added that Solar is not particular with television ratings stating that they have a captive audience who religiously follow their programs, “We measure the success of our programs with events like this,” pointing to the numerous preppy men and high-heeled women who crowded the venue, “And every time we launch a program, we are overwhelmed by the tremendous response and support we get from our audience,” he furthered.

From the much talked-about season finale held at the SMX Convention Center last November, Project Runway Philippines returns on its second season on ETC with international model and actress Teresa Herrera as host, fashion designer Jojie Lloren as mentor to the contestants, and fashion columnist Apples Aberin and fashion designer Rajo Laurel as judges.

Behind the seams

When asked to give a description of the show, fashion designer Rajo Laurel blurted out just one word—salacious (or scandalous in a more familiar term).

We had to agree with Laurel’s description of the program as it matches the unraveling glimpses of the PRP second season special preview. The first episode centers on the introduction of the competing designers, the first task that challenge their creativity and presence of mind, and the sneak peak of an appalling workroom confrontation between two of the contestants.

There is no tear-stained elimination yet but the show’s first episode promises to give televiewers the first glance of another edition of delicious episodes filled with more innovative challenges, more exciting guests and a more talented group of new designers.

But what sets PRP apart from other editions around the world? It’s the Filipino culture that uniquely adds color to the show. Each contestant manages to flaunt his or her skill while still considering the challenges as friendly competition.

The designers

Thirteen new breed of designers will compete for a chance to showcase their creations at the Philippine Fashion Week to be held in November, they are Cherry Veric, Hanz Conquilla, Hazel Sta. Ana, Manny Marquez, Meann Santos, Patrick Galang, Pau Geronimo, Randy Leano, Richie Bondoc, Russel Villafuerte, Santi Obcena and Tracy Dizon.

According to Jojie Lloren, also a professor at the School of Fashion and the Arts, these young designers are from different walks of life and some of them are not fashion designers by profession but they are taking this bold step to follow their heart to introduce their skills and fashion philosophies.

“What makes Project Runway Philippines 2 more exciting is that we have gathered 13 different personalities with completely different backgrounds. We have a call center agent, an accountant, and a single mother,” Lloren said.

Each week, one designer will be eliminated until it’s down to three contestants. The Final 3 will each be given a chance to showcase a collection at the Philippine Fashion Week, where the judges will declare who has the best collection and is the winner of Project Runway Philippines Season 2.

The best among the 13 designers will take home P500,000 in cash, an editorial spread in Preview magazine, sewing machines from Brother International, a designer package from Mannequin Inc., and a summer scholarship package from School of Fashion and the Arts’ European partner school, Instituto Marangoni.

Watch Prject Runway Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ETC available on SBN 21, SkyCable channel 16, Global Destiny channel 30, Cable Link channel 48 and Smart myTV.

Nickie Wang (left) and Solar Entertainment chief operating officer and Project Runway Philippines executive producer Peter Chanliong (Venue: Embassy Superclub, Image by: Pranz Kaeno)

Harlem Globetrotters back in Manila

By Nickie Wang

Basketball-playing circus Harlem Globetrotters is known more for entertainment than sports, but every basketball enthusiast has seen this exhibition team on television or perhaps has DVD collection of its exhibition games. Indeed, many fanatics follow this exhibition team that has been entertaining people across the globe for almost nine decades now.

A Globetrotter is known for his athleticism, agility on the hard court, exceptional dribbling talent and for his ability to make incredible and unusual highflying dunks and trick shots. He is skillful in handling one or more basketballs. He can pass them in between players while leaving his opponent in the state of awe. He performs all of these skills and combines them with slapstick comedy.

In an effort to give Filipino fans a rare chance to see the Harlem Globetrotters live again after seventeen years, Solar Entertainment and Max Entertainment have teamed up to bring the world’s oldest and most successful basketball team to the country.

On May 24 and 25, the Araneta Coliseum will hear the instantly recognizable whistle tune, “Sweet Georgia Brown,” as the likes of Anthony “Buckets” Blakes, Hi Rise Brown, and Skyscraper Alleyne  give a one-of-a-kind basketball entertainment.

“We are proud to be able to bring the Harlem Globetrotters Tour to the Philippines . We have been bringing the best of basketball to viewers in the country through coverage of the NBA and PBA and we continue with the live version of the Harlem Globetrotters,” Peter Chanliong of Solar Entertainment said.

Part of the tour’s promotion, one of Globetrotters’ top performer Buckets Blakes arrived in the country recently to give fans a sneak peek of what to expect in May. The 6-foot-2 cager performed some basketball tricks during the PBA All Star Game last Sunday and served as one of the judges for the Slam Dunk Competition where James Yap and import David Noel adjudged as big winners.

“We are looking forward to doing something wonderful for the Filipino fans. It’s been seventeen years and I think we’re going to leave a lasting impression. The reception I’ve got being here has been wonderful; there are warm welcomes and great food,” 32-year-old Anthony “Buckets” Blakes told the press before the All Star Game.

According to Blakes, the team is very family-oriented and it is the most accessible professional basketball team because after the game, instead of heading to the locker room, members stay at the court to  sign autographs and take pictures with the fans.

“Aside from seeing us, people will also have the chance to meet us. I want them to know that these guys are hand-picked by our scouts and the guys are not just great basketball players but great individuals as well. We are not about being the most famous personality or popular player; we just want to be the best people we could possibly be,” the basketball player and Wyoming University graduate assured.

With his incredible skill as a Guard he said that he doesn’t want to join the NBA because he definitely found his calling with the Globetrotters. Now in his seventh season with the team, Blakes loves working with and mentoring kids.

“You need to be a good basketball player, a good entertainer and a good person. And I can assure that we’ve let a lot of good basketball players go in our tryouts because they didn’t meet some of those qualifications,” Harlem Globetrotters official said and added, “Any of our players could baby-sit your kids.”

Each Globetrotter tries to exemplify that the team is an ambassador of goodwill on and off the court. Globetrotters are known for being good role models to children.

The basketball team was organized in 1926 initially to be a competitive team. It first won world professional championship in 1940 and for the last 50 years, it has played exhibition games all over the world, displaying spectacular ball handling and humorous antics. Globetrotters are well-known for their uniform that resembles the American flag. The team has played more than 20,000 exhibition games in 118 countries over the years.

Among the players who have been Globetrotters are NBA greats Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain, Connie “The Hawk” Hawkins, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton , George “Meadowlark” Lemon, Reece “Goose” Tatum, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Hubert “Geese” Ausbie.

“Some guys are given names and some guys come with their own names. Buckets came as ah, I can score; let us put it that way. I can get buckets,” Anthony Blakes ended.