FREEHAND by Mario E. Bautista
AFTER CO-HOSTING in "The Buzz", KC Concepcion now has her own morning talk show to start tomorrow at 9:45 AM, "Simply KC". What can she say to the allegation of some folks that she doesn't have much experience yet in hosting and it's the likes of Toni Gonzaga who should've been given such a show? "Sina Toni, ang dami na nilang shows so di na nila kakayanin na mag-host from morning to evening," she says. "I actually started hosting at 17 as a VJ with 6 shows on MTV. Hindi lang kasi mainstream kaya siguro di nila napapanood. I don't claim to know everything and that I'm the best but I'm learning naman. I promise to give an entertaining show with good insights for the viewers. For the pilot week, my guests are John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguez and brothers Luis Manzano and Ryan Christian. We tried na paghaluin ang mundo ng showbiz at mundo ng ordinary people. Like with Jericho, bumalik kami sa Concepcion Market where he started as a fish vendor. First time ko maranasan maglinis at magtinda ng isda. Kay John Lloyd, I did his hobby with him, mountain biking sa San Mateo. Kina Luis at Ryan, I joined them doing muay thai. For future episodes, I want to feature Tito Boy Abunda and Tita Kris Aquino, then my mama (Sharon Cuneta) and papa (Gabby Concepcion)."
What's her mom's reaction when she learned she'll host a talk show? "When I joined 'The Buzz', tuwang-tuwa siya. She said sana magkaroon ka rin ng morning show. A few weeks later, eto nga, binigay na. I'm excited kasi I also get to do things here I've never done before, like sumakay sa MRT and visit Golden Acres to help cut the hair of the lolas there. This will also be an interactive show as we'll have website links to connect with viewers."
Would she be willing to guest guys linked to her before, like Rico Blanco and Director Lino Cayetano? "Okay lang. We've maintained naman the friendship. I just hope willing din sila to guest in my show, lalo si Lino."
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IT'S THE FIRST time for Carla Abellana to tape a show abroad, the "Last Romance" episode in "Love Bug" that starts airing today at 3 PM on GMA-7. "We did it in Hongkong at siempre, konti lang kami ng staff kaya I myself do my own hair and make up. Tumulong din ako to carry yung mga gamit namin. Buti na lang koboy ang lahat at tulungan talaga. I also enjoyed yung iba't ibang rides sa Hongkong Disneyland and I felt like a child again."
How is it to play a girl dying of cancer? "Nakaka-sad but mind you, happy ending ang story namin, ha. Marami kaming touching moments ni Dennis Trillo who I meet sa cruise going to Hongkong."
Did she ask permission from ka-love team Geoff Eigenmann to do kissing scenes with Dennis? "No need. Puede naman kami to work with other partners. He knows trabaho lang naman yun and chance for me to grow as an actress. Balik-tambalan din naman kami sa 'Basahang Ginto' na magsisimula rin bukas sa GMA's Dramarama sa Hapon, so no problem."
The original "Basahang Ginto" was made by Sampaguita Pictures and won the best actress award for the late Alicia Vergel in the first FAMAS Awards of 1952. It's the story of a housemaid who's transformed to be a socialite. The story has been changed and Carla now plays the adopted daughter of a poor Aeta couple (Rita Avila and Bearwin Meily). "We taped the story in a real Aeta community in Zambales, then when we went na to Manila, marami rin kaming locations sa mga kalye. Our first meeting ni Geoff in the story is in the middle of the street nang mag-away kami at dinuraan ko ang windshield ng car niya."
Playing Carla's real mom in the show is the former Graciaaa aka Samantha Lopez. Does this mean she has split up with her American husband in New York? "No, kami pa rin," she says. "I'm really thankful that he allowed me to come home to act again kasi he knows this is my passion, along with dancing. I'm very happy that he's supportive kasi hinahanap-hanap ko talaga ang pag-arte after 8 years in the States. Medyo kinalawang na nga ako so I'm glad pinag-workshop muna kami ni Direk Joel Lamangan, who directed me before sa 1998 movie, in 'Sidhi' with Nora Aunor. Sana habaan ang role ko rito at wag naman patayin agad."
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AFTER PRODUCING the hit comedy, "Here Comes the Bride", Atty. Joji Alonso of "Legal Forum" now produces the debut album of Voizboys, "Fuzion", and their first big concert at Zirkoh Morato on Saturday, May 29 with Pokwang, Saicy Aguila, Carol Leus and The Rainmakers as guests. The Voizboys are Jay-R Siaboc, Guji Lorenzana, Nico Antonio, and Tom Rodriguez and they're seen regularly in ASAP. Guji and Jay-R are into rock, Nico into ballads while Tom does pop music. The willingness to share and accept each other allows an extraordinary fusion that uniquely shapes and happens only in Voizboys.
Jay-R, 23, was discovered in Pinoy Dream Academy (Season 1) won first runner-up. He has tried acting in such teleseryes as Pangarap na Bituin, Palos, and Kapitan Boom.. Guj is the oldest at 27. A Mellow Touch 94.7 DJ and alternative singer, he has appeared in West Side Story with Karylle and acted in "Precious Hearts Romances". Nico, 26, comes from a clan of scientists and lawyers and a musically inclined uncle, who himself was part of the ‘70s quartet The Rainmakers. Ateneo-educated, he’s now a fourth term San Sebastian College law student and had appeared in films like Minsan Pa, Kubrador, and Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan. He's in Chito Rono’s P50-million original musical film Emir, the hit comedy Here Comes The Bride and the Cinemalaya entry, Kim Garcia’s Magkakapatid. He plays a gay role in the new sitcom of Aga Muhlach and Ai Ai de las Alas. Tom, the youngest at 22, was a Pinoy Big Brother Double Up housemate. Born in Samar and raised in the US, he made his acting debut in Precious Hearts Romance: My Cheating Heart and Love Me Again. He plays Angelica Panganiban’s groom in Here Comes the Bride. Presented by Caltex, Sen. Enrile, Sumishomo Motor Finance and Splash, tickets are available at Ticketnet (911-5555 or www.ticket.com.ph) and Ticketworld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) and at Zirkoh Morato. For inquiries, please call Weng (887-0226 or 0917-800-0556).
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RICO GUTIERREZ is the busiest Kapuso director now, megging "Take Me Out", "Kap's Amazing Stories", "Ripley's Believe It or Not", "Showbiz Central", "Pinoy Records" and starting June, "Party Pilipinas". He's also directing a new special effects action movie, "Ran", in October starring Richard Gutierrez and Rhian Ramos, and a new National Geographic type of special hosted by Richard to be shot in Mt. Pinatubo.
What is his vision for "Party Pilipinas"? "First of all, gusto ko sabihing before I accepted it, pinagisipan ko muna ng husto," he says. "I called up Direk Louie Ignacio to make it clear hindi ko yun sinusulot sa kanya. Actually, alternate kami ni Mark Reyes as director and I also talked to him. Sabi ko, for sure, we'll be compared with each other and we should not let that affect us but just maintain our respect for each other. I read all the comments of the show's fans sa Pinoy Exchange, Facebook and other internet sites at marami sa kanila, may valuable suggestions na magagamit ko talaga, from the choice of songs, the sets, the performance of the stars. I'm very open minded and their opinion matters to me, so I'll take this all into consideration. We should listen to them as they love the show."
What does he think of Jay R as host of "Take Me Out"? "He's doing fine and he's really trying his best to speak in Tagalog kasi that's our medium. The show is doing pretty well. We really expect it to have a slow burn and now that it's seen in both the afternoon and evening, mas maraming nakakapanood nito. In other countries kasi, this is only once a week. Dito sa atin, originally, ito sana ipapalit sa Banda Oke on Sunday night pero ginawang daily kasi sa Indonesia, nag-number one siya."
AFTER CO-HOSTING in "The Buzz", KC Concepcion now has her own morning talk show to start tomorrow at 9:45 AM, "Simply KC". What can she say to the allegation of some folks that she doesn't have much experience yet in hosting and it's the likes of Toni Gonzaga who should've been given such a show? "Sina Toni, ang dami na nilang shows so di na nila kakayanin na mag-host from morning to evening," she says. "I actually started hosting at 17 as a VJ with 6 shows on MTV. Hindi lang kasi mainstream kaya siguro di nila napapanood. I don't claim to know everything and that I'm the best but I'm learning naman. I promise to give an entertaining show with good insights for the viewers. For the pilot week, my guests are John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguez and brothers Luis Manzano and Ryan Christian. We tried na paghaluin ang mundo ng showbiz at mundo ng ordinary people. Like with Jericho, bumalik kami sa Concepcion Market where he started as a fish vendor. First time ko maranasan maglinis at magtinda ng isda. Kay John Lloyd, I did his hobby with him, mountain biking sa San Mateo. Kina Luis at Ryan, I joined them doing muay thai. For future episodes, I want to feature Tito Boy Abunda and Tita Kris Aquino, then my mama (Sharon Cuneta) and papa (Gabby Concepcion)."
What's her mom's reaction when she learned she'll host a talk show? "When I joined 'The Buzz', tuwang-tuwa siya. She said sana magkaroon ka rin ng morning show. A few weeks later, eto nga, binigay na. I'm excited kasi I also get to do things here I've never done before, like sumakay sa MRT and visit Golden Acres to help cut the hair of the lolas there. This will also be an interactive show as we'll have website links to connect with viewers."
Would she be willing to guest guys linked to her before, like Rico Blanco and Director Lino Cayetano? "Okay lang. We've maintained naman the friendship. I just hope willing din sila to guest in my show, lalo si Lino."
**********
IT'S THE FIRST time for Carla Abellana to tape a show abroad, the "Last Romance" episode in "Love Bug" that starts airing today at 3 PM on GMA-7. "We did it in Hongkong at siempre, konti lang kami ng staff kaya I myself do my own hair and make up. Tumulong din ako to carry yung mga gamit namin. Buti na lang koboy ang lahat at tulungan talaga. I also enjoyed yung iba't ibang rides sa Hongkong Disneyland and I felt like a child again."
How is it to play a girl dying of cancer? "Nakaka-sad but mind you, happy ending ang story namin, ha. Marami kaming touching moments ni Dennis Trillo who I meet sa cruise going to Hongkong."
Did she ask permission from ka-love team Geoff Eigenmann to do kissing scenes with Dennis? "No need. Puede naman kami to work with other partners. He knows trabaho lang naman yun and chance for me to grow as an actress. Balik-tambalan din naman kami sa 'Basahang Ginto' na magsisimula rin bukas sa GMA's Dramarama sa Hapon, so no problem."
The original "Basahang Ginto" was made by Sampaguita Pictures and won the best actress award for the late Alicia Vergel in the first FAMAS Awards of 1952. It's the story of a housemaid who's transformed to be a socialite. The story has been changed and Carla now plays the adopted daughter of a poor Aeta couple (Rita Avila and Bearwin Meily). "We taped the story in a real Aeta community in Zambales, then when we went na to Manila, marami rin kaming locations sa mga kalye. Our first meeting ni Geoff in the story is in the middle of the street nang mag-away kami at dinuraan ko ang windshield ng car niya."
Playing Carla's real mom in the show is the former Graciaaa aka Samantha Lopez. Does this mean she has split up with her American husband in New York? "No, kami pa rin," she says. "I'm really thankful that he allowed me to come home to act again kasi he knows this is my passion, along with dancing. I'm very happy that he's supportive kasi hinahanap-hanap ko talaga ang pag-arte after 8 years in the States. Medyo kinalawang na nga ako so I'm glad pinag-workshop muna kami ni Direk Joel Lamangan, who directed me before sa 1998 movie, in 'Sidhi' with Nora Aunor. Sana habaan ang role ko rito at wag naman patayin agad."
**********
AFTER PRODUCING the hit comedy, "Here Comes the Bride", Atty. Joji Alonso of "Legal Forum" now produces the debut album of Voizboys, "Fuzion", and their first big concert at Zirkoh Morato on Saturday, May 29 with Pokwang, Saicy Aguila, Carol Leus and The Rainmakers as guests. The Voizboys are Jay-R Siaboc, Guji Lorenzana, Nico Antonio, and Tom Rodriguez and they're seen regularly in ASAP. Guji and Jay-R are into rock, Nico into ballads while Tom does pop music. The willingness to share and accept each other allows an extraordinary fusion that uniquely shapes and happens only in Voizboys.
Jay-R, 23, was discovered in Pinoy Dream Academy (Season 1) won first runner-up. He has tried acting in such teleseryes as Pangarap na Bituin, Palos, and Kapitan Boom.. Guj is the oldest at 27. A Mellow Touch 94.7 DJ and alternative singer, he has appeared in West Side Story with Karylle and acted in "Precious Hearts Romances". Nico, 26, comes from a clan of scientists and lawyers and a musically inclined uncle, who himself was part of the ‘70s quartet The Rainmakers. Ateneo-educated, he’s now a fourth term San Sebastian College law student and had appeared in films like Minsan Pa, Kubrador, and Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan. He's in Chito Rono’s P50-million original musical film Emir, the hit comedy Here Comes The Bride and the Cinemalaya entry, Kim Garcia’s Magkakapatid. He plays a gay role in the new sitcom of Aga Muhlach and Ai Ai de las Alas. Tom, the youngest at 22, was a Pinoy Big Brother Double Up housemate. Born in Samar and raised in the US, he made his acting debut in Precious Hearts Romance: My Cheating Heart and Love Me Again. He plays Angelica Panganiban’s groom in Here Comes the Bride. Presented by Caltex, Sen. Enrile, Sumishomo Motor Finance and Splash, tickets are available at Ticketnet (911-5555 or www.ticket.com.ph) and Ticketworld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) and at Zirkoh Morato. For inquiries, please call Weng (887-0226 or 0917-800-0556).
**********
RICO GUTIERREZ is the busiest Kapuso director now, megging "Take Me Out", "Kap's Amazing Stories", "Ripley's Believe It or Not", "Showbiz Central", "Pinoy Records" and starting June, "Party Pilipinas". He's also directing a new special effects action movie, "Ran", in October starring Richard Gutierrez and Rhian Ramos, and a new National Geographic type of special hosted by Richard to be shot in Mt. Pinatubo.
What is his vision for "Party Pilipinas"? "First of all, gusto ko sabihing before I accepted it, pinagisipan ko muna ng husto," he says. "I called up Direk Louie Ignacio to make it clear hindi ko yun sinusulot sa kanya. Actually, alternate kami ni Mark Reyes as director and I also talked to him. Sabi ko, for sure, we'll be compared with each other and we should not let that affect us but just maintain our respect for each other. I read all the comments of the show's fans sa Pinoy Exchange, Facebook and other internet sites at marami sa kanila, may valuable suggestions na magagamit ko talaga, from the choice of songs, the sets, the performance of the stars. I'm very open minded and their opinion matters to me, so I'll take this all into consideration. We should listen to them as they love the show."
What does he think of Jay R as host of "Take Me Out"? "He's doing fine and he's really trying his best to speak in Tagalog kasi that's our medium. The show is doing pretty well. We really expect it to have a slow burn and now that it's seen in both the afternoon and evening, mas maraming nakakapanood nito. In other countries kasi, this is only once a week. Dito sa atin, originally, ito sana ipapalit sa Banda Oke on Sunday night pero ginawang daily kasi sa Indonesia, nag-number one siya."
