How Asero helped Rhian in La Lola

Pagkatapos makilala as 'Leah' sa 'Captain Barbell' ng dalawang taon, Rhian Ramos is glad na siya ay na nare-recognize na ngayon as Lola, her first title role. "When I go to the malls, no one calls me anything else now, everyone forgot Leah from "Captain Barbell!" kwento niya sa iGMA.

Gaining confidence
Inamin ng aktres na kinabahan siya nang malaman niyang siya ang gaganap bilang Lola, pero nakatulong ang mga workshop na pinuntahan nila ng cast. "When we did our first workshop together, naging mas kampante ako. Sabi ko, ‘Okay, we all look like we have pretty good chemistry together.’ It's amazing how this cast gets along. We come from all walks of life, age groups, but we really get along together. It's nice how pretty much lahat kami binagayan yung role. It's cool [that] the characters all have a piece of us in them," she shares.

Syempre, naging mas confident si Rhian nang lumabas ang ratings ng primetime show niya. "I read the script, and then at first you think, ‘Wow it's nice, but can I pull it off?’ So when [we] finally started taping, we were so proud of the ratings that we got, and then we've been proud of how the show's been going on…We haven't been beaten, and we're very happy about the response that we got about the show."

Thanks to Claire!
Rhian shares that her character Claire in Codename: Asero helped her a lot para maka-adjust sa role niya sa La Lola. Kung matatandaan niyo, si Claire ang makulit na anak ni Apollo (Ramon Christopher) na na-in love kay Asero (Richard Gutierrez).

"I think, in a way, that was a really good warm up for La Lola, because that was my first light, funny, pang-asar na role lang. Because most of my roles have either been damsel in distress or something severe! I've never really been just prancing around, being all 'Yihee!' You know, pang-asar lang?

"I don’t think I would've been as comfortable with Lola if it weren't for Claire. Even if it was so short a time that I played Claire, it was a big help. It really eased me into it."

Ikinuwento sa kanya ng kanyang dad na naka-base sa Dubai na maraming nanonood ng La Lola doon. "My dad he has this really annoying thing that he does. He has my picture in his wallet, so every time he goes to some restaurant, he opens his wallet and then he pays, makes sure that it's facing everyone, and [since] there are so many Filipinos in Dubai, they're like, 'Sir, you like Rhian Ramos? That's so weird!' And he [says], 'She's my daughter.' [Sinasabi naman noong mga kausap niya], 'Oh my God, pa-picture!' He loves that! It's so [funny]!" Rhian exclaims with a laugh.

"His favorite stores already know [about me]. So every time he goes back, they tell him, sir, we watch La Lola! And I just wanna go see the people he's met because of that! And balita ko maraming nanonood ng La Lola doon." Ayon kay Rhian, balak niyang bumisita sa Dubai ngayong Pasko para makasama ang father niya.


- Jason John S. Lim, iGMA.tv

Heart Evangelista, beautiful and emotional

Heart Evangelista is, of course, beautiful. This is precisely why Preview magazine chose her to grace the cover of its Beauty Special this November.

Preview describes her beauty as an "Oriental brand of elfin," characterized by chinita eyes and a flawless skin that elicit raves from no less than Bobbi Brown's regional director for artistry Sebastian Tardif, who does her makeup for the cover shoot.

"My main inspiration for her look today is her skin, it is just so flawless," Sebastian says. "She has nice open eyes and a generous lashline as well. Three coats of mascara and all of a sudden... boom!"

It almost seems unbelievable that she maintains such a simple beauty regimen. Heart tells Preview, "I just cleanse and moisturize around my eyes before going to bed."

But what makes Heart more beautiful nowadays is the candor with which she presents herself to the public. She arrives at the Preview cover shoot armed with a diary of answers to all of Preview's questions. "I really wanted to answer your questions well, to think about them," she tells the Preview team earnestly.

True enough, as the Preview team leafs through pages and pages of exclamation points, underlined and capitalized phrases all in Heart's own handwriting, it is clear just how much thought she has given to every question.

Preview lifts from that diary, which Heart has made out of the magazine's questions, to give readers a picture of just how emotional she really is. As she writes about the lowest point in her life and peppers it with much emphasis, it gives an idea of how wrung her feelings were during one period of her life.

She writes, "All of a sudden everything in my life changed. My career was just about DEAD, and my personal life was a DISASTER. I would wallow in self-pity. I lost my family. I lost my love and passion for life. I thought it was the end of the world."

Showbiz also reared its ugly head as Heart faced scrupulous scrutiny from the public that once adored her. "I toyed with the idea of leaving before it destroyed me," she says, "but I refused to leave the industry that way."

With her career back in full swing, it looks like Heart is not leaving just yet. "It's really what I love. The passion is really there," she says, "I'm just not over it yet, I feel it, that there's so much more to give."

Read more about Heart Evangelista in the November issue of Preview magazine, now available in newsstands and bookstores nationwide.

Jericho Rosales makes freudian slip while describing 'heavy' role in "Baler"

Binati ni Jericho Rosales ang press na dumating sa presscon ng Baler kahapon, November 13, in Spanish. Throughout the presscon, paminsan-minsan din siyang siyang nag-i-Español.

Nabanggit kasi ng aktor noon sa isang panayam na mag-aaral siya ng Spanish bago simulan ang shooting ng Baler para maging makatotohanan ang portrayal niya sa role ni Celso Resurrecion, ang half-Spaniard, half-Filipino na mas piniling kumampi sa mga kaaway at talikuran ang kapwa Filipino.

Ang Baler, na idinirek ni Mark Meily, ang entry ng Viva Films sa 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival. Katambal dito ni Jericho si Anne Curtis.

"This is an important movie," sabi ni Jericho. "It touches Filipino history dahil based ito sa Siege of Baler noong 1898. Hindi lang history ang mapapanood, may romance din."

"Heavy" ang description ni Jericho sa kanyang role. Para raw mas ma-feel niya ang kanyang character, siya mismo ang nag-research. Dumaan din siya sa matinding preparasyon, pati kung paano kumilos at magsalita ng Tagalog noong unang panahon.

"Na-trap for one year sa loob ng simbahan si Celso at mga kasamang sundalo. Ipapakita ang hirap na dinanas ng mga sundalo that whole time na nasa simbahan sila. Makikita rin kung paano nila ipinaglaban ni Feliza [Anne] ang kanilang pagmamahalan," pagpapakilala ni Jericho sa kanyang role.

Paano naka-relate si Jericho kanyang role?

"Mahirap ang pinagdaanan namin sa loob ng simbahan at ang character ni Celso ay ibang-iba. Mapagmahal siya at romantiko, at kaya kong magmahal hanggang kamatayan," saad ng aktor.

Ano ang feeling niya habang ginagawa nila ang Baler?

"Sobrang excited ako and every scene, gusto ko nandun ako," saad ni Jericho. "Metikuloso ang pagkakagawa ni Direk Mark. Na-miss ko ang ginawa ko sa Bagong Buwan na war movie rin na ipinag-enjoy ko rin. De numero ang gumawa ng giyera, para kang nakikipaglaro sa mga bata."

Yasmien's Return to Dramarama

Following the success of the primetime show "Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita," Yasmien Kurdi returns to the Dramarama block via the Sine Novela "Saan Darating ang Umaga." Reprising the role of Ms. Maricel Soriano, the StarStruck alumna now faces the challenge of living up to the award-winning performance of the Diamond Star.

At the photo shoot of the next Sine Novela, Saan Darating ang Umaga, Yasmien Kurdi sat down with iGMA for an exclusive interview to promote her new show and clear up some issues that recently made her emotional on national television.

Return to Dramarama

A blockbuster hit in the ‘80s, Saan Darating ang Umaga featured Ms. Nida Blanca and Ms. Maricel Soriano at their best. A tear-jerker and a values-filled story, Maricel Soriano won the Best Supporting Actress award in FAMAS for her portrayal of Shayne – the jealous daughter of Ruben (Nestor deVilla) and Lorie (Nida Blanca).

In the GMA remake, Yasmien will bring Shayne to life, a challenge indeed to the young actress. "Tita Maria, support ha, please. Hindi ko pa po siya (Maricel Soriano) natatawagan," confessed Yas who has once worked with Maricel Soriano in the film Bahay Kubo.

She pointed out that she’s doubling her efforts for this project to prove that she deserves the breaks that GMA has been giving her these past few years. "Pinaghihirapan ko talaga bawat eksena. Direk Mario J. de los Reyes pa ito, award winning director…After Direk Joel [Lamangan], Direk Mario naman," says the young actress who is obviously in awe of the renowned director, who also directed the original film.

New love team, old friend

Upon her return to Dramarama, Yasmien leaves her old love team behind and now concentrates on her new onscreen partner, Dion Ignacio.

"Si Dion sobrang at ease ako sa kanya. During StarStruck days, sya 'yung lagi kong katabi sa chair kapag bumabyahe kami or aalis kami. Tapos sya 'yung best friend ko sa guys noon. Hindi kami close ni Rainier talaga noon (smiles)," shared Yasmien with a smile.

After noting that she comfortable working with Dion, she said they she’s really happy that the young actor was given this break. "Deserve naman ni Dion [ang project]. Ang gwapo-gwapo nya. Sobrang proud po ako sa kanya at super support din ako sa kanya. Tapos nagtutulungan kami kasi sa [StarStruck] batch po talaga naming, walang iwanan. Mahal ko si DJ at kahit sino sa Batch 1."

Finally, she pointed out that fans will be surprised with her new partner but urged everyone to give her friend a chance. "Sana, kagatin nyo po tulad ng pag support nyo sa ibang ka-love team ko. Grabe kinakabahan din po ako," admitted Yas truthfully.


- Loretta G. Ramirez, GMANews

John Lloyd Cruz: Getting to know Armando Solis

After various speculations and debates, John Lloyd Cruz was officially announced as Armando Solis - the love interest of Betty La Fea played by Bea Alonzo.

John Lloyd is no stranger as an actor. He has shown his natural talent in acting since he started in the industry almost a decade ago with different commercials, TV appearances, and segments. He also starred in blockbuster films and top rating teleseryes.

John Lloyd has been honored with different awards from respected award-giving bodies such as the Famas Awards, Enpress Golden Screen Awards, and PMPC Star Awards for Movies.

Because of his undeniable talent, enthralling charm and warm personality, John Lloyd is now popularly known as the Philippine's Box Office King.

And now, he is partnered once again to Bea, one of the most in-demand actresses in the industry.

They have already proven that they are one of the hottest love teams today because of their electrifying chemistry and countless supporters.

If Betty is kind-hearted, hardworking, always happy and smiling and a bit physically challenged, Armando is the complete opposite.

Growing up in a wealthy family where everything was handed to him on a silver platter, it seems that Armando has everything. Handsome, smart, and educated. He is the big boss of the advertising agency Eco Moda Manila.

A good dresser, suave and has an alluring appeal, somewhat arrogant and a certified chick boy, Armando is every girl's dream boy.

As these two completely different people come face to face, will they agree on good working terms? In matters of the heart, is the saying "opposites attract" really true?

Under the direction of Erick Salud and Don Cuaresma, "I Love Betty La Fea" will capture everyone's hearts soon on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

Sunshine Dizon excited over her comeback

Highly-acclaimed actress Sunshine Dizon is back after several months of being absent in the limelight.

Sunshine said this is a perfect timing for her to make a comeback as she will be working with her idol action star Robin Padilla in the movie “Sundo.”

“I’m actually very excited. I think we will start shooting this week. It’s been a long time since I did a movie so I am very excited,” she said during the launching of Rhian Ramos as the new image model of Sabella, which she also endorses.

Rhian is also part of the GMA Film’s movie as well as Katrina Halili.

Sunshine was hospitalized for a month due to severe migraine. She rested for a couple of months before she decided to return in showbiz.

“I also got to rest after I was hospitalized for a month and a half. So now, when I get migraine attacks I don’t need to be injected anymore. I should only drink a tablet to ease the pain,” she said.

Sunshine also explained that she was confined for a long-time in the hospital because she needed to get a high dosage of pain killer for her migraine.

Asked if she really suffered from depression as what earlier reports stated, she clarified in a television interview, “I don’t want to call it depression. You know everybody gets their low days. I am also a person who experiences problems in life. And I guess let’s just put it behind because it’s in the past. What is important now is that I’m back.”

Meanwhile, Sunshine refused to talk about what really happened with her relationship with Jojo Manlongat. “I have always been quiet from the very beginning about my relationship with him and I will continue on being quiet about it,” she said.

The cast of “Sundo” will start shooting the film this week. The play date of the GMA Film’s flick is in last week of October in time for the observance of All Saints Day.

Sarah Geronimo is reigning Box-Office Queen of ABS-CBN/Star Cinema

With the tremendous (unexpected?) box-office success of her first-starring movie, Star Cinema’s A Very Special Love (with John Lloyd Cruz), Sarah Geronimo has handily dislodged (as in "wiped out") her colleagues at ABS-CBN/Star Cinema as the twin company’s Newest Box-Office Queen. She could be the New

Millennium’s Nora Aunor, somebody the masa can identify with, not very beautiful but pretty just the same.

Even in the US, according to Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (of The Filipino Reporter), Sarah is hailed as the new "superstar," with dozens lining up to reserve tickets ($15 per) to the East Coast showing of the movie on Sept. 6 (at the AMC Loews Kips Bay 15 Theater at Second Ave., Manhattan) and Sept. 7 (at AMC Loews Jersey Garden 20 at 651 Kappowski Road, Elizabeth, New Jersey).

"Mabilis ang bentahan ng ticket," said Edmund. "The US-based SCAT Productions, led by Satrick Uy, Cathy Uy and Rolando Abaquin said they are overwhelmed by the response. Last year, Sarah gave SCAT a blockbuster concert, Sarah Geronimo in Motion, at the Manhattan Center." "We want to be part of Sarah’s successful crossover as a silver screen superstar," Edmund quoted Satrick as saying.

"Sarah has a big following in the US East Coast," said Rolando. "The interest and enthusiasm to see Sarah in her first major movie was amplified after they heard about the movie surpassing P130-M on its third week of showing in the Philippines."

A Very Special Love is directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina who also megged the hit romance-drama One More Chance starring John Lloyd and Bea Alonzo.

There’s no word yet if any of the cast members will be present during the screenings, but Cathy Uy said they are hopeful Star Cinema will send a special guest to add excitement to the event. "We love her because she’s so down-to-earth and so simple, and she always gives her all in every performance. Like Lea Salonga, she’s a perfect role model for other young artists."

Part of the proceeds will go to SCAT Productions’ favorite charity, Children’s Chance, Inc., which has been helping numerous ailing Filipino kids get life-saving and life-changing surgery and medical care in US hospitals. It is headed by Dorita Urrata, who was responsible (along with PAL Foundation) for bringing to the US the formerly conjoined twins Carl and Clarence Aguirre of Bacolod.