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.

Maja Salvador on posing for men’s magazines

Young actress Maja Salvador said that she has no qualms posing sexy on the cover of men’s magazines but reiterated that she has a reputation to take care of. She said that she is willing to show some skin but at the right time.

She also did not deny the fact that there have been a lot of offers for her to be a cover girl. “Kung puwede ko lang silang pagbigyan gagawin ko, kaya lang dahan-dahan na muna.” Maja revealed.

The teen star though pointed out that she has already appeared sexy and seductive on billboards for a popular clothing line in the country.

“Nung ginawa ko nga ‘yon marami ang nagulat, ‘Ikaw ba talaga yon?’ Akala ng marami di ko kayang gawin,” she shared. “Kaya kong lumabas ngayon sa (men’s) magazines, pero alisin nila yung word na sex (and other similar words).”

Being 19 years old, the actress expressed that she is not in a hurry to go “sexy.” “Tama na muna ‘yung pinapakita ko. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali eh, 19 pa lang naman ako. May reputasyon na kailangang ingatan.”

Maja is set to start taping her launching teleserye next week where she will be partnered with a new leading man, Geoff Eigenmann.

How Marian Rivera got the deals

How did Marian Rivera along with Valerie Concepcion land their latest endorsement deals?

Valerie joins, “not replaces,” Dawn Zulueta as image model for the clothing line Meg because, a statement from the brand owner Maricar Tuason says, Valerie “courageously picked up the pieces after a fall.”

Tuason adds: “Val is a strong, independent woman who was not afraid to own up to her mistakes and then moved on to pursue her dreams.”

Marian Rivera’s matching up with the dermatological center Facial Care is based on less philosophical considerations.

She explains why she is endorsing FC’s LaserLight treatment (for unwanted hair). “Ang dami kong hair sa legs! I tried waxing, shaving... Often, I just wouldn’t have the time or, I’d have to wait for re-growth before another round of hair removal. I was always worried that my sexy costumes would show body hair... somewhere. At last, I’m free from all that.”

Anne Curtis thrilled with 'Dyosa' and with Sam Milby

Actress Anne Curtis shared her happiness and excitement over her upcoming television series “Dyosa", as well as the attention she is getting from all three of her leading men: hunks Zanjoe Marudo, Luis Manzano, and especially Sam Milby. The fantasy series "Dyosa" will air over ABS-CBN staring August 11.

“I know August 11 na very exciting for me, and I guess for everyone; kasi we’d been working really hard, but at the same time. I'm nervous,” Curtis told abs-cbnNEWS.com in an interview held at Trinoma in Quezon City.

Curtis also talked about her working relationship with her three leading men, one of whom, as they both already admitted--she is exclusively dating: that's actor Sam Milb of course.

“Ayon makukulit lahat sila makukulit but it’s been so much fun working with them,” she said, adding that there was no shortage of funny, wacky moments on the set.

She also said that she's happy working with director Wenn Deramas again this after the two of them had a rift over shooting schedules on a past film,"Ang Cute ng Ina Mo". From what she said about the director, it's obvious that they've patched things up.

“Okay siya. It’s so much fun working with him again ang last namin kasi iyong ‘Ang Cute ng Ina Mo,’ so to work with him iyon naalala ko lahat… iyong dictation sa tagalog so iyon, narrates the actress.

Curtis has obviously lost weight, a result, she said, of the hard work she's been putting into the making of "Dyosa." Despite the toll on her body, however, she said that she actually enjoys the work.

“Hindi naman sa nahihirapan, but it has a lot of work; and it’s thrice a week na iyong tipong, para matulog gigising nang hapon na. Tapos tulog ulit tapos diretso na sa set. So it’s a lot of work hindi ko nga alam na pumayat na ako--hindi ko na-notice. But it’s a good thing for me, she said.

Dingdong Dantes: Hottest male star is Belo’s newest body

A heavy early evening downpour didn’t stop the Belo Medical Group in giving Dingdong Dantes a grand welcome as its newest addition to its long (and still growing) list of celebrity endorsers. Coincidentally, Dong (as Karylle calls her boyfriend) was celebrating his birthday, so the launch was like a birthday bash hosted by Vicki Belo’s corporate family at the NBC Tent in Global City’s The Fort.

The Casino Royale-inspired party had gaming tables, slot machines, and guns on display, with sexy ladies sashaying as they welcomed the rain-drenched guests. A Martini bar featured in James Bond movies was also set up in one corner of the hall.

An AVP produced by Infinite Ideas shows the actor in his Agent 007 character, driving a shiny Audi R8, brandishing slick hand guns, sporting an Omega chronograph watch, surfing the Net on a MacBookPro l, using the latest mobile phone and getting in the thick of hard-core action.

Bayon Alcoseba, of Peppermill Catering, showed his expertise in preparing sumptuous food in stylized, buffet setting. The centerpiece at each table arrangements was a waterfall of diamonds to complement the James Bond concept.

Guests were treated to mouth-watering appetizers consisting of baked whole salmon encrusted in salt and herbs, grilled shrimp shooters with chipotle butter sauce, beef tacos parmigiana, chicken burrito wrap, mini-pancakes with smoked tanguigue and cream cheese. Grapes salad with Cervelat sausage was also on the buffet table.

Main course consisted of baked dory herbs and spices, shrimp tamales, Argentina pork loin with apricot sauce, tequila lime chicken with pineapple salsa, fettuccine cream pesto with smoked chicken and steamed rice.

For the carving station, there was roasted calf; and for desserts fresh fruits with chantilly cream, pistachio opera cake, yoghurt gazpacho shooters and hot fudge brownies.

Vicki Belo was extremely delighted to welcome Dingdong to her growing roster of celebrity endorsers. In her welcome address, she said that as Belo’s newest signature model, Dingdong will endorse Belo-Shape, a special and unique combination of treatments to tighten skin and remove fat. The non-invasive body-shaping procedure can yield faster and visible results with far less effort.

Dingdong used to have stubborn love handles which he couldn’t get rid of despite rigid workouts in the gym. But thanks to Belo-Shape, the actor became the highest paid underwear model and was voted as the no. 1 Bachelor of 2007 of Cosmopolitan Magazine.

Those who braved the rain to give Dingdong moral support as Belo’s new body included, of course, off-screen sweetheart Karylle, on-screen sweetheart Marian Rivera, GMA Films president Annette Abrogar, actors Ricky Davao, Marky Lopez, Dino Guevarra, GMA Network executives Wilma Galvante, Marivin Arayata, Redgie Magno, Joey Abacan, Lilibeth Rasonable.

Despite the inclement weather, not one of the guests were heard complaining. Some were even delighted to have won prizes in a raffle draw. Dingdong gave away a 42-inch LCD TV set, and 15 dual-SIM mobile phones. I got one for a prize, too.