17 STARs, 17 MAGIC years

Author: Edgar Cruz
Column: BuzzStation

ABS-CBN Star Magic, the home of top-caliber young artists of today's showbiz, celebrates its 17th year in the business of discovery, management and development of artists. From the reality shows, Star Magic is also the home of products of Pinoy Big Brother, White Castle, Be Bench, Del Montes Got 2 B Fit Challenge, Pinoy Dream Academy and Pinoy Fear Factor. Here are 17 Star Magic artists whose programs are shortlisted in the top 10 of daytime and primetime shows for excellent acting and high production values.

1. Shaina Magdayao is Ella in Kambal sa Uma, the ABS-CBN remake of the classic movie of the same title with Rio Locsin originally playing the dual role of Ella and Vira. As Ella, Shaina plays the twin that bears less mouse-like features physically. She is considered to be a lucky charm of the family that adopts her when she gets separated from her twin Vira. Rio recalls Shaina as the child star she used to oppress in Marinela. She says, Pero now, she has bloomed into a very fine lady na. Magaling na aktres si Shaina kahit nung bata pa, kaya ngayon na gaganap ako bilang nanay niya, nakakatuwang isipin na makakatrabaho ko siya ulit.

2. Melissa Ricks is Vira in Kambal sa Uma, the twin that shows more dominant mouse-like features such as her ears, hair and a hairy tail. The luck she brings does not seem to be meant for her. Star Magic premium talents Jason Abalos, Matt Evans, Aldred Gatchalian, Carlo Guevara and Bangs Garcia supports.

3. Sam Milby is TJ (Theodore Javier Jr.) in Only You, the local remake of the hit Korean telenovela topbilled by Angel Locsin as Jillian. Hes a guy with a stubborn nature, who somes from a wealthy family that owns a large hotel and various restaurants. He has become afraid of commitment because of his trust issues.

4. Diether Ocampo is Jonathan Sembrano in Only You. He loves his high school friend Jillian and shares her passion for cooking. He has always been loyal and persistent in trying to win her heart to the point that he would willingly take responsibility for her son.

5. Dimples Romana is Only Yous villain Dina Javier. As TJs eldest sister, Dina becomes the family's matriarch when their mother abandons them to live a life of her own. Dina is close to TJ and is very protective of her younger brother. Dimples is Star Magics bet for all-around drama actress.

6. Kristine Hermosa reincarnates Maruja in Komiks Presents Mars Ravelos Nasaan Ka Maruja? Kristine proved once more that she has what it takes to impress the viewers with her acting prowess through a television series. The story of Maruja zeroes in on the idea of reincarnation that unfolds for Cristy (Kristine) through scattered dreams. Her only clue is the name Gabriel. As the story progresses, the faceless man in her dreams is slowly revealed. Kristine is joined by fellow Star Magic artists Kitkat and Enchong Dee in the series.

7. Jake Cuenca is Vince Banaag, one of the Bud Brothers in Precious Hearts Romances Presents The Bud Brothers. Written by Rose Tan, the story revolves around the college fraternity brothers who put up their business, the Bud Brothers Flower Farm, and the quirky yet gorgeous women for whom these men will fall. Vince is the quiet type and serious boyfriend. He will suddenly turn cold after his sad breakup.

8. Rafael Rosell is Wayne Ablan, the secretive boss, the most mysterious of the Bud Brothers. Wayne hasnt gotten over the greatest love of his life Catherine whose identity the Bud Brothers do not want to reveal. This is where the tricky situation comes in. He will learn the meaning of letting go.

9. Joem Bascon is Pete Labrador, who grew up a mamas boy and bases his crucial decisions on the game of toss coin.

10. Wendy Valdez is one of the sparkling Star Magic artists bringing kilig to the Bud Brothers. The others are Maricar Reyes, Pinoy Fear Factor particapantes Manuel Supermanuel Chua and Janna Dominguez, new-hunk-singer Guji Lorenzana and Roxanne Guinoo.

11. Enchong Dee gets his first solo starrer Your Song Presents Boystown, featuring ASAP 09s dance crew, the Gigger Boys. Enchong Dee is the group's food tripper. Directed by Lino Cayetano, Boystown clarifies the idea that the Boystown is not for juvenile delinquents alone. Each has its own backstory and each will get through his personal struggles with the help of one another. Enchong plays Arnel, the groups kuya.

12. Robi Domingo is the newbie in Gigger Boys. He portrays the rich kid Arkin.

13. Sam Concepcion is the most active, the optimist Bobet.

14. AJ Perez is the youngest, the good boy Ricky.

15. Aaron Villaflor, the sporty one, is the newbie Ricky.

16. Dino Imperial, the groups kuya, is the exact opposite in Boystown as the bully Chad; and

17. Chris Gutierrez, the quiet one, is the silent but dangerous type Brent. Ron Morales and Jessie Mendiola support their fellow Star Magic artists in Boystown.

The ABS-CBN Star Magic continues!

Baywalk Bodies spawns new group

Perhaps 2006s most in-your-face launch was the Baywalk Bodies exposing their breasts before the dancing fountain of the Rajah Sulaiman Park along Roxas Boulevard, Manila. In front of tabloid and broadsheet photographers and TV backpackers, they teased the mostly male oglers by wearing transparent raincoats. It hastened media attention... and the police, Manila City Hall officials and moralists. Only business manager Lito de Guzman could think of a promo stunt like that!

Since then, the Baywalk Bodies has evolved with the comings and goings of members. There is now a spin-off, the Baywalk Bodies Prettilicious, made up Rejoice Rivera, Kissa Kurdi, Wella Williams, Michaela Monteverde and Lucille. Don't you miss of the Baywalk Bodies Evolution frontliners Jeanette Joaquin, Palmolive Palma, Clarisse Mercado and Dove de Vera? We just don't know if Lito will come up with another promo stunt for the Baywalk Bodies Prettilicious during the launching of their CD under Galaxy Records in June.

Loaded star sightings in Flawless relaunch

Lorna Tolentino, Judy Ann Santos, Richard Gutierrez, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi and Katrina Halili will be relaunched as Flawless endorsers on May 24. Founder/owner Rubby Sy hired a brand architect from Singapore to give Flawless a new image. With the slogan Less is More, Flawless will sport a new logo. Rubby recites, If you look at the industry of beauty, less really is more. Less wattles, more winks. Less fat, more fun. Less pimples, more passion. Less is more! Or should I say, Flawless is more!

Six Viva artists going to the movies

Viva has launched Viva Cinema, a 24-hour tagalog movie channel carried by Cignal TV, Cablelink and various cable operators nationwide. Using Viva Artist Agency talents as hosts, its unique features are local movies, entertainment and news programs. Celebrity Real Life stories, hosted by LJ Moreno, keeps viewers up-to-date on the latest goings-on involving their favorite stars. Daily Top 5, hosted by Nikki Bacolod, is a viewers guide to the top five best, worst and controversial issues in local showbiz. Champagne Morales hosts CHB (Celebrity Home and Business), which takes viewers inside the homes of celebrities. Chikalectric is hosted by IC Mendoza with his mom Dolly Ann Carvajal.

Blind corner: Direk likes 'em young

An award-winning child actor, male of course, received a text message from this two-time director of a prestigious international film festival. He asked: Kailan tayo magkikita? He got the message. Direk wants to have sex with him. Being a straight actor who got to where he is by his exceptional acting and not through his extraordinary skills in the bedroom, he was real angry. He replied, Hindi ako ganoon, direk. This confirmed direks taste for young boys. Perhaps his sick depiction of the deprived Pinoy life is really in the head?

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Source: The Daily Tribune