Big profits for Big Brother

Author: Reggee Bonoan
Column: Life & Entertainment

ABS-CBN seems to have earned a lot in the latest season of Pinoy Big Brother after the four remaining housematesBeatriz, Mickey, Gee Ann and Wendyposted some five million votes, the biggest ever posted in the past two years of Pinoy Big Brother.

Beatriz, who was hailed the winner of PBB Season 2, garnered the highest number of votes with 1,571,556 or 30.29 percent. She bested Mickey with 1,286,166 votes; Gee Ann with 1,119,714 votes and Wendy with 1,209,978.

The event looked like a concert of an international artist with fans and supporters of the four housemates filling up the Big Dome.

The Big Night was definitely colorful when the fans of the three housemates ganged up on Wendy whose inclusion in the final four remains a big question among many. Most viewers believe it should have been Bodie Cruz instead of Wendy.

Carrying huge streamers and banners, the supporters of Bea, Mickey and Gee Ann were all cheering and screaming at the top of their lungs in favor of their bets. However, when they see Wendy on the screen or on stage, they would in unison boo the already beleaguered housemate.

And since prior to the Big Night, ABS-CBN knew the possible consequences of the fans reaction to Wendy, the coliseum security was tightened. Aside from confiscating deadly weapons, the security personnel did not allow fans to bring in bottled water, canned drinks and even simple writing instrument.

Cant stand the stench

Angelica Panganiban was rushed to a hospital recently after she vomited and experienced cramps due to menstrual pains. What an unlucky day for her. It was, in fact, the first taping day of Love Spells Magic Cellphone episode in a slum area in Tondo.

Angelicas sensitive condition during her first day period probably worsened since the location was at the Baseco compound near the stinking Ilog Pasig.

The production, however, continued the taping with actors Sam Milby and Jiro Manio who stayed behind.

Sam is used to visiting slum area like Baseco in Tondo. He had in fact shot scenes in a similar area.

We asked if he finds it uncomfortable taping in such locations since he grew up in the United States, the Fil-Am actor disclosed he is used to it. The first time he went to a slum area was when he was shooting for the movie Close to You with Toni Gonzaga.

The entertainment press also witnessed how concerned Sam was about his leading lady.

Sam replied that Angelica is going steady dating with Derek Ramsay and they are just working for an episode in Love Spell which premieres tomorrow. Asked about Anne Curtis, Sam explained he and Ann are just good friends. He stressed that the gossip possibly remain because they are working together in Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2.

Banned?

How will the rumor that Angel Locsins manager Beckie Aguila is banned from GMA-7 affect the career of Jennylyn Mercado and Sinasamba Kita actress Valerie Concepcion when Angel Locsin supposedly didnt agree to renewing her contract with GMA Artist Center?

Jennylyn meanwhile said she remains clueless of the issue because her hectic schedule gives her no chance to listen to gossip and nobody has told her about it. Jennylyn said she fears if the gossip is true because she still has more than a year management contract with GMA Artist Center.

However, Jennylyn stressed she has no plans of moving out of GMA-7. She clarified that she has nothing to do with Angel and her rift with some GMA people.

Axe to grind

We felt sorry for couple Tintin Bersola Babao and Julius Babao who were both axed from their morning show Magandang Umaga Pilipinas. While viewers are now watching a new set of hosts in the morning show of ABS-CBN called Umagang Kay Ganda, we cannot understand how the executives of Kapamilya managed to axe people who have been in the morning show for a decade.

It is also sad that the couple were not able to formally bid goodbye to their followers, from Alas singko y Media to MUP after we found out that they are suspended for reportedly leaking information to the press. A source said that a thorough investigation was held and the management found out that the couple revealed about the confidential information of the show. And the couple even revealed on their radio program that there would be a new show replacing their morning program.

In a recent talk with Maria Ressa, during the launching of Umagang Kay Ganda, both (Luchie Cruz Valdez and Maria) executives are trying to appear unaware of the situation.

Luchie, who used to be a GMA-7 reporter, claimed that the couple was axed because the show was not posting good ratings anymore and though the ratings improved, it never outdid its rival, Unang Hirit. Furthermore, she said she doesnt know about the lineup of hosts since all things were already settled when she came in to the show.

Maria, on the other hand, denied there had been suspensions among its staff or hosts. She even said that she wanted to explain the reason behind the couples suspension but their department has a code of ethics they must follow. And before our interview ended, this News and Current Affairs executive asked us who our source was.

Definitely, we are one of those who wrote about ABS-CBNs plan to put up a new show and the lineup of the hosts who are now on board the morning show. But for the record, neither Julius nor Tintin disclosed to us about the plan. So it is sad that the couple had to suffer a suspension order.

Asking who our source of information is like asking a chef for his secret recipe. Journalists have the duty to protect their sources. I think both Maria and Luchie know this.

Source: Manila Standard Today