Charo is now ABS-CBN president

Author: Edgar Cruz
Column: BuzzStation

Before wrapping up the ABS-CBN top management planning session that started last Feb. 25 in Baguio City and ended Feb. 29, chief executive officer and chief finance officer Gabby Lopez III announced the appointment of Channel 2 head Charo Santos-Concio effective March 1. She replaced Gabby, who previously occupied the position after Freddie Garcia and Cito Alejandro. She was previously in charge of television programming, on-air operations and overall revenue and profits. Besides Charos appointment as president, there was no other top management appointment.

Charo who is a fan at heart, as she loves to put it, has always been a star and a top performer. After winning the titles Miss Baron Travel and Miss Revolution before her graduation from St. Pauls College, she entered the entertainment industry. Mike De Leon directed her in Itim, which won the 1976 Asian Film Festival. She won Urian Awards for Best Supporting Actress in Lino Brockas Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak. She then reunited with Mike in Kisapmata, which was screened in the 1981 Directors Fortnight in the Cannes Film Festival.

After the Lopez family regained control of ABS-CBN in 1986, Gabby invited her to join the network as consultant. She moved up to director for Programs in 1989, vice president of Production Operations in 1991, senior vice president of TV Production in 1996, and when she took on the full responsibility of overseeing all the entertainment content of ABS-CBN in 1998, she was promoted to executive vice president. Charo is credited for creating the networks top-rated shows and organizing Star Cinema as the countrys number one film production company. She went to Harvard Business School to take up the Advance Management Program.

Charo is the host of the multi-awarded drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya.

4thCinema One Originals deadline on March 14

Cinema One is now in search of the next batch of unique, innovative and creative works for the 2008 Cinema One Originals Film Festival. It will choose seven original narrative feature scripts from all of the submitted entries, giving film aspirants more chances of winning. For those interested to join, submit a full-length feature script in either English or Filipino, a brief resume with photos, samples of previous work dubbed in VHS, CD or DVD, and a duly accomplished application form to the Cinema One Originals Secretariat, CPI Programming office, 10/F, ELJ Communications Center Building, ABS-CBN compound, Eugenio Lopez Drive, Quezon City or e-mail to cinemaone@ABS-CBN.com.

Only those with complete requirements will be accepted. Deadline for submission of entries is on March 14, 2008. Chosen completed film scripts will be funded by Cinema One with a budget of P1,000,000 to cover for all filming expenses and costs. For the mechanics and application form, go to www.cinemaone.tv for updates and details.

Chair Bayani still in charge of 2008 MMFF

The 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival will be launched by the Metro Manila Development Authority as headed by Chair Bayani Fernando this week. Publicist Emy Abuan told Buzzstationthat the launching will be on March 8, Saturday. This means that Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.s legal initiative to place the annual filmfest under the management of the Mowelfund will not be effective this year. Sen. Jinggoy has filed a law as sponsored by Sen. Bong to effect this change. This means the shift will take place at best next year, if is passed into a law. Both senators were upset when their respective entries in last years filmfest, Katas ang Saudi and Resiklo, performed below expectations. The final blow came when the Awards Night was abbreviated into a 45-minute program to give way to a full-scale Lani Misalucha concert. Never again, they said, but it seems in no way will not come this year.

Marian to go topless in Dyesebel

I will go topless in Dyesebel, reveals Marimar lead actress Marian Rivera, who has been handpicked by GMA to play the title role. GMAs Dyesebel is the first television version of Mar Ravelos well-loved tale about the cursed mermaid. Marian announced this during her launching as Karimadon image model. She continues, But I dont think it will show anything. Im sure GMA and MTRCB will not allow it. To be directed by Joyce Bernal, Marian will be the seventh actress to play the much coveted role. To capitalize on Marimars popularity, Dingdong Dantes will be Marians leading man Fredo. Joyce is considering Palawan for the drama/fantasy series location.

Marian met Karimadon owner Josie Go when she was new in the entertainment business in need of a dress sponsor. Without hesitation, Josie provided her with Karimadon clothes. That is why Marian agreed to be the fashion chains endorser now that she has reached an all-time popularity high. Karimadon carries a complete line of womens apparel including the recently launched collection of Greek-inspired summer frocks. During the launch, Marian changed several times into classy Karimadon cocktail dresses.

Record holder

Theres an ongoing clash between the gay-oriented movies, specifically Jay Alterejos Ang Lihim ni Antonio and Adolf Alix, Jr.s Daybreak, to which is the highest grossing digital gay movie in the history of local cinema. Theres really no argument. Ang Lihimscreened in a full-size theater at Robinsons Galleria while Daybreak shown inthe same theater complex but in the smaller-sized Indie Sine. Theres no apple-to-apple comparison. The certified record, therefore, belongs to the former. For three days, it hit almost P.7 million in ticket sales which made Jay jump with joy. This makes its predecessor Ang Lalake Sa Parolaslide to the number two slot. Ang Lihim ni Antonioentered third week of screening at Robinsons Galleria this week. It will open in Sta. Lucia East and Gotesco Grand Central on March 5.

Piolo out of Maxfs new breakfast intro

The additional meals in the Maxs breakfast menu is a sub-product, that is why it does not have a big product launching, explains Maxs Restaurant assistant marketing manager for Promo and PR Bobby Simborio. Maxs just added four Continental meals to its breakfast menu, increasing the breakfast line from seven to 10 mouth-watering items. The breakfast menu of favorite Pinoy meals had a huge launching, featuring the worlds biggest tapa covered by Magandang Umaga Pilipinaswith Maxs endorser Piolo Pascual gracing the occasion.

The new breakfast meals are the Cheesy Corned Beef Omelet (P120), corned beef sprinkled with melted cheese in in omelet wrap, garnished with spring onion confetti and two slices of half-oranges. The Ham Steak (P175) is sweet meat ham steak with a whole pineapple slice, garnished with an egg, a sliced orange and onion confetti. The Bacon Meal (P155) is served with crisp honey-cured bacon strips, an egg and orange slices on the side. And the Meat Lovers Meal (P155) is a combination of mini Hungarian sausage, salami slices and crispy bacon strips with grilled tomato on the side. All meals have a choice of garlic fried rice or buttered pan de sal, sunny-side up or scrambled egg, and brewed coffee or iced tea. Maxs new breakfast meals are only available from 7 to 10 a.m. in all outlets

5/5: Maroon 5 on March 5

Maroon 5: Live in Manila, a production of Viva Concerts and Events, blasts tomorrow night, March 5, at the Big Dome at 8 p.m. Vocalist/guitarist Adam Levine, guitarist/vocalist James Valentine, keyboardist/vocalist Jesse Carmichael bass guitarist Madden and drummer/percussionist Matt Flynn will rock the Big Dome with their monster hits Makes Me Wonder, Wont Go Home Without You from their latest CD It Wont Be Soon Before Long. Their set list for tonight is also expected to include a cover or two to spice things up. Maroon 5: Live in Manila is presented by SMART Buddy and San Miguel Beer and sponsored by Crowne Plaza Hotel, Mentos Blast, No Curfew, Pagcor, PCSO, Petron XTRA, Skechers and Tommy Hilfiger with ABS-CBN, PBO, MCA Universal, MTV and Viva Prime Channel. For tickets, call the Ticketnet (911-5555).

Shorties

US-based Ciara Sotto is singing the Philippine National Anthem at the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch on March 16...Cinema One did not buy the cable right of Daybreak for fear that when the MTRCB is done with its scissor job on the Adolf Alix Jr. digital movie, only 10 percent will remain...The MTRCB had asked Velvet cable channel to explain the man-to-man smooching scene when the latter narrowcast Brokeback Mountain...Robin Padilla is not exposing daughter Kylie to the local entertainment media for fear that members will play with her funny Aussie accent...KC Concepcion revealed that Lino Cayetano is still sending her text messages even if theyve broken up...According to talent manager Becky Aguila, Valerie Concepcion has no offer to do Betty La Fea...Like DZMM, DZRH is now narrowcast in Channel 67...Alicia Meyer has admitted shes two months preggy out of wedlock...Is Kris Aquino also preggy with her second child by James Yap?...Is Aubrey Miles also heavy with Troy Monteros baby?...Is Iwa Moto the target of a demolition job from the tabs? She is pictured by them as promiscuous...Regine Velaquez is back at SOP, the hedging job she did to GMA using ABS-CBN proving to be an effective one!...

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Source: The Daily Tribune