| | Full speed ahead for GMAAC talentsAuthor: Manila Standard Today
Column: Life & Entertainment The talents of GMA Artist Center, under the watchful eyes of Ida Ramos Henares and her team, get busier this year and continue to make hay during the rainy season by keeping a full schedule of work in exciting shows, projects and events.
Rhian Ramos, Iza Calzado, Marvin Agustin, Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Isabel Oli, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, Ayen Laurel, Jackie Rice, Iwa Moto, Nadine Samonte and Sheena Halili headline the roster of busybodies at the Center.
There's no stopping the rise of Rhian Ramos. On top of her being Richard Gutierrez's beautiful leading lady in GMA's primetime series Zorro where she has been earning her stripes day by day, Rhian will also be playing a major role in the next screen version of Panday opposite Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Rhian is excited about her role, a young lady infatuated with the hero that she saves the day for him.
Another exciting project that her fans should be watching out for is her upcoming dance album X-Play where the kids will surely have the time of their lives playing dance battle along with her in the game. The same project also features her co-GMAAC mates Vaness del Moral (also seen in another GMA primetime series Adik Sa 'Yo) and Dominic Roco (also cast in the next Vic Sotto starrer, LOL: Love On Line) on the album cover.
Rhian's endorsements continue to let her shine: PLDT MyDSL (along with Isabel Oli, Stephanie Henares and Gino de la Peña), Clear, Hang Ten, Sabella, Pink Soda Cologne, Carefree, B Club, Nesteafit, among others.
Iza Calzado has got to be one of the busiest celebrities around. Having proven her worth as a very competent actress already with a string of major film outings, including a Hollywood stint, Iza had just wrapped up work on All About Eve, and is currently shooting for three films —the much-talked about indie film Bente, Dukot, directed no less than by Joel Lamangan, and Panday, an entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival where Rhian is also cast. Iza is this month's Mega Magazine cover girl and is also Marie France's new and sexy endorser.
Marvin Agustin has not slowed down either. He topbills Adik Sa 'Yo, the light, romantic comedy primetime series on GMA opposite Jolina Magdangal and Dennis Trillo with Jennica Garcia. He is regularly seen on SOP exhibiting his vocal skills with the boys and attends to his many businesses. Marvin is also busy with his archery, hoping to be able to clinch a place to represent the country in international games this year.
Hottest love team
Blessings pour down on heartthrob Aljur Abrenica and his love team Kris Bernal. Their love team in Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin has been keeping an unprecedented performance in the ratings game toppling all other competitions in the afternoon block. This shows that the Kris-Aljur love team electrifies viewers with the kind of chemistry not seen on screen in a while.
The love team will soon hit primetime via the much-awaited series, All My Life, which airs end of June. The series also features their co-GMAAC talents Bryan Termulo and LJ Reyes (who was recently in Taiwan and is currently seen in Totoy Bato) in the cast.
The other GMAAC talents featured in the cast of Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin are Kiko Junio, Jana Roxas, Rhea Nakpil, Mike Tan, Maybelin de la Cruz and Paulo Avelino.
The Regal matriarch, Mother Lily Monteverde's expert eyes, has spotted this potential in the Kris-Aljur love team long before it performed on the ratings, that's why she made sure that the two will start shooting their first movie together under Regal Films very soon.
Aljur, for his part, continues to make waves in the top variety show SOP on GMA every Sunday, especially in their singing group where his co-GMAAC talents Marvin Agustin and Paulo Avelino are part of. Everyone should also be watching out for the very first record album that Aljur will be waxing anytime soon under Sony Music. Aljur has just come back from New York City after gracing the 11th Independence Day celebration there. His co-GMAAC talent LJ Reyes and other GMA artists Dingdong Dantes among others, were also part of the celebration.
Isabel Oli has certainly gone a long way from her print-and-ramp-model days. After her stint in Gagambino, she has been making the rounds of television guestings, corporate and provincial shows. Her billboards with Piolo Pascual for Max's Restaurant is as dreamy as ever. She had just finished taping an episode for Dear Friend along with Mark Herras, Ryza Cenon and Rainier Castillo. She will soon fly higher with her role in Mars Ravelo's Narda starring Marian Rivera also on GMA. Isabel was also a favorite in Santacruzan this merry month of May and had been to Orani and Pilar, Bataan on separate occasions. Isabel is also one of the new faces of PLDT MyDSL.
Evolving personalities
Even before it premieres, the local adaptation of the phenomenal teleserye Rosalinda has had the public agog with anticipation. GMAAC talents Sheena Halili (also seen in Pinoy Records and Zorro) and Mart Escudero are on board the cast and excitement for leading actors Carla Abellana and Geoff Eigenmann in the series.
Ayen Munji Laurel will be fulfilling a wish as she plays a contravida role in Rosalinda. This will be Ayen's first soap opera outing and she is very excited to do it. On top of that, the former real-life princess will also be restaging (for the third time) her much-acclaimed Atang musical from Dulaang UP next month. “I'm very happy to be taking on these projects. Contrary to what others think that I don't need to work, I really want to work and help take care of our family with Franco,” she said with her lovely, bedimpled smile.
The countdown has begun for Dramarama show, Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin. Sure to steal viewers' hearts away, people can't wait to see how Rich Asuncion, Joy Velasco (who plays a kontrabida role in the series), Jace Flores, and lead players Jackie Rice, Maxene Magalona and Glaiza de Castro will do justice to this '90s movie adaptation.
Jackie Rice will soon be taking a more mature step in her career as she agreed to grace the cover of Maxim for July. This early, Jackie has been getting excellent feedbacks for it and many are predicting that she could be the next big star to fill in the void for the young and sexy genre. We've seen the photos and indeed, Jackie Rice is very beautiful and very ready to go to that next level of maturity in her career.
The handsome Mark Herras continues to sport that lean and mean body which he takes care by going to the gym religiously. His billboards for Flawless has been getting a lot of buzz. Mark is also preparing for his next dance album under Universal Records, where he first garnered double platinum recognition already. He is also regularly seen on SOP and was in Paano Ba Ang Mangarap afternoon soap opera where he shared lead roles with Jennylyn Mercado. Also in the cast are GMAAC talents Rainier Castillo and Chynna Ortaleza.
Mark also appeared in the recent CamSur gig of Sarah Geronimo and the young actor confesses to have been smitten by the charms of the young singer. “She is very decent, very proper. I had a beautiful time in her show. Sana maulit muli,” he said flashing that George Clooney-lookalike smile.
Yasmien Kurdi continues to be one of the more serious drama talents of GMAAC. She is seen in a heavy portrayal in SRO and is not stopping at that. Yasmien is also back in school and hopes to finish her college education in two years' time. She is also an advocate of the go vegetarian principle and has been slowly but surely achieving her desired weight in the process. Yasmien is also a regular in SOP.
Iwa Moto's bright and cheerful personality never fails to charm her way in the hearts of people. When she does PLDT MyDSL events, Iwa becomes an instant favorite among the crowd and the PLDT team and that goes with her other provincial commitments. The sexy lady will soon grace the covers of Maxim for the first time. She is seen in Dear Friend with Yasmien Kurdi and Kevin Santos.
Nadine Samonte's steady climb is as sure as her commitment in her job. She is seen every Thursday in GMA's SRO where she reunites with StarStruck batchmates Yasmien and Jennylyn for the first time. Along with Yasmien, Nadine was also a guest in the GMA Pinoy TV's Independence Day celebrations of the Filipinos in Dubai recently.
Nonstop learning
Aside from providing excellent exposure to GMAAC talents, SOP has always been a good training ground to hone the hosting, singing and dancing skills of the kids. GMAAC's regular talents in the Sunday show are Mark Herras, Aljur Abrenica, Chynna Ortaleza, Rainier Castillo, Ryza Cenon, La Diva a.k.a Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos and Maricris Garcia, Gerald Santos, Harry Santos, Bryan Termulo, Krissa Mae Arrieta and Julianne San Jose.
The more athletic bunch in GMAAC has things going for them as well. Vern Domingo has become the first woman coach for the Philippine taekwondo team. She is now in Vietnam for the International Taekwondo Competition. Survivor's Kiko Rustia hosts the top-rating show, Born to be Wild. The sports-minded Kiko is a rower, mountaineer, diver and a writer. He hopes to be able to publish his works soon. Nikki Dacullo, for her part, had an interesting stint as the host of Palarong Pambansa in Leyte last April.
The GMAAC acting workshops has been doing its share in honing the skills of its talents. As a result, people should also keep an eye out on Kaye Alipio who is now taking up workshops from the GMAAC Talent Development group. Kaye is also part of indie film Bente in which she had a sexy scene with Richard Gomez. Vivo Quano, another student of the AC Talent Development workshops, is preparing for an acting break soon.
The recording artists in GMAAC are riding high. La Diva will soon be launching its album under Sony Music; Moymoy Palaboy is awaiting the release of its Sony Music outing as well, on top of enjoying widespread popularity on YouTube and MTV. JayAnn Bautista is now recording an album under Indigo Music; Gerald Santos will be releasing his repackaged album soon. Singer-actor Harry Santos plays the role of Jose Rizal in the theatrical production of Panaghoy ni Pepe.
GMAAC also boasts the best comedy talents in its stable. Startalk's Chariz Solomon and Jan Manual continue to charm everyone in their “Struck Attack” portion; Pekto is effective in Dayoff and Joey's Quirky World; Belly Flores is also in this show with Joey de Leon; Patani is in the wacky Fulhaus with Vic Sotto and Pia Guanio.
The good-looking chefs are at it, too: Niño Logarta hosts Daddylicious, and Rosebud Benitez's Quickfire remains to be a favorite among mothers.
Regine Tolentino continues to share hosting chores with Drew Arellano and Eagle in Unang Hirit; Fashionistas by Heart on QTV is hosted by Schinina Juban and the beautiful and young QTV hosts are Stephanie Henares, Issa Litton, Hilary Isaac and Ysa Villar. Source: Manila Standard Today |
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