Kristine Hermosa: The only star who can play Maruja

Author: Isah V. Red
Column: Life & Entertainment

For those who have read the serial Maruja in Pilipino Komiks a long time ago, will agree with me that, after Susan Roces, no other star can play the role and give it the same essence as Roces at the height of her youth.

Now, with ABS-CBN's attempt to bring the Ravelo romantic classic on the small screen, there have been speculations as who among the Kapamilya female stars can fit into the shoes that Roces wore back in the '60s.

They couldn't have made a better decision than to cast one of screen's prettiest, if not the prettiest, stars.

Kristine Hermosa's career has been coasting in the past couple of years in choppy waters. With the network's take on Maruja, she might find herself rowing in calmer waters.

"I am very grateful that the role had been assigned to me," Kristine, during a brief chat after the presscon, told us. "And with my marriage to Diether now officially declared null and void, my life can go on and I can focus on my career."

Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo's Nasaan ka Maruja?, is a new series that has been given a horror twist pilots this Saturday afternoon.

"I feel that Kristine is perfect for the role. Classic din kasi ang beauty niya." Jerome Pobocan said, one of the directors of the said series.

"Matagal na rin akong walang series, kaya naman nung nalaman ko na magiging part ako ng Maruja, sobrang excited na ako agad mag-taping," Kristine enthused.

Kristine will play the role of Cristy, a lady who has vivid dreams that she cannot explain. As the story progresses, clues and hints lead to the unraveling of the mysterious dreams.

This is Kristine's project that will mark her return to active duty as an actor. "Magaling pa rin talaga si Kristine. Her portrayal of the character has a sense of truth to it," Pobocan says.

Karylle's first major series as Kapamilya

After guest appearances in a variety of shows, Karylle's first major project on ABS-CBN is the remake of the Mars Ravelo classic, Maruja.

"When I was told that I'll be part of Maruja, sobrang saya syempre. Panibagong challenge na naman ito for me," Karylle said during the press conference.

Karylle will breathe life to the character of Helen, Cristy's (Kristine Hermosa) cousin. Helen is the person who has been searching for Mr. Right yet hasn't found her match. When she migrated to the US, she finally bumped into the man she thinks is "right" for her. And the conflict begins.

"Karylle's character is quite far from her real personality. Si Helen kasi extrovert at party-goer and Karylle's personality is very much the opposite. But she delivers her portrayal very well," Pobocan explains?

It should be interesting to note that Karylle's name never came up in casting meetings while she was at GMA-7.

What kept GMA-7 from exploiting her talents--musical and acting--in those days when she was there?

The production people won't say. We'll ask Annabelle Rama, maybe she knows something.

Tadyang ends tonight

We were surprised when we heard that Carlo Caparas' Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang is finally bowing out of the screens this week. And tonight is the serial's final episode.

Last week, Heleen successfully kidnapped Proserfina and tricked everyone by posing as Homer's bride at the wedding. Amidst the chaos, Homer lost no time as clues on Proserfina's whereabouts surfaced. He saw an unconscious Proserfina and saved her from suffocation because Heleen had trapped her inside a small concrete structure. The couple escaped but Heleen attacked them again by setting them on fire. But Heleen missed her target and burned. Did this experience push her to realize her wrong doings and finally stop her evil plan of killing Proserfina and Homer?

Meanwhile, Rado (Paolo Contis) is out to chase and destroy the union of Proserfina and Homer after he escapes from prison. Will their love succumb to the wrath of this wicked man who remains obsessed with Proserfina? How will the couple fight to keep their love alive?

Tonight, everyone who followed this unusual love story portrayed on screen by real-life (but unacknowledged) sweethearts Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera will see it will end.

The series had the weakest pilot ratings since the Kapuso network started leading in Mega Manila and Urban Luzon. It would have run longer, but I think the network felt it could do more harm than good to the budding stardom of Marian Rivera and her sizzling love team with Dingdong Dantes. And so they decided to abbreviate the series. If you don't believe me, just watch what they will put in place of it on Monday... another Korean novela, which means the network is not ready to replace it with another local production.

Enpress 6th Golden Screen Awards for movies

Everything's set. Definitely all roads lead to Metro Concert Bar on West Avenue, Quezon City for the 6th Golden Screen Awards for Movies organized yearly by the Entertainment Press Society Inc. tonight at seven.

Enpress assembles the brightest stars who have been nominated in more than 20 categories. Hosting the event are Boy Abunda, Eugene Domingo, Chokoleit, and BB Gandanghari. Performers include Gabby Concepcion, Luke Mejares, among others.

Major presenter is Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corp., the developer of respectable establishments and subdivisions all over the Philippines--GA Towers, GA Sky Suites, Chateau Valenzuela, Xevera Subdivision both in Bacolor and Mabalacat, Pampanga, St. Monique Valais (the popular design of Bahay Ni Kuya of Pinoy Big Brother) etc.

Jobert Sucaldito produces the Enpress 6th Golden Screen Awards for Front Desk Entertainment Production.

Star-studded Century Tuna Superbods 2009

Tinsel town's hottest celebrities are set to ignite the party in scenic Boracay as they grace summer's most anticipated search, the Century Tuna Superbods 2009: Bods and Brains Challenge, on May 2 at the Pearl of the Pacific and Plazoleta.

To be hosted by TV personalities Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez and Reema Chanco, together with top model Joey Mead, the event promises to heat up Boracay as top personalities from showbiz, fashion, modeling, and media add sizzle to the summer season as the country's leading canned tuna brand picks its next male and female Superbods who possess not only healthy bodies but healthy minds as well.

Ready to get temperatures rising in Boracay are hunky siblings Bernard and Mico Palanca, Century Tuna Superbods 2006 male winner and Coverboy Jon Avila, fellow Coverboys Victor Basa and Joem Bascon, and TV personality JM Rodriguez.

Also bringing sexy back in Boracay for the hottest bods and brains competition are model and TV host Phoemela Baranda, Century Tuna image model Isabelle Diaz-Daza, and Century Tuna Superbods 2007 winners Ram Sagad and Patty Ortega.

The Century Tuna Superbods 2009: Bods and Brains Challenge features an exciting lineup of activities for guest celebrities and beach bums alike. The event will kick-off with the Superbods Challenge where the 20 finalists will compete in five larger-than-life obstacle courses of puzzles and challenges that will start off at the Plazoleta and will send them off on a race all over Boracay.

After the exhilarating games, the finalists will show off their gorgeous bods and intelligence before the panel of judges and guests in the Century Tuna Superbods 2009: Bods and Brains Challenge Finals Night to be held at the Pearl of the Pacific.

This year's male finalists are Van Victor Leano, Terrence Lloyd, Rex Flores, David Nagtalon, Joseph Kidwell, Mychal Nubla, Ervic Vijandre, Laxie Villar, Martin Richard, and Rey Talosig. Vying for the title of female Superbods 2009 are Theresa Fenger, Kristina Gonido, Karen McVie, Patricia Ejercitado, Halley Chiappiazzi, Kate Bautista, Cherry Ann Kubota, Bianca Paz, Abbey Cruz, and Khai Lim.

Besides choosing this year's male and female Superbods, Century Tuna is all geared up to give Bora habitués one unforgettable summer with exciting treats, freebies and hot parties.

The Century Tuna Superbods 2009: Bods and Brains Challenge is made possible by Pearl of the Pacific, YKL fujifilm, ETC, C2, A&F magazine, E-games, and Havaianas.

Source: Manila Standard Today