Mad rush

Author: Edgar Cruz
Column: BuzzStation

Now it can be told! With the entry of myTV, Tony Boy Cojuangco beat Manny Pangilinan in the mad rush to come up with mobile television.

Offered by MediaQuest Holdings subsidiary, 360media, in cooperation with Smart, the service is broadcast using the mobile TV platform called Digital Video Broadcasting, Handheld or DVB-H. For a monthly fee of P488, Smart subscribers with mobile TV-capable handsets can enjoy myTVs range of high-rating TV channels including CNN, MTV Philippines, Cartoon Network, National Geographic Channel, Pinoy Box Office, The History Channel, Solar Sports, Basketball TV, ETC and Jack TV, the last four on test. myTV will also carry the live broadcast of upcoming PBA season. myTV can be viewed in Mega Manila up to North and South Luzon Expressway, Cebu, Davao, Tagaytay, Batangas and Baguio City. Boracay, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro will soon be covered.

No doubt, this innovation improves the local television industry! The possibilities are mind-boggling. Think of a scenario when myTV becomes standard gadget like what happened to the mobile phone. For sure, ABS-CBN and GMA will want a piece of the action, and thats when the real competition begins. Buzzstation thinks the market is waiting for something like this. Many are missing good shows because of timeslot conflicts with their schedules, and it looks like a device like myTV is what the market has been waiting for all along.

Breaking buzz: myTV is the hottest to-own gadget in the metro!

Is the Doc too late?

It looks like ABS-CBNs game plan is to match GMA shows with even more compelling ones. Whats Up Doc? (Sunday, 9 p.m.), Aga Muhlachs new show with Bayani Agbayani, Roderick Paulate, Precious Lara Quigaman and Nova Villa, matches the time slot of Vic Sottos show on GMA (which is up for a reformat). As a show that targets the family (not children, as some entertainment writers believe), Buzzstation thinks the 9 p.m. is not too late. Although an earlier primetime slot is always better, the current one is sufficient for the time being. Whats important is that Agas new sitcom has finally taken off.

Aga goes bold

With his new starrer A Love Story under Star Cinema, its a double whammy for Aga!

Aga Muhlach confidently exposes his toned body a first in his entertainment career in his new Star Cinema starrer A Love Story. According to director Maryo delos Reyes, a G-string-clad Aga gamely jumped into the pool with Angelica Panganiban in the opening scene and in another scene comes out of the shower room wrapped from the waist with only a white towel. Many who have seen the teasers say that both scenes have the strength of the slim, lean and muscled Brad Pitt appearing naked in the roadie movie Thelma and Louise. And thats not all. Aga has a lot of hot smooching and bed scenes with Maricel Soriano and Angelica, enough to make one think that he had entered another level in his acting career.

Joey Albert sings the Louie Ocampo original song Tell Me as this movies theme song, this time as arranged by Cris Martinez.

Breaking buzz: The guessing game as to who between Maricel and Angelicas character will get Aga is keeping a portion of the metro occupied. Nobody knows except the main stars and the creative people in the production. Direk Maryo confirmed that cast and crew signed a non-disclosure contract with a penalty clause. Even Maricel complained to ABS-CBN executive Malou Santos that she could not answer the questions during her solo presscon because she did not know any better.

During said interview, Santos revealed that Agas next project for Star Cinema will be with Anne Curtis, the working title of which is Waiting for Love.

Praise Carlo and Donna

Carlo Caparas and Donna Villas effort to revive the komiks is a praise-worthy project. The John-and-Yoko couple given to wearing blinders launched the program at the NCCA building in Intramuros with no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in support of it. Even with the plan to release five komiks in color for P10 each, a very attractive proposition, Buzzstation thinks they will fail to create a second wave for a reading material traditionally patronized by the mass market. Why? Potential users are hooked on television and mobile phones, the electronic media that killed the reading habit and local movies! If they are good enough, such reborn komiks will probably end up as collectors items, but clearly not as a mass-based entertainment medium.

Starstruck

Atty. Joji Alonso, who regards photo opportunities as an intrusion to privacy, willingly posed with Hollywood star Ethan Hawk, with a big smile yet. This close encounter happened during the steak dinner for selected guests at the recently concluded Melbourne International Film Festival where Kubrador had its Australian premiere. Although shes not a fan, being a diehard of Brad Pitt, Jude Law and George Clooney, she admires Ethan for his acting in Gattaca where he shows real promise in acting. He pitched a film project to Atty. Joji, which she found interesting. During the filmfest, she also discussed business with potential buyers. With Ethan and Atty. Joji in the photo are lawyers Bon Aguilar, Peachy Selda, Shalie Obinque and Kathy Larios.

It was coming

At Pau Liniments launching in Wowowee, Roxanne Ginoo approached me to ask when was the last day of the wake of Cristy Fermins father. Roxannes one of the people I told of the death of Cristys beloved dad when I learned about it from Vangie Kua. I told her he had been buried. She said she had not been able to do anything as she has a killer schedule. Besides her Monday to Saturday Wowowee show, shes taping for her hit teleserye Natutulog Ba ang Biyos. Roxanne did look under the weather, visibly weak, coughing twice. I told her to take care as such a heavy schedule could affect her health and the show. The decision of ABS-CBN management to ease her out of the show came last Tuesday to allow her to concentrate on the teleserye.

Breaking buzz:Becky Aguilas talents have started to move to ABS-CBN when GMA slapped a ban after Angel Locsins exodus. Valerie Concepcion tried out as Wowowee host last Wednesday.

Josephs star rises

Joseph Bitangcol flashed a smile when I told him he was lucky during Margaritas press conference. Early this year, when his career was going nowhere, I told him that he and girlfriend Sandara Park were pulling each other down. It turned out he was thinking the same thing. It took him several months to act and when he did, it was a decisive action. They decided to break up and as soon as they did, projects started coming in, one of them Margarita. Another is the boy band studs.com. For her part, Sandara has returned to South Korea and decided to stay there for good.

Breaking buzz:Great news! Wendy Valdezs Margarita is ahead of competitor in Metro Manila! Catch this Diether Ocampo and Bruce Quebral starrer on weekdays at 6 p.m.

Shainas not taken Rayver

The birthday bash for Star Magic premium talents for July provided the chance to quiz Rayver Cruz about Shaina Magdayao being John Prats girlfriend. He shrugged, countering the rumor. From their successful shows in the US, Rayver had a great time along with Shaina, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. A UD4 crew, Rayver is overwhelmed by the reception of Filipinos fans and he wishes to see them again very soon. After almost two weeks of work and vacation in US, Rayver is back to attend his commitments here in Manila. Used to be seen as Mythos in Rounin and a regular ASAP 07 cast member, he is shooting Katas ng Saudi movie under Maverick Films. After the success of Regals Happy Hearts, a follow-up movie with Shaina is coming soon. He will be introduced as new Bench endorser.

Be provoked

Buzzstation told you about Men of Provoq and now its studs are ready to take you to the ultimate trip in Cruise: The Provocative Tour on Aug. 10 at the NBC Tent at The Fort. A production of Viva Concerts, this boy band will give a one-hour extravaganza of Las Vegas-style production numbers inspired by the countries in Asia, Africa, America and Europe, ending in a hot post-show party. Directed by Monti Parungao, tickets are priced at P1,000 for non-VIP and P1,500 for VIP, which includes one complimentary drink. For details and ticket inquries, call Viva Concerts (687-6181 loc. 620 or 745).

Star Magics first annual ball

All the stars of Star Magic and their friends and supporters will go down to the Grand Ballroom of the InterContinental Manila tomorrow, Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m., for the annual Star Magic ball to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Its a strictly formal affair, evening gown for the ladies and tuxedo for the men. Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Shorties

Not so fast! Mother Lily Monteverde, in pairing Richard Gutierrez with Maja Salvador, may be preemptive. Maja is an exclusive contract star of Star Cinema, according to talent manager Chit Ramos...Vhong Navarro is the new male endorser of Enervon!...PBB2 second Big Winner Mickey Perz denies that Gee-ann is already his girlfriend!...Heart Evangelista is signing a two-year contract with ABS-CBN and three advertising contracts!...Angeli Pangilinan is meeting with Malou Santos next week to discuss Hearts film projects...She reveals that Jericho Rosales has tons of scripts for evaluation. He is currently taping Pangarap na Bituin...EMI Music has repackaged Jeans debut CR Loose Fit and will be released during the PNB launch...Paul Soriano directed Champagne Morales new music video Sigaw...Abt Ur Luv (Ur Lyf 2) starts airing on its new timeslot today, that is 10 a.m. every Saturday...Slingo as hosted by Joey de Leon is finally airing in ABC every Saturday at 7 p.m....Mother Lily has finally evicted Virgin Cafe...

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Source: The Daily Tribune