Maging Sino Ka Man premieres on ABS-CBN tonight

Author: Isah V. Red
Column: Life & Entertainment

Tonight is the night for the millions of fans of John Lloyd Cruz across the archipelago and overseas as their “idol” stars in the much-awaited series on Philippine television. Maging Sino Ka Man premieres tonight on the Kapamilya network, after the finale of Bituing Walang Ningning.

The young star who made his mark on television as Rovic, a brooding teenaged boy in the afternoon series Tabing Ilog, has grown to be one of the finest performers on both the small and big screens. Paired with Bea Alonzo, Lloyd (as his fellow actors call him) becomes everyone’s dreamboat.

Ironically, the actor is not even a hunk in the mold of Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, or Jericho Rosales. Yet, he affects millions of soap opera fans in some inexplicable ways. In fact, It Might Be You, the show that launched him and Bea as a love team, was one of ABS-CBN’s highest-rating series. The same show has Star Cinema casting the pair in its projects, among which were the hits My First Romance (2003), Now That I Have You (2004) and two of the highest-grossing movies so far this year—Close To You and All About Love.

John Lloyd and Bea were last seen together on primetime TV last year, sharing the screens with Diether Ocampo and Claudine Barretto in last year’s Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin.

Now, ABS-CBN has finally given John Lloyd a platform for ultimate stardom with Maging Sino Ka Man.

In the new series, John Lloyd plays the role of Eli Davide, a poor but definitely hardworking and persevering guy. He also believes that love can surpass every challenge that may come his way, in spite of and despite his lacking in material possessions.

Bea Alonzo is Jackie Madrigal, who is at the other end of the economic pole, miles away from that of Eli’s. Her family is wealthy but doesn’t give much importance to their social status. However, despite her material wealth, Jackie is emotionally challenged, and is battling her own demons.

Maging Sino Ka Man is a throwback to the days when soap operas are not about special visual effects, back when the stars are not creatures created by computers or animatronics, but actors who can make people laugh and cry with them as they become part of their nightly struggles for happiness.

I’ve seen some of John Lloyd’s works, and he is pretty much an effective performer. I like him particularly in Dubai in which he steals the thunder (with my apologies to Ethel Ramos) from Aga Muhlach who, however, won an award for his rather predictable turn in that overseas worker drama.

Maging Sino Ka Man also stars Anne Curtis as Celine Magsaysay. And straight from his successful turn as a big-screen star in You Are The One, Pinoy Big Brother Season 1 alumnus Sam Milby as JC Berenguer, who is close to the matriarchal Doña Corazon, la viuda de Berenguer. JC can have anything a man could wish for, except freedom.

Christopher de Leon has joined the Kapamilya roster of stars as he plays Fidel Madrigal, father of Jackie. Despite a very successful life, Fidel is still trying to find true happiness. He is willing to risk everything if only to find the peace and happiness he has been longing to have for years.

Chin-Chin Gutierrez is Corazon vda. de Berenguer, heiress to the Berenguer fortune. She tightly guards her secrets of the past.

The all-star cast also features Bing Pimentel and Smokey Manaloto in his first straight-drama outing.

Yet, it is John Lloyd’s fans who are excited about the new series, because finally their idol is a star.

Will ABS-CBN finally take the primetime back from GMA-7?

Data from surveys prior to typhoon Milenyo have been very encouraging for ABS-CBN. The network had been the industry leader for 16 years until two years ago when the ratings of GMA-7 in Mega Manila dislodged it from the top spot.

Lately, however, the gap in ratings between the two has been narrowing down, with ABS-CBN seemingly catching up, particularly on the primetime block. While GMA-7 is not about to concede, there is that big possibility that the Kapamilya network may soon be back on track and could proudly claim the no.1 spot.

That idea isn’t far-fetched, especially when a network claiming to be no. 1 starts looking like the no.2 network.

And how?

A brief review of the shows on GMA-7 gives one the feeling of watching ABS-CBN Channel 2 half a decade ago. And I’m talking about the personalities involved in the shows, namely Richard Gomez, Joey Marquez, Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin, Patrick Garcia, Jean Garcia, Gardo Versoza, Ariel Rivera, Carmina Villaroel, Lorna Tolentino, Julia Clarete, Desiree del Valle, among others. And the most recent migrant to Kapuso from Kapamilya is comedian John “Sweet” Lapus!

We got wind also about Jericho Rosales’ impending transfer to the Kapuso network, although there’s no confirmation yet. Meanwhile, Robin Padilla who once lorded the primetime block on ABS-CBN with the hit series Basta’t Kasama Kita with Judy Ann Santos, is now a certified Kapuso as he stars in GMA Films and Viva Entertainment’s Till I Met You, after which he joins Angel Locsin in a new series that will be shot across Southeast Asia.

ABS-CBN remains unfazed by these developments among renegade Kapamilya stars, maintaining it has enough in its stable to keep the cameras rolling for the next decades.

P168m for GMA-7’s transmission upgrade

In its continuous efforts to gain market leadership in the regions, GMA Network will spend more than P168 million for the upgrade of its transmitters and other facilities in various key areas in the provinces.

The transmitter facilities to be upgraded include those that service Baguio, Dagupan City, sLa Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Lipa, Northern Mindoro, Naga, Central Camarines Sur, General Santos, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur. A new one will be put to enhance coverage of Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental. Coverage realignment in Bukidnon will also be included.

These upgrades include new transmitting equipment, from transmitters to antenna systems and building/tower rehabilitation/construction. The facility comes complete with the essential support equipment for quality, reliable and continuous broadcast operation.

GMA Network expects completion of the said projects within the year.

(We welcome comments, suggestions, or questions. Send e-mail to glshowbiz@manilastandardtoday.com or txt +63917-8078527.)

Source: Manila Standard Today

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