Mar and Korina: Will it be the wedding of the year?

Author: Isah V. Red
Column: Life & Entertainment

Senator Mar Roxas and TV personality Korina Sanchez are engaged and it could be all because the former is dead set on running for the top elective position in 2010.

The two even made it public with, of all people, Willie Revillame in his program Wowowee! last Saturday. The announcement was not unexpected as everyone, including the fish vendor in Balintawak market knows. Judy Araneta Roxas, Mar’s mom, is simply keeping a non-committal stance saying, “They’re old enough to know what they’re doing.”

Keen political observers are wont to say it is all part of Roxas’ grand design to keep his ranking in surveys moving up as the elections draw near. And Korina might as well be a willing victim in this scheme of things.

Yet, it was Korina who seemed thrilled about the engagement, especially after the still-single senator declared on national television how much he loves the still-single Kapamilya’s popular radio-TV personality.

Whatever it is behind this sudden bethrothal on television had everyone’s eyebrows raised even after Wowowee! had faded out of the screens. Now, tongues continue wagging, with the motive behind the engagement, apart from the obvious, remain undecipherable like a half-finished puzzle.

Someone sneered, “Why didn’t Mar marry her before he ran for the Senate? Why now? Is it because Korina might provide his candidacy sheen to make voters decide on his favor?”

National ratings of Wowowee! climbed up considerably, which proved audience’s interest on the ongoing saga between Mar and Korina is still high.

When will Mar take Korina to the church? That’s what Willie Revillame failed to ask the couple, even if Mar looked like he really did a good acting job that time, with his eyes moist in emotion (wow, I can’t believe this guy can be emotional) and Korina suddenly behaving like a debutante hearing for the first time those words from her beloved.

Indeed, when, Mar?

But, if there is indeed a wedding that would happen after the engagement, then it must be a grand one. After all, both Mar and Korina have waited this long to be united in marriage, and it should not be less than what many are anticipating.

What if Mar fails to become the opposition’s standard bearer in 2010? Will the engagement remain just that? Or will there still be a wedding to talk about?

Well, as Judy says, “They’re two old people who know what they’re doing.”

Another take on a komiks classic

Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo’s Nasaan Ka Maruja? is ABS-CBN’s newest series every Saturday afternoon starting May 2.

This is the third Maruja reincarnation after the first big-screen translation from the graphic novel (or what is known here as nobela sa komiks) by Mars Ravelo starring Susan Roces and Romeo Vasquez in the ’60s. Lino Brocka did a tribute of sorts to Ravelo’s most popular romantic novel with Gumising Ka, Maruja! and resurrected Maruja in the dreams of a character played by Susan Roces again.

Viva Films did another version of Maruja with then couple Carmina Villaroel and Rustom Padilla, years before he decided to live a different life in a different set of clothings. It was both a box-office and critical failure. Could be one reason Rustom started thinking of playing Maruja himself.

While this version is not exactly the same as what we’ve seen in the ’60s, I’m glad that ABS-CBN cast someone who is possibly the most beautiful face in the entertainment industry today, Kristine Hermosa. I can’t think of anyone who will be worthy to play the role, even if it’s only on television.

The series also stars Karylle in her first major project in her preferred network. According to network executives, this will be her official launch pad to more challenging projects in the future.

In this version, Maruja is once more a reincarnation in the person of Cristy (Kristine Hermosa) and she begins to have an idea of what she was in the past through dreams. Her only clue is the name Gabriel. As the story progresses, the faceless man in her dreams becomes a reality.

Derek Ramsay, John Estrada, Kitkat, Enchong Dee, Bing Pimentel and Gloria Romero also play important roles in the series.

Novels to TV series

The phenomenal Filipino pocketbook romances that made teenagers and adults alike daydreaming will be on television as a TV series.

Starting in May, ABS-CBN will serialize the pocketbooks under the title Precious Hearts Romances Presents.

The first among a bunch of pocketbook series to be serialized is Bud Brothers, written by Rose Tan.

The Bud Brothers Series revolves around the college fraternity brothers who put” up their business, the Bud Brothers Flower Farm, and the quirky yet gorgeous women these men will fall for.

Romance readers can expect the same flavor of fun and romance they’ve read in the pocketbooks to be translated on screen, as well as new and exciting elements such as the new love teams never before seen on TV.

Heading the love teams are sweet and sexy couple Cristine Reyes and Jake Cuenca, the PHR pairs to look forward to include Rafael Rosell and Marielle Rodriguez, Will Devaughn and Valerie Concepcion, Joem Bascon and Wendy Valdez, Ahron Villena and Maricar Reyes (famed for her role as ‘Candy’, the leukemia patient and ex-girlfriend of Armando Solis in I Love Betty La Fea), Pinoy Fear Factor participantes Manuel Chua (“Supermanuel” to his PFF followers) and Janna Dominguez, new hunk-singer Guji Lorenzana and Roxanne Guinoo, and John Prats and Denise Laurel. Plus, a surprise pair to look forward to at the end of the series!

Lovi ‘s new song and new music video

Sony-BMG Recording Artist Lovi recently scored a hit song with her new single “Dito Sa Puso,” culled from her new album, Bloom.

The music video of the new song, directed by Paul Soriano, features Lovi with leading man, Victor Aliwalas.

“It’s a beautiful music video because it’s a love story with scenic spots, set in the 1950s”, says the young multi-media star. “And I had a great time shooting the video with my leading man, Victor,” she adds. “He’s very nice and is a true gentleman,” confesses Lovi when asked about the Filipino New Yorker model-turned-actor.

Lovi is very happy that her new song is climbing up the radio charts. In fact, the song has reached no.1 on 97.1 LS FM.

The song was also the theme song of GMA’s Korean telenovela, Wanted: Perfect Family.

Lovi is currently doing the rounds to promote her album, Bloom.

On May 16, Lovi goes to Robinson’s Angeles in Pampanga and on May 17, she is off to Robinson’s Novaliches. All shows at Robinson’s start at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, Lovi is busy with out-of-town shows. Tomorrow, Lovi will be in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. On May 1, Lovi goes to Plaridel, Bulacan with acoustic artist Chris Cayzer. On May 2, Lovi will be in Bataan, and on May 3, Lovi will be in Pulong, Sta. Cruz in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Lovi will also stage a concert in Lucena City on May 30 with Jan Nieto and Chris Cayzer. Meanwhile, Lovi’s leading man, Victor Aliwalas, has just completed an indie film entitled Tutok with Boots Anson Roa, Emilio Garcia, Ian de Leon, Andrea del Rosario and Allen Dizon. He is set to start a new show for GMA-7 very soon.

On the other hand, Lovi’s current soap, Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang, ends its run on May 2.

When asked about the controversial love triangle between Lovi, Prince Stefan and Jolo Revilla, Lovi just shrugs off with a no comment.

Santimo kicks off seamless under garment fashion

Starquest Productions and Entertainment featured the latest intimate apparel of Santimo through a fashion event dubbed as Santimo Fashion Show last April 25, 8 p.m. at World Trade Center, Pasay City.

The event was staged by Gilbert B. Dickenson under the Red Management Solutions Co.

The set of new faces included Aizets Tanyag, Bernice Tan, Tina Wells, Avy Mcgee, Patricia Feliciano, Keina Fawaz, Zara Tolentino, Hannah Nuqui, Sarah Marie Galaroza, Jem Padolina, Manie Lyniell Rueda, Janna Habel, Mich Dantes, Clarisse Bueno, Purcell Policarpio, and Katrina Arceta.

Donning the intimate apparel for men were Benedict Sangalang, Aldreg, Alvarez, Carlo Algarne, Gerald Tria, Neil Dominique Soliman, Mico Tolentino, Alvin Alabaso, Ruel Sajol, Noel Armenta, Jhay Fuentes, Mico De Guzman, Brian Peredo, Mel Tan, Vino Roque and Lemuel.

Source: Manila Standard Today

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