Regine's 'misbehavior' that worked well

Column: Freehand
Author: Mario E. Bautista

REGINE Velasquez has a new show, "Songbird", part of the deal/contract she got from GMA-7 after she threatened to move to ABS-CBN. The presscon was held at Melo's, right in front of the ABS gate on Bohol Ave. Will she still think of moving to ABS after her contract expires?

"No, na-krung krung lang ako ng konti noon," she says. "Wala na ngayon. Naisip ko nga, they even allowed me then to do 'Maalaala' sa ABS and the movie with Piolo which they even promoted sa GMA kahit produced 'yun ng kabila. Naging mabait naman sa akin ang GMA, bakit pa ako lilipat?"

But obviously, her "krung krung" act worked well for her as, aside from SOP" and "Songbird", she now also stars in the local adaptation of "Kim Sam Soon" that she has started taping.

"I'm really thankful to GMA for giving me 'Songbird' kasi matagal ko nang dream itong ganitong musical show," she adds. "Matagal nang walang ganito, di ba? Noong araw, may 'Sharon', may 'Vilma', may 'Manilyn' pa nga. Ngayon lang nagkaroon uli. Nang mapanood ko nga ang first episodes that we taped, napaiyak ako kasi ang ganda ng set, high tech at world class, ang ganda ng lahat. Wow, may budget ang show. Pinagkaabalahan. Hindi napunta lahat sa talent fee ko. This is not a musical variety show, huh. Musical lang talaga featuring beautiful songs dahil late night ito, hindi 'yung may nagpapalahaw ako. "

So she won't have her usual "birit" style? "Meron pa rin kasi tumawag na nga sa akin si Mariah Carey. Hindi raw puwedeng wala siya. Pero sabi ko, friend, sa next season ka na. Actually, maraming puwedeng gawin dito kasi may theme ang bawat episode kaya excited ako. We can feature songs of singers like Celine Dion and Madonna, or composers like George Canseco, Ryan Cayabyab, Rey Valera, Barry Manilow o isang Ogie Alcasid, or even Broadway songs. Each episode, I will feature one song na hindi kilala ng tao at ako lang ang nakakaalam, pero maganda, so abangan nyo 'yun. So magko-concert na every week on TV and everyone can watch it, for free!"

"Songbird" starts airing this Thursday night, May 15, 11 p. m. , replacing "ESP".

CESAR'S MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECT FOR ABS-CBN

HOSTING "The Singing Bee" is Cesar Montano's most successful project with ABS-CBN so far as it rates higher than his stints in "Mano-Mano" and "Palos" before. It rates even higher now than teleseryes like "Lobo" and "Maligno. " How is it hosting the show?

"Very challenging," he says. "Kung titingnan mo parang easy, pero sa totoo lang, mahirap siya. Kailangan mong paglaanan ng panahon. I watched all these episodes from the US version. Pinag-aaralan ko talaga para mabilis ang pag-adapt ko at pagmemorya ko sa anything na makukuha ko. "

What's easy and what's not? "Mahirap 'yung mechanics. Like in every episode, you have to deal with different kinds of people. Masaya naman dahil musical siya. Very lively. Most of the songs na ginagamit, paborito mo, alam mo. Parang ibabalik ka down memory lane. Maaalala mo 'yung ginawa mo nung time ng song na 'yun, 'yung naramdaman mo. Kung naging malungkot ka ba nun o masaya ka. Hindi ka dito basta-basta kumakanta sa minus one, eh. Live band ito, may magaga-ling pang singers. With the Honey Bees and the dancers, iba 'yung dating eh! Kaya tuwang-tuwa ako. I feel so blessed that I was assigned this job. Kaya kailangan kong pagbutihan para I'd be able to please my executive producer, our staff and the crew. I know Mel Villena, the musical director, and the band members are doing their job well. Sana mapantayan ko man lang sila up to the level that they are giving. Kaya hands-on talaga ko every taping and I'm so excited na mag-report sa set. "

After "Mano-Mano," what new demands did he encounter in "Singing Bee"?

"Mano Mano has a very special place in my heart, kasi sports 'yan. Ever since, I love boxing talaga. I would even go out of my way para lang makapanood ng boxing. Kaya nung nagkaroon ako ng chance to host a boxing show, talagang tuwang-tuwa ako. But "The Singing Bee" is a different thing dahil ito puro kantahan. Meron akong chance na kumanta, kahit paano, kahit konti. Kung mas mahaba pa nga 'yung show, mas masisiyahan ang audience. "

Don't miss "The Singing Bee", weeknights after "TV Patrol. "
YASMIEN EXCITED ABOUT KISSING SCENE WITH JC

THE fans of Yasmien Kurdi's love team with JC de Vera are wondering when they'll have a romantic scene in "Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita. " "Kasi nagka-love scene na kami ni JC in 'Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso' and 'Pasan Ko ang Daigdig' and they tell me malakas daw ang kilig factor namin, so inaabangan nila ngayon ang romantic scene namin sa 'Babangon'," says Yasmien. "I told them na maski ako, naiinip na. Kahit nga kissing scene wala pa. Every taping namin, akala ko, kukunan na 'yung kissing scene, pero hindi pa pala. So I tell our fans to just wait na lang kasi dine-develop pang mabuti ang story. Tinuturuan muna ako ni JC rito humawak at magpa-putok ng baril to get ready sa paghihiganti ko. "

Yasmien, who used to be illiterate as Salve in "Babangon," now knows how to read and write. She gained more self-confidence and can now carry a conversation even with people in high society. Evita (Dina Bonnevie) and Derek (JC) are very happy with her transformation. Evita even taught her how to dress properly and how to behave in public.

Meantime, Verna (Glydel Mercado), Evita's arch enemy, learns that Derek connives with the governor to protect Evita's business interests. She orders that Derek be killed, without knowing that Derek is only an adopted son of Evita and that Derek is actually her long lost son. As for Alfred (Marvin Agustin), someone who knows his past blackmails him. A girl he has impregnated, Beverly, also stalks him. The girl gets killed and Marvin is implicated. But actually, it's Via (Angelika de la Cruz) who orders this as she has her own ulterior motives and ambitions.
NEW SKIN DOCTOR TO THE STAR

OUR friend Shirley Pizarro used to handle the PR of Dr. Manny Calayan. Dr. Kellyn Sy used to be with Dr. Vicki Belo's Flawless formulating best- selling dermatologic preparations there. Now, Shirley is taking care of Dr. Sy's own face and body clinic, Simply Perfect, that had a grand opening at the 5th floor of SM City North Edsa's The Block. The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by Katrina Halili and Dennis Trillo (who came in full "Magdusa Ka" mode to help promote their new soap), Alessandra de Rossi, Stef Prescott and Cheska Garcia. Ronnie Liang gave a song number and the personnel of Simply Perfect did a rousing dance number led by Dr. Sy herself and her partner, Dr. Vincent Ong. So what's the difference of Simply Perfect from other derma centers?

"We'll operate only in malls para mas accessible sa public," says Dr. Sy. "We also offer a wide variety of products and services not normally found in other skin clinics. We'll introduce the most advanced laser, radiofrequency, skin-tanning, anti-aging and body contouring machines recently introduced in international markets for more advanced treatments and procedures, all at affordable prices. We will have private cubicles for treatment but we'll also have family treatment rooms designed to provide the ambiance of clients being treated right at the comfort of their own homes. For our opening month, we offer Buy One Take One promo for all types of facials, diamond and chemical peel, waxing, and body scrubs with masks, plus 20% discount on mesotherapy and electrocautery services, and 10% discount on Botox, stem cell therapy and IPL. "We also give discounts to glutathione, placenta and fountain of youth treatments. We also sell exclusive products like melasma vanisher, skin rejuvenator, pimple eraser, acne zapper, hair grower, whitening cream and snow pills. Try Simply Perfect now for our quality and personalized patient care. "

NO RIVALRY FOR THE 80S HITMAKERS

FOR the 'Greatest Hits of the 80s' concert at the Music Music this Friday and Saturday, Randy Santiago, Raymond Lauchengco, Gino Padilla and Louie Heredia join forces to relive that glorious era in the local music scene. Are they out to surpass the success of Rico Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuñiga and Rey Valera?

"70s sila at 80s kami so we come from different periods and they have different hit songs," says Randy. "There's no rivalry between us dahil parehong may market ang songs from those two decades. "

Among them, Randy is the one who remains active, not only because of his Ratsky Bars but he continues to be seen on TV and he also directs sitcoms like the forthcoming "Parekoy" starring John Prats and Zanjoe Marudo. But Gino and Raymond have recently released new albums. Gino's album, "Hands on Time", was even produced by no less than Sharon Cuneta herself, while Raymond released "Full Circle" from Viva that's a tribute to the 80s and to his baby daughter, Natalie.

"When my wife and I got married, our plan is to enjoy each other's company first for some years, " says Raymond. "When she got pregnant, it wasn't part of the plan and my reaction was just to sit there for six hours thinking about it. I realized when our baby came that she's a gift from the Lord and that whatever problems you may have, they all disappear when you hold your baby, kaya mas ganado ako to perform now. "

For tickets to "Greatest Hits of the 80s," call Ticketworld, 891-9999.

Source: People's Journal