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Ryan unfazed by competition

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

IT the GMA Artist Center affair with S Magazine where all their talents are featured in a special issue, Aljur Abrenica told us he went to the Department of Justice on Oct. 19 and personally filed his counter affidavit while his lawyer June Ambrosio has submitted the affidavits of seven witnesses to prove that the acts of lasciviousness charge of a 15-year-old girl against him isn't true. His witnesses are Abel Castillo, Alfonso Abrenica, Avin Abrenica,Bez Lacanlale and Hershey de las Alas of the girl band Mocha, and Moymoy Palaboy members James Ronald and Rodfil Macasero. They were with him when Aljur met the girl in Puerto Galera last Holy Week and they testify that Aljur didn't do anything lascivious to the girl. Added evidence were photos of Aljur and friends with the girl who looked like a fan wanting to have her picture taken with Aljur.

"I deny their accusation that I committed acts of lasciviousness and plied her with alcoholic drinks," he says. "These are just blatant fabrications so we're requesting that the case be dismissed for lack of merit. I'm confident my name will be cleared kasi wala naman talagang anumang nangyari sa amin,"

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After Claudine Barretto, is it true the next ABS-CBN talent who's signing up with Viva Entertainment is Angel Locsin?

It's said her manager, Becky Aguila, is the one now negotiating for a project with Viva as Star Cinema promised a new movie for Angel after "Only You" but it didn't materialize. Becky's other talent, Jennylyn Mercado, has also signed up with Viva for a movie project. But Viva now seldom produces a movie solo. It's often co-produced with ABS-CBN, like Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo movies, or with GMA Films, like "Patient X" with CristineReyes, whose career they're also managing. So in all probability, Angel might just star in a movie co-produced by Viva and ABS-Star Cinema. We can't imagine her doing a movie with GMA, even if it's being bruited about that GMA really wants to get her to be paired with Richard in his next Valentine movie since they've proven their box office strength in past Valentine films like "Let the Love Begin" and "I Will Always Love You."

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Is Ryan Agoncillo bothered by similar shows from major networks competing with his top rated "Talentadong Pinoy" on TV 5?

"Personally, I'm just thankful that we hit number one in the Saturday primetime ratings," he says. "When we started 'Talentadong Pinoy,' our goal was to achieve double digit ratings and we're glad we did that. Ayaw naming maki-level sa top networks. We just want to put up a good show that Pinoy viewers can appreciate. I worked with GMA before and they have a new offer that I can't reveal yet kung ano. I'm now still with ABS in'George and Cecil' and it boils down to the fact that everything is just business. If it's good business for them na gayahin ang format namin, then okay lang. Ganun talaga, competition is the name of the game and it's a free market, so they can do what they want to do. Kami naman, we'll just consider it a challenge. Hindi kami nakikipag-away kahit kanino. I'm proud of what we have done sa TV 5 and we'll just try to further improve our show that alreadyhas a spin off, 'Kuwentong Talentado' on Mondays at 8 p.m. Both shows are evolving and we'll try to introduce more innovations to make them more attractive to viewers, like nationwide na kami as we conduct auditions in the provinces. Meron na ring taga-abroad who send their video and audition tapes sa email or Facebook and someone even composed a song for the show."

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Raymond Gutierrez is leaving on November 4 for the "Starstruck" auditions to be held in the US. "I'll be gone for 10 days," he says. "I'll first go to Los Angeles for the auditions on November 5 and 6, then New Jersey for auditions on November 7 and 8, then New York for November 9 and 10. Naiinggit nga ang co-hosts kong sina Dingdong Dantes and Carla Abellana dahil they can't join the auditions abroad as they can't leave their soaps here.There'll also be auditions in Singapore on October 30 and 31, Tokyo and Bahrain on November 3 and 4, Dubai on November 5 and Abu Dhabi on November 6. Pero hindi na ko pupunta roon."

"I've seen those who have applied here so far and it's very encouraging dahil maganda ang turnout in terms of looks and talent. Maraming pagpipilian."

His brothers Elvis and Rocky are with Richard in "Patient X." Isn't he envious?

naunang makasama ni Richard kasi we did many movies as kids. If ever I'd do one now with him, I want it to be a horror film also. But bilib ako kina Elvis and Rocky, super bagay sa kanila ang transformation as aswangs in terms of prosthetics at pati sa movements nila. I was totally impressed."

Their mom Annabelle Rama will celebrate her birthday on October 31. What's his gift for her?

"Every year, I get stressed as I don't know what to give her anymore. She already has like a museum of bags so I'd rather not give her any material thing anymore. There's a plan for our whole family to go out of town for the new year, baka dun na lang ako mag-contribute."

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People think Richard Gutierrez is the favorite son of Annabelle Rama, he being the most popular actor in their family now, but someone says Annabelle's favorite is actually Elvis. And even Richard knows this. In "Patient X," Elvis plays villain to RIchard. As the leader of the creatures who want to rescue his wife Cristine Reyes who is held captive by Richard in a hospital, Elvis gives a very menacing portrayal. The climax of the movie features the finalshowdown between Richard and his Kuya Elvis and this early, it's predicted that Annabelle will side with Elvis.

"Excited na rin akong mapanood yun," says Annabelle. "Niyayaya nga ako ni Annette Abrogar-Gozon ng GMA Films to watch it sa preview room, pero ayoko nga manood sa small screen. Gusto ko, sa big screen, kasama lahat ng regular viewers so I can hear their screams in the movie's scariest parts. As for who I will cheer for between Elvis and Richard, I won't take sides. Pareho ko silang anak, pareho ko silang mahal. Basta ang gusto ko, maging blockbustersa takilya ang 'Patient X'."

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Allan K. says he'll miss hosting "All Star K!" "Seven years din kami run ni Jaya," he says. "It's still rating high but you know GMA, they change a show before viewers get tired of it. I'm glad kami pa rin ni Jaya ang hosts sa new show, 'Bandaoke! Rock 'n Roll to Millions,' that will start na this Sunday and introduces a new level of fun and interactive singing. It still follows the same process used in karaoke, kaya lang maylive band accompaniment na.

"Nag-audition kami ng new faces for the band from various schools like UP, UST, La Salle at ang nakuha, sina Ron Mercado, Ian Inigo, Tim Malillin, Michael Gemino, at isasama sila sa winners ng 'Are You the Next Big Star?' na sina Geoff Taylor and Frencheska Farr, plus Jay Perillo na band member talaga. They will provide the live music and youthful energy needed to play the game. Puro bata ang kasama namin kaya feeling bagets din ako. There will be two teams of three members each and a bandaoke coach assigned to them. The two coaches will first have to answer a music related question para malaman who'll sing first. The team with the right answer can either play or pass. At the end of each song, the player with the most number of correct answer wins, and there'll be three rounds. Mas exciting talaga kaysa sa 'All Star K' and I'm sure marami agad manonood nito. The prize for the jackpot round is P1 million."

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An exciting action-packed animated sci-fi adventure, "Battle for Terra" is great entertainment especially if you'd watch it on 3-D.

Terra is a beautiful planet that the last survivors of the human race, traveling in an old spaceship after destroying their own environment, want to invade as they need a new home. The Terrans are tadpole-looking creatures who float and respect nature. They love peace so they want to avoid war with the humans who plan to attack them.

Mala (voice by Evan Rachel Wood) is an adventurous Terran girl who captures an American pilot, Jim Stanton (Luke Wilson), while he's on a mission to their planet. An unexpected and beautiful friendship develops between them. The main villain is Gen. Hemmer (Brian Cox), who wants to kill Terra's inhabitants with a weapon that will make Terra's environment livable only for humans.

Other characters include the American president (Danny Glover), Stewart (Chris Evans), Jim's warrior brother; Mala's father who is taken hostage by Hemmer (Dennis Quaid), Giddy (David Cross), Jim's sidekick robot; and Senn (Justin Long), Mala's best friend.

This is an indie production and does not come from more established animation companies like Pixar or Disney, but director Aristomenis Tsirbas succeed in making it stand well with the best in this genre of computer-generated films. He comes up with a film that has stunning visual flair and a memorable experience that will cater to viewers of all ages.

It's very entertaining but also carries very relevant environmental and anti-war messages expertly woven into its well-written storyline. This time, it's the humans who have become the villainous intruders after they decimated their own planet Earth due to neglect, which was also what happened in "Wall-E." The spectacular battle in the climax is breathtakingly staged and beautifully executed. Another asset is the fact that all the human actors deliver great voice acting in their various animated roles.

Source: Malaya