She is... Joanna Ampil

Author: Edgar Cruz
Column: BuzzStation

What are Joanna Ampils credentials to justify a Valentines concert?

Aside from being the only Filipina who has tackled such diverse and demanding roles as Kim in Miss Saigon, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables, Mimi in Rent and Maria in West Side Story, she has a French boyfriend who is seven years younger than her! Sssh! Joannas 33 and her boyfriend is 33. And, well, shes brimming with love!

Joannas on a two-week break from West End doing the role of Christmas Eve in the Tony-winning musical comedy Avenue Q. She stages her first Valentine-themed concert entitled Joanna Ampil, I Love... at the Music Museum this Feb. 13 and 14, 8 p.m. With Franco Laurel as special guest, they will sing Iisang Tibok/Awit ng Pag-ibig, a duet from Rama at Sita.

When asked what is unique about Joannas concert, director Carlo Orosa points out, Joanna is the only Filipina world-class act happening on Valentines Day!

Joanna shares, Well, I will be revealing lot of things about myself here, especially the vulnerable side of me. Her repertoire is mainly composed of songs (Broadway, pop, OPM, classics) that have influenced and inspired me to do what Im doing now, and from shows that Ive done in the past, but will be performed in a way that will tell my story and define me as a person on and off stage.

Joannas going back to London right after Joanna Ampil, I Am... She has been based in London since she was 17 when she was recruited to do Miss Saigon.

Tickets at P4,400, P3,300, P2,200 and P1,100 are available at the Music Museum (721-6726) and Ticketworld (891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph).

Toni in Christs Commission Fellowship fundraiser

Toni Gonzaga and the IAxe band have committed to help the Christs Commission Fellowship (CCF) in Cavite to raise funds for the churchs expansion which has been going on for about a year now. Toni will be headlining a musical concert for this cause on Feb. 21, 6 p.m. at the CCF Cavite in Sun City Plaza, Anabu 1, Imus, Cavite. Pastor Nett Gochuico and his wife Bang are in charge of the expansion program of CCF Cavite. Tickets to the show are sold at P300 on a first-come-first-served basis. For ticket inquiries, call Gem (0917-5100218) and Fred (0916-5179918).

Aljur Abrenica is the classy Robin

Starstruck gem Aljur Abrenicas big wish this year is to become a leading man in a soap opera or movie. The 18-year-old Aljur earned the title Ultimate Hunk during his reality TV shot for fame. His unique name is a play on his father Alfonso Jr. Aljur is a pure Pampangan from Angeles. He is currently making waves with half-engkanto role in GMA 7s ongoing fantasy series Luna Mystica. Hes also part of Sunday noons SOP.

Aljur celebrated his first anniversary in showbiz last Jan. 1. Hes a family-centered guy. Ask him why hes in showbiz, and he will say hes doing it for his family. He joined Starstruck and continues to be in showbiz to help his family. Family is also one of the two things that make him proud of himself, the other being his achievements, one of which is being a Starstruck winner. Family serves as his inspiration. Aljur know his priorities, the reason hes focused on his showbiz agenda.

Aljur seems to be destined to hit it big this year. The Kapuso teenage hunks career is projected to start peaking this Year of the Ox, with his impressive performances in recent outings. A multi-talented of GMA Artist Center, he embodies the pose of a dramatic action star like Robin Padilla. But unlike Robins streetsmart macho attitude, Aljur shows a classy image of the silent-type toughie who knows when to throw a punch or shed a tear.

That tough kid stance was revealed during his act on the Dennis Trillo-starrer Zaido where he also performed as an outer space police. He also acted in the Dyesebel series, which, for him, has been the toughest to date. How did he deliver the role as a poor fellow who fell in love and got broken-hearted? He says he did fine through the advice of my directors and practice. I salute my directors like Bb. Joyce Bernal, Don Michael Perez and Dominic Zapata.

MYMP, Side A and Freestyle

with twists

When MYMP performed at the Back 2 Back 2 Back with Side A and Freestyle, front woman Juris Alcantara presented a surprisingly different act. The lady half of the MYMP package sang a Paramore song and belted out a loud rock number seemingly unlikely for someone known for her sweet, mellow touch. At one point, she took off her shoes so she could appropriately jump while singing the rock track. See more twists from the three bands at the repeat of their hugely successful Back 2 Back 2 Back concert on Feb. 15 aptly titled Love 2 Love 2 Love at the same venue, Araneta Coliseum, with Naldy Gonzales as musical director. Tickets are available at all SM Ticketnet outlets, Araneta Coliseum box office, or call 911-5555 or 687-6181 loc. 620 and 745. The show is a Viva Concerts and Events production.

Christine spends birthday with

old folks of Golden Acres

Christine Reyes celebrated her 20th birthday with the old folks of Golden Acres two Mondays ago. Bringing with her sacks of rice, canned goods and other supplies, she spent her time with them. The residents song and stories touched her so much, making her buy the handmade bracelets and necklaces they make to provide them more income. Seeing two old beggars on the road made Christine decide to do that. Its also her way of giving back the blessings she has been reaping. Eva Fonda is wrapping up this coming Friday, leaving her with Banana Split. Shes scheduled to do new shows in ABS-CBN.

Viva Artist Agency headed by Veronique del Rosario, where she is signed up as a contract star, gave her a birthday lunch with selected members of the entertainment media. She denied having anything to do about spreading information about P1.8 million that half-sister Ara Mina purportedly owes her and cannot pay. The rumor resulted in a falling out between the two. Ara accused Christine of leaking to the media that she had borrowed the amount from her and is unable to pay. That was when Ara produced the Ate movie where they both starred.

Buzzstation also found out Christine is loveless right now. Dennis Trillo is out of her life. Before, they would still see each other when they found the time, but now its zilch. But shes not running out of suitors though. An avid one is Pinoy Big Brother joiner Kian Kazemi. He has been sending her flowers. One time he sent her three dozens of white roses while she was videotaping Banana Split, and Christine felt shy about it when Angelica Panganiban snatched the card from her. Jericho Rosales is also being buzzed as having romantic intentions toward her.

Zsa Zsa and Karylle not a package deal

The Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla is now a Polyeast Records artist. Karylle has finished recording a CD with Polyeast Records and is about to release it. Showbiz writers are asking if mother and daughter were taken by the former EMI company as a package deal. Polyeast Records Artist and Repertoire director Chito Ilacad approached Zsa Zsa to do a CD with Polyeast. They set a meeting and agreed in principle, after which she signed.

Belo Beauty 101 second season opens

The second season of Dr. Vicki Belos Belo Beauty 101, the 30-minute beauty and medical tele-magazine program, will air on Studio 23 starting Feb. 7, Sat., 9 to 9:30 a.m. For the second season, Belo Beauty 101 features a reality segment, with three beauty challengers who were flown in from the US for their respective makeovers at Belo. Annaliza Ylag, Cheslie de Guzman and Hiyasmin Noyes were each given a chance to boost their self-confidence by undergoing beauty treatments and cosmetic surgery procedures under the expert hands of Belo doctors. Hosting with Dr. Belo are lawyer Michael Gurfinkel, Gabby Concepcion, John Estrada, Luis Manzano, Richard Gomez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Donita Rose, Nikki Gil, Bea Alonzo, Pokwang, Tintin Bersola, Ara Mina and Billy Crawford.

Source: The Daily Tribune