TV5 loves Lucy

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

IS IT true that Sunshine Dizon is annoyed that Katrina Halili is added into the cast of GMA Films horror flick, "Sundo," to be directed by Topel Lee? She was earlier made to understand that shes the lone leading lady. But now, Katrina is sharing topbilling with her.

"Walang magagawa," says someone connected with the film. "Si Robin Padilla mismo na leading man ang nag-request for Katrina to play one of the female roles in Sundo. Mas malaki pa rin naman ang role ni Sunshine, so she shouldnt worry. Bale special participation lang si Katrina rito."

With Katrina in "Sundo," is it true Robin hoping is they will have a love scene? "Kailangang pag-aralan ko munang mabuti ang story at role ko," hes quoted saying. "Lalot kasinggandat kasing-sexyni Katrina ang makakasama ko."

Looks like hes got the hots for Katrina, whos really hot these days, what with her also starring in GMA-7s new Thursday night drama show, "Obra."

"Hindi naman love story ang Sundo kundihorror film," says our source. "Kapag nagkaroon ng love scene, hindi na Sundo ang dapat na title dun kundi Sundot."

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Going back to Katrina, she feels so honored that GMA-7 got her to be the star of the pilot month of "Obra." "SObrang nagpapasalamat ako sa tiwala nila sa kakayahan ko," she says. "I promise to do my best in each of the four episodes assigned to me para mapaganda namin nang husto ang show."

So why is Katrina chosen to open "Obra"?

"Because she deserves it," says program manager Redgie Acuna. "She has proven her talent as a contravida in Marimar and now she shines in a lead role in Magdusa Ka. Dapat lang na isang versatile young actress like her ang magbukas ng Obra."

The first episode is directed by Joel Lamangan and Katrina plays a "taong grasa."

"First time ko to work with her and she did her best to come up with a good episode," says Joel. "Marami siyang puedeng ibigay bilang artista kasi open-minded siya."

The second episode is directed by Jun Lana and she plays a dual role, with Ian Veneracion as leading man. One is a good girl and the other one is accused of killing her own husband. "Misteryosa siya rito at bagay sa kanyang maging woman of mystery," says Jun.

The third episode is directed by Bibeth Orteza and Katrina plays a goldigger. "Ive worked with Katrina in the comedy Ganda ng Lola Mo and were doing a comedy episode so I have no doubt shell deliver," says Bibeth, who came to the presscon with her dear mother-in-law, Armida Siguion Reyna. "ParangFrench farce ito with a twist in the end and Im glad I have Eddie Garcia, Paolo Contis and Eugene Domingo with us in this episode."

The last episode is directed by Maryo de los Reyes and she plays a prostitute who finds true love and is about to get married but tragedy strikes. "Katrina is a doll," says Maryo. "Im directing her in Magdusa Ka at hindi ako nagdusa sa kanya. Naaliw ako sa kanyang pagkatao at honest kami sa isat isa. We respect each other."

So will Katrina be GMAs next most important actress after Marian Rivera?

"Wala akong iniisip na ganun," she says. "Basta ako, nag-e-enjoy lang na trabaho nang trabaho at lagi kong pinagbubuti ito."

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Is Heart Evangelista jealous of KC Concepcion?

Richard resumed taping their show, "Codename: Asero" after shooting with KC and when they were taping a kissing scene, Heart cant seem to concentrate. After three takes, Richard decided to ask her: "Did you miss me?"

Heart reportedly just said "Heh!" to him.

Well, if were Heart, wed feel bad, too. At the start of "Asero," they were being linked romantically, especially after she broke up with Jericho Rosales. But after Richard started shooting "For the First Time" with KC, she seems to have been forgotten and all the stories about Richard are linking him to KC.

As for Richard, its obvious that, for him, his being linked to his leading ladies is all part of his work. Although hes very busy with his showbiz career, he doesnt neglect doing more socially relevant things. He continues to be a supporter of Greenpeace for environmental protection. Hes also sending three students to school as his scholars for World Vision. Richard is also supporting the musical career of younger brother Ritchie Paul and finances his recording needs. Some of the music used in "Asero" as part of the score is composed by Ritchie Paul. Richard is also sending the school the child of his brother Rocky and the only son of half-brother Ramon Christopher and Lotlot de Leon.

"Kaya naman good karma ang anak kong yan dahil very generous siya," says his mom Annabelle Rama. "Hes a good brother na, good uncle pa."

This week in "Asero" shows the exciting fight scene between Asero and the killer robot, Razorback. In turn, Emily (Heart Evangelista), tells Grecko/Aseros mom, Gelyn (Joanne Quintas), that she saw Grecko alive. Gelyn gets emotional and tells her to accept the truth that hes dead. New agent Troy (Marky Cielo) says that Asero and Grecko have the same signature and it could be theyre one and the same.

Claire (Rhian Ramos) takes Asero out on a gimmick in a bar and Gelyn sees him so she demands that the body of her son be exhumed. They later discover that Greckos coffin is empty and Grecko shows up to tell them: "Yes, Im alive!" They take him home but they notice hes acting weird. Meantime, Bodjie X (Michael V), releases a bug to make Aseros system shut down.

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ABC-5 is now history and from now on, Channel 5 will be known as TV5, a brand of MPB Primedia Inc. that entered into a long-term block airtime agreement with Tonyboy Cojuangcos Associated Broadcasting Company. CEO Chris Sy (formerly of EMI) says they offer new and fresh programs that will provide pleasant alternative viewing to those offered by current TV stations who bank onteleseryes for their primetime shows.

"Sa amin, we offer diverse genres like reality, variety, drama, teens and toons and first rate movies," he adds. Here are some of the new shows they offer:

"Talentadong Pinoy" (Saturday, 6:00 p.m.) is a reality-talent show hosted by Ryan Agoncillo; "Juicy" (Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. with replay at 12 midnight) is showbiz news and intrigues, hosted by Alex Gonzaga, sister of Toni; "LokoMoko" (Friday, 10 p.m.) is a gag show doing tricks on people on cam; "Ten, The Evening News" (Monday to Friday, 10:30 p.m.) reports on the top ten news stories of the day, anchored by Martin Andanar and Cheryl Mercado; "Pulis, Pulis" (Sat., 10 p.m.) is actual police operations hosted by Martin Andanar; "Lipgloss" (Sat., 5 p.m.) is a teen show a la "Gossip Girl" with Sam Concepcion, Fred Payawan, Mikee Lee, Rodjun Cruz, Micki Hahn, Cheska Ortega, and new teen stars.

"Hush Hush" (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.) is about the local entertainment scene; "Batang X, The New Generation" (Friday, 7 p.m.) and replay on Sunday, 2 p.m.) is directed by Peque Gallaga and features todays kid superheroes; "Rakista" (Thursday, 7 p.m.) is the brainchild of director Quark Henares and about the world of rock n roll featuring Pinoy rockers.

"Midnight DJ" (Monday, 7 p.m.) is a horror show starring Paolo Contis as Patrick, the famous DJ of a midnight radio show who has a third eye and gets to talk with spirits; "Chicklit" (Tuesday, 7 p.m.) shows best-selling chick lit bestsellers like "No Boyfriend Since Birth" and "Have Baby, Will Date" and will premiere with the episode starring Valerie Concepcion, TJ Trinidad, Beth Tamayo and Bobby Andrews.

Their top Hollywood films include hits like "Kung Fu Hustle" of Stephen Chow, "Hitch," Bad Boys 2" and "Men in Black II" all starring Will Smith, "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" with Johnny Depp, "13 Going 30" with Jennifer Garner, Arnold Schwarzeneggers "Terminator 3," "Spiderman 3," and many more, plus the award-winning "Crying Ladies" starring Sharon Cuneta. So, dont miss all these new shows on TV5. But the biggest star on TV5 remains to be Lucy Torres, whose "Shall We Dance" is retained, Sunday, 9:30 p.m. Lucy did a rousing dance number in the launch and everyone cant help but admire her stunning beauty in her revealing mini skirt that shows off her sexy, fantastic legs. How lucky Goma really is!

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The hit GMA Telebabad show "Dyesebel" gets an added dose of hilarity with the inclusion of Elizabeth Ramsey in the cast. She will play the Mother of All Pearls who owns the magical black pearl that Dyesebel (Marian Rivera) will need to be able to fight the white pearl in the possession of Berbola/Cassandra (Michelle Madrigal).

A special costume with special props was made for the rambunctious mother of Jaya. She lives in a giant pearl and, for her elaborate costume, three people are needed to assist her to put it on.

"Shes really funny, kahit nakaharap man ang camera o hindi," says her co-star Alfred Vargas, who does a number of scenes with her. "Kung minsan kasi, hindi mo alam kung serious siya o nagpapatawa lang."

"Dyesebel" really gets more intriguing, no wonder its rating 40 to 44% lately. Fredo (Dingdong Dantes) drives Dyesebel (Marian Rivera) away and Dyesebel finally meets Erebus (Alfred Vargas), who now has his own pair of legs. In Sirenea, Arana (Jackie Rice) plays with the black pearl and Fredo sees the reflection of Cassandra (Marian) and her real appearance (Michelle Madrigal) on the mirror. Fredo is eventually turned off by Cassandras bad behavior and he starts looking for Dyesebel.

But something bad happens to Dyesebels kid friend, Buboy (Robert Villar), and he becomes comatose. Dyesebel blames herself for this. Ava (Jean Garcia) is now looking for her real daughter, Dyesebel, while her adopted one, Shiela Mae (Kris Bernal), runs away with Paolo (Aljur Abrenica) and they find some temporary shelter.

Source: Malaya