The ultimate Lastikman

Author: Edgar Cruz
Column: BuzzStation

What Deo Endrinal’s business unit scrimped on Kokey’s promo must have been splurged on Mars Ravelo’s Lastikman as it had a designer-style media launch at Teatrino. He revealed, “It’s ABS-CBN’s most expensive fantasy series to date!” The fourth long-form outing of Mars’ funny, flexible and form-fitting superhero, Vhong Navarro is the fourth Lastikman after the Von Serna, Vic Sotto and Mark Bautista. The Vhong starrer starts broadcast on Monday after Kokey. Even as the greater part of the powerhouse cast including Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dawn Zulueta, John Estrada, Cherie Gil, Roxanne Gionoo, Jake Cuenca, Iya Villania and Gloria Romero have watched Vic’s version, they opine that the Chito Rono/Jerome Pobocan/Tots Sanchez-Mariscal’s version is the ultimate edition for being star-studded and a thrilling contemporarized adaptation of the original plot matched with out-of-this world special effects.

Monday’s salvo starts with the backstory of Lastikman’s origins.

Pokwang is in

Comedienne Pokwang is now a regular Wowowee co-host. Besides being a multi-tasker (she sings, dances and hosts), this Star Magic premium talent complements Willie’s unique hosting style. As Willie puts it, “Ang galing niya!” On the side, Wowowee’s rating jumped once Willie returned from his self-imposed leave and US show. This validates the thinking that Wowowee is Willie and there’s nobody who can fill the gap when he’s a no-show. Yes, there’s a turnover in Wowowee management. Alou Almaden, ABS-CBN head of comedy and games, is on top of the show again. These changes follow Willie’s meeting with Gabby Lopez III where he discussed show problems. The improvements are management decisions.

No tails in Sugarfree’s anniversary gig

Sugarfree’s Ebe Dancel, Jal Taguibao and Kaka Quisimbing were rocked in the cradle by their mothers’ jazz and standard records so they are interpreting their songs backed by a 33-piece Manila Symphony Orchestra to celebrate their 8th anniversary, dubbed Sugarfree Live! No tuxes here, only the power trio in Penshoppe fashion, with the 0rchestra players in street clothes. This happens on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Music Museum. This is a follow-up of the hugely successful Rockestra where Sugarfree played with the MSO backing them up and for other bands. This time around it’s solo. It will be playing songs from its three successful albums Sa Wakas, Dramachine and Tala-Arawan like you’ve never heard them before. For tickets at P100, 200, 300, call Music Museum (721-0635) and Ticketworld (891-9999).

Kabarkada chutzpah

“It’s now ASAP on a nightly basis!” describes director Bong Agustin about the final format of the much-awaited variety show for and by college students Rush TV (Studio 23, Monday to Saturday, 6:30 p.m.). Buzzstation interviewed acclaimed director Bert de Leon last month when he briefed media members about the new show. “From 15, the member universities and colleges have ballooned to 50. We’ve finalized the shortlist of hosts and we’re to roll today.” Produced by Moomoo Productions, Rush TV gives exposure and experience to college students in the media industry by cultivating the positive values of the barkada system. Studio 23 works around this system so new show and carrier free cable channel complement each other.

Jericho Rosales and Heart Evangelista did not make it as show hosts due to their heavy work schedules. But an equally personable and talented bunch of hosts have started to make Rush TV fly. Gang members, some of them already celebrities, are college graduates and students themselves: Dino Imperial is a Multi-Media major from the College of Saint Bnilde (CSB); Joaqui Mendoza is a Communications sophomore from Ateneo de Manila (AdU); Say Alonso is an HRM graduate from CSB; Mico (Recall him from my rave review of his single song in Jericho’s Ratsky Malate gig?) is a sophomore in a distance learning center; Kamae de Jesus is a Communications sophomore from AdU; and Bianca Manalo is a fresh graduate from Assumption College.

To join Rush TV competitions, call or text Nathan Perida (90926-640-9314) or visit http://rushtv.net or http://rushtv.multiply.com.

Christian and Billy’s techie showdown

On Oct. 6, Asia’s Pop Idol Christian Bautista will have his Inspired music concert at the Cuneta Astrodome, while Global Star Billy Crawford will stage the It’s Time dance concert at the Araneta Coliseum. And they will slug it out with technology.

The concert of Asia’s Pop Idol Christian will highlight the use of Watch Out, an enormous multi-display presentation technology with dimensions of 9x42 feet that will surround the stage. It’s the same projection technology that Celine Dion uses in her long-running show at the Colosseum, Las Vegas strip. This benefit concert will be for the construction of a school building at the Imus Unida Christian School in Cavite, Christian’s alma mater. It will also serve as his birthday concert. Joining him in this groundbreaking concert are fellow ASAP 07 mainstays Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby as special guests, with the special participation of Kuh Ledesma, Joni Villanueva, Tricia Amper Jimenez, Sam Concepcion and Gary Valenciano. Freddie Santos is stage director, while Mel Villena is musical director. For tickets (P200, P600, P1,500 and P2,000), call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or 911-4087.

Billy’s dance-’til-you-drop extravaganza will feature a stage that keeps on changing during the show and lights galore by famed set designer Jo Tecson. It’s Billy’s first major show in the country and everyone expects him to outdo himself. World famous concert director Gabriel Hoareau teams up with Billy and Jo to come up with a one-of-kind show the metro has not experienced. Gabriel once helmed the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. And see the eye-popping choreography of L.A.- based dancer Mryss who has worked with Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott. On hand to keep everyone oin a dance mood are guest performers Jay-R, Karylle, Kris Lawrence and the Maneouvers. For ticket inquiries (P315, P840, P1,575, P2,626, P3,150 and P3,675) and reservations, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.

Breaking buzz: That was an admirable act on Christian’s part for making an apology for bungling up the end portion of the Philippine National Anthem during the Gerry Penaloza fight.

Sugarpop jumpstarts kiddie group craze

Colleague Nora Calderon introduced the GMA eye-candy kid group Sugarpop whose members — Rita Iringan, 11; Pocholo Bismonte, 12; Renzo Almario, 11; Vanessa Pangadhol, 11; and Julieanne San Jose, 13 — can fool you they are adult singers. But then the songs during the launch of their self-titled album were mostly of the kiddie variety. Rita won the top plum in Pop Star Kids. Pocholo is known for his high-pitched vocals. Julieanne was a grand finalist in Eat...Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines and a runner-up in ABS-CBN’s Munting Miss U. Enzo qualified at ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star, but it was GMA-7’s Pop Star Kids who called him first.

This album blasts with the bouncy title track “Sugarpop,” which is a pop anthem and body shaker. “Name Game” is a pop version of the famous word game song. “Alam Mo Na ‘Di Ba?” is a heartfelt celebration of puppy love. “Chocolate” is a Taglish version of the hot dance song. “You Lift Me Up” is an inspirational song made superior by Sugarpop’s tender-to-determined interpretation. “Walang Laglagan” vibrates with positive sentiments about loyalty. “Happy Hook” is contemporized version of sing-along number. “Written in the Sand” is an excellent “adult” version of the original, perhaps closest to what Nora referred to. “Paraiso’s” arrangement and interpretation make an excellent adaptation. And “Thank You Po” is an effective album closer with its sincerity.

This CD as released by Sony/BMG Music Entertainment has the potential to start a kid group craze! Sugarpop will promote this album in all SM Malls, starting with SM Baguio today.

Puppy love in ‘Love Spell’

Hairy Harry,which premiered last Sunday, meets the expectation of a must-see mini-series. It has the right combination of viable actors, an attention-grabbing narrative and fine direction. Kilig tandem Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks live up the audience’s fantasy of them as girlfriend/boyfriend and in the most endearing terms. Sharlene San Pedro and Aaron Junatas turn lovable performances, Sharlene as a kikay at eight and Aaron deadset to win her heart. Together they provide the laughter with their small mischiefs. Harry (Matt) is a dog trainer with Sally (Melissa) as his client. They fall for each other. Harry turns into a dog, oblivious about the family curse where they turn into a canine when they fall in love. Their love is doomed unless they find a way to let the curse go away. Andoy Ranay does a light-hearted direction that impresses the heart and mind!

Shorties

Recall my rave review about Neil “Buboy” Tan’s Ataul For Rent last Cinemalaya? The Cinema Evaluation Board found it an excellent movie, giving in an A rating. Becky Aguila threatens to sue any writer who spreads that Valerie Concepcion is seeing a dirty old man from Tarlac to support her daughter and family...Carlo Guevarra’s boyish look appealed so much with Be Bench viewers that they made him win the reality contest!...The Supreme Court has ruled that Art Padua is the legit FAMAS head, not Alfonso Tiu... “Yep! Unless she gets contract with Vegas! Hahaha!” Bibsy Carballo texted back when Buzzstation asked if prime talent Anna Fegi is back for good. Disney Hongkong hired her as The Lion King’s Nila for 18 months... Gary Valenciano has returned from his monster US tour and there’s no repeat of the diabetic attack he had in Pasadena in 2005 that almost took his life...Ai Ai delas Alas opened the Ai Sarap eatery to give employment to the displaced workers of the defunct Zirkoh Araneta Center, which was a victim of fund embezzlement by a business partner...It’s not necessarily true that GMA cannot use the Philippine Idol name for its show franchise. Per contract with franchisee, Fremantle Media owns it. Fremantle’s Phil. Idol application with the Intellectual Property Office is still pending...

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Source: The Daily Tribune

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