Melissa Ricks on Kulilits

While kids during her time would dream about Disneyland and living abroad, young actress Melissa Ricks worked hard to learn her mother’s native language.

Born and raised in the USA, Melissa strived to learn and understand Filipino after migrating in the Philippines. After years of practice, the drama princess is now proud of being able to speak Filipino fluently like any pure Pinoy.

Find out why and how Melissa worked to fulfill her “Filipino” dream this Saturday (August 13) in the “Linggo ng Wika” special of “Kulilits.”

Kulilits Chacha Cañete, Bugoy Cariño, and Izzy Canillo, meanwhile, are off to their own study on the Philippine national language. After being sucked by a magical book, the kids are set to meet different types of people including an alibata expert, a young Palanca award-winner, and a Jejemon!

Join their adventure this Saturday (August 14) before “Showtime” on ABS-CBN.

Hottest Surprises on ASAP XV

All-Star Kapamilya kicks off the party with the hottest surprises.

Fierce and fiery performances from Cristine Reyes and Anne Curtis. Ultimate Hotties Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, Jake Cuenca and Piolo Pascual offers a blazing surprise.

In celebration of 60 years of Pinoy Soap Opera, Primetime Bida heats up with the hot launch of “IDOL’s” newest singing discoveries!

Scorching new series from the cast of Precious Hearts Romance’s Kristine with Zanjoe Marudo, Rafael Rossel, Denise Laurel and the Jewel of Romance, Cristine Reyes.

Pokwang celebrates sizzling birthday bash.

Sessionistas jam with the hottest tunes today. Find out if your favorite makes the hitlist.

Supahdance Krew, XB Gensan and ASAP All-Stars burn the dancefloor with the hottest dance moves.

Champion singing with world-class Kapamilya, Musical Grand Winner Vincent Bueno.

And the hottest boygroup Kantoboys displays their winning form in a wacky red hot number.

Catch only the best concert experience from your ASAP Kapamilya led by Martin Nievera, Zsa zsa Padilla and Gary Valenciano.

Final Episode of Rubi!

Sabay-sabay nating panuorin ang ending na hindi mo kokontrahin! Mamaya na pagkatapos ng Magkaribal! Tiyak na pag-uusapan ang magiging kahihinatnan ng nag-iisang bidang kontrabida!

BLOGATORIALS: Stars Come and Go, But the Institution Stays

I will start this column entitled "Blogatorials", an editorial-type write-ups here in my blogsite. This column will tackle different issues about ABS-CBN, its celebrities and its competitors.

Gabby Lopez once said during ABS-CBN Stockholder's meeting last May, "Stars come and go, but the institution stays". This is in response to a question raised about Willie Revillame. As to date, Willie wants to be free of his contract and is ready for a legal battle against ABS-CBN. Willie and ABS-CBN's relationship has been on a very rough road eversince, but the station always forgave Willie and gave him so many chances.

Earlier than that, November last year, Claudine Barretto jumped to ABS-CBN's rival station. This was despite the fact that ABS-CBN is cooking a new teleserye for her and her sister, Gretchen Barretto. Now, her weekly drama anthology on GMA-7 is about to end and lost in the ratings game with the critically-acclaimed, award-winning, longest-running drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya. On the other side, Gretchen's teleserye "Magkaribal" is making waves with Bea Alonzo. Claudine is now a case of fading star, just what has happened to Jolina Magdangal when she moved to the same station.

February of this year, big stars Dolphy and Maricel Soriano moved to TV5. Dolphy said that his contract with TV5 is non-exclusive. “I love ABS-CBN, but I need to move on. I’ll be working with TV5 in the meantime, but anytime ABS-CBN needs me, I’ll just be here.” He said he had accepted the TV5 project because it would provide jobs to a lot of people. Dolphy has been a talent of ABS-CBN since time in memorial, and they even named one of their studio Dolphy Theater. Maricel Soriano, on the other hand, also accepts guestings in GMA 7 after her short stint with TV5. Sharon Cuneta is still on the top while Maricel's star appeal is diminishing. This is telling that for big stars, loyalty is needed to stay big.

Cesar Montano and Edu Manzano ran for government positions but lost eventually. Last July, Cesar has entered into a contract this week with GMA 7 Network, but his manager of 24 years, Norma Japitana, said she was not informed about it. Japitana said that she was in the middle of having a deal with ABS-CBN when suddenly Cesar moved to GMA 7. Cesar then said that he moved to GMA 7 because he just want to work. This is different to Edu Manzano's case, he said during the elections that if he lose, he will no longer work in showbusiness. But now, he signed a 3 year exclusive contract with GMA 7 to host a game show with an unappealing title "Atras Talo..." which fits his political career. He is saying that he just want no longer to dance in game shows. It makes me think if ABS-CBN pushed him to do the Papaya dance during his stint in Pilipinas Game K N B. The two moved to GMA 7 in a bad taste.

It is sad to say that there is nothing permanent in this world, just change. There will be another Teleserye Queen, Superstars, Game Show Kings, but there will always be ABS-CBN.

And on a happy note, a Kapamilya will always be a Kapamilya.

Toni Gonzaga and Vhong Navarro in Kokey at Ako

Vhong Navarro is more than happy to have Toni Gonzaga take over the role originally meant for Angel Locsin in the teleserye Kokey at Ako. During the pictorial for the new series, which is an update to the 2007 hit primetime fantaserye, Vhong and Toni expressed their excitement on the first TV drama team up. “Excited ako kasi makakatrabaho ko muli ang aking best friend at madalas na kapareha na si Toni Gonzaga. Gamay na namin ang isa’t isa. Tagal ko nang kilala ‘yan, bata pa lang ako napapanood ko na siya, ha ha ha!,” Vhong joked.

Toni is also excited over her first teleserye project with Vhong. They first got together as hosts of the news parody program on Studio 23 entitled Wazzup Wazzup, and paired up only on the big screen through the films D Anothers and My Only U. “Reunion project namin ito ni Vhong sa TV after Wazzup Wazzup. Like I’m always saying, kapag si Vhong ang kasama ko parang hindi kami nagtatrabaho. Parang lang kaming naglalaro sa set,” she described.

Comedian-dancer Vhong shared how he and Toni managed to remain as close friends despite their respective busy schedule. “Kahit matagal kaming hindi nagkausap, kapag nagkita kami, agad kaming nagkakasundo. Kapag matagal kaming hindi nagkikita mas marami kaming baon na kwento sa isa’t isa. Sa amin parang walang babae o lalaki. Pero hindi kami nagpapakitaan ng kung ano man, ha ha ha! I mean open kami sa isa’t isa. Kahit off cam very close kami niyan.”

The Showtime host also talked about his on-screen chemistry with Toni which audiences seemed the have love dearly. “Siguro kasi iba ‘yung nakikita ng mga tao sa amin. Kung nasanay ang karamihan sa love team na ‘yung lalaki nilalambing ‘yung babae, sa amin ang turing ko lang kay Toni parang ka-tropang lalaki lang. Si Toni ganun din sa akin. Lagi kaming may punchline sa isa’t isa. Saluhan kami.”

Angel Locsin was supposed to play the female lead character in Kokey at Ako. But the management had to pull her out from the project for she will be busy with another teleserye that pairs her up with John Lloyd Cruz. Toni was immediately tapped by the team of Kokey at Ako, the same production unit that handles Toni’s program Pinoy Big Brother. “I’m very happy over this project because makakatrabaho ko basically ‘yung the same people na kasama ko sa PBB. Para na kaming family talaga. Nandiyan din sina Melai (Cantiveros) at Jason (Francisco) na galing sa PBB at syempre si Vhong na super close ko talaga. Ilang beses ko nang naka-work si Vhong kaya sanay na sanay na ako sa kanya,” she said.

Here is the teaser/trailer for the new fantaserye soon on Primetime Bida.

Boyz II Men Live in Manila

Boys II Men will be back in the Philippines this 2010! Dubbed as Boys II Men: The Love Tour, the trio will visit Manila this August 13, 2010 Friday at 8:00PM at the Big Dome (Araneta Coliseum) as part of their ongoing world tour for their Love album.

The trio (Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockm and Wanya Morris) is the most successful R&B group (based on record sale) of all time, having sold more than 60 million albums worldwide. Their song "One Sweet Day" holds the all-time record for being the #1 single for 16 weeks at the top of the Hot 100.

Boyz II Men is recognized as Billboard Magazine's most successful musical group of the 90s.

This concert was brought to you by ABS-CBN.

Sharon Cuneta in Megadrama Concert

MegaStar Sharon Cuneta returned to the concert stage via Mega Drama, her concert that happened last August 7, 2010 at Araneta Coliseum. MegaDrama is presented by ABS-CBN, McDonald's & Smart. Special Guest: Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ai Ai De Las Alas, Pokwang and Ogie Alcasid with the special appearance of Sarah Geronimo and PioloPascual.
Pokwang and Ai Ai De las Alas 'remixed' classic Sharon Cuneta songs into Lady Gaga-ish music that makes the crowd go frenzy.
... then Ogie Alcasid entered, sang a few song with Sharon, while his fiancee Regine Velazquez is on the crowd at the front. Ogie said that he saw a man that looks like him backstage ...
and it revealed that is was Piolo Pascual. Sharon Cuneta told her daughter, KC Concepcion "surprise ko siya sayo" and KC just answered a smile. Sharon Cuneta sang the hit song of KC Concepcion called 'Imposible' which received loud applause among audience.
Then, Kuh Ledesma and Zsa Zsa Padilla sang Ryan Cayabyab compositions with Sharon Cuneta. This segment became dragging because it's too long.
Then Sarah Geronimo entered. She sang Louie Ocampo hits with Sharon Cuneta.
Sarah also performed an Ogie Alcasid song.
Sharon entered again to do a rendition of Gary Valenciano's "Babalik Ka Rin" and other nationalistic song. He ended the segment saying "Sana dumating ang panahon, na di kailangan umalis ng bansa para lang makapagtrabaho ang mga Pilipino." Then Kiko Pangilinan, KC Concepcion, Frankie and Miel goes up the stage to gave her a bouquet of flowers to congratulate him.
But the crowd says: "More! More!" so she goes back again and she sing "Bituing Walang Ningning" which is her most memorable song. Also seen in the crowd aside from the ones mention here is Ballsy Aquino, Tin-Tin Bersola-Babao, Ciara Sotto, Rowell Santiago and Johnny Manahan.