Melai Cantiveros on Kokey at Ako

Melai Cantiveros feels very blessed to be starring in another teleserye, Kokey @ Ako, which is set to debut on primetime this September 20. Though it took time for the show to be aired, Melai said the wait is very much worth it because the production team made sure that they came up with a good program. “Matagal na talaga naming lahat gusto maipalabas itong Kokey kaya lang naghintay pa kami ng available na time slot. Ngayon heto na at ipapalabas na siya. Sobra excited kami lahat kasi sa wakas mapapanood niyo na. Pinaghirapan naming lahat ito, sina Direk Wenn (Deramas), Vhong (Navarro), Toni (Gonzaga), at si Sweetypie (Jason Francisco)…char!”

Melai couldn’t find words to describe how fun it is to be on the set of Kokey @ Ako. She said there were lots of instances when despite the long hours of taping, they would still go on laughing. “Ang saya saya namin sa set kaya excited kaming mapanood ninyo at sana matuwa talaga kayo. Over over, walang kapantay ang enjoy namin. Puro na lang kami tawanan. Natakot nga kami kasi baka magalit na si Direk Wenn sa sobrang tawanan namin. Gusto ko ngang mapanood din. Wag na lang akong umarte, manood na lang ako…char char!”

In Kokey @ Ako, this Pinoy Big Brother Double Up Big Winner gets to chance to co-star with Toni, the host of PBB. Melai shared that after days of taping, she has grown comfortable with the TV host-actress. “Magaan na talaga ang loob ko kay Ate Toni. Hindi ko ma-explain pero parang matagal na kaming magkakilala. Para na kaming magkapatid sa set.”

When she was still a housemate in the PBB house, Melai would only see Toni talking on the monitor every nomination and eviction night. Now that they are working together, Melai got the chance to get to know Toni better. “Sobrang masayahin si Ate Toni. Palabiro siya talaga. Kahit madaling araw na nagtatawanan pa rin kami. Dati nung nasa PBB pa ako nakikita ko lang si Toni sa TV kapag nomination at eviction namin. Nakalimutan ko na nga ang naramdaman ko nung nakikita ko siya. Siguro kinabahan din ako. Pero ngayon wala na talaga kasi over over magaan na ang loob ko sa kanya.”

From being an ordinary lass in General Santos City, Melai reached celebrity status after winning PBB Double Up, and she is now doing acting projects left and right. On the set of Kokey @ Ako, Melai would often get tips about acting, particularly in comedy, from Toni whom she considers as her idol. “Lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin na basahin ko ‘yung script pero ‘wag over over. Dapat magpadala ako sa usapan kapag eksena. Idol ko talaga ‘yan si Ate Toni kasi binabasa lang niya ang script ng mga one minute lang, e ako five minutes pa. Kaya kapag siya ang ka eksena ko nagagaya ko talaga siya. Minsan tuloy one minute na rin ako kung magbasa ng script, char!”

Maja Salvador on Wansapanataym's Inday sa Balitaw

With Precious Hearts Romances Presents Impostor now down to its final week, Maja Salvador’s next project will be the TV adaptation of Inday Sa Balitaw, which was a 1986 hit fantasy-comedy film that starred Maricel Soriano. “Maganda ‘yung story ng Inday Sa Balitaw, kumbaga nakakatawa tapos maiiyak din kayo,” Maja said of her upcoming project that will be featured next on Wansapanataym.

Maja said that there is a big pressure in reprising the role previously portrayed by the Diamond Star, but is glad that her sidekick in the series, Mel Martinez, coincidentally Maricel’s nephew, is very supportive of Maja. “Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako kasi si Kuya Mel kasama ko siya [at] nagtatanong ako sa kanya, grabe ang bait, binibigyan niya ako ng [tips] kung paano [kumilos] si Ms. Maricel dati.” She went on that she constantly consulted Mel to make sure that her imitation of his aunt’s mannerisms is just right. “Nagtatanong ako sa kanya kung OA (over-reacting) ba ‘yung ginagawa ko, okay naman.” Maja proudly said that their director commended her and Mel because their team-up is very much like the Maricel-Roderick Paulate team-up in the said movie.

Maja added that she also searched for videos of the seasoned actress in her younger days so she could really capture her mannerisms and looks. “Dapat magawa mo ‘yung pagkakaganap ni Ms. Maricel Soriano sa Inday sa Balitaw kasi click na click.”

The Impostor star said that it her latest project is a dream-come-true. She related that she felt envious when she learned that Melai Cantiveros would play the role of Inday Bote for Wansapanataym, which was also a hit movie of the Diamond Star. “After one week sabi naman si Maja ay si Inday sa Balitaw so na-excite ako,” she shared.

Known as a versatile actress, Maja explained that she enjoys doing drama and comedy and added that if given the chance, she would also like to do action.

Sharon Cuneta on Star Power

Aside from running a busy household which includes raising her two younger daughters Frankie and Miel, Megastar Sharon Cuneta is also busy gearing up for three new exciting shows. One of these is the newest talent search called Star Power which is set to premiere on October 10. Although her hectic work schedule is a pace she has grown to adapt to over the years, Sharon says she still feels lucky that her family is very understanding, especially when she’s starting new projects. “They know that at the beginning of a show, kumbaga parang may birthing pains, alam na nila kung gaano ka-demanding. Pero in a week or so, pag nag-air na yung show, hindi na naman buong araw ang nakakain. Ngayon, sobrang whole day and whole night kami magkakasama. ‘Pag regular na ang Star Power sa studio, puwede ko na isama [yung mga bata], ngayon lng medyo demanding,” she shares.

Sharon plays multiple roles in the show: host, judge, and mentor. She admits it was not easy to find potential stars who could embody everything she was looking for. “What I’ll say is that a real star with high caliber does not only have talent, it’s the total package eh. She doesn’t have to be a genius, but she has to have a good mind, she has to have talent, she has to know how to stand in front of an audience and perform na magaling siya pero hindi mayabang, hindi malakas ang arrive. At higit sa lahat, forever and ever, may humility at magkakaroon ng social conscience. Para may sense of social responsibility siya. Yung ganun ba. It’s the total package. Right now, we’ve only seen talent and beauty,” she explains. Sharon says the show hopes to develop the young hopefuls to their full potential and help develop them into genuine artists. ”Later on, I hope certain things we’ll be able to impart to them, yung mga mahalaga and I hope ma-imbibe nila para maging part ng pagkatao nila bawat isa dun, hindi lang yung ina-acting nila. Makikita ko eh. If you’re sincere, [the camera] is your best friend, because you will come through the screen as the person that you really are. If it’s your enemy kasi plastic ka, sorry na lang, mararamdaman. Konti lang mabobola mo,” she says.

Sharon also stressed that it’s not just important for the Star Power contestants to have talent, but they should try to have originality as well. “Yung talent kasi, it’s a skill that can be learned. If it’s a talent and you have the basics like you can carry a tune or you can already lip-synch since you were little, so medyo magaling ka na. Pero ang sinabi ko nga dun sa auditions nung nag-ja-judge na kami at pumipili na kami, sabi ko after a while, karamihan parang pareho na yung tunog. They all want to sound like Sarah (Geronimo) or Regine (Velasquez) or Celine (Dion) and it’s fantastic but you also have to develop your own style kundi pare-pareho na lang kayo. After a while, [iisipin mo] bakit pa kami bibili nung mga gumagaya, bibili na lang nung original ‘di ba? Parang ganun yung mangyayari. We want them to keep what they already have, but also to develop something else that can be truly called their own,” Sharon explains.

As a judge, Sharon says she doesn’t see the need to be too harsh to be effective. “You can judge and be critical, but sana constructive. I’m not going to ruin someone’s spirit just for the ratings, let’s put it that way. But I will certainly put people in their place if they need it, like a mother. Pagsasabihan mo pag sutil yung anak mo. Kasi ang daming gustong sumali eh, so kung may sumali na maglalaro lang, sayang naman. Hindi ako manghuhubad ng kaluluwa ng bata para lang mag-rate ang show, hindi talaga ako ganun. Pero magsasabi ako ng ito sana, improve pa natin ito, its just I think the way you say it. Instead of saying, ‘Wala ka talagang star quality,’ imbis na ganunin mo, sabihin mo, ‘Sana we can improve on this.’ It’s more concern than anything else,” she says. Sharon says she can relate since she is grateful for those who have also mentored her as she was starting in showbiz.

“Kung sinira nila ang aking plano sa buhay by destroying my spirit, mawawalan na ako ng lakas ng loob,” she recalls.

According to Garlic Garcia, head writer of Star Power, the Megastar will show the audience a more personal side in the show. “You will see a different Sharon Cuneta here. You’ll see the side of Sharon that’s nurturing, that’s more motherly. But it’s the kind of mother that will tell you when you’ve done well or when you’ve done wrong. But she will always do it in a loving manner. Sharon sat down with the contestants personally and spoke to each of the girls and judged them, spoke to them about singing, about the way they looked to their personality. What I’d also like you to appreciate here is that when the cameras are not rolling, Mega is the kind of woman that even when tapos na yung taping nang 4 o’clock and she’s done at 4 o’clock and she can go home, pero she says no. She says, ‘I’ll just stay here and watch the girls hug their families, I want to watch the girls and see their families,’ so she’s very involved in the show that way and inaalagaan po niya yung girls not just on camera but off camera as well. So that’s the kind of mega you will see here,” Garcia says.

Vice Ganda, Certified Kapamilya

Vice Ganda was overflowing with gratitude to ABS-CBN for allowing him to sign a contract for another 15 months with Showtime and other possible programs in the network. “Sobrang saya ko. Nakakataba ng puso kasi certified Kapamilya na talaga ako. Para sa akin isang malaking achievement ‘yun para sa isang performer katulad ko. Feeling ko talaga na sobrang blessed ako. Sukli na rin siguro ito sa mga blessings na nai-share ko rin naman sa ibang tao.”

There are still no clear details on what other shows Vice will be doing as a Kapamilya, but he said that he trusts whatever the management will decide on. “Hindi pa klaro kung may iba pang shows na maibibigay sa akin. Kung meron, maraming salamat. Kung wala naman, okay lang. Malaking bagay na sa akin ang Showtime.”

From being a no-name stand up act in sing-along bars, Vice Ganda is now a household name as the resident judge who uses his wit and humor to pick on contestants of talent-search program Showtime. Though he appears very happy and energetic on the program, Vice confessed that his job frequently takes a lot out of him. “Nakakapagod pa rin siya. Normal na yata talaga ‘yun. Kapag hindi na ako napapagod dapat siguro matakot na ako kasi baka hindi na ako buhay nun. Hangga’t buhay ako makakaramdam ako ng pagod.”

The comedian particularly noted his duty of scrutinizing performances but trying much his best not to offend anyone. Add to that the part of the program wherein all the judges, including him, would have to do “sample” performances to please the live audience. But as a true-blooded entertainer, Vice understands the demands of the industry he chose to get into. “Kahit anong pagod ang maramdaman ko, hinding hindi ko iiwan ang Showtime. ‘Yun ang programang gumawa talaga sa akin bilang performer. ‘Yun ang bumuo ng kumpiyansa ko sa sarili ko. Malaki ang naitulong nun sa kabuhayan ko. Hindi pwedeng umalis na lang ako ng walang patumangga dahil lang napagod ako.”

His hard work and determination is now paying off in the form of more projects. Vice will now top-bill the upcoming comedy flick Petrang Kabayo. He shared that as the opening day of the film approaches; he can’t help but feel the jitters. “Kinakabahan ako pero ipinagpapasa Diyos ko na lang. Hindi ko na masyadong pinapansin. Imposibleng hindi ka kabahan. Tuwing matutulog ako naiisip ko pa rin ‘yung kaba. Siguro katulad na lang nung ginawa ko sa concert ko sa Araneta. Hihintayin ko na lang kung anong mangyayari, na matapos na.”

Vice may consider his 2010 a very good year in terms of career, but he said he is preparing for 2011 which may be very challenging. Nevertheless, being a comedian, Vice is keeping a happy perspective on what lies ahead of him. “Noon pa naman sinasabi ko na, ‘Ay taon ko ito!’ tapos hindi naman pala. Hindi naman talaga natin masasabi kung kailan ang taon natin. Diyos lang ang nakakaalam kung kailan ‘yun. Maghintay na lang tayo next year. Kung hindi kasing bongga ang next year ng taong ito pagdating sa karera, baka naman may magandang mangyari sa ibang bahagi ng buhay ko. Kapag ganun masasabi ko pa rin na, ‘Ay taon ko ito!’”

It's A Baby Girl for Roxanne Guinoo

Star Magic’s Roxanne Guinoo has given birth to a bouncing baby girl yesteday, September 13, at the Medical City in Ortigas. The baby weighs 7.2 lbs. and Roxanne’s fiance, Angelo, is already by her side, fussing over their daughter. It was reported that the actress only slept for an hour after delivery and immediately breastfed her baby in the nursery as soon as she woke up.

Last March, Roxanne shocked everyone when she confirmed that she’s already 12 weeks pregnant and plans to marry her non-showbiz boyfriend in the middle of her successful career as a sexy dramatic actress. She also said she plans to return to acting after giving birth.

Children With Broken Smiles on The Correspondents

Siblings Justin, Jason and Janeya live quite problematic lives. Justin is an introvert and an outcast in his school, Jason is a constant Grade 1 repeater because he can’t speak well, and Janeya is very thin and frail because she has a hard time drinking her milk.

They were all born with cleft lip and palate, and this is the reason they can’t smile like other children.

Justin, Jason and Janeya are just three of the estimated 250,000 Filipinos who were born with this abnormality. What causes cleft lip and palate? Is it hereditary?

Join Karen Davila in “The Correspondents” as she searches for a way to bring back the smiles of those affected with cleft lip and palate on Tuesday (Sep 14) right after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN.

Wansapanataym Debuts at Number 1 Nationwide

WANSAPANATAYM starring Melai Cantiveros (31.9%) on its premier telecast is the most-watched program last Saturday beating erstwhile leader MAALAALA MO KAYA (30.5%). "Inday Bote”, Wansapanataym‘s premiere episode starring Melai Cantiveros, . ABS-CBN programs control weekday primetime from PANAHON KO TO to KRISTINE, and on to the late evening from SNN/BANDILA/CURRENT AFFAIRS SHOW. NOAH (32.8%/33.3%) continues to be the undisputed weekday primetime leader. TV PATROL (32.3%/30.8%) sustains leadership versus 24 Oras (21.7%/21.9%). IDOL is still unbeatable on its third place (31%/27.9%). MOMAY (26.5%/25.8%) and MAGKARIBAL (24.3%/23.7) maintain their 4th and 5th slots respectively. SHOWTIME (18.6%) outnoses EAT BULAGA (16.7%) on its Saturday edition. PILIPINAS WIN NA WIN (12%) and E-LIVE (8.7%) on Saturday outplank Startalk (7.7%). RATED K (22.6%) tops Sunday primetime. ASAP (13.1%) trashes PARTY PILIPINAS (10.1%). YOUR SONG (9%) outraces Lovebug (5.7%). THE BUZZ (12.3%) leaves Showbiz Central (8.5%) behind.

September 9, 2010 – Thursday:

Gising Pilipinas (0.9%) vs. Born To Be Wild (Replay) (1.8%)
Kabayan (1.8%) / Umagang Kay Ganda (6.0%) vs. Unang Hirit (5.1%)
Dora The Explorer (6.3%) vs. Doraemon (7.7%)
Spongebob Squarepants (7.0%) vs. Detective Conan (9.4%)
Simply KC (5.7%) vs. Knock Out (8.7%)
Banana Split Daily Servings (7.8%) vs. Love Ni Mister Love Ni Misis (5.6%)
Kapamilya Blockbusters “As Super B” (13.8%) vs. Danz Showdown (6.0%) / Kapuso Movie Festival “Katas Ng Saudi” (11.8%)
Showtime (12.1%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (16.3%)
Pilipinas Win Na Win! (11.6%) vs. Ang Yaman Ni Lola (11.7%) / Trudis Liit (13.9%)
Rosalka (12.1%) / Impostor (12.5%) vs. Basahang Ginto (13.8%)
Panahon Ko ‘To! (10.5%) vs. Laf En Rol (7.6%)
He’s Beautiful (14.8%) vs. Hole In The Wall (9.1%)
Elena M. Patron’s Momay (26.5%) vs. Langit Sa Piling Mo (15.4%) / Spin It! Win It! (16.5%)
TV Patrol World (32.3%) vs. 24 Oras (21.7%)
Noah (32.8%) vs. Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown (23.1%)
Idol (31.0%) vs. Ilumina (20.0%)
Magkaribal (24.3%) vs. Endless Love (17.0%)
Kristine (19.0%) vs. East Of Eden (10.5%)
SNN (Showbiz News Ngayon) (9.4%) vs. Saksi Liga Ng Katotohanan (6.6%)
Bandila (4.5%) / I Survived (2.8%) / Music Uplate Live (1.4%) vs. Rescue (4.1%)

September 10, 2010 – Friday:

Gising Pilipinas (0.7%) vs. Rescue (Replay) (1.1%)
Kabayan (1.4%) / Umagang Kay Ganda (4.8%) vs. Unang Hirit (3.6%)
Dora The Explorer (8.0%) vs. Doraemon (9.2%)
Spongebob Squarepants (9.3%) vs. Detective Conan (10.5%)
Simply KC (7.2%) vs. Knock Out (8.9%) / Love Ni Mister Love Ni Misis (6.0%)
Banana Split (9.0%) vs. Danz Showdown (7.6%)
Kapamilya Blockbusters “So…Happy Together” (15.5%) vs. Kapuso Movie Festival “Joe Pring Homecide, Manila Police” (14.0%)
Showtime (14.8%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (16.6%)
Pilipinas Win Na Win! (12.2%) vs. Ang Yaman Ni Lola (11.0%)
Rosalka (12.2%) vs. Trudis Liit (12.9%)
Impostor (12.2%) vs. Basahang Ginto (14.5%)
Panahon Ko ‘To! (10.4%) vs. Wag Matakot! Wachamakulit! (8.1%)
He’s Beautiful (14.6%) vs. Hole In The Wall (10.6%)
Elena M. Patron’s Momay (25.8%) vs. Langit Sa Piling Mo (17.1%)
TV Patrol World (30.8%) vs. 24 Oras (21.9%)
Noah (33.3%) vs. Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown (21.0%)
Idol (27.4%) vs. Ilumina (20.5%)
Magkaribal (23.7%) vs. Endless Love (16.7%)
Kristine (17.8%) / SNN (Showbiz News Ngayon) (9.7%) vs. Bubble Gang (10.0%)
Bandila (4.6%) vs. Saksi Liga Ng Katotohanan (3.9%)
S.O.C.O (3.8%) vs. OFW Diaries (2.7%)

September 11, 2010 – Saturday:

Salamat Dok (2.7%) vs. Pinoy MD Mga Doktor Ng Bayan (3.1%)
Kabuhayang Swak Na Swak (5.0%) vs. Shonen Onmiyoji (5.6%)
Honey Watch Out (3.7%) vs. Black Jack (8.3%)
Mathtinik (4.0%) / Dora The Explorer (5.1%) vs. Art Angel (7.2%)
Avatar The Legend of Aang (6.6%) vs. Sunnyville (5.9%)
Spongebob Squarepants (7.0%) vs. Ka-Blog! (6.9%)
Kulilits (5.8%) vs. Maynila (Larawan Ng Bansa) (8.9%)
Kapamilya Blockbusters “Tunay Na Tunay: Gets Mo! Gets Ko!” (16.4%) vs. Kapuso Movie Festival “Ang Lahat Ng Ito’y Para Sayo” (10.2%)
Showtime (Saturday) (18.6%) vs. Eat… Bulaga! (Saturday) (16.7%)
Pilipinas Win Na Win (Saturday) (12.0%) / Entertainment Live! (8.7%) vs. Startalk (7.7%)
Cinema FPJ Da King On ABS-CBN (16.2%) vs. Wish Ko Lang! (11.3%)
Failon Ngayon (20.3%) vs. 24 Oras (Weekend) (15.6%)
TV Patrol (Weekend) (25.5%) / Wansapanatym “Inday Bote” (31.9%) vs. Kaya Ng Powers (15.5%)
Maalaala Mo Kaya… (30.5%) vs. Jejemom (14.1%) / Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho (19.2%)
Twist And Shout (15.8%) vs. Imbestigador (20.2%)
M3 Malay Mo Ma-Develop (7.3%) / Banana Split (6.5%) vs. Comedy Bar (9.9%)
The Bottom Line With Boy Abunda (3.3%) / Sports Unlimited (1.4%) vs. Walang Tulugan With Master Showman (2.2%)

September 12, 2010 – Sunday:

The Healing Eucharist (4.9%) vs. In Touch (0.9%)
Kabuhayang Swak Na Swak (3.8%) vs. Pinoy MD (2.5%)
Salamat Dok (3.9%) vs. Blazing Teens 2 (5.5%)
Hana Yori Dango (4.6%) vs. Jollitown (9.0%) / Knockout (8.3%)
Matanglawin (8.1%) vs. Aha (7.9%)
Kapamilya Sunday Blockbuster “Ang Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat” (14.3%) vs. Kapuso Movie Festival “Mulawin The Movie” (11.3%)
ASAP XV (13.1%) vs. Party Pilipinas (10.1%)
Your Song Presents Beautiful Girl (9.0%) vs. Lovebug Presents Say I Do (5.7%)
The Buzz (12.3%) vs. Showbiz Central (8.5%)
TV Patrol (Weekend) (21.6%) vs. 24 Oras (Sunday) (16.1%)
Goin’ Bulilit (22.0%) vs. Pepito Manaloto Reality Sitcom (20.9%)
Rated K Handa Na Ba Kayo? (22.6%) vs. Kap’s Amazing Stories (22.3%)
Sharon (14.3%) vs. Mel & Joey (15.4%)
Twist And Shout (9.5%) vs. Show Me Da Manny (10.1%)
Sunday’s Best “Gamboa vs. Salido” (4.3%) vs. Sunday Night Box Office “Deathrow”(9.7%)
Urban Zone (1.1%) vs. Diyos At Bayan (1.0%)