Xian Lim and Jessie Mendiola on MMK

Get ready to fall in love with Jessy Mendiola and Xian Lim as they pair up for the first time on Maalaala Kaya’s October 9 episode. They will play the roles of Ana and Mark whose paths will cross aboard a ship coming from the province to Manila. It turns out that they are both heading to the same employment agency where they have formed an instant friendship. Although they’re mutually attracted to each other from the very start, it was only until their friends came up with their supposedly fake marriage contract did a full-blown romance ensue between them later on. But what will happen once Ana and Mark discover that the prank turns out to be real all along? How will they face the challenges that come with a lifetime commitment?

Don’t miss the chance to witness the kilig team-up of Jessy and Xian in this romantic episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya right after Wansapanataym on ABS-CBN.

Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales on Perfect Pair Green Carpet Screening

Fresh from the success of their movie “I Do”, Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales graced the Perfect Pair “green carpet screening” sponsored by Real Leaf Green Tea.

EnRich, the moniker to Enchong and Erich loveteam, were introduced at the “Perfect Pair” green carpet event as the new Real Leaf ambassadors. Hosted by Andrei Felix, this one-of-a-kind “green carpet screening” was held last September 25, 2010 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema Lobby in Makati City.

“I’m so thrilled that Erich and I are joining forces to let everyone experience the kind of refreshment only Real Leaf gives. It’s packed with theanine, an amino acid that is naturally found in tea plants which can help boost focus and alertness. For me, that makes it the perfect pick-me-up drink; the one I choose to keep me right on track every time,” says Enchong.

Erich couldn’t agree more. “I’ve always loved drinking tea and I was actually surprised to know that Real Leaf has honey. I never thought it could be that unique ingredient that can add that hint of gentle sweetness and make it even more delicious. Of all three flavors, Honey Apple, Honey Lemon and Honey Lychee, I find Real Leaf Honey Lychee the yummiest. And that’s the best part about drinking this product- you know it’s not only tasty, healthy too. It’s my gold standard for green tea!” Erich adds. Naturally, honey is a good source of antioxidants and even contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids and can even help prevent seasonal allergies.

Enchong and Erich were chosen by Real Leaf because they captivate countless fans with their vibrant spirits, dynamic characters and refreshing chemistry. All these and their no-compromise attitude when it comes to life choices make them the perfect pair to represent Real Leaf Green Tea.

Here are some of their pictures.

Bianca Manalo is Juanita Banana

“Juanita Banana” is an upcoming series of ABS-CBN starring Binibining Pilipinas 2009 – Universe Bianca Manalo. She will be joined by Bern Joseph Persia aka Bekimon, a popular gay icon who popularized the term Bekimon and uploaded the Bekimon videos on YouTube.

“Juanita Banana” is Bianca Manalo‘s first starring role. Bianca Manalo has appeared on ABS-CBN’s shows like “Magkaribal” (as Bea Alonzo’s bestfriend) and as a judge in “Showtime.”

“Juanita Banana” is a remake of a 1968 movie starring Juanita (Rosemarie Sonora) and Prince Rikitik (Ricky Belmonte). It is a fantasy musical based on the Pinoy folk belief that catching a teardrop from a banana tree’s heart will give a person magical powers. Juanita tries this tactic when she can’t seem to handle her cruel new stepmother, Marilou (Bella Flores). Help comes in the form of a magic dwarf, prince Rikitik, who uses his elfin’ magic to grant Juanita her every wish. The pint-sized Prince also offers her complete escape from her problems by proposing matrimony, but Juanita have a boyfriend named Gordo (Pepito Rodriguez).

Here is the teaser of the new show:

1st StarStudio Celebrity Style Awards Winners

Last October 3, the Grand ballroom of the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City was filled with some of the Philippines’ brightest as celebrities, models, and fashion designers walked the red carpet to attend StarStudio magazine’s first ever Celebrity Style Awards. The event was also held as part of StarStudio Magazine’s tenth year anniversary. Early birds included John James Uy, Isabel Oli, Marc Nelson, Joey Mead, Kelly Misa, Phoemela Baranda, and Nanette Medved. Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson arrived together wearing coordinated ensembles by Celebrity Designer of the Year nominee Francis Libiran while Gretchen Barretto was escorted by partner Tonyboy Cojuangco. Picture perfect couple Georgina Wilson and Borgy Manotoc also graced the affair and even presented some awards.
Choosing the winners for the 2010 Celebrity Style Awards were divided into three categories; People’s Choice, Celebrity Awards, and the Technical awards.

The public voted via text from July 7 to September 26 for the Peoples’s Choice Awards category, while a special jury decided on both Celebrity and Technical Awards winners.

The program highlights included mini-fashion shows by the Celebrity Designer of the year nominees as well performances by Karylle, Richard Poon, Imago, and Pedicab. Hot models like Wilma Doesnt, Brent Javier, Ornussa Cadness, and Raya Mananquil showcased the creations. Male Celebrity Style Icon awardee Ely Buendia was not present to accept his award, but female Celebrity Style Icon winner Lucy Torres-Gomez was there to accept hers. “I’d like to thank ABS-CBN and StarStudio Magazine. I’d like to share this award with all the lovely ladies here tonight and there are many. I’d like to thank Randy Ortiz. I’d also like to thank my husband who always inspires me to look my best,” she said.

Most Stylish Leading Lady winner Kim Chiu was visibly surprised when she went up to accept her award. “Wow naman sa award na ito. Thank you sa StarStudio and ABS-CBN Publishing for recognizing yung mga styles ko and yun mga outfits ko,” she said. The pretty chinita bested other nominees Anne Curtis, Heart Evangelista, Judy Ann Santos, and Rhian Ramos for the award. Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz shared the title for Most Stylish Leading Man. Gretchen Barretto and Piolo Pascual won the Best Red Carpet Style award. Tim Yap won the Most Stylish Male Host award while Angel Aquino and Daphne Oseña-Paez shared the distinction of being the Most Stylish Female Host awardees.

Toni Gonzaga won Most Stylish Comedienne while Petrang Kabayo star Vice Ganda won Most Stylish Comedian. “Thank you so much. I’m really expecting this (laughs). Sobrang flattered ako na I’m now receiving an award under a male category. Thank you so, so much to StarStudio. I also want to say thank you so much to my dad because he’s influenced me a lot in terms of fashion. Thank you so much StarStudio and more horsepower! Party, party!” he says. Sarah Geronimo, who was unable to attend the event because of another showbiz commitment, won two awards which was Most Stylish Female Performer and the Belo Body award. Billy Crawford won Most Stylish Male Performer and his manager Arnold Vegafria accepted the award for him. Agot Isidro won Most Stylish Kontrabida while Randy Ortiz won the Celebrity Designer of the Year award.

Here are the complete list of winners:

Most Stylish Leading Man: Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz

Most Stylish Leading Lady: Kim Chiu

Most Stylish Male Comedian: Vice Ganda

Most Stylish Kontrabida: Agot Isidro, Tayong Dalawa

Most Stylish Comedienne: Toni Gonzaga

Most Stylish TV Host - Male: Tim Yap

Most Stylish TV Host – Female: Angel Aquino

Most Stylish Live Performer – Female: Sarah Geronimo

Most Stylish Live Performer – Male: Billy Crawford

Celebrity Style Icon – Female: Lucy Torres

Celebrity Style Icon – Male: Ely Buendia

Belo Body Award: Sarah Geronimo

Best Sunsilk Look: Sarah Geronimo

Sunsilk Star of the Night: Kelly Misa

Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson in a New Star Cinema Movie

Bagamat magkaibigan na lamang sila, tuloy pa rin ang loveteam nina Kim Chiu at Gerald Anderson.

Malakas kasi ang clamor ng Kimeralds, ang fans ng loveteam nina Kim Chiu at Gerald Anderson, na ibalik ang tambalan ng kanilang mga idolo.

Sa katunayan ay lagari ngayon ang dalawa dahil ang romantic movie nila na may working title na “Til My Heartaches End” ay nagkaroon ng mas maagang playdate.

Ang nasabing pelikula ay mula sa panulat at direksyon ni Jose Javier Reyes at under pa rin sa produksyon ng Star Cinema.

Sa October 27 na ang scheduled opening date nito occupying the playdate of the Toni Gonzaga-Robin Padilla movie na di natuloy. Pre-Valentines presentation sana ito ng Star Cinema next year pero dahil nabakante nga ang nasabing playdate, puspusan ang shooting ngayon nina Kim at Gerald.

Lorna Tolentino in a New Teleserye

Lorna Tolentino will soon have her new teleserye with ABS-CBN. Taping will start on November and probably be seen on January in Primetime Bida.

Vhong Navarro Proposed to Toni Gonzaga in Kokey @ Ako

Vhong Navarro‘s character (Bruce) in Kokey @ Ako proposed to his leading woman (Toni Gonzaga). Is he also ready to pop the question to his girlfriend in real life?

ABS-CBN’s primetime comedy for the entire family, “Kokey@Ako” continues to soar high in ratings and is consistently one of the most watched weekday programs in the country according to data from Kantar Media.

Since its launch last Sept 20, the fantasy comedy with a heart never dropped out of the top four programs nationwide. It is also among the overall top 10 programs for September with an average rating of 25.9%, 7-points higher than its rival program with only 18.1%.

This is why the whole cast and crew of “Kokey@Ako” is very much overwhelmed and thankful for the support given by viewers especially on its first two weeks of airing.

“They have already supported the show as early as when the characters haven’t grown up yet, so we are really thankful to them. We all know how tough competition is in the primetime block and we feel grateful that they put us where we are now which is on the top three,” said Vhong Navarro.

Alongside the consistent rankings is the consistent intrigues thrown at the show’s lead stars particularly Toni Gonzaga, Melai Cantiveros, and Jason Francisco. But according to Vhong, the three don’t seem to be affected by all these controversies about them.

“Despite the intrigues, they remain focused on work as if they’re not going through something. They are very professional,” shared Vhong. “Of course I’m doing my part to help them out by giving advice especially to Melason who are newcomers in the industry. I tell them to be careful with how they respond to the issue so that the public will not misinterpret them.”

“Kokey@Ako” continues to heat up this week as Jackie and Josa finally got hired in the same TV station where Bruce is working as a cameraman. Will Jackie recognize her Lola Babra, the owner of the network? Will her lifelong dream of being reunited with her family be finally fulfilled?

Bruce also popped the questions and asked Jackie’s hand in marriage. Everything is all set until Jackie had a bad omen and poked herself with a needle while sewing her wedding dress.
Since Vhong’s character Bruce already proposed to Jackie, is Vhong also ready to pop the question to his non-showbiz girlfriend?

“I just went through an annulment and I think it’s not time yet for a proposal,” explained Vhong.
Don’t miss the exciting adventures in “Kokey@Ako,” before “TV Patrol World” on ABS-CBN.

Imortal's Pilot Beats Rival Program in Mega Manila and Nationwide

ABS-CBN’s newest primetime series, ‘Imortal’ sunk its teeth on its rival program in the nationwide ratings game as it led on its timeslot.

According to Kantar Media (formerly TNS), Angel Locsin and John Lloyd-starred series earned a high of 34.4% in the nationwide ratings results as its rival series only got a score of 22.7%. This puts the much-talked-about series, Imortal, on the second spot of the top 20 programs nationwide.

“Grabe ang kaba ko habang nanonood kami ng pilot noong Monday. Kaya ngayon na nalaman kong tumutok ang maraming tao, para ako ng nabunutan ng tinik. I’m very grateful sa mga taong sumuporta, salamat po talaga,” John Lloyd shared in an interview upon learning the high ratings of ‘Imortal.’

Angel expressed the same sentiments, “Sobra ko pong saya. Hindi lang dahil sa mataas ang nakuhang ratings ng programa. Ang saya ko rin po dahil naitawid namin ang obrang ito sa telebisyon ng maganda. Salamat po sa lahat ng tumutok.”

The Kapamilya network also has some of the highest rating programs for the day of October 4, 2010. The primetime teleserye Noah, which airs before Imortal, took the number one spot in the ranking of the 20 most watched shows in the country for the said day, again according to the Kantar/TNS TV ratings.

20 Highest Rating Programs (October 4, 2010)

1. Noah (ABS-CBN) - 34.5%
2. Imortal (ABS-CBN) - 34.4%
3. TV Patrol (ABS-CBN) - 31.2%
4. Magkaribal (ABS-CBN) - 24.6%
5. Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown (GMA-7) - 24.4%
6. Kokey@Ako (ABS-CBN) - 23.4%
7. 24 Oras (GMA-7) - 23.3%
8. Grazilda (GMA-7) - 22.7%
9. Ilumina (GMA-7) - 22.1%
10. Bantatay (GMA-7) - 19.3%
11. Endless Love (GMA-7) 16.7%
12. iDOL (ABS-CBN) 16.5%
13. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) - 16.1%
14. Precious Hearts Romances presents Alyna (ABS-CBN) - 13.9%
15. Pilipinas, Win Na Win! (ABS-CBN) - 13.4%
16. Showtime (ABS-CBN) - 13.1%
17. Trudis Liit (GMA-7) - 13%
18. Rosalka (ABS-CBN) - 12.6%
19. Kristine (ABS-CBN) 12.6%;
20. He's Beautiful (ABS-CBN) - 12.5%

Kantar/TNS ratings - October 4, 2010
Gising Pilipinas (ABS-CBN) 1.1%; OFW Diaries Replay (GMA-7) 1.1%
Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN) 5.3%; Simply KC (ABS-CBN) 4.9%; Unang Hirit (GMA-7)
4.5%
Dora The Explorer (ABS-CBN) 5.6%; Doraemon (GMA-7) 7.8%
Spongebob Squarepants (ABS-CBN) 7.3%; Detective Conan (GMA-7) 8.3%
Banana Split Daily Servings (ABS-CBN) 6.9%; Shaman King (GMA-7) 7.4%
Panahon Ko 'To! (ABS-CBN) 7%; Shining Inheritance Revisited (GMA-7) 5.2%
Showtime (ABS-CBN) 13.1%; Love Ni Mister, Love Ni Misis (GMA-7) 4.3%; Asar Talo,
Lahat Panalo! (GMA-7) 8.1%
Pilipinas, Win Na Win! (ABS-CBN) 13.4%; Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) 16.1%
Rosalka (ABS-CBN) 12.6%; Ang Yaman Ni Lola (GMA-7) 11.4%
Alyna (ABS-CBN) 13.9%; He's Beautiful (ABS-CBN) 12.5%; Trudis Liit (GMA-7) 13%
Kapamilya Blockbusters: Don't Give Up On Us (ABS-CBN) 12%; Kapuso Movie
Festival: 'Till I Met You (GMA-7) 8.4%; Temptation of Wife (GMA-7) 10.2%
Kokey@Ako (ABS-CBN) 23.4% vs Bantatay (GMA-7) 19.3%
TV Patrol (ABS-CBN) 31.2% vs 24 Oras (GMA-7) 23.3%
Noah (ABS-CBN) 34.5% vs Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown (GMA-7) 24.4%
Imortal (ABS-CBN) 34.4% vs Grazilda (GMA-7) 22.7%
Magkaribal (ABS-CBN) 24.6%; iDOL (ABS-CBN) 16.5%; Ilumina (GMA-7) 22.1%
Kristine (ABS-CBN) 12.6%; Endless Love (GMA-7) 16.7%
SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon (ABS-CBN) 7.1%; East of Eden (GMA-7) 9.1%
Bandila (ABS-CBN) 2.9%; Saksi (GMA-7) 5.5%
XXX (ABS-CBN) 2.2%; Music Uplate Live (ABS-CBN) 0.9%; I Witness (GMA-7) 2.6%

In the AGB Ratings, the pilot episode of Imortal ranked 1st in Mega Manila last night beating Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown.

Keep an eye on ‘Imortal,’ weeknights on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida after Noah.

ABS-CBN Asked for TRO Against Willie Revillame

ABS-CBN Corporation yesterday asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a writ of preliminary injunction against Willie Revillame to stop the TV host from committing further violations to his contract with the network by launching his much-hyped show “Willing Willie” on its competitor TV5.
In a 38-page petition, ABS-CBN appealed to the court to restrain Willie from creating or performing work similar to the work under the agreement for any person or entity in direct competition with the business of ABS-CBN and from engaging in activities which are adverse to the interests of ABS-CBN."

Furthermore, ABS-CBN sought the court to prevent Willie from appearing or using his name, voice or likeness, directly or indirectly, for promoting any product or service in print, radio, or television or any form of advertisement and committing any act which jeopardizes the success of the program or which may affect the good name and goodwill of ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN cited Willie’s much-publicized signing up as talent of Associated Broadcasting Company, wherein he would create and perform in a show that is very similar to the defunct "Wowowee" on ABS-CBN. Revillame reportedly was hands-on in the creation and conceptualization of the variety and game show "Willing-Willie."

ABS-CBN also cited the official statement issued by ABC's TV5 last September 17 confirming that Revillame has signed a contract with the network to host a variety and game show, which is very similar to what the TV host used to peform in "Wowowee" on ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN also asserted that Revillame is bound to comply with his current obligations under the agreement he signed with the Kapamilya network.
While the court has not decided on the judicial rescission case filed by Revillame, the TV host decided to enter a new contract and agree to perform in new shows.
"Revillame's actions show that he has decided for himself that he can do as he pleases despite the Honorable Court's taking cognizance of the issues," ABS-CBN stated in the petition.

In a statement from ABS-CBN Corporate Communication Head Bong Osorio, when Revillame chose to ignore his contract with the Kapamilya network, it was left with no choice but to ask the courts to intervene.

“The issue on Willie Revillame is all about honoring a contract. To ABS-CBN, it is not only the ethical and right thing to do. It is a noble act of a person or a company that values honesty and integrity. These values are reflected in the way we do business in ABS-CBN. We honor what we say and we expect our people, talents and partners to reciprocate the trust and honor we give them,” said Osorio.

“If a person or company gives honor and respect to a contract, conflicts can be avoided. Just like in a family, do you walkout simply because your attention was called?” he added.

Revillame violated the behavioral provisions of his contract when he threatened the ABS-CBN management during the 4 May 2010 episode of Wowowee, with a resignation if management does not fire another artist of the network

After weeks of hiatus, Willie resurfaced in the public and called for a press conference that he is rescinding his contract with ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN has maintained that it is the aggrieved party, and as such, is the only one that can decide to end the agreement.