Enchong Dee More Confident Now on Being Sexy

ABS-CBN’s upcoming teleserye Maria La Del Barrio debuts on primetime television this August. Lead stars Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales play lovers separated by social classes and well-kept secrets. Having been paired in three teleseryes and one hit movie, the two said they are now more at ease with doing intimate scenes in front of the camera.

At the press conference for Maria La Del Barrio, Enchong said, “Tuwing may gagawin kaming eksena tinatanong ko muna si Erich para malaman ko kung okay lang ba 'yung mga gagawin ko. Siyempre kahit gaano ka sexy itong current project namin, we have to make sure rin na sa next project meron pa kaming ipapakita na bago.”

The 22-year-old actor also shared that he is now more comfortable appearing shirtless on-screen. “Pinaghandaan din namin kasi ine-expect ng marami na medyo steamy ang ilang eksena dito. Ngayon masasabi kong mas confident na akong gumawa ng mga ganito unlike dati na medyo nahihiya pa.”

He said he is thankful that he was given enough time to work out and observe a strict diet so he could get into perfect shape for his role as the handsome heir Luis. “Nakatulong na maraming panahon ang naibigay sa amin. Nung una kasi, ma-rice pa ako, ha ha ha! Habang tumatagal, paunti na nang paunti. Kaya dun sa teaser ni Luis medyo iba 'yung katawan niya kaysa sa actual na mga eksena.”

Now that he is about to portray his biggest role yet on primetime television, Enchong was asked if he thinks he has already surpassed the likes of Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca as the sexiest leading men in showbiz. “Ayoko nung may papalitan, may uunahan. Trabaho lang. Hindi naman kailangan na lagi may competition,” he clarified.

Source: www.push.com.ph

Erich Gonzales Excited on Playing Maria la del Barrio

With the August 15 TV premiere of the Philippine remake of the hit Mexican drama Maria La Del Barrio, Erich Gonzales admitted she was very excited about finally seeing how one of her biggest projects turns out. “Lahat ng hirap, pagod at puyat namin worth it naman and masayang-masaya kami sa naging outcome. Sana talaga suportahan ng mga tao ang Maria La del Barrio. Talagang pinaghirapan namin lahat yun,” she said.

In the series, Erich plays the role of Maria Fernandez, a naïve yet strong-willed girl who dreams of finally meeting her Prince Charming after leading a happy yet poverty-stricken life. Playing the role of Erich’s love interest on the show is Enchong Dee, who has been Erich’s perennial onscreen partner. As revealed in the teaser trailer shown to the media during the event, Erich and Enchong had a lot of kissing scenes in the series, a noticeable change from their past projects together. But Erich is quick to say that the show is not going to be all out provocative. “Hindi siya yung sexy na bastusin. Iba siya. Funny rin ito at may comedy din kaming dalawa dito. Siyempre hindi rin naman papayagan ng ABS-CBN at ng management na gumawa ng something na hindi naman kapala-palabas,” she said.

The 20-year-old actress admitted that she and Enchong already filmed a somewhat intimate scene for the series. “Doon kasi nasa trailer yung scene na yun na parang pumatong siya sa akin tapos parang mahihila yung damit ko. Nasa highway kami nun sa Tagaytay. Andami-daming mga sasakyan dun pero masaya ako dahil kumportable ako kay Enchong tapos si Direk Rory B. Quintos din tinanong din niya ako kung okay na ganun,” she explained.

The pretty morena also admitted that she and Enchong have become so close to the point that she is comfortable doing any kind of scenes with him already. “With Enchong wala po talagang hesitation, walang awkwardness, wala pong ganun. Basta with Enchong kasi, madami na kaming projects na napagsamahan and sa bawat project na iyon, mas lalo lang naming nakikilala ang isa’t isa. Talagang nag-go-grow kami and wala ng kahit anong inhibitions. Hindi siya nag-te-take advantage. Napaka-gentleman niya. Perfect gentleman. Basta napaka-maalaga ni Enchong. Hindi siya nambabastos,” she shared during the Maria La Del Barrio presscon held last July 27 at the Dolphy theater inside the ABS-CBN compound.

Erich also revealed the agreement she and Enchong had when they were first paired together as a love team. “We made a promise talaga na hindi kami ma-i-in love sa isa’t isa and tutuparin namin yung promise na yun. Dahil mahirap magtrabaho na may involved na boyfriend-girlfriend, ganyan. So happy naman kami at okay naman kami sa trabaho,” she admitted. But the Maria La Del Barrio star did admit that there is still the possibility of them ending up together off-screen as well. “Napaka-lovable naman ni Enchong. In this project, naging sobrang close kami. Hindi lang kami ni Enchong pero lahat talaga sa show kasi sabay-sabay kaming kumakain, ganun,” she said.

Source: www.push.com.ph

Atty. Koko Pimentel on The Bottomline

Ngayong Sabado (Hulyo 30) sa "The Bottomline with Boy Abunda," uupo sa hotseat ang kontrobersyal na anak ni Senador Nene Pimentel na si Atty Koko Pimentel.

Sa murang edad pa lang, kinamulatan na ni Koko ang mundo ng pulitika at nasaksihan na niya ang pagsisikap ng kanyang ama bilang mambabatas. At dahil na rin sa impluwensya nito, nag-abogasiya rin si Koko at naging topnotcher pa sa bar exam.

Ngunit tila mailap ang kapalaran kay Koko na maging public official dahil hindi siya pinalad manalo bilang alkalde sa kanilang probinsya sa Cagayan de Oro. At naging kontrobersyal din dahil sa kanyang pagkatalo noong 2007 senatorial elections laban kay Miguel Zubiri. Sa pagkakataong ito, mukhang papabor na sa kanya ang tadhana dahil kamakailan lamang ay nagpatotoo na sina Lintang Bedol at Zaldy Ampatuan na may naganap na dayaan sa eleksyon sa Maguindanao. Ano ang epekto nito sa protestang ipinaglalaban niya sa loob ng mahabang panahon? Umaasa pa ba siyang may hustisya matatanggap sa kamay ng Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) na siyang lumilitis ng kanyang protesta? At sa karanasan niyang ito, may balak pa ba niyang tumakbo sa darating na 2013 elections?

Mainit, matapang at malalim na talakayan na naman ang inyong masasaksihan ngayong Sabado sa “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda” pagkatapos ng primetime telecast ng Banana Split sa ABS-CBN. Para sa karagdagang updates, mag-log on sa www.abs-cbn.com o sundan ang abscbndotcom sa Twitter.

Enrique Gil on Diego and his Brothers

Diego and His Brothers” is a story of brotherhood, as well as a coming of age tale that follows the young protagonist, Diego.

Starring in the short film are Julijo Pisk as Diego, Pica Lozano as Tomas and Good Vibes star Enrique Gil as Anton, under the direction of Marty Lopez.

This film was made possible through the Russell Hexter Filmmaker Grant, produced at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Maurice Kanabar Institute of Film and Television.

“Diego and His Brothers” is a story loosely based on events surrounding three brothers during World War II in the Philippines. The film tells the story of Diego (Julijo Pisk), a young boy on a journey with his brothers to find an aircraft to take them away from the Japanese invasion. As the story unfolds, so too does the relationship between the brothers, as they try to overcome their own interior and exterior factors that keep them from getting to their destination.

Here is the trailer:

Zaijan Jaranilla on Wansapanataym's Dirty Larry

Child Superstar Zaijan Jaranilla casts a spell on “Wansapanataym’s Dirty Larry” episode this Saturday.

ABS-CBN’s hit Saturday TV program shares a story about a boy (Larry) who hates taking a bath. One day, the germs on Larry’s skin come to life and attack his mother. In the end, he saves his mother and learns the important lesson on proper hygiene.

Under the direction of Erick C. Salud, Zaijan will be sharing the small screen with Lara Quigaman and Erik Fructuoso.

Don’t miss “Wansapanataym” this Saturday after “TV Patrol Weekend” on ABS-CBN.

Andi Eigenmann Coping Well With Pregnancy

For the first time after the news broke out that she's pregnant, actress Andi Eigenmann answered questions about her pregnancy.

In an interview, Eigenmann said that she's coping well.

"Okay naman po. Thank you," Eigenmann said after watching the indie film "Cuchera" at the UP Theater in Diliman Quezon City on Thursday.

Eigenmann said she's not having a hard time working even if her tummy is already getting bigger.

Eigenmann is part of ABS-CBN's hit TV series "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin" with Coco Martin as the lead star.

She said that the production staff and people in the show are taking good care of her.

"Okay naman po. Hindi po ako nahihirapan. The staff and crew and the production are giving me the right amount of protection and care that I need at sinusuportahan nila ako dito," Eigenmann said.

The actress said the stars and staff of "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin" are preparing for the show's finale.

"Sana abangan niyo. Matagal pa po. We are still working on the ending. Sobrang seryoso lahat kami at ngayon sobrang ngarag magtrabaho para tapusin ang teleserye so sana suportahan niyo," she said.

She also expressed her gratitude to all her fans who keep on supporting her.

"Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo sa patuloy na pagsuporta niyo sa akin. Sobrang nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyo," she said.

Eigenmann's pregnancy was confirmed last month by her mother, actress Jaclyn Jose.

Until now, the family of the actress has refused to name the father of the baby.

Eigenmann is set to give birth before the end of the year.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Maja Salvador Excited for Upcoming Indie Film

Actress Maja Salvador is excited about her upcoming film "Thelma."

In an interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, Salvador said the film is based on the life of Filipino athletes, in particular, runners.

"Ang role ko dito, isa akong runner na sobra ang pangarap niya para sa pamilya niya na ginawa niya ang lahat para matupad ito," said Salvador.

She clarified that the film is not the based on the true-to-life story of athlete Elma Muros. However, she said it was Muros who actually trained her.

"Itong Thelma kasi, bago nila isulat ito, nag-interview sila ng runners sila, hanggang sa nabuo, yung kwento ng ganitong runner, hindi yung kay Ms. Elma," she said.

For the film, Salvador said she had to do real training and exercises of a runner. As a result, she lost weight.

"Bale si Ms. Elma siya ang nag-train sa akin, kasama ko siyang mag-training...Talagang mahirap ang pinagawa niya sa akin habang nagte-training kami. Kung ano ang ginagawa ng runners, yun ang ginagawa namin. Six weeks kaming nag-training," she said.

"Thelma," produced by Time Horizon and distributed by Star Cinema, also stars Tetchie Agbayani, John Arcilla and Jason Abalos.

"Thelma" will hit theaters September 7.

Salvador is currently part of hit television series "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin" with Coco Martin as the lead star.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Batang Genius Search on Happy Yipee Yehey

“Happy Yipee Yehey” (HYY) proudly opens the search for the next “Batang Genius,” a competition that challenges the excellence of the Filipino youth.

Active, talented and most of all, intelligent, these are the characteristics of the contenders that the “Batang Genius” competition is looking for. Grades 5 and 6 students are encouraged to audition on July 30 and 31, and on August 6, 1p.m. at the ABS-CBN audience entrance. Just bring the child’s birth certificate and school ID as proof of qualification.

All qualified participants will go through a written exam while those who’ll pass will undergo a series of interviews. One million Pesos will be awarded to the brightest “Batang Genius” contestant. Lives of the contestants will also be featured on HYY.

“Batang Genius” is hosted by one of showbiz industry’s most intelligent, witty and talented hosts, Toni Gonzaga. It can be recalled that at a very young age, Toni served as a barangay Kagawad.

So, what are you waiting for? Bring your children, brothers or sisters, niece or nephew and their birth certificates and IDs at ABS-CBN audience entrance to become the first-ever “Batang Genius.”

Meanwhile, this Saturday on “Happy Yipee Yehey!,” team Azkals fiercely plays in “Ang Tanging Hinga Mo” while “My Girl” contestants battle it out in the pageant’s exciting monthly finals.

Noontimes are never the same when you’re with your favorite noontime barkada Randy Santiago, John Estrada, Rico J Puno, Mariel Rodriguez, Toni, Bianca Manalo, Melai Cantiveros, John Pratts, Jason Francisco, Bentong, and Matteo Guidicelli.

Don’t miss the fun and the whopping gifts and prizes to be given away in “Happy Yipee Yehey!,” Mondays through Saturdays, after Showtime on ABS-CBN. Bida Best Kapamilya!

Ian Veneracion Back as Kapamilya

Actor Ian Veneracion is back with ABS-CBN after 8 long years.

Veneracion will be part of the series "Maria La del Barrio" with Erich Gonzales as the lead star.

"I'm very happy, I'm really happy to be back on ABS-CBN, " Veneracion told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

Veneracion's last project with the Kapamilya network was the show "Darating Ang Umaga" in 2003 with Eula Valdez and Vina Morales.

The actor, known for his performances in action movies, also shared his excitement to be part of "Maria La del Barrio." In the series, he will play Fernando de la Vega, father of Luis Fernando (played by Enchong Dee).

He said he got the role with the help of the show's director Rory Quintos.

"May project si Direk Rory at nire-request niya ako for the role of Fernando de la Vega. Nag-enjoy kami talaga at nag-bond kami talaga. Si direk, magaling siya director, mino-motivate ka niya," he said.

Veneracion said playing the role of a father role is not a problem for him.

As a real father to 3 loving kids, he's happy that he's been tapped for such a role.

"Now I'm happy...nagmamature ang roles ko, I'm doing a father role...Kung ano ako in real life, nag-go-grow din ang character ko," Veneracion said.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com