TOLS: Kelvin Miranda, Abdul Raman, Shaun Salvador + Rufa Mae and Betong in New Show Come June 25th

I've had the pleasure of watching a couple of trailers this afternoon during the TOLS Media Conference held at the Novotel in Quezon City. This is the child project of Tyrone Escalante Artist Management and Merlion Events Production Inc. which will be shown on GMA's GTV channel. TOLS is a story of triplets Uno, Dos, Third played by Kelvin Miranda, Abdul Raman and Shaun Salvador. Rufa Mae Quinto plays their Mom in the weekly series and Betong Sumaya plays anti hero.

The setting is a Barber Shop and we all know pretty much by now that this isn't going to be your usual scripted story line as the peg was going to be a riot that's much like previous late 80's to early 90's Palibhasa Lalake as inspiration. Thing is, these guys are probably in a younger demographic which means they'd be connecting well with Gen Z's, Millennials, onward. Rufa Mae Quinto's casting has proven to be valuable because they'll be putting in her expertise in the genre and they guys lauded her about being so generous in throwing punchlines they'd be able to follow through with their own antics, tell them to stop if it didn't land too. 

 I love the fun, the format, and as Rufa observed, these guys have their own traits that people would find endearing. Aside from their good looks, Kelvin is a bit uncontrollable, whilst Abdul was unnerving and Shaun was the one that always got bullied. There were several times in the Media Conference where they divulged some pretty interesting relationships and rumors. Some of them shouldn't land on video but here goes a few minutes in this one if you're raring to know more about it.

Suffice to say, this was something interesting for me as an avid viewer of primetime shows. These guys look good on screen and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of ladies would adore them and this project. The previews and small clues they left us were devoured easily by the press covering the event and if that's piqued our interest, things would probably be same with the general public. Now make sure you go watch the first episode come June 25 at 7PM on GTV. Just make sure you've scanned the channel on digital boxes so you can start watching the show. 

Don't say I didn't tell you about it... a toast to the new crazy show! Who knows, they're already wishing for a second season, that might be even be in the pipeline already. :)

Alden Richards for CENTERSTAGE

Sunday will never be the same again now that CENTERSTAGE will premiere this evening. It's the new show hosted by Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards and Concert Jester Betong Sumaya. The show will be making superstars out of kids who would want to make their dreams come true every week. It is limited to 7-12 year olds but I got to do it a few days ago against some media reporters at the GMA Studios. I enjoyed it a lot even though I didn't win, but really, this is ingenious because they get to pick winners every week and new kids can get you out of contention if they sing much better than you. This just means you must do your best everytime so as not to lose your place in the competition. There are rings in the Centerstage which indicates how many times you've won so you get to do the next rounds, so you can expect this to run a couple of months. 

The judging panel is composed of International Theater actress and singer Aicelle Santos, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and Music Director Mel Villena. They will be telling how you will advance on the rounds so make sure to please them as soon as the song plays on stage. This is obviously an original concept by GMA, like their previous successful ones, they know how you're gonna love this weekend show!

They will be scouring contestants from across the country and all you need to do is join, or watch at home. This is another exciting show hosted by Alden Richards who was so excited during the preview.

 

The Amazing Betong Sumaya in Concert at the Music Museum

Betong Sumaya’s concert is going to happen at the Music Museum on November 21 8pm. Betong actually sings, and we’ll find out how this all happens on this date. His guests include Dingdong Dantes, Michael V, Alden Richards, Miguel Tanfelix, Jeric Gonzales, Maricris Garcia, Aicelle Santos, Anthony Rosaldo, May Bautista, Michael Angelo, Lovely Abella, Valeen Montenegro, Chariz Solomon, Patricia Javier, Chuckie Dreyfus, Arthur Solinap and Carlo Gonzales.

He starts by saying "If you guys know the song, just keep it in your mind."

Betong says “I didn’t have confidence really but have been contemplating on doing this two years ago. I was an amaturista, brought up by my Mom who pushed me to join competitions when I was a kid. I lived in Antipolo, I didn’t really anticipate I’ll have a concert when I joined GMA because I was always working behind the camera, then went in front to do re-enactments for Kay Susan Tayo. When Survivor came, it was just a big opportunity and then I joined Bubble Gang. In the concert, it won’t be fully just be comedy, I will have song and dance numbers. I will also have guests because honestly, I am thankful they heeded my call for their help for this concert. I personally texted each of them and did the rounds, I also tried to call a lot of other stars and it was a mess with their schedules but they all were willing to join me in my birthday concert. I wanted of course to have more, but some of them have yet to say yes. I wanted a dance showdown but Alden wanted a song and dance number, so we are arranging that to happen. The songs have been chosen by me, I believe they are very close to my heart. I used to go to provinces and perform them, I also included songs which inspired me by great Filipino balladeers. Mae was super ready to be with me, and Sir Dingdong called me who was excited for me. I was too shy to ask him but he was so enthusiastic when he called me, I hope Ms Marian also comes because they have been a huge part of my career. I will try to sing, I will try dance, I will try to act (with Bitoy), I will try not to perspire. I will also try to make the Music Museum full. I am thankful to Artist Center because I didn’t ask much but they have been forwarding a lot of things for me to try. I was supposed to release my first single but they just ran out of time because we have 16 guests, we might head off doing Unang Hirit the next day. This is very meaningful for me, because it is my birthday, and also my Dad’s birthday. He would have wanted to see me on TV, he didn’t get to see this. I also will dedicated this to my family. I may perhaps try writing songs soon, also will release a single via GMA Record. This Friday we will be giving you Scavengers, a two part special for the anniversary of Bubble Gang. Antonietta will be part of the concert, she may have guests as well. We will keep it a surprise.”

Betong’s Amazing Concert (Try Ko Lang Ha) only have a few tickets left and if you’re looking for some, go to Music Musem Ticketron or Ticketworld https://bit.ly/2Q09XPE at 8-891-999 or call Music Museum 8-721-6726.

Watch Out for All Star Videoke on GMA!

It looks like GMA is making their Sunday afternoon even MORE fun by bringing in their hit show ALL STAR VIDEOKE back to TV which was once hosted by Allan K and Jaya. This time they're bringing in a very HUGE fancy stage, plus two new hosts to become song masters and start off the show. 

Betong Sumaya says "I always wanted to have a show aside from Survivor, I said it during those years and I've already had a movie with her. Now it's going to be us two, hosting our own show and she's not holding back in comedy here. She's sophisticated, but here she's letting all her hair down. You wouldn't believe what she can do in every taping I've had with her. The celebrity contestants will be seen without edits, you'll see who can sing or not in real life, some are really good, some doing it in second voice LOL. All Kapuso celebrities had fun in the show so I hope you watch the show this September 3 as we begin All Star Videoke! The previous one had a 7 year run and when I met him during Rochelle's wedding he game me his blessings, also Ms Jaya on Instagram. We are so proud to be part of this. I was a player back then but it wasn't like this, the stage is so high and they will fall. It's a little scary. We are also going to sing here so we'll try to see if out efforts are enough on the pilot show. You should also watch out for the second, third and fourth show. We'll try that fall on our next taping, but when we saw it during the first episode we already backed out LOL."

In the first episode, you'll see Kapuso stars Barbie Forteza, Jak Roberto, Ken Chan, Mikael Daez, Megan Young (who's inviting you to watch Miss World later on SNBO) and Kim Domingo. 

They choose a category, sing along, and every correct lyric will have an equivalent prize. Celebrity judges will choose who will get dropped off based on those who got more lyrics correct. For the first show, it will be Alden Richards and Jerald Napoles (as ALL STAR LAGLAGERS) on chair so they have to make sure they guess the lyrics right! For the two last contestants, they need to do the PUSH AND SING round where they will need to continue singing a song they chose and win a point if it's correct. 

Winners of this week will be challenging the next batch of celebrities and if they do it 4 times in a row, they will win a BRAND NEW CAR! Okay how do I join? LOL

So if you want to know who's gonna win, make sure you watch the first episode this September 3 with Betong Sumaya and Solenn Heussaff as hosts!

KUMAGCOW

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Mark Herras, Betong Sumaya and Nar Cabico for GMA's New Shows!

We had the chance to meet Nar Cabico, Mark Herras and Betong Sumaya a few days ago through our good friends from GMA Artist Center. They've graced different shows in the Kapuso Network and it was nice to see them in a relaxed, no fuss state during our small blogcon in Quezon City. Nar Cabico has graced countless stage productions and has a knack for singing. It is his passion and he couldn't believe how he's been able to crossover from stage to movies, and now on TV. He's still bound to get his biggest break but he's currently concentrating on his work with Encantadia. He's hosting an interactive show on GMANetwork.com called Encantadia Sessions where he goes and talk to real people asking questions, making funny notions so he could get reactions from netizens and people who are watching the epic fantasy series on GMA.

We were also joined by Betong Sumaya, who's now part of a funny comedy series called Conan, My Beautician together with hunky actor Mark Herras (on his starring role). Betong plays an emotional gay beautician (named Mimi the Hugot Queen) who plays with words as he gets his clients believe his views in love, all the bitterness included. He was so funny in the pilot and I hope they would be able to sustain that. He's a little skeptic like the other individuals in the salon because Conan happened to just join them by accident. Mark was being chased by the men of Chika La Chaka (an ugly rich lady who's forcing him to marry her) and ended up entering their salon called Salon Paz. He played along as a gay guy until he met a lovely lady in the persona of Miss World herself Maegan Young. 

I mentioned to them how much I actually loved the editing of each scene. That must have been very hard to actually execute. They say it's a style that the director wanted to happen and they do make an effort to make it "become" that way.

Mark Herras also appears on other drama series like "Sa Piling Ni Nanay" (Heaven's Mom/Womb for Hire) and is still active with other shows on the same network, but he feels Conan, My Beautician will definitely make a mark on his Comedy acting skills since it's a bit off on what he's usually doing in primetime dramas. It's a bigger challenge but since he's a naturally charming and funny guy I think he's not going to have any issues with that.

In a relaxed environment like this afternoon, it was nice to see them in a good mood. They never hesitated to share what they've experienced making this series, and also Nar's participation in Encantadia. Mark also mentioned how much he's excited for people to get to know each of the characters in the Salon, also his Dad (Jay Manalo) and little brother (Balang). It's funny but it's a story of a family, his community and relationships, he wants you to watch the show every Sunday at 5PM.  

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