It was a nice afternoon to see Ivana Alawi right before her PBB stint which none of us was aware of. It was a simple thanksgiving event which she arranged for the support she's getting from the press and bloggers, so it was certainly a surprise to see her in the famous house days after.
Were there any clues?
None at all, because much of the talk that transpired that afternoon revolved around her success, the brands she's representing, and getting married among others.
The YouTube star will certainly be seen in a more "personal" way now that she's in the ABSCBN and GMA partnered celebrity edition of the show which they dubbed as COLLAB, something she's quite used to.
She mentioned during our small talk that most of her content didn't really have scripts and just happens when it happens. She was very witty, down to earth, and doesn't mind answering even the most controversial of issues thrown at her. She confirmed some jewellery endorsement woes are on trial which prohibited her from speaking about it.
Will she do good on the show?
Definitely. Her personality shines in her recent YouTube episodes and her hunger to even create interesting talk with Barbie Forteza (which she deems is still the same person she was with years ago) is a testament for the kind of person she is in or out of the cameras.
She also shared how she wanted to work with previous winner Fyang soon. Maybe that'll happen when she gets out from the house of Kuya.
Seeing her up close would have made the case of being number 1 in the Most Beautiful Face of the Year a no contest. It's the annual voting list run by TC Candler, a creator based in LA. There have been 7 Filipinas in that list this year but the Top 1 post went to ANDREA BRILLANTES, one of Star Magic's brightest stars.
She's also been given the SPOTLIGHT by the artist agency last week and we got to talk to her a bit about getting the recognition and asked a few more things about what she plans to do this 2025. She's had a pretty lucky 2024, and for sure, ABS-CBN has huge plans for her especially after getting in this really popular list.
We talked to Andrea at the SPOTLIGHT set by Star Magic. They really prepared a lot for this event and interview (mainly to recognize their accomplishments of course!).
Andrea says "I was quite surprised about the video, I didn't know you were going to do that. I tied my hair today because of that list. Last year I was also there but I didn't get the top spot, but this year when I learned about it, I said hala, I'm top 1? I asked my Mom immediately and told her she's got a daughter that made the top spot. But really, I'm so thankful. It's the bragging rights that I could tell my friends now, really happy about it but I couldn't have that in my head, I couldn't wrap my head around it."
She adds "Right now I'm enjoying my free time because I don't have a show, but I've got a ton of things to do especially with business. I set my priorities, but try to also enjoy my youth. I also help with my community, my church, and try to learn a new sport like frisbee. I try to be intentional with my time, try to find some for everything. It's quite precious for me because I have to have energy for it everyday. I try to travel, my schedule is crazy, but want to have a work life balance. I want to manage my time because you can't disappear when you're in this business. I think it's important to have sleep, above anything, no matter how beautiful you are. Now I'm adding veggies to my diet, try to take care of that and what I eat. I also invest in skincare, do makeup, I've been doing it since I was 16 and I think I've got a pretty good grasp of it. If I'm tired, I just do my routine. I try to fit it in one hour or 30 minutes just to take care of myself."
"You don't just have to be pretty outside, I try my best to be good, my attitude. I think making your heart pretty is better."
With all the things she's been through, she knows herself even more. She plans to do more shows, programs, movies, even other things outside showbiz. It's her experience that makes her an even better person, and we saw that during the SPOTLIGHT event with her.
Filipinos can't deny their affinity for something that soaks them in love, hope, hurt and a lot of melancholy. We met with Seb Pajarillo and Jeniffer Maravilla a few days ago and listened to two new singles they've released, and it was quite interesting.
First off, as individuals, they're very different than what I thought they would be. I've met Jennifer during a workshop a couple months ago, and her serious quiet looking facade could fool anyone who's going to meet her the first time. She's very bubbly, quite fun to talk to, a person who you can strike a conversation with.. or initiates it (which I absolutely like about her). She's also a fierce singer, one that could read a phone book and belt it out like the powerful divas we watch on Philippine television.
Seb on the other hand, felt like a young classy gentleman. He's not the type that super imposes his good looks, but the one that takes time to do things and makes you fall for his charm. His voice is much of a crooner, someone who could do good with the classics but instead delved into more emotional type OPM told into stories. He's also a very nice guy, which will be quite a huge addition to his attractiveness and the ability to sing.
With the folks from GMA Playlist, they're releasing individual singles. Seb sang for us his latest one called "Dati Pa" which is about enjoying the feeling of being in love, and about losing it. Jennifer on the other hand sang "Di Na Pwede", which is about getting hurt, and asking for a chance for her questions to be answered.
I asked them a bit about their previous relationships, on how they fell in love with the person, and what they learned from it. They answered honestly.. and Seb says "I think I fell in love with her because I saw that I would really learn a lot from her. Growing up, I was used to being very dependent with my parents and I had a hard time being independent. I kinda felt that I'd be experiencing things with her that would lead me to learn stuff. She was smart, very independent, and I did learn a lot, but I also learned that loving someone means I need to equip and love myself first."
Jen adds "For me, I don't think you could tell that you will fall in love with a person. I couldn't tell the specific time, but now that I'm dating again, I realized that you need to qualify who you are going to be with for the rest of your life. You can definitely start with your preferences, that's where I'm starting again so far. Yes, I was hurt from that last relationship, no, more of devastated. Though I learned from it, it was almost half of my life. I never really thought it would end. I only learned to let go of the hurt when I started to love my self. That's when I began seeing things clearly, on what my preferences were, what I deserve, and what I want. I realized I also needed to go through that because it has really strengthened me."
Here's the rest of the interview on video:
"Dati Pa" and "Di Na Pwede" is out now on streaming sites. Go listen to them today and make your love a lesson too. This is under GMA Playlist of GMA Music. Follow Seb and Jennifer on their social channels too because from the looks of it, this is just the start of their music and acting careers, and did good.
Thank you to Sparkle for letting us interview these two talented singers!
It's been a while since I've last seen Ms. Marian Rivera-Dantes. I also missed the opportunity to watch her latest movie "BALOTA" which was showcased at Cinemalaya XX which won her the Best Actress trophy for obvious reasons. The film mirrors real life (although satire), of an educator who goes over and beyond her duty in the classroom. Teacher Emmy not only thinks about her future, but spins in the optimism of electing leaders, and finding out the grim reality of the human psyche.
In a mayoralty race of their quaint town, they had the choice between a land grabbing power hungry woman, or a former s3xy actor. Since she also administers a precinct during the elections, she gets caught in the action when the result meant people seizing the ballot box she carries in order to win. The woman with integrity didn't budge with any force, and baddies even became more eager to find or eliminate her, no matter what it takes.
Marian by any means still looked every bit beautiful even if she was de-glamorized. The chase brought her to vehicles, the forest, the querida's house, the s3xy actor's house, the boondocks, something you wouldn't think she'd have to do as a premiere actress yet here we are. Marian says "I couldn't explain how I felt after shooting "Balota". I even mentioned to Dong how fulfilled I felt doing it despite me being in the industry for a while now. It fed my hunger to do worthwhile projects like these. I felt inspired after that win given to me by the Cinemalaya community."
The exciting thing is, they will be having this released for public viewing this coming October 16. This is produced by GMA Pictures, written and directed by Kip Oebanda. The film also includes actors Will Ashley, Raheel Bhyria, Royce Cabrera, Sassa Gurl, Esnyr, Donna Cariaga, Gardo Versoza, Mae Paner, Sue Prado, Joel Saracho, Donna Cariaga and Nico Antonio. Apt for the times, great story line that is cohesive. It's genius. Having Marian Rivera-Dantes is a great reason to also watch this. It's our story.
After numerous commercials, lining up for auditions trying to find her spot, Gillian Vicencio finally got the ball rolling in her showbiz career after appearing called "EERIE" together with A list stars Bea Alonzo and ABSCBN exec Charo Santos Concio. She played the role of a ghost named Erika Sayco which meant she wasn't allowed to appear in promotional tours to get the element of surprise when people see the movie.
She was seen with her merits, and slowly got different projects because of it, one of which is a horror film "Hell Come Home" with noted actor Dennis Trillo, Alyssa Mulach, Raymond Bagatsing and talented actress Beauty Gonzales. She entered Star Magic in 2019 together with some of this generations brightest stars like Belle Mariano, Anthony Jennings, Jeramiah Lizbo, JC Alcantara and good looking actor/singer Kyle Echarri.
Later on, she was handled by Mico Del Rosario via Rise Artists Studio and the Star Creatives group. She was ready and met with ABSCBN execs, though 2020 proved to be a huge challenge for ABS-CBN as their franchise woes started. Gillian says "Of course I was so afraid about the situation because I just signed with the corp. But we were assured by management that they will take care of us. This started numerous digital shows, hosting stints, lots of opportunities to introduce ourselves to the public. We also got to talk with other artists while doing We Rise Together Live. We also got a lot of workshops done to hone our skills, it was a lot of help to equip us prior to bringing us in new projects we're doing today, I am truly grateful for that!"
She also got her biggest break in a movie called "Four Sisters Before The Wedding" wherein she got cast with Charlie Dizon, Belle Mariano and our girl Alexa Ilacad. Since this is a prequel, she portrayed the same role of Angel which was previously done by screen superstar Angel Locsin. This was shown online in so many platforms and her versatility was evidently showcased and appreciated by many.
Last year, she was also in KARGO which was shown in Netflix. She got to work with veteran actresses like Rio Locsin in the Thriller/Drama piece and was quite happy about that. Viral digital series "Hello Stranger" also got her as part of the cast as Tony Labrusca's girlfriend in the BL series which got lots of views, then continued to appear in other shows.
Gillian took her talent to the KathNiel project "2good To Be True" and was paired with Yves Flores. People loved their chemistry and she liked the friendship she formed with him during the shoot. Though the months after, she faced some real challenges. She faced it with positivity and continued to work and focused on her race instead.
Today, she's grateful about the opportunities that continue to come her way. Gillian appeared in the theater play "KUMPRONTASYON" in mid January at the PETA Theater. There, she continued to cop more roles and even had the opportunity to work with Romnick Sarmenta and Director Melvin Lee.
She also got endorsements with beauty brand Beautederm. CEO and Girl Boss Rhea Tan got her in the roster of influencers, artists and A-listers to promote their products nationwide. Gillian says "I couldn't contain my happiness. Albeit being fairly new in the industry, Mommy Rhei had her trust in me. Being in the midst of artists and celebrities of Beautederm is but an honor. Can't wait to see how the photos and billboard would come out!"
Gillian will also be a part of the Filipino adaptation of "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?" where she will be with Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino. It will be shown on streaming platform Viu. Aside from that, she's going to be in the horror film "Talahib" together with Kristoff Garcia and Joem Bascon. This is produced by FEAST Foundation and dony by acclaimed Director Alvin Yapan. It will be showcased in local and international film festivals, so make sure to watch out for that!
There's no stopping Gillian Vicencio, she's going no where but up!
Ever wondered what happened to the bubble gum pop, iconic Timmy Cruz? It's been years since we've all last heard from her, with good reason. She took a long deserved vacation, a break from all the stress, to concentrate on healing, inner peace and deeper self care.
She was working on a series set in a hospital, where she got the idea to have herself checked. She did it quite regularly, but this time, it was different. Doctors brought news about her condition, here's her story:
While she was on her path to doing deeper self care, she practiced meditation and concentrated on their family business. While in one of her sessions, she shared her songs among those who attended it and people asked if songs she sang (during meditation sessions) was already out there. She said no but didn't know she was talking to someone from FlipMusic Records. Aside from that, her whole family was always egging her to go back to show business and singing. After getting healed, and years of waiting during the pandemic, she felt it was but right to share her gift to even more people. She also hoped that people learn something about her story, then decided to go back to the industry she loves. She needed a little help on the management side and sought the help of Artist Circle under Rams David.
Ms. Timmy says "The title of the song is ALL I WANT IS YOU. I wrote this song together with a couple of others I sang earlier. It is my first try in composing songs, as I couldn't call myself a real artist if I only interpret other people's songs. I felt something was lacking, so I asked the Lord to help me. During a teleserye shoot, I was with Ogie Alcasid, so I bluntly asked him to help me how to write songs. He just said.. you can do it! You just have to emote, then try several times. I took his advice and now have FlipMusic to release it on digital. Now I have over 28 on Spotify and other platforms. All I Want Is You is my 29th. I also came up to Jose Mari Chan, he didn't recognize me because I now have gray hair. I told him I'm following his footsteps of writing Christmas songs. He just told me to keep on composing. I always send it to him and ask about it. I learned a lot during this process, I really learned to listen."
She added "I am here to do good things. If it's not, then I'm not going to be part of that. When I had a long break, I didn't really use make up. That's a 7 year break from it sans the mascara that I use every once in a while. This is how I look like naturally, so I enjoy and accept it. I cut my hair so as to not use much energy. I'd rather have it be used by my body to heal. I used to always keep watch my hair color and even go to salons at night for continuity sake. It took me a year to get used to it."
And by any standards, her new look would probably land her roles. You could liken it to Miranda Priestly or put it down so she could portray a Mom (a little too young to be a Grandma) so imagine the things she can do now that she's back in showbiz. This is just the start, and if you're already feeling the Christmas season, you can pre order her single that's coming out on the 6th of December. We all heard it and it's like standards, think Michael Buble but her version. It's on all digital platforms, and yes, we could make it into a playlist for that special day.
I'm quite happy to see where she's going. I've got her performance on my TikTok account @kumagcow so head on there if you want to see more of Ms. Timmy Cruz. Thank you to her management Artist Circle for letting us interview Ms. Timmy. Hope to see her in new shows soon!
I've seen Shira Tweg a couple of times from her previous movie "Sugat Sa Dugo" back in 2021 (we interviewed her) and MMFF Summer entry "Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko" (she portrayed a young Sharon Cuneta) which talked about the life of Singer-Songwriter and hit maker Rey Valera. She's a Filipina-Israeli actress who I think looked like a mix between Salma Hayek and Catherine Zeta Jones. She's also a singer and this time, she just released a new single called "Pag-ibig" under Star Music
Here's our interview with her during the launch:
I like the song and its premise, of where a hopeful young girl still believes there's someone out there for her even though she already got hurt in past relationships. She's not a belter per se, but she sure has a unique voice and tone that's pleasing to the ears and an ability to tell a story. She gave us a show during the launch, albeit sick, she went ahead and performed for us. It was nice to hear her rendition of Sharon Cuneta's Mr. DJ and her new song "Pag-ibig". Her new single was also written by Direk Joven Tan who's also done a lot to help her in her music career.
Shira also plans to have her own business soon, and she's preparing a lot for that. She's an actress and she's raring to grab the opportunities presented to her, to hopefully also release more songs in the near future. About pageants, she's not that interested in doing it, but rather do modeling.
She's had suitors, but prioritizing her career and education comes first. Love isn't perfect she says, but the song "Pag-ibig" gives you reasons to still believe in it no matter how many times you fail in relationships. It also tells a story of your struggles, on how you would take the courage in professing love for another person. She hopes you find this song to be about you in one stage of your life, and yes, you can stream this now on all digital platforms and YouTube for the music video.
She's got a long way to go, but she's talented and we hope they get to create even more songs for her so people would be able to listen to Shira Tweg and believe in love again. Congratulations on your new single dear!
When I first interviewed her a couple years back, I felt like I was just taking to a long lost friend/family. There are few instances when I genuinely feel that connection especially when talking to artists in this industry. She's very beautiful and you could see how much passion she pours in for her craft. She's the gorgeous Ria Atayde and I couldn't be more proud of her recent achievements.
She's made heads turn and taken the spotlight during the MIPCOM Cannes event they attended for Cattleya Killer, to showcase the film to decision makers and international distributors. She's done the legwork of doing several hit shows and done different characters, positioning herself as one of the most spirited actresses of this generation. She has also donned several magazines, a trusted woman for endorsements, also has become the exemplary face of body positivity while doing charity work closest to her heart.
This big project which Ria is a huge part of is Directed by famed film maker Dan Villegas. The story concentrates on a supposed copycat killer which happened in Manila during the 90's which spooked the nation of a serial killer. It's composed of a great cast and her brother Congressman Arjo Atayde portrayed the lead role. It'll be interesting to see how the international audience would react on how Filipino films are made. Ria is also involved and supporting Nathan Studios instrumental to create world class Filipino content for the world stage. Ria is definitely inspiring a lot of people with her line of work, brought upon by her innate hard work, dedication, tenacity to a craft she loves.
Ria is going to make waves internationally, I could feel it. A woman who has done remarkable work and continues to inspire others, she deserves all the accolades and achievements she's getting now. If you want to know more about her and Cattleya Killer, follow Ria Atayde on IG @ria and @nathan.studios. They'll be posting updates about the film in the next few months so stay tuned!
We went in the cinema of Gateway Mall for the screening of the film TAHAN, a movie which will be shown solely on streaming platform VIVAMAX. Cloe Barreto plays the role of Elise, a woman who was forced to work in the high end escort industry; she started at a very young age. To provide for herself and her Mother, she had to seek clients for pay to do all their wishes. She falls prey to different kinds of folks, some kind, some abusive, which puts her in the brink of losing hope.
Her relationships are all complicated, but it pays the bill. Although in a rut, she does several encounters to feel she's the dominant one, being served as she doesn't have that on normal days. She also got into vices, so she could forget about what’s happening. She also gets involved with a guy (a former high school fling) played by JC Santos (also multi awarded actor). He represents her way out, her wishing to change ways, but all fails as she gets sold and forced by her Mom; depicted by 2016 Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Ms. Jaclyn Jose. The film also stars Mercedes Cabral, Karl Medina, EJ Salamante, AJ Oteyza and Jet Delgado. Quinn Carillo wrote this film, but also stars in it as the protagonist's best friend.
Talented writer and actress Quinn Carillo who slayed the script!
Cloe Barreto plays Elise
AJ Oteyza, Quinn Carillo plays interesting characters
JC Santos plays Cloe's high school sweetheart. What will become of him when things go south?
Not to patronize her, but Quinn really put the needed shocking twists in the script of this film. Although it delved on content appealing to men, Director Bobby Bonifacio, Jr. made risky creative interpretation to make Quinn's script come alive. It felt like a long dream sequence, one that takes all the things she probably feared the most to happen on screen. If you think about it, this movie is matriarchal in nature, on how their relationships and dynamics work... until things take a dark, dark turn.
All in all, this is a showcase of talented actors. Cloe Barreto has really leveled up her acting chops straight from her other projects like "Silab". Aside from that, JC Santos presents a different persona who still has to tell their story. They were high school sweethearts who lost touch. This may also open up a lot of possibilities, a prequel, another installment, which can be possible since the story asks for it. As expected, Madame Jaclyn Jose proved why she's world class. She's very generous, and let Cloe shine when she needs to in the film. I'd be really surprised if this didn't snatch an award from different festivals which they plan to do soon. Here's some videos I made of the presscon which happened after the screening:
You can watch this movie solely on the VIVAMAX app, you can download it off web.vivamax.net, Google Play or the App Store. Payment is a monthly subscription which you can do on the website, or various digital wallets. It can also be accessed in countries like UAE (Dubai), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar or elsewhere in Europe where available. You can also download it on East and Southeast Asian countries, New Zealand, Australia, the US and Canada. Having this be accessed worldwide, it's already doing the deed of introducing Filipino films worldwide. Congratulations to the cast and production of TAHAN and I'm glad plans for another film from the same production will be in the works soon.
It was a little over 3pm when we got to the Bambbi Fuentes Hair and Make Up Salon in Timog Avenue, Quezon City. We got there to get to know a few people behind the film "Sugat sa Dugo" (with international title Wounded Blood) that won the Best Actress Award for Ms. Janice De Belen at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2021.
These new breed of lads and lasses are under famed Make Up Artist Bambbi Fuentes and Businesswoman Tine Areola's very own Dragon Artists Management Group. They've scoured the nation and auditioned a lot of talents to choose who to take in, and from what I've seen, they all look promising.
The Dragon Ladies
Meet Christa Jocson, Emcel K Abuso, Shira Tweg, Mira Aquino and Mosh Gerodias also known as Filipino Pop group Gandaras
Albeit new to movies, these ladies have been doing shows, pageants, showcasing their talent in different Emcel K Abuso is more of a jack of all trades and often join beauty pageants in different provinces around the country. Mira Aquino on the other hand is a very spirited singer and composer. She got us a bit stunned when she suddenly sang the soundtrack for the movie. I've observed Shira Tweg to be a little shy, but perky. She also sings and dances, I guess the requirement for them is being a triple threat. Christa Jocson has done several shows on TV, but takes this experience of doing the movie a bit educating. After all, they are learning the ropes of the business by playing different roles. Mosh Gerodias was a ball of energy, saying her role in the movie is pretty close to home.. as she likes being the life of the party. Here's our interview with them a few days ago.
The Dragon Boys
Meet good lookin guys Leonne Adriano, Khai Flores and RJ Ariar.
There's no shortage of talent with the boys from Dragon Artists Management. Leonne Adriano might be young but he's done several indie films already following the footsteps of his Grandmother, the legendary Rosanna Roces. Khai Flores on the other hand comes fresh from his stint in Kadenang Ginto and a few movies in the pipeline. The guy has good looks, very confident, and quite smart. He also plays Janice De Belen's son in "Sugat Sa Dugo". RJ Ariar on the other hand has found a new home with Dragon Artists Management. He used to be in a boy group but felt he needed to spread his wings elsewhere. He ultimately wanted growth and with the several projects he's gotten under Ms. Bambbi and Ms. Tine, he's learning more especially with the movie they made. These guys are barely scratching the surface of what they are capable of and their management knows that. Here's our conversation with them about the movie.
Seeing fresh new faces, possibly the artists that would eventually become the big stars of the future made us feel a little assured that there's a huge source of talent in the country that will continue to grow. I hope you were able to get to know these guys and gals during the small conversations we had about the movie. "Sugat Sa Dugo" will be shown in the Philippines soon. The acclaimed short film has been made into a full length one and they're raring to show this to the general public. The goal is, to let you know about the cause they discussed in the film as it's about HIV, family, and love. Here's hoping they get to follow through with making it as touching as the first so Filipinos could learn more about why they made this film. For those who don't know, this is written by Bambbi Fuentes (based on a friends account), Produced by her and Ms. Tine Areola under Dragon Entertainment Productions.
Talking to the cast was really an opportunity to see how these actors and actresses prepare for their role and know how they do it. True enough, people have been raving about the performances of Maricel Laxa, Sunshine Cruz, Barbie Forteza and the whole cast.
As Maricel Laxa says. "It's not hard to actually do it because you've got a supportive cast, excellent people behind the scenes that would make you think it's easy to execute the character."
David Licauco says "At first it was intimidating but when I started to talk to them, it was easy. The script is actually good so it was easy to do because you would know how their character moves or do in the story."
Here's our blog conference a few days ago, enjoy!
Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune cast also includes Rob Gomez, Nikki Co, Dustin Yu, Darwin Yu, Casie Banks, David Chua, Victor Basa, Ms. Boots Anson-Roa and a lot more.
And before we do go, they've changed their time slot as MANO PO LEGACY: The Family Fortune will be shown at 8:50pm starting February 7, so make sure you move your watching hours to that time because it's perfect after dinner no?
Ever had a time in your life when everything seem to have fallen into place? I think that's exactly what is happening to multi awarded actress Ms. Sylvia Sanchez. The talented actress from Agusan Del Norte has gone leaps and bounds from when she started. Hailed as "Ina ng Bayan" for her portrayal of motherly roles in several shows, her illustrious career has spanned over 30 years. Recently, she copped the Best Actress award for her performance in the indie film "Jesusa". She's also gotten the nod from the Asian Academy for Creatives Awards and won Best Actress for a Supporting Role category for her character Barang in hit ABS-CBN primetime series "Huwag Kang Mangamba". Aside from that, she also got the Best Actress award from Philippine Movie Press Club's Star Awards for Television when she reprised the role of Luz Ramirez-Mabunga in "Pamilya Ko", a program that spanned 2019-2020.
Winning the national tilt for Best Actress in a Supporting Role from the Asian Academy for Creatives Awards will get her to represent the Philippines and be pitted against others who won in the same category from ANZ and other Asian countries.
She says "You know, these awards are all bonuses for all the hard work I've put in my craft over the years. It makes me inspired to even work harder in roles that I've never done before. It's like constant learning. I am so thankful for all the recognition I get from award giving bodies, I feel they trust me and my talent as an actress. I am just extremely thankful!"
Currently, Ms. Sylvia is endorsing clothing brand BENCH and also leading beauty brand Beautederm Corporation. This coming December, she's going to represent the country in the Asian Academy Creatives Awards after her son Arjo Atayde won in his performance in Bagman (it is currently shown in Netflix). If you want to know more about Ms. Sylvia and see updates about her shows and her life, follow @sylviasanchez)a on Twitter and IG. You can also like her page Sylvia Sanchez on FB and subscriber on her YouTube channel.
Congratulations Ms. Sylvia! All I can say is, well deserved! I love you, your husband, Arjo and Ria who have all been so good to me these past few years. Looking forward for you to get that AACA award in December! Cheers!
It wasn't luck, but sheer determination, hard work, and powerful acting that made Ms. Sylvia Sanchez a worthy national winner as Best Actress in a Supporting Role Category at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2021.
She's played countless roles, pivotal for most projects and til now, she's one of the most critically acclaimed actresses in the country. The one that she won on the national level of the 2021 Asian Academy Creative Awards was her role as Barang in hit series "Huwag Ka Nang Mangamba". This was adjudged by industry leaders in entertainment and will qualify her to represent the country in the 2021 Asian Academy Creatives Awards versus other artists from Australia, New Zealand and other countries in Asia. This will happen on December 2 which is just a couple months away.
If you remember, Arjo Atayde won Best Actor for Bagman in 2020 in the same award giving body. In his speech, he attributed his success to his folks and actors from the country. He was hoping it wouldn't be the last time someone from the Philippines would win it. With that in mind, wouldn't it be amazing to see Ms. Sylvia getting that for the country? If that happens, a mother and son would win in the prestigious award giving body. That surely will be etched in history!
Arjo by the way is also set to star in the international project "The Rebirth of the Cattleya Killer" under ABS-CBN International Production and Co-Production Division. He's also going to have two more that'll be announced soon. His success has also lead to establish his very own production company called Feelmaking Productions Inc. and you'll see their first project Hey Joe early next year.
Photo Credits on this article belong to BEAUTeDERM (which she also endorses)
Ms. Sylvia says "I am truly proud of what my son has accomplished especially in the Asian Academy Creative Awards. Like him, I wish it wouldn't be the last for Filipino artists. His dedication for the craft is insurmountable. I am also grateful and humbled that the jury in the Philippines loved my work in "Huwag Ka Nang Mangamba", I fervently hope the same would happen in the international Asian Academy Creative Awards, I give it all up to God!"
If you want to know more about Ms. Sylvia Sanchez projects and updates about the awards, you may follow Sylvia Sanchez on social channels like FB, Twitter, IG and YouTube. Congratulations Ms. Sylvia!
I am so happy about your recent accomplishments, I dare say, it's about time!
Klea Pineda just renewed her contract with GMA and GMA Artist Center. With the Never Say Goodbye star doing this, what does she expect to do with GMA this year? For starters, there's a lot on the pipeline and aside from that, she'll be doing projects with other stars from the same network. We talked to her this afternoon after she signed with GMA and Artist Center executives.
Klea says "I don't really have an expectation, whatever the management chooses for me, what character I play, I'm willing to do it. I believe they won't give me something that wouldn't help with my career. I don't want to be stuck in one love team, I want to be with different leading men so I can grow as an actor. I want to work with my co starstruck batch like Arra, Jay, Ayra, Prince, it's been so long since I have worked with them, more so in a regular show. I wish we could do that. I chose to stay in GMA because they gave me a break, they gave me the opportunity, they opened doors to fulfill my dreams. I came from auditions, I lined up, I really started from scratch and they believe in me. In the future, I hope to have a family of my own but still work here as a Kapuso. Harlene and I was just hanging out, we recorded it and posted online and you can see how we bonded so fast like we have already worked previously. Max, Lauren, Ms. Snooky, we all worked for the first time and we bonded over that during the locked in taping. It's not the end of the pairing with Jeric, I am happy to be paired with others so I can learn from other artists, I don't want to be stucked in a loveteam and Jeric knows that I want to be with other leading men in this industry because you will learn a lot from other artists too. Jeric and I bonded over regional shows, when we promote things, we are together, we have coffee in the morning, he's a very good gentleman, but our friendship won't end there. We still send each other messages, we support each other, talk when we have shows and he's very supportive. Our friendship is very matured. I wish for a primetime show, but it will happen in time. I'll feel fulfilled when I hear my show will be next after 24 oras, and with Bea Alonzo of course."
Here's the rest of the interview on video, enjoy!
Klea will be working with Jak Roberto, Lauren Young and Snooky Serna on Never Say Goodbye under the GMA Entertainment Group so stay tuned for that!
I've been covering photo shoots of celebrities for quite a number of years. This was kind of special as it's been a while since I've gone out because of the pandemic. I've seen a few photos of her online and getting to know a new artist might seem to be a chore for some, but I felt a little excited because Tyronne Escalante Artist Management had a gem in their hands. She's Sophia Stave, a Filipino American beauty from the province of Bukidnon which is an extensive plateau and mountainous area in Mindanao.
After living in San Francisco for a couple years, she and her parents went back to Malaybalay, Bukidnon 4 years ago for business and pleasure. She didn't know she'd end up representing the city through a pageant that didn't push through because of the pandemic. She was discovered through social media by TEAM (Tyronne Escalante Artist Management) and she's been riding the wave since then.
Sophia has a soft heart for horses and she's been riding competitively since 2018 after tagging along with friends in the province. That's good news so if there would be stunts in projects that would require riding one, she'd wouldn't have to train for it. She also plans to take up Animal Science in college soon as it is clearly has become a passion. She also wants to make it far in showbiz, use this platform to good use and do well in every project she's involved in. Sophia also adores Liza Soberano which she feels she could connect to since they almost have the same background since she too came from the US. She also loves Daniel Padilla, which to me means she has good taste! Here's more of our interview with her at the studio on our video editorial.
We couldn't help but marvel on how she looks. She's very pretty even up close. These photos don't do justice (which I captured on mobile during the shoot).
Currently, Sophia is currently making herself busy at their farm in Bukidnon during the pandemic. She's taking lessons and watching more Filipino movies/series to learn more about the language and her craft. She's a bit flexible in roles she wants to do, she's both a princess and a toughie. Now if she lands in a network soon, you know you've seen her here first. Follow TEAM's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TeamTyronnePH) for more updates about her and other artists from their camp.
You'll see Sophia Stave shine even brighter, soon!
LJ Reyes doesn't have to prove anything. With a Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress award on her belt, she's one of the few stars from GMA that has done the legwork and succeeded in impressing critics in several award giving bodies. She's now taking everything in stride, taking care of Paolo and her kids. She also hosts a throng of shows, does influencer projects and is currently vlogging. Above all, she is a mother who would do everything for her family and her passions. Recently, she signed up again with GMA Artist Center. We got to talk to her the day after and it was so nice to see how she's managed to do all these things and more. I remember her telling us that GMA actually asks her what she wants to happen in her career, asks her what she wants to accomplish and do. I think that alone made the difference.
LJ says "It's been a very colorful journey, I remember the rainbow colors of GMA when I do this. It's hard not to look back to the experiences, now that you have no work. I can't just leave my kids at home, I'm so happy and feel very rewarding to be still here in the industry. I didn't get to experience to be a child actor, Pao and I agree that it's better for them to have a private life, to have education, to do projects on the side but want it to be more normal. Even if they are not artists yet, there's social media. I feel both of them should have that for themselves as they are growing. I was able to experience that unlike Pao, which we both think they would prefer, they need to experience life. Anytime naman, if they were to choose to be part of this, we would be there to guide them. Aki wants to dance a lot, but now, he's a little conscious. He wants to post something that he would choose, and he's getting the hang of it." About working with Pao, she says "Pao and I have worked in small projects already, but if we do have had the chance to make him a contrabida for me, we would probably laugh a lot in scenes, that would be really challenging if it happens. But that's very interesting, we talk about that often. We hope we would be able to produce it on our own, Pao has an eye for producing, we would want to grow as artists and we look forward to that."
Here's part of our interview with LJ that afternoon
Make sure you follow her social media handles and Artist Center because definitely, she's going to have more projects and guestings this year. You bet you'll see her shine even brighter as she stayed with GMA.
We ventured all the way to the east of Manila to take a glimpse of Jelai Espino, an up and coming artist from this side of town. She's on her grade 7, studying at San Beda College Taytay Rizal and her parents Butch and Bing Espino couldn't be more proud to see their daughter getting traction on her latest single "Huwag Mong Biruin" which was written and composed by Vehnee Saturno. She was able to undergo music lessons with the veteran and prolific composer and did several acting workshops including ones under Star Magic and Ogie Diaz. At 15 years old, most teens probably are just still playing but she's serious avout what she wants to happen with her career and she's not holding up!
She was under the weather but she wanted to do this. She was overwhelmed about getting to do a single with Vehnee Saturno. Jelai says "Eversince we met she was always kind, she gave me a lot of advise. She saw me in a different way, and Ms. Aiai kept me under her wing. I would like to try drama, but after doing a ton of workshops with Sir Ogie, Star Magic and Ms. Aiai. She also introduced me to Vehnee Saturno and they really tested me, had several meetings and that's how I ended up with the single. My genre is mostly childish, the kind of puppy love who wants attention, so it's like cute love song. I like Ms.Vilma and I would like to get to know her if possible. Her kind of acting is what I would like to emulate. But if I'd be in a love team I wish to also get to work with Daniel Padilla or James Reid. If needed, I could also adjust my schedules studying and a career in showbiz. I have done modeling stints and in a nutshell I've done several already in the past which made me have a little more confidence, even in commercials and brands that believe in me. I take care of myself, drink lots of water and take care of my skin. I also take lots of sleep if needed. I want to take up law, medicine if my schedules permit it. I know it takes a long time to succeed. I also sing, I do ballet but I want to do a lot in show business. I also love KPOP, and if ever I'll perform in the future I'll have something in that nature. Maybe if all else fails, I will still have a few things I could work on including a brand that my family also has in Glomar Herbal Philippines. I am ready to face the consequences because Ms. Ai already told me how to handle negative feedback and constructive criticism. In the workshops, I already learned how to deal with people, and in a way I don't honestly know what opportunities are in my way. But if it's going to work, I can sacrifice a lot of things just to get there. I want to also get to sing with Sarah Geronimo, if that happens I'll be happy."
She's very promising, very cute in person. She wishes to have a movie very soon and if the stars align for her, I'm sure even her family will be happy. Her single is available for download at digital stores, Astroplus, Astrovision and via Mr. Vehnee Saturno. She's got a lot on her plate and she's got the time to work on this career. You may follow her journey on her social media accounts.
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