Pinoy flick premieres in S'pore

How true is it that AJ Dee, one of the winners of MTB Ur D Man contest in the defunct MTB, and formerly a segment host in "The Buzz" (together with Anne Curtis and Chocoleit) is thinking of jumping ship and moving over to GMA 7?

AJ Dee hasn't had a job since his last regular show, "Vietnam Rose," folded up early this year. Likewise, his stint in "The Buzz" has been cut short and what only keeps him busy now are just out of town shows or occasional gigs overseas. He had been to Japan recently where he did some shows but whatever it is that he earned from there was not enough to make both ends meet. He's paying amortization for a new house he has bought and he certainly needs the money for his expenses.

While he is being offered to renew his contract with ABS-CBN, AJ Dee is seriously considering trying his luck elsewhere. He's thinking of getting the services of Lolit Solis to be his manager if and when he decides to move over to GMA 7.

While he wants to be loyal to ABS-CBN, which gave him his break, AJ Dee recognizes that loyalty cannot put food on his table and enable him to pay his new home, that's why he's thinking of expanding his horizons and try his luck in another channel.

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EMI Philippines has recently released the repackaged version of Nikki Gil's self-titled debut album, featuring "Glowing Inside," the heartwarming ballad from the latest Vaseline shampoo commercial starring the young singer and commercial model.

"Glowing Inside" quickly gained popularity among graduating students who plan to use it as their official graduation song. Not skipping a beat, EMI Philippines included the minus one track and music video of "Glowing Inside" to make it easier for this year's graduates to practice and perfect their own rendition of the song in time for graduation.

The popularity of "Glowing Inside" is reminiscent of Nikki Gil's Coke commercial that got everyone talking about "that pretty girl" singing "Sana'y masabi ng awit kong ito, lahat ng ninanais nitong puso ko"

Now a familiar face on TV with regular shows on ABS-CBN, Studio 23, and MYX, Nikki is the perfect image and voice behind the new Vaseline shampoo commercial. With her outstanding scholastic record (she graduated valedictorian from her high school and continues to make it to the honor roll even now that she's mixing show business and academics), keen sense of responsibility, and numerous achievements, she is a glowing image of what a student should be.

Aside from Nikki's beautiful and soothing voice, the success of campaigns she involves herself with can be attributed to her wholesome, clean, and cause-oriented image-exactly what companies want to identify with their products/services.

"Nikki Gil," the repackaged version, is now available in music stores. Featuring the hit single "Glowing Inside" composed by Louie Ocampo and written by Edith Gallardo, the album also includes the song's music video and minus one track.

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He may be cute and mestizo but there is more to this Amboy than his messed up Tagalog. "My nose bleeds whenever I talk in Filipino," says Christian Esteban in broken Tagalog. "But I am willing to learn. I can talk in Tagalog now unlike when I started my career in showbiz two years ago."

Christian, born on November 24, did not plan on getting into showbiz. When he arrived in Manila, his intention was to study and learn about his roots. Growing up in Pasadena, California, Christian's parents made sure he's enrolled in good schools. Getting a good education is a must for Christian and his siblings. After all, his parents are both college graduates.

His father, Arturo Esteban, is an auditor for Jet Profulsion Laboratory or JPL, which works closely with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA, while his mom, Susan Esteban runs a Filipino grocery store in Pasadena, California, USA.

So imagine their reaction when Christian told them of his plan of becoming an actor in the Philippines. "Starstruck" made him what he is today.

"They didn't want me to join showbiz. They were against it but I promised them that I will finish college and get a diploma," Christian recalls.

True to his word, last March 18, Christian along with more than 1,000 students, marched to receive his college diploma at the University of Baguio where he finished with a degree in Mass Communications.

"I am proud of this," he beams with pride. "I owe my mom for this. Half of the credit in me finishing my course should go to my mom. Even if I am tired and lacking in sleep, she made sure that I will go up to Baguio for my modules. She drives me up to Baguio for me to catch up with my lessons. I really thank my mom for her support."

Now that he has finished college, Christian can now concentrate fully on his showbiz career. He's a co-host of Love Anover on "Lovely Day" aired every Saturday at 10 a.m. on the GMA Network and "Fans Kita" every Saturday at 6 p.m. on QTV Channel 11. Of course, he still plans to take up Law in the future.

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John Torres, the Ishmael Bernal awardee for Young Cinema at the 2005 Cinemanila International Film Festival premieres his much-awaited full length film "Todo Todo Teros" at the 19th Singapore Film Festival to be held from April 13 to 29, 2006.

"Todo Todo Teros" is one of three Filipino films that are in competition in the festival, together with Raya Martin's "A Short film about the Indio Nacional" and Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.'s "Pepot Superstar."

The screening schedule in the Singapore Film Festival for "Todo Todo Teros" is on April 26 at the Alliance Francaise at 9:15 pm.