ABS-CBN's newest primetime bet

The Kapamilya network is determined to gain in roads in the ratings game with the upcoming airing of the ABS-CBN sineserye "Bituing Walang Ningning." The new TV series had a grand media and advertising launching Tuesday night at the Music Museum. With the stellar cast of singers, the story of the sineserye was told through songs, with matching VTRs, as each of the characters was presented to the media and advertisers.

With Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sarah Geronimo and Angelika dela Cruz playing the roles of singers, the grand launch was a sneak preview of the story that will unfold on May 15. The three singers belted one number after another, as the songs were the threads that connected the story. Music and drama make the irresistible combination via "Bituing Walang Ningning," which promises to change the landscape of ABS-CBN programming.

Of course, Zsa Zsa, Sarah, and Angelika are all excellent singers, but not to be left out was Ai Ai de las Alas who also did a song number during the launch. She plays the adopted mother of Sarah, who idolizes Angelika (Lavinia Arguelles), today's biggest singing star. Ai Ai plays an interesting role as Sarah's surrogate mother who holds the key to her real identity.

Zsa Zsa plays Rosamia Suarez, the former singing idol and mentor of Lavinia, who is now forgotten and eking out a living by singing in bars.

Lavinia has one staunch supporter in her mother, Barbara (Amy Austria), the ultimate stage mother who has proven her ruthlessness after she caused the end of the career of Rosamia.

Sarah, on the other hand, plays Dorina Pineda, who as the most avid fan of Lavinia, buys her idol flowers, watches all her shows and even follows her around. But is Lavinia worthy of all the adoration? The people around her certainly don't think so, as her diva behavior has driven away even her most loyal of supporters, including Nico Escobar (Ryan Agoncillo), the brilliant record producer who was also Lavinia's boyfriend until she turned down his marriage proposal. To get back at Lavinia, Nico joins forces with best friend and fellow record producer Zossimo (Mico Palanca) to form a new record company, with which they intend to build up - in order to tear Lavinia down.

Payback is coming Lavinia's way, when Dorina becomes a "Search for A Star in a Million" champ and gets discovered by Nico and Zossimo. Soon, Dorina finds herself in the position of becoming the unknown who becomes more adored than her idol. Who would have thought that the admirer would turn out to be the one more admired?

Also present during the media launch was Nerissa Cabral, who wrote the komiks novel "Bituing Walang Ningning" that was made into a hit movie in 1985.

Other cast members who graced the launch were Tonton Gutierrez, John Prats, Dominic Ochoa, Carlo Aquino, Ryan Agoncillo, Amy Austria, Tuesday Vargas, "Little Big Star" winner Mica Roi Torre, Janus del Prado, Jay Perillo, Chris Kayzer and Carla Humpries.

A soundtrack album for "Bituing Walang Ningning" has already been launched on April 30 on "ASAP '06." This soundtrack album, featuring both remakes and original songs featured in the TV series, is a co-production between Star Records and Viva Records.

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Marky Cielo may not have that matinee idol quality, but his being Pinoy in looks is certainly one of the reasons why he was chosen Ultimate Male Survivor and Ultimate Sole Survivor of "Starstruck 3." He also has this ability to charm his way into the hearts of his fans who most likely were the key that propelled him on top of the original reality-based artista search on TV. This and the fact that this teen from Mountain Province, who turns 18 on May 12, is truly talented.

The big breaks are now coming Marky's way. Aside from "Love to Love Season 10" that airs every Sunday on GMA 7, he's also in the cast of the new fantasy-adventure "Fantastikids," which starts airing on Saturday, May 6, right after "Wish Ko Lang." The new series is directed by Jun Lana and Zoren Legaspi.

The new adventure show casts him as Daniel, the eldest of the three siblings who are expected to hook viewers to their engaging story of self-discovery, love and thrilling adventures in their pursuit of a common mission to overcome a fearsome entity that is bound to spread evil and wreak havoc in the land. Playing his siblings are Isabella de Leon and BJ "Tolits" Forbes.

"I am happy and flattered with the new show that was given to me by GMA," says Marky during the press conference of "Fantastikids." He knows he's facing pressure in headlining this new show since it is pitted against a top-rated program in the rival channel, which has outshone "Wag Kukurap," the time slot of which was given to "Fantastikids." "We are accepting the challenge of this new show and we will give our best," Marky adds.

Fantasy laced with action is the theme of the series. Completing the cast are Sandy Andolong as their mother, Jackie Rice as Princess, who plays the girl Daniel will fall in love with; Melanie Marquez as Lucila, the kids' aunt; Bodjie Pascua as the keeper of the agimat and who will help the kids discover and develop their respective gifts to help save the world from the evil entity Armana.

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D' Empire Band was formed in the year 2000 after being asked by Hard Rock Café management due to the increasing demand for an act at that time. D' Empire Band likewise became one of the regular artists of venue. Since then, D Empire have been active in doing performances in many bar establishments in Metro Manila and out of town shows like in all Hard Rock Café branches, Casino Filipino in Parañaque, Gigster in Pampanga and from time to time, they were able to score gigs in other countries like Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Australia, either as a group or as individual artists.

The band has recently finished their self-titled debut album produced by Psalms Records at the Hard Rock Café in Makati last Tuesday. The album has five cover songs and seven original songs written by Vehnee Saturno.

D' Empire Band is composed of Shirley Mauleon (lead vocalist), Olan Futol (lead vocalist), Joey del Rosario (lead vocalist), Ojee Santos (keyboardist), Elmer Jasmin (lead guitarist), Miguel Camahort (bass player), and Drumbi Cruz (drummer).

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The cast of the much-awaited biopic of Manny Pacquiao will soon fly to the United States to shoot some scenes for the film on the famed boxer and idol of the Filipino masses.

Jericho Rosales, who plays Pacman, has started shooting, together with Bea Alonzo who plays his wife in the flick directed by Joel Lamangan. The movie is a co-production venture of Star Cinema and FLT Productions, two of the biggest film producers in the country.

The Pacman biopic also stars Bayani Agbayani, Jay Manalo, Dimples Romana, Jaclyn Jose, Glaiza de Castro, Jiro Manio, Polo Ravales and Zoren Legaspi.

Some scenes will also be shot in General Santos City, where Pacman grew up. Jericho is excited at the challenge that this project brings him. The role is physically demanding, not only with the preparation, but with the scenes that will be shot as well. Manny also gives Echo advice on how to go about in playing his role on the big screen. Echo is very grateful for the bonding he has made with the boxing hero.

"Pacquiao" will be shown on June 21, a few weeks before Manny Pacquiao faces Oscar Larios in a much-awaited match at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2.