56 and Fantastic!

GMA Network goes all-out tomorrow, July 9, in the celebration of its 56th anniversary as it extends its gratitude to millions of supporters by way of a grand on-ground event at the World Trade Center, which can be witnessed live from SOP all the way up to the SNBO timeslot. Dubbed as Fantastic 56: The GMA Anniversary Special, the star-studded event features a day-long fan fare where viewers will be treated to spectacular production numbers and explosive presentations.

The celebration begins with a bang with the much-awaited culmination of its SOP Pasiklaband: The Grand Battle of Pinoy Bands-a prestigious month-long band battle which aims to recognize the astounding talents of Pinoy music groups and honor the best bands in the land.

Feel the decibels rise as 14 of the country's hottest rock bands today-6Cyclemind, Bamboo, Brownman Revival, Cueshe, Hale, Kamikazee, Orange & Lemons, Pupil, Rocksteddy, Sandwich, Shamrock, Spongecola, Stonefree and Sugarfree-battle it out in seven categories: Best Pop Rock Band, Best Rock Band, Best Revival, Breakthrough Band, Favorite Vocalist, Song of the Year, and Band of the Year.

The 14 nominees, who were nominated by their respective recording labels, came from the pool of bands that have performed in SOP and SOP Gigsters since last year. The nominees must have also released an album or single since 2005. SOP Pasiklaband also gives the Kapuso viewers a chance to honor and support their favorite bands by helping them win through text votes. Nominees must have garnered the highest number of text votes per category by the end of the competition to win the exclusive SOP Pasiklaband Insignia, a trophy plus surprise grand prizes.

Competing for the Best Pop Rock Band are Sugarfree, Hale, 6Cyclemind, and Cueshe, while nominees for the Best Rock Band are Bamboo, Kamikazee, Pupil, and Spongecola. Meanwhile, vying for Best Vocalist are Bamboo of Bamboo, Champ of Hale, Ely Buendia of Pupil, and Jay & Reuben of Cueshe. Another category that viewers should give attention to is Best Song of the Year, where the songs Narda, Sugod, Hanggang Kailan, and Sandalan are the nominees. Meanwhile, songs competing for the Best Revival category are Maling Akala, Naaalala Ka, Alapaap, and Pare Ko.

SOP Pasiklaband is also giving a chance to up-and-coming groups, thus the award for Best Breakthrough Band, wherein Sandwich, Shamrock, Rocksteddy, and Stonefree were nominated. And find out which famous band will win the most coveted Band of the Year award from among Bamboo, Hale, 6Cyclemind, and Cueshe. Find out who will emerge best among the best in the grand awarding ceremony of SOP Pasiklaband: the Grand Battle of Pinoy Bands tomorrow, in the kickoff of GMA's 56th Anniversary Celebration.

Also airing live from the World Trade tomorrow is 8-ternity, the S Files 8th anniversary special, where a collection of eight explosive and unforgettable stories will be featured. The fantastic celebration does not end at sundown because a three-hour musical special featuring all Kapuso stars and highlighting GMA's top-raters and programming milestones will be telecast in GMA-7's SNBO timeslot after Daddy Di Do Du.

Fantastic 56 is truly something to watch out for, as it is GMA Network's grand way of thanking its loyal viewers for their steadfast support of the Network's programs over the years. Furthermore, as GMA-7 celebrates its 56th anniversary, it guarantees viewers that it would continue to live up to its unwavering commitment of providing superior quality entertainment and excellence in broadcasting.

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If you happen to be at home this fantastic Saturday night, catch Showbiz Stripped on GMA-7 because a sizzling hot episode awaits you. This late-night tell-all program uncovers the men and women that the country and even the whole world are fantasizing about, including the stars of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean.

Showbiz Stripped's "Nakapangnginginig ng Laman" episode this Saturday presents an exclusive feature by the show's host, entertainment expert and editor Ricky Lo, on the stars of Pirates of the Caribbean. Catch his one-on-one interview with the movie's hot roster of stars, led by Hollywood heartthrobs Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom, as they are bared on Philippine television in a way that only Showbiz Stripped can.

The temperature will rise even further as the program presents the hottest men and women who make Pinoys' flesh quiver-all of whom were recently brought together in Bench's highly-anticipated Underwear and Denim show, Bench Fever, which was held last June 30 in Araneta Coliseum. Witness Showbiz Stripped's feature on this one-of-a-kind fashion show and the sexy celebrities who took part in this, including Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres, Francine Prieto, Alessandra de Rossi, Alicia Mayer, Camille Pratts, Angelica Panganiban, Tanya Garcia, Sam Milby, and Richard Gutierrez. Furthermore, Ricky Lo will also expose today's most sought-after young women, Katrina Halili, Pauleen Luna, and Jennylyn Mercado, all of whom are included in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006. The show will also bare the naked truth about Alfred Vargas' controversial coffee table book.

This is one good reason to stay home and still have a happening Saturday night, for nothing can get as scorching as Showbiz Stripped's "Nakapangnginginig ng Laman" episode, which airs after Hokus Pokus.

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