Christian Bautista conquers Singapore

Christian Bautista was wearing the necklace with a cross pendant on the set of "Mano Po 5" last Saturday. This was the birthday to him by his girlfriend Rachelle Ann Go. Christian turned 25 last October 19.

The singer has shot two days for "Mano Po 5" and he's not as nervous compared to his first shooting. When asked if he has a kissing scene with Angel, he said there was none. Well, that was according to the script that he read, says Christian. But if ever there would be one, he'd tell Rachelle and ask her permission so she won't get jealous.

Since he has tried acting on TV (he was part of the soap opera "Kampanerang Kuba"), Christian would rather sing than act.

After the huge success of Christian in Indonesia, he finally conquered Singapore. His signature song "The Way You Look At Me" proved to be the killer song. The track has penetrated major radio charts for seven weeks. The song has been requested by the thousands and landed number 1 for two weeks straight in the hit station 987FM.

Last October 30, the top radio program in Singapore hosted by Shan Wee initiated an SMS voting of what would be Christian's next single release. After delighting listeners with his live performance on air, the votes finally came in. Singaporeans chose Christian's own composition titled "Please Don't Go."

This not only affirms Asia's pop idol is a consistent hitmaker, but he's a budding international composer as well.

Lorna in, Dina out in 'Mano Po 5'

Lorna Tolentino is the final choice to play the role of Angel Locsin's mother in "Mano Po 5." She was the original choice for the role but initial talks between Regal Films producer Lily Monteverde and Lorna's manager, Lolit Solis bogged down so Dina Bonnevie entered the picture.

But since Dina could no longer do the film because of her sickness as well as problems with regards to her schedule, Lorna was taken back anew to be part of the project. Well, Lorna is probably destined to be in "Mano Po 5" after all. It was like history repeating itself. Dina and Lorna also figured in a tug of war for the role in "Mano Po 2." Dina was present in the story conference, in the pictorial and even lit an incense stick for good luck only to be booted out of the project by Lorna. Of course, it was the handiwork of their producer Mother Lily who can't seem to make up her mind.

Lorna, however, cautioned the press not to fan the intrigues generated by her having to replace Dina. "I just want to make it clear I did not snatch 'Mano Po 5' away from her. I was the original choice and some matters had to be ironed out between Mother Lily and Nanay Lolit before I finally accepted this project as Dina's replacement," says the actress.

"I really wanted to talk to her (Dina) but I guess she probably changed her cellphone number that's why I couldn't contact her. Besides, she's my kumare so all the more I want to talk to her regarding this matter," says Lorna.

Ryan Agoncillo gets another award for TV hosting

TV host Ryan Agoncillo will be receiving the Outstanding TV Host of the Year award from the 4th Gawad Amerika Awards Night (GAAN) on November 18 at the Celebrity Center in Hollywood California. He's the first recipient of the said award from the group. According to an item we read on the Internet, Ryan got the majority votes for the said category.

This award confirms Ryan's excellence as a TV host. In fact, he won last year in the KBP Golden Dove as Best Television Talk Magazine Show Host. His program "Y Speak Live" in Studio 23 was also nominated in the KBP Golden Dove Awards.

Pinoy singers making waves anew abroad

The Pinoys are making waves anew in the singing contests abroad. Jimmy Marquez, 2nd runner-up at the "Search for A Star in a Million," won first runner up honors at the Shanghai Music Festival.

He won the Silver Prize held last October 28 and 30 at the 2006 Asia New Singer Competition in the 9th Shanghai Asia Music Festival. He brought home a glass trophy and cash prize of US$1000.

He sang two songs, both compositions of Vehnee Saturno - "Today" and "Minsa'y Naging Bahagi Ka." The second song is a cut from his first CD release under Viva Records simply titled "Jimmy Marquez."

Jimmy graduated from University of San Jose-Recoletos with a degree in Mass Communications, Major in Broadcast Media. He appears regularly every Sunday at ASAP 2005.