Showbiz Heavyweights Kris, Robin in ABS-CBN's new noontime show

ABS-CBN is launching a new noontime show this Saturday, July 31, titled Pilipinas For The Win (FTW) that will feature Robin Padilla, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, Pokwang and Kris Aquino. The program is a game and variety show that will surely be fun-filled and will give hope to many Filipinos in any part of the world.

Pilipinas For The Win will take on the timeslot of Wowowee. Mr. Willie Revillame, through his manager, was already informed regarding the change. He has also been informed of the new program that is being prepared for him and this will be announced very soon.

When this news came out last Tuesday, the quick reaction of some members of the press was that Pokwang and Mariel won over Willie. At the height of the controversy involving Wowowee’s main host and as an aftermath of last elections, Willie was supposed to have said that if ever he returns to the show, he would want Pokwang and Mariel out since they supported different political candidates. As we all know, Willie supported Senator Manny Villar, while Pokwang and Mariel were for now-President Noynoy Aquino.

In the end, Wowowee was axed and was replaced with a new program. Willie is out while Pokwang, Mariel and Valerie are still part of the new show that also has Kris and Robin.

Many were surprised when Robin accepted the offer to be one of its hosts. After his two-week guest stint on Wowowee, ABS-CBN had wanted Robin to extend his hosting job since the show rated well when he was in it. But the action star declined the offer, citing his personal beliefs. His manager, Betchay Vidanes, even issued a statement that Robin is not extending his stint as host of Wowowee.

But now, Robin is part of Pilipinas For The Win, which may be similar in concept of the scrapped show. We asked Robin as to why he agreed to do it and here was his answer via a text message.

“Masayang-masaya ako pero hindi hamon iyon sa akin kundi pagsisilbi sa tao. Wala akong hinangad kundi mapaligaya ang mga kababayan ko sa lahat ng sulok ng daigdig.”

So now, Kris and Robin, with Pokwang, Mariel and Valerie, will go up against Eat Bulaga. This should be another interesting battle for domination in the noontime TV block.

* * *

Even if he was besieged by the movie press who wanted him to say something about the issue involving his longtime manager Norma Japitana, Cesar Montano, the gentleman that he is, refused to say anything that would put his manager in a bad light.

At the presscon of Ilumina, the new GMA telefantasya that is premiering on Monday, August 2, at the primetime block, Cesar was very careful with his words as he addressed the questions regarding his manager who is piqued at the action star.

“I won’t say anything against my manager because she’s still my manager,” said Cesar. “She’s family, she’s like a mother to me and we’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs in my career. I respect her decision on her refusal to talk to me even if I’ve been trying to reach out to her. Nagtatampo lang siya sa akin. In due time, we would be able to talk. I am just waiting for the right time.”

The actor is also not yet willing to face the members of PAMI (the association of talent managers, of which Norma J is a member) for a dialogue until he has talked to his manager and personally ironed out matters with her, although he also stressed that his arrangement with Norma J is on a per project basis.

According to Cesar, Norma J didn’t file a complaint with PAMI regarding the issue involving his transfer to GMA 7 (even as Norma J was supposedly talking to ABS-CBN for a project). It was PAMI which offered to mediate and schedule a dialogue between Cesar and his manager for 22 years.

Then again, Cesar made it clear that unless, he will be able to talk to Norma J, he would not face the talent managers group. Cesar also belied speculations that he has a new business manager in the person of Shirley Pizarro, who is his publicist.

On a brighter side, aside from Ilumina, Cesar is also set to do a sitcom and a movie under GMA Films. He’s raring to go back to work, saying he needs to provide for his family.

Cesar also corrected reports that he used up his savings when he ran as governor of Bohol last May. He said his savings are already alloted for his family’s future, adding he won’t make the mistake of spending his hard-earned money for his political ambitions.