A new show to fit Sharon's stature

It’s a good thing that ABS-CBN has finally decided to give Sharon Cuneta a new program. The Megastar’s self-titled talk show is bowing out soon and is giving way to a reality show. With Sharon at the helm, the show hopes to discover new singers.

We are sorry to say this but Sharon’s talk show has deteriorated through the years and it seems the ABS-CBN management couldn’t care less. Even if the show has lost its relevance and its quality visibly diminished, the network has gone on with it, just to be able to brag that the Megastar has a show with them. We’ve written many times in the past that the network ought to do something to improve “Sharon” but nothing was done, until now.

We hope that the new show is something that fits Sharon’s stature. If not, then we are inclined to think that even if Sharon has remained loyal to ABS-CBN, the network isn’t giving her the kind of respect that she deserves. She’s the Megastar and deserves to be treated as such.

The good thing about her talk show being taken off air is that we will be spared from watching a comedy bar show on a Sunday night. The people behind “Sharon,” for utter lack of imagination, have transformed it into an extension of comedy acts we see on comedy bars.

We have nothing against performers in comedy bars but do we have to see them week after week on Sundays? It’s such a tiring exercise watching them do their thing.

Anyway, aside from Sharon’s new show, we are also looking forward to the Mega Drama concert of the Megastar which goes onstage this Saturday, August 7, at the Araneta Coliseum.

We heard that, to prepare for her concert, she has holed herself up in an undisclosed place. She has made sure there are no interruptions, just so she could focus on her concert, which is being directed by Rowell Santiago.

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A real trouper and a professional are two words that would best describe Aiza Seguerra. Even if she was confined in the hospital for five days (because of an asthma attack) and was discharged only last Friday at 3:45 pm, Aiza came to her special show at the Gateway Mall on the same day to promote her Perhaps Love album.

She was confined at the Heart Center since Monday of last week upon doctor’s orders but she didn’t agree to cancel the scheduled shows for the promo tour for her Perhaps Love album.

Her Gateway Mall was set at 5 pm, but it was only at 3:45 pm on that day that her doctor agreed for her to be discharged from confinement. From the hospital, she just went home to freshen up then proceeded soon after to Gateway for the show.

And she performed with gusto even if she was kind of feeling low. The show must go on, as the showbiz adage goes.

Aiza has more shows scheduled in the weeks to come in connection with the promo of her Perhaps Love album under Star Records, including one at the Ayala Mall in Cebu on August 27.

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Director Maryo J. delos Reyes is now handling the career of the comebacking, award-winning young actor Jiro Manio, who chalked up a number of acting awards (short of a grandslam) for the movie “Magnifico”. Direk Maryo took Jiro under his wings last February after the former child actor approached him and told the director he wants to work again and revive his acting career.

Jiro was booted out of the top-rating ABS-CBN series “Tayong Dalawa” last year because of his alleged unprofessionalism and irresponsible behavior. Although he was given a chance to redeem himself, Jiro, who was besieged with numerous personal problems at that time, would disappear on the set, much to the consternation of the production. This prompted ABS-CBN to put its foot down and removed Jiro from “Tayong Dalawa”, even issuing a statement on the decision.

But Jiro, in a recent interview, said he has turned a new leaf in his life and career. He vows to make up for lost time and prove himself worthy of a second chance. Now that he’s a father of a two-year-old girl, Jiro wants to make of the most of the second chance being afforded to him by Direk Maryo. In fact, he’s now taping for “Pilyang Kerubin,” where Direk Maryo has taken over as a director since July 2, replacing Andoy Ranay.

Direk Maryo said he took pity on Jiro. After all, he treats him like a son. Besides, Jiro owned up to all his mistakes and shortcomings, with a firm promise that he won’t do those disappearing acts again.

“Naawa naman ako kasi inalagaan ko naman iyan sa ‘Magnifico’ at may pinagsamahan naman kami tapos nakikiusap ‘yung father. Inamin naman niya sa akin lahat. So sabi ko, we’ll let you sign. We assessed him. I brought it up sa company ko, okay naman. The next two weeks pina-signed up namin. Pero parang nawawala. Tapos may mga binu-book ako na out-of-town, ayaw daw. Sabi ko, you better make up your mind. Pina-interview ko siya sa ‘Survivor Philippines’ celebrity edition. Gusto siya kaya lang medyo reluctant siya. So I felt pagpahingahin mo muna,” said Direk Maryo.

“So we were not really pushing for him until finally, he said nababagot na siya. Wala raw siyang ginagawa. Siyempre kailangan daw niyang pakainin ang kanyang anak. So sabi ko, are you really serious? Ayoko naman mapahiya. Ayoko naman na nandiyan ka pero you are there yet you are dormant. Ayaw namin na we work for you tapos kaming mapapahiya. Baka di niya siputin.”

Some three weeks ago, Direk Maryo sent Jiro to GMA 7, hoping that the Kapuso network might be interested to get him as a talent. After all, Direk Maryo said that Jiro has become interactive and would send him text messages every now and then. Then Jiro invited him for a baptism.

“We decided to cast Jiro in ‘Pilyang Kerubin’ as the brother of TJ Trinidad. When we asked him to go for a go-see, dumating naman so I felt he’s really serious about getting back to work. Nag-taping na siya noong Monday,” he said.

“I want to give him a second chance. Everybody deserves a second chance. Siguro nga dumaan siya sa isang matinding krisis sa buhay pero ang maganda is that Jiro is trying to rise above the situation at gustong makabawi. Lahat naman tayo dumadaan sa isang matinding krisis kaya siguro siya parang nawala sa kanyang sarili. I believe in him as an actor and I want to give him another chance,” ended Direk Maryo.

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Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino are paired together in a forthcoming episode of “Love Bug” to be shot in the island of Camiguin.

Rocco plays a prince who met Lovi and they fell in love. The two even took diving lessons in preparation for their respective roles in the series.

The tandem of Rocco and Lovi is getting the attention from the viewers so GMA 7 thought it best to cast them in “Love Bug” to answer the clamor of those who want to see more of them.