Isabel Oli joins ‘Annaliza’

CEBU, Philippines - Actress Isabel Oli surprised viewers when she recently appeared in a promo plug for ABS-CBN’s primetime family drama “Annaliza.”

This instantly roused speculations about whether Isabel will formally join the Kapamilya network.

“As of now, I am a freelancer, and my doors are open to all networks who want to cast me as an actress. I am really happy to work with the whole production team of ‘Annaliza’ and get back with the network where I started my career in showbiz,” she explained.

In the hit soap’s final three weeks, Isabel plays the role of Bernadette, Ristorante Isabel’s newly hired chef. Will she be Annaliza’s (Andrea Brillantes) ally or enemy?

Meanwhile, Makoy (Carlo Aquino) is all set to free Stella (Kaye Abad) from jail and once again teams up with her to take revenge against the Benedictos. Isabel (Denise Laurel) also faces her own ordeal as Cedric (Alex Castro) forces himself on her.

What awaits Annaliza when Stella returns? Will Cedric succeed in his evil plan? What will Chef Bernadette’s role be in Annaliza’s life?

Don’t miss the last three weeks of “Annaliza” weeknights before “TV Patrol.”

Groove with ABBA MANIA

This March 27, ABBA MANIA will perform a special stage concert at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel, 8 pm. Be there to listen to timeless ABBA hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mama Mia,” “Voulez Vous,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Super Trouper” and many more. At the same time, you will be there to see a stylish performance of ABBA MANIA.

Concert tickets are made accessible in selected outlets around the city. You may purchase tickets at the Waterfront Lahug Ticket counter, Ayala Center Cebu Customer Counter and SM Cinema. Ticket prices are: Platinum VIP Seats Php 3,500 / Gold Php 2,500 / Silver Php 1,500 and Bronze Php 600.

For ticket reservations and inquiries, call Waterfront Lahug at Tel.# 2326888, Ayala Customer Counter Tel.# 2315342 loc. 324 , or SM Cinema at Tel.# 2313876.

Louise Delos Reyes makes a splash in ‘Kambal Sirena’

GMA-7 will definitely make a splash as “Kambal Sirena” takes viewers to a breathtaking journey of the twins Alona and Perlas. The newest fantasy drama series offers not just a captivating love story but the value of how differences can bring people closer to each other.

Leading the cast is Kapuso Prime leading lady Louise Delos Reyes. From the success of her previous series “Alakdana,” “One True Love,” and “Mundo Mo’y Akin,” the actress capitalizes on the duality of the challenge of assuming the role of twins.

Alona and Perlas are born with unusual features — one is born with gills behind her ears and the other with a mermaid’s tail. Worried that neighbors might be surprised by their strange features, their mother decides to move them to an isolated island. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Alona and Perlas have to live separately. Living with her mother, Perlas works in an ocean park while Alona lives as a princess within the confines of the waters—the kingdom of Sirenadia.

This also marks the first ever team up of Louise with Kapuso Prime leading man Aljur Abrenica. Aljur plays the role of Kevin, a handsome and rich son of Susanna (Lotlot De Leon), whom the twins fall in love with. Kevin manages the family company where he meets Perlas.  As they start to develop feelings for each other, Susana learns that Perlas is the daughter of Marissa (Mickey Ferriols), who they consider as the cause of her brother Enrique’s (Ryan Eigenmann) death. Meanwhile, Alona also finds love with Kevin specifically when she was able to save him from being drowned.

Making the plot even more enthralling are portrayals by Mike Tan as Jun, the man who protects the true identity of Alona; Tessie Tomas as Lola Rita, the uptight grandmother of the twins and mother of Marissa; Mickey Ferriols as Marissa, the kind and caring mother of the twins; Nova Villa as Tiya Ligaya, the sister of Rita who has a fascination with mermaids. Lotlot De Leon as Susanna, the mother of Kevin who is against the closeness of his son and Perlas; Pancho Magno as Homer, the closest and trusted cousin of Kevin who eventually betrays him because of envy; Wynwyn Marquez as Macy, the rich and fashionable girlfriend of Kevin who is the mortal enemy of Perlas; Chanda Romero as Victorina, the arrogant grandmother of Kevin; Ryan Eigenmann as Enrique, the man Marissa’s parents want to marry her off to; Yul Servo as Damos, a merman and father of the twins; Hershey Garcia, the young Perlas and Alona; Angelika Dela Cruz as Reyna Arowana, the queen of Sirenadia with timeless beauty who takes care of Alona; Rich Asuncion, the mermaid friend of Damos; Polo Ravales as Ataba, the scheming right-hand person of Reyna Arowana, who is tasked to be the protector of Alona; and Gladys Reyes as Barracuda, the evil sea witch who claims to be the rightful queen of Sirenadia.

Helmed by New York-trained director Dondon Santos, “Kambal Sirena” airs weeknights beginning Monday, March 10 after “24 Oras.” (PR)(FREEMAN)