JK Labajo releases first album

Willie Revillame is very pleased with the decision of GMA Network to give his show “Wowowin” a new time slot at 2 p.m., which comes after the new GMA-7 show “Sunday Pinasaya” starting this Sunday.

There was a rumor that the telecast of “Wowowin” last Sunday was its final telecast. Willie admitted that it is hard for a blocktimer like him to continue with the show if there are no advertisers. So he was hoping that he would get a new time slot, or better yet, a daily schedule.

Willie is very pleased that GMA Network responded positively to his appeal. Joey Abacan, his boss in GMA, said the network doesn’t want him to leave. He got a call from Abacan and their talk yielded positive results.

“They gave me a big discount in the budget which I didn’t expect. It was like giving it to me as a gift. At the same time, they gave me additional 15 minutes of airtime. And they gave me the time slot which is back to back with their new show ‘Sunday Pinasaya’ (from 12 noon to 2 p.m.). ‘Wowowin’ follows after at 2 p.m. to 3:15. It’s a very good time slot,” said Willie at the presscon announcing his show’s new development.

“It’s a very good combination. ‘Sunday Pinasaya’ has Wally, Jose, Marian, Ai Ai, Alden...it’s like an extension of ‘Eat Bulaga,’ so we will have more happiness and prizes in Wowowin,” added Willie.

He said he doesn’t mind losing money in producing his show. He is happy to break even, but since “Wowowin” started, Willie said he had been losing money and has shelled out more due to the high production cost. He doesn’t get a talent fee, yet he spends for everything, including his staff’s salary.

Willie said he is even willing to sell some of his properties just to make sure he has enough money to keep the show going. He mentioned selling his 12-bedroom house in Tagaytay Midlands because he has no need for it.

The TV host said he was able to buy a mall from his ABS-CBN earnings, and an airplane from what he earned in TV5, but at GMA-7, he has yet to buy something because he has yet to earn. He is still losing money but he is happy being with the Kapuso network and is confident that in due time, he will earn and recoup his investments.

He said a better and more energized “Wowowin” will be in store for viewers come Sunday.

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“The Voice Kids” runner-up Juan Karlos Labajo had just launched his debut album, which is also under MCA Music, like the albums of his fellow Voice Kids competitors Darren Espanto and Lyca Gairanod.

This Cebuano singer has his distinct style in singing but his taste in music is not the kind that kids could easily relate to. He is more into jazz and mellow music–genres that usually appeal to adults, so it is no surprise that he has a lot of fans in that bracket.

After performing for a number of school programs, his family knew that JK has the potential to make it big. It was his mom who had wished that he join “The Voice Kids,” but sadly, she passed away before she could watch him compete. This made JK even more determined to make it to the finals, with his grandmother and uncle by his side.

Even if the competition was tough, JK believes the spirit of his mom guided him every single moment. He eventually placed third in the competition and this paved the way for him to embark on a concert tour and get acting assignments.

The endless possibilities just intensified JK’s dreams to win awards for music and movies, start a modeling career, and dream of having an international record deal. Fulfilling those goals will not only be for himself, but also for the people he wants to help.

“It is my dream to help cancer patients and visit homes for the aged. I want to make them happy by sharing my talent and share my blessings with them,” said JK, whose life story is good material for an episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

His solo album contains six songs written by a new breed of composers like Jensen Gomez (“This Gravity”), Brad Go (“Maybe Love”), and Kennard Faraon (“Para Sa ‘Yo,” “This Song Is For You,” “Summer Time Love”). His carrier single “Para Sa ‘Yo” is now enjoying heavy airplay on top radio stations. “‘Di Ka Man Lang Nagpaalam” is special to him as it is the song he dedicates to his late mother. Also in the album is the band version of “Para Sa ‘Yo” and the acoustic version “This Gravity.”

JK’s CDs are now out in Astrovision and Astroplus outlets and through digital download via Spinner and iTunes.                 

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The members of the entertainment press were amazed with the volleyball superstars who are the new Ambassadors of PLDT Home Ultera (ultra fast LTE connection for homes) namely Alyssa Valdez, and sisters Jaja and Dindin Santiago who are all towering females, most especially the Santiagos.

Alyssa stands  5’8”, Dindin is 6’2” and Jaja is 6’5”. We wonder how tall their boyfriends must be.

Aside from their impressive heights, they are also lookers and could pass for movie stars or beauty queens. If all volleyball players are as beautiful as them, they can really rival the popularity of PBA.

During the grand launch held Monday, wherein the top three volleybelles were present, they were asked if they are interested in joining beauty contests and they all said no. They are all focused on volleyball.

Also included among the endorsers is top male volleyball player Peter Torres (6’3”), who said that he might go into TV hosting if an opportunity arises.

Other volleyball athletes who were signed up by PLDT Home Ultera as endorsers are Rachel Daquiz, Ara Galang, Mika Reyes and John Vic de Guzman. They are labeled as Ultera barkada family. The endorsers are also friends off court.

According to PLDT VP and Home Marketing Head Gary Dujali, “each of them has gone all out in volleyball, rising to excellence through hard work and dedication.”

Dujali added that these volleyball players are very popular in the provinces. People troop to their games, that’s why they thought of getting them as brand ambassadors for PLDT Home Ultera.