Will 'hot property' switch channels?

A Funfare Update DPA said that the contract of a network’s hot property is scheduled for renewal but no sir, he hasn’t signed on the dotted line yet. What’s he, rather his “advisers,” thinking — an overdue increase in talent fee which he richly deserves?

“He has been suffering in silence,” the DPA described the actor who happens to be a talented one.

Now, the DPA is asking if there’s a “smear campaign” against the actor who is missing in a macho-slanted TV commercial featuring three of the product’s endorsers. His detractors are saying that he backed out because he was being cast not as the commercial’s “main star” (positioned at center) but only as a “support” (the two on the sides).

“Not true,” corrected the actor’s defender. “He wasn’t shown any contract or a story board, there wasn’t even a meeting, before the shoot. So he politely said ‘no’.”

Christian bonds with Brickman

Hours after he arrived from the Unity Tour (with Kuh Ledesma, et al) in the US and Canada, Christian Bautista met up with Jim Brickman for “bonding” at Eastwood Mall before Brickman’s show started at 8 p.m. Wednesday night.

Now on his 15th visit to the country, Brickman has just released a new album titled Beautiful World (released by Universal Records). He handpicked Christian to sing Never Far Away, one of his original compositions.

“I’m honored,” said Christian.

The two exchanged albums. In the CD he gave to Christian, Brickman wrote this dedication: “Thank you for giving your talent to my album.”

Other international artists on Beautiful World are Adam Crossley, Mark Marsi, Anne Kochran, Orla Fallon, Melinda Doolittle and Jon Secada.

Belo talks about ‘stretch marks’

Dr. Vicki Belo has just arrived from Arizona, USA, where she presented two medical papers in this year’s convention of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). She’s the first Filipino member of ASDS.

Vicki also gave talks on the treatments of stretch marks and keloids.

After two papers from The Belo Medical Clinic were published in two international journals, Vicki became an in-demand speaker in medical conferences abroad (Istanbul, Guam, Georgia, Milan, California, Paris, Honolulu, etc.).

A paper on Photodynamic Therapy was published in the US Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and another on Aptos Thread Facelift came out in The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery.

Anytime soon, Vicki should be off to another speaking engagement abroad.

A ‘diamond’ for Nina

Tagged as the country’s Soul Siren, Nina recently received a Diamond Award for over 200,000 sales of her CD Nina Live! under Warner Music Philippines. She’s so far the only female singer to be given that recognition in the Philippines.

“I didn’t expect it,” said the “surprised” Nina.

Her CD has been rightfully certified by the Philippine Association of Record Industries (PARI).

StarStruck worldwide

Auditions for the GMA talent search StarStruck 5 is now worldwide.

The schedules:

• Singapore, today and tomorrow (Oct. 31)

• Japan, Nov. 7 and 8

• Middle East — Bahrain on Nov. 3 and 4, Abu Dhabi on Nov. 5 and Dubai on Nov. 6

• USA — Los Angeles on Nov. 5 and 6, San Francisco on Nov. 7 and 8, and New Jersey on Nov. 10 and 11.

Note: Interested applicants may get further information via [email protected].

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