Changes and more changes seem to be the battle cry of the ABS-CBN Network nowadays for its Channel 2 programming even as contract stars start moving in and out of the picture, which can only be interpreted as good a sign as any in the Year of the Dragon.
Last Sunday was to be the day Vice Ganda would say goodbye to his Gandang Gabi Vice but instead of a farewell, he showed up and announced that its second season would start on Sunday, Feb. 26. The extension of the show possibly till May is seen because of overwhelming support from viewers. We are very happy for Vice, although we have yet to meet him but we can see that he has worked hard to get to where he is now. Meantime, Showtime, the other show he is involved in, has replaced Happy Yipee Yehey! and is being hosted by mainstays and judges from the old show Jhong Hilario, Ryan Bang, Coleen Garcia, Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Billy Crawford, Karylle, Kuya Kim Atienza, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta and Vice himself.
Meantime, a big change is coming to Sarah Geronimo who stars in her very own Sarah G Live! starting on Sunday, Feb. 26. We remember Sarah as a not too attractive champion of Regine Velasquez’s Star for a Night way back when, and suddenly after 10 years, people were screaming her name at the Araneta show What Love Is with Martin Nievera, poised and beautiful, brought about by the newfound confidence in her talent. There is really wisdom in sticking to your guns however long it takes, for like Sarah, you will reach the stars.
We can see the solo musical variety show to be Sarah’s crowning glory. She has the best people supporting her with no less than Louie Ocampo as musical director, Georcelle Dapat-Sy for choreography, Erick Salud as director, dancers from the G-Force and Gab Valenciano, and Luis Manzano as co-host. Perhaps someone to oversee the script?
Speaking of Luis, this is another ABS-CBN talent who is finally getting his just breaks. Sarah G Live! is not his only show. He also has Kapamilya Deal or No Deal for which its previous host Kris Aquino recommended him, and of course, there is still ASAP every Sunday. In acting, Luis will be in the dramaserye Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw with Anne Curtis and Robin Padilla.
New transferee from GMA Iza Calzado took some time to decide on the transfer to ABS. Now that it’s a done deal, Iza’s first project as a Kapamilya talent is to host the second season of The Biggest Loser: Pinoy Edition, replacing Sharon Cuneta who moved to TV5. We are certain Iza will be involved in a lot of movies both under Star Cinema and Regal Films since she has done projects before with Mother Lily and her abilities are irrefutable.
We feel the excitement in the air that the changes bring. Good luck to all these Kapamilya stars on the challenges that now await them.
The Sound of Music at Resorts World extended
It has already been announced that the remarkable success of the Broadway classic The Sound of Music has resulted in additional extension until May at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World.
This is something that the theater world can only applaud with vigor and gratitude to the organization that has put its money into a state-of-the-art venue and productions that utilize Filipino talent all the way from direction, acting, singing, orchestral music to sets.
We have always known that the Filipino could be at par with the rest of the world, but we have been timid with putting our money where our mouth is.
(E-mail your comments to bibsy_2011@yahoo.com.)