Sharon na-excite kay Jay Manalo

Happy si Sharon Cuneta that in her first ever prime­time teleserye, Madam Chairman, ilan sa kanyang co-stars ay close sa kanya. To name some, Bayani Agbayani, Manny Castañeda, at Fanny Serano.

Bale ba, tasked to write the script of the daily series which, incidentally, will start airing on TV5, Oct. 14, Monday, is Joey Javier Reyes, another dear, dear friend of the Megastar. Directing it is, of course, Joel Lamangan, who has directed her in a number of projects.

But working with the rest of the cast, such as Jay Manalo, who plays his estranged husband, excites Sharon. First time raw niyang makasama sa isang project, mapa-movie o mapa-TV, si Jay, but she had heard daw a lot about him as a performer.

And true enough, ani Sharon, he delivered.

Other stars in the cast are Gladys Reyes, Akihiro Blanco, Bearwin Meily, Malou de Guzman, at Shaira Mae dela Cruz.

Artista Academy winners itsapuwera sa mga bagong show ng TV5

By the way, maraming nakapansin during the trade launch ng mga bagong programa ng TV5 na kapwa absent ang dalawang prime winners ng inilunsad nilang search for a star, Artista Academy.

Sina Vin Abrenica and Sofia Albert ang tinutukoy namin, of course. Obvious din na wala sila sa cast ng kahit alin mang programa ng network na magsisimulang ipalabas on Oct. 14.

Wala ring project ang host dati ng Artista Academy, si Marvin Agustin.

In the case of Ryan Agoncillo and Amy Perez, who were both with the network nang nagsisimula pa lamang ito, balitang they chose na huwag nang i-renew ang kanilang contract. And both their shows were doing the ratings. Ryan, with his Talentadong Pinoy. And Amy, Face to Face.

While Ryan is reportedly considering ang offer to sign up with GMA 7, balak daw ni Amy to take up, in the meantime, culinary arts.

Gabby papalitan si Bong sa pelikula ng INC?

Did we hear it right that Sen. Bong Revilla, Jr. has suggested Gabby Con­­cepcion to the “powers” behind the production of Sugo to take over the role of Ka Eduardo Manalo, head of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), which originally was earmarked for him? As we all know, Sen. Bong had to beg off due to personal and professional reasons.

Gabby is currently doing a movie with Viva Films, a remake of a box-office movie, the title of which escapes us now and was directed then by the late Danny Zialcita.

He was in the cast of the current series, Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin, but only in a special role. Bukas… stars Dawn Zulueta, Gerald Anderson, Cristine Reyes, Tonton Gutierrez, Diana Zubiri, and Dina Bonnevie.

Sugo, which also will star Richard Gomez, with Tikoy Aguiluz directing, is earmarked for exhibition next year for INC’s 100th anniversary offering.

Dingdong makaka-tatlo na sa Star Cinema

No doubt maituturing na casting coup ang tambalang Bea Alonzo at Dingdong Dantes who, for the first time, are together in Star Cinema’s She’s the One.

Local films’ hottest romantic idol sa kasalukuyan, Dingdong’s She’s the One is actually his third movie with Star Cinema. The first one was Segu­n­da Mano with Kris Aquino and the next was One More Try with Angel Locsin and Angelica Panganiban.

Considered one of the most versatile actresses of her generation, Bea has proven, likewise, her box-office prowess via such movies as One More Chance, And I Love You So, Miss You Like Crazy, at The Mistress, to cite a few.

Directed by Mae Cruz, She’s the One, which opens in theaters nationwide starting on Oct. 16, also stars Enrique Gil.