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Star Magic’s scintillating 16/16

BUZZSTATION

Edgar Cruz

05/13/2008

The magic never ends! Every year, Star Magic (formerly Talent Center) launches the Star Circle by batches, star materials who underwent training with ABS-CBN’s talent development and management.

Since launching Batch 1, led by the Rico Yan, 16 years ago, it now has amazing 16 batches of stars! From the time when then ABS-CBN president and chief operating officer Freddie Garcia and Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan hatched the idea of creating a stable of new stars exclusively for ABS-CBN, the hit after-show Ang TV spawned many mall shows, live concerts and record albums. Ang TV was also the door through which the likes of the young Claudine Barretto, Angelica Panganiban, Rica Peralejo, Kaye Abad, John Prats, Angelu de Leon, Victor Neri and many more enter showbiz.

In celebration of its 16th year, a star-studded extravaganza on ASAP 08 will open ABS-CBN Star Magic’s grand anniversary celebration on May 25 and June 1. ASAP 08 will present superb production numbers showcasing the talent and beauty of the Star Magic artists. Expect to see Star Magic artists led by Piolo Pascual and Claudine Barretto and the rest of your favorite Star Magic Jewels, Heartthrobs, Cover Boys, Koolchx, Astigs and love teams. Star Magic also boasts of the products of ABS-CBN’s reality shows, the faces everyone loved to follow when watching Pinoy Big Brother (from the first and second edition and teens), White Castle, Be Bench, Del Monte’s Got 2 B Fit Challenge and Pinoy Dream Academy and many more that will surely be a feast to the eyes!

On June 29, the stars will once again come down from the heavens to party the night away in EDSA Shangri-La for the Second Star Magic Grand Ball. After the success of the first ball in August of last year, the Star Magic family will enjoy a night of good food, fun and entertainment, all dapper and elegant in their tuxedoes and long gowns. More events are slated from Star Magic this year. A new batch featuring fresh faces and talent will be introduced on the third quarter of the year, more concerts are in store and a major charity event is in the offing. The latest Star Magic catalogue shall also be available within the year.

Gretchen, uninvited

Up until now, Gretchen Barretto is out of the good graces of the forever glamorous Imelda Cojuangco, Tony Boy Cojuangco’s mom. To the wedding of daughter Patty Cojuangco to businessman Anthony Kierulf, held at the Santurio de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City, Getchen was not invited. Tony Boy attended by himself, unescorted, giving away Patty by himself. Gretchen was not also seen at the reception held at EDSA Shangri-La’s Rizal Ballroom. In fairness to Gretchen, Tony Boy’s wife was not also present. For sure, this is a telltale sign Gretchen has not been accepted by the Cojuangco matriarch. Probably she never will. But Tony Boy wouldn’t allow himself to be alone. He amused himself by giving a mini-concert towards the reception’s end, to everybody’s delight!

Wenn replaced as Betty

La Fea director

Just before Bea Alonzo’s official announcement as the new Betty La Fea, helmer Wenn Deramas admitted to Buzzstation he had been taken out as director of the local version of the global hit series for a good reason. He has started shooting the fantaserye Dyosa and starting shoot of the Star Cinema’s Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat, the sequel of the box-office record breaker Tanging Ina starring Ai Ai delas Alas, on May 14.

According to Business Unit Head Deo Endrinal, it was a management decision for the same reason Wenn stated. He added the replacement director is being screened. He opened up there’s still no Armando. He also cleared the role will not be played by a foreign actor as enough local talents can easily be short-listed. Betty La Fea will be narrow-casted by The Filipino Channel at the same time as the Philippine run.

Bea’s coronation as Betty ends the months of campaign of her local and global fans as spearheaded by Kristine de Jesus of Cybertropa of Bea Alonzo based in Los Angeles, California. Through their no-surrender effort, they have been able to convince ABS-CBN management to give Bea a solo project and make her the hit comedy series’ main character. Now that Wenn is out of the project, Cathy Molina-Garcia is the most qualified director to helm the project as she has knack for giving respect for light romantic materials. But this maybe difficult for her to do as she’s now directing John Lloyd Cruz’s first starrer with Sarah Geronimo for Star Cinema. Bea’s fans have been suggesting Aga Muhlach for the role of Armando. A Yehey! Entertainment poll confirmed he’s the runaway choice to play the role. ABS-CBN should make this possible.

A more heartfelt second

CD for Nikki

“Idol ko talaga si Lea Salonga!” Nikki Gil told “BuzzBox” right after the launch of Lea’s “LEA My Life...On Stage”, two-night, 30th anniversary concert. She added, “I want to be the young Lea!” Nikki had a launching too. She met the media about the her 12-track sophomore CD entitled Hear My Heart under EMI Philippines. And she’s qualified to follow Lea’s lead. She’s the only young actress who’s silently and slowly pursuing a global career. She has released two hit songs for Disney’s High School Musical and performed the pop version of “It’s A Small World” at the launch of Hong Kong Disneyland theme park. She is also World Vision’s Ambassador of Goodwill. These are besides her viable career as ASAP 08 mainstay and Myx VJ. She’s also acting for the first time in the television remake of Florinda with no less than Maricel Soriano from the Susan Roces movie classics collection.

But Nikki considers herself foremost as a singer. She considers Hear My Heart as a fine showcase of her singing talent. She says that she had enough time to work on it unlike the first one, which was a rush. She also shifted to love songs unlike the first one which has mostly pop orientation. The carrier sing, “Hear My Heart” which is her own composition, is an excellent example of Nikki’s fresh sound. Other songs are “When Did You Fall in Love,” “Just Want to be Your Everything,” “If You’re Not the One,” “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” “Million Miles Away,” “So Much in Love,” “Let Me Be the One,” “Buses and Trains,” “Friday,” “On My Knees,” and “Gotta Go My Own Way.” Nikki comes up with an inspired album which is world-class, for sure, a tool which she can use for the Lea ambition.

Caregiver to screen on Mother’s Day month

Star Cinema might not have released the Megastar Sharon Cuneta starrer Caregiver on Mother’s Day but this did not diminish the film’s being a tribute to mothers. It is set for nationwide screening for May 28. Sharon and the rest of the cast and crew who went to London recently returned to the country to wrap up the local scenes. Sharon is an overseas Filipino worker in London, England, as a caregiver.

The film is helmed by Chito Roño who directs a movie every two years only. Here, Sharon plays a school teacher waiting for the petition of her husband (John Estrada). Makisig Morales acts as their son. While waiting, she takes a care-giving course. She quickly finds work upon arrival in London.

Through conflicts, they grasp how work there has dehumanized them. They realize life in a foreign country is not for them. Sharon, John and Makisig give the best performances of their career.

Use only FDA-approved products

“The Aquagel was made in China, and it’s not Food and Drugs Administration-approved,” reveals Aescultura’s medical-surgical director Dr. Francis Decanghon. Without dropping the aesthetic clinic’s name or the celebrity doctor involved in the high-profile botched penile enlargement suit, Dr. Francis said the mishap could have been avoided if United States-made material was used and if the patient strictly followed post-operation care. He stated that Aescultura does not perform such operation as there’s still no reliable procedure that will ensure success.

Aescultura offers both surgical and non-surgical services. Among the surgical procedures are body sculpting (tumescent liposuction), Brazilian butt lift, breast lift cosmetic surgery (mastopexy), thread facelift (aptos thread lift), fat transfer (fami technique), collagen induction therapy, nose lift (rhinoplasty), eyelid surgery, chin augmentation, cheek/malar augmentation, designer laser vaginoplasty/laser vaginal rejuvenation and hair transplant.

The non-surgical services are facials (Aescultura classic facial, dermsculpting facial, acne clearing facial), sea salt body scrub, ultrasonic lymphatic drainage, laser treatment (Fraxel, permanent hair removal, char-free wart removal, mole removal), easy peel, blue peel, diamond peel, IV glutathione and Mesotherapy (Mesolift, Mesoscalp, Lipodissolve, Mesocellulite, Botox, fillers and sclerotherapy).

Aescultura is located at Future Point Plaza One at 112 Panay Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City. Book for appointment now (376-5969/372-4533).

Shorties

Ploning has taken over When Love Begins, ticket-sales-wise? Warped! An unofficial report puts the total figures at P3.5 million and P45.5 million nationwide ticket sales respectively for the first week of screenings...Pops Fernandez had denied that she has broken up with Jomari Yllana! The last time he was not with her in Bora, she was working...Gabby Concepcion had been issued a hold departure order for his bigamy case!...The buzz is Gabby got P20,000 worth of Paul Smith clothes instead of P40,000 he allegedly received for the StarStudio magazine cover story.

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