She may still be grieving, five months after the death of her beloved husband, but Lorna Tolentino is slowly recovering from her grief. And helping her cope with the changes in her life are the projects she will soon be doing for ABS-CBN with whom she signed a contract recently. In the works for her are movies and soap operas which will co-star her with, among others, Gabby Concepcion.

What’s also making LT happy these days is the Best Actress trophy she received last Saturday at the 56th FAMAS Awards. She won the award with her notable performance as the wife of an Overseas Filipino Worker (played by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada) in “Katas ng Saudi,” an entry to last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. “Katas ng Saudi” also won the Best Picture award, as well as the Best Actor trophy for the senator.

But most significant for Lorna was the recent launch of the “Hope” CD which was launched a few weeks ago in "Boy & Kris.” Released by Star Records, the CD will feature big stars who sing their own musical tributes to their close buddy, Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez. In the CD, Sharon Cuneta sings “Special Memory,” Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla with Phillip Salvador sing “Doon Lang;” Gary Valenciano, “Ikaw Lamang,” Piolo Pascual, "I Will Be Here,” Tirso Cruz III, “Awit ni Daboy,” Aga Muhlach, “Let It Be,” Jamie Rivera, “My Life is in Your Hands,” Christopher de Leon and Ricky Davao, “Stand By Me,” and Lorna herself sing “Far From Home.”

She won’t be celebrating her birthday and Christmas this December, and New Year too, but LT’s wish is for the CD to become successful and a bestseller because the proceeds will go to the Rudy Fernandez Cancer Foundation. “Sana maging Plantinum agad ang Hope CD because it will be for a good cause,” Lorna wished.

LT is also a Flawless endorser and was seen, together with fellow endorsers Richard Gutierrez and Katrina Halili, at the recent opening of Flawless Robinson’s Galleria branch (located at the 3rd floor east wing of Robinson’s Galleria. Also at the 25th Flawless branch opening were Prince Stepan and other young stars. On hand to welcome them and the members of the entertainment press were Ruby Coyuito and Francis Laborra, who incidentally was celebrating his birthday last Dec. 6.

Ruby said they initially planned to open just five more Flawless branches to make it a total of 25 this 2008, but they have accomplished that. They intend to open three more within the year, Flawless BF Parañaque, Flawless SM Manila and Flawless SM Batangas.

Currently, Flawless runs a well-received promotion called “Facial of the Stars” where clients get to be attended by the stars’ personal facialist and give him or her the same star treatment that they give each celebrity client. Promo runs in all Flawless branches until Dec. 31 where winners will have a chance to win an all-expense paid for vacation for two to Boracay.

Those who avail of the 70-minute Facial of the Stars service will have a chance to join the raffle which will be drawn in January for its batch of winners. For more information about the promo and Flawless in general, visit their website – www.flawless.ph.

* * *
ABS-CBN, DZMM
win 29 Golden Doves

Congratulations to ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. for having been proclaimed “Best Television Station” while DZMM was awarded the “Best AM Radio Station” at the recent 17th Golden Dove Awards.

This is the second time for both stations to be recognized this year, after getting the Best TV and AM Radio Station at The Rotary Club of Manila’s 2007 Journalism Awards.

ABS-CBN bagged a total of 29 awards led by Korina Sanchez who received the prestigious “Ka Doroy Broadcaster of the Year” award.

Named after the “Dean of Philippine Journalism” the late Teodoro “Ka Doroy” Valencia, the “Ka Doroy” award is considered the highest honor to be given to journalists in the country. Previous recipients were Tina Monzon-Palma and Angelo Castro Jr.

The complete list of the Golden Dove Awards won by ABS-CBN are:

For Television:

Best Television Station – ABS-CBN Channel 2;
Ka Doroy Broadcaster of the Year Award – Korina Sanchez
Best Public Affairs Program – “XXX” (ABS-CBN)
Best Television Newscaster – Ted Failon, “TV Patrol World”
Best Games/Variety Program – “Sharon” (ABS-CBN)
Best Drama Program – “Maalala Mo Kaya” (ABS-CBN)
Best Children’s Program – Sineskwela “Global Warming” (ABS-CBN)
Best Documentary Program – “Runaways Human Trafficking” (ABS-CBN)
Best Science and Technology Program – “Matanglawin” (ABS-CBN)
Best Public Service Program – “Salamat Dok” (ABS-CBN)
Best Magazine Program – “Matanglawin” (ABS-CBN)
Best Specials – “Bantay Bata 10th Anniversary” (ABS-CBN)
Best Sports Program – “UAAP Cheer Dance Competition” (Studio 23)
Best Public Service Program Host – Cheryl Cosim, “Salamat Dok” (ABS-CBN)
Best Magazine Program Host – Korina Sanchez, “Rated K” (ABS-CBN)
Best Science and Technology Journalist – TJ Manotoc
Best TV Station Promotional Material – 2007 ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID
Best TV Public Service Announcement – Values Campaign (ABS-CBN)

For Radio:

Best AM Radio Station – DZMM
Best Public Affairs Program – “Tambalang Failon at Sanchez” (DZMM)
Best Games/Variety Program – “Todo Todo Walang Preno” (DZMM)
Best Field Reporter – Noel Alamar (DZMM)
Best Public Affairs Program Host – Korina Sanchez (DZMM)
Best Magazine Program Host – Philip Bardon a.k.a. Reggie Valdez (101.9 For Life!)
Best Science and Technology Journalist – Angelo Palmones (DZMM)
Best Radio Station Promotional Material – Investment Scam (DZMM)

For Regional:

Best Field Reporter – Nony Basco (ABS-CBN TV10 Iloilo)
Best Culture & Arts Program – “MagTV Na Atin To!” (DZRR TV 30 Baguio).

* * *

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 8, go to Mrs. Susana Ople, Andrea Bautista-Ynares, Connie Guanzon Garcia, Beth Bautista, Concepcion “Nonie” Basilio, Ellen Concepcion Novales, Bremel R. Guiao, Pura R. Mondejar, Dr. Eddie Santos, Ma. Joyce Tobias, Archie Cayaba, Lina Mabanag, Barry Marcelo, Jon-Jon Padua, Jinky A. Velasco, Gracelyn Ramos, Dr. Ching Ilao-Oreta, Mika dela Cruz, Fiscal Ma. Victoria Alba-Estoesta, and Hero Angeles…Happy wedding anniversary to Richard and Roni Merk, Peping and Tingting Cojuangco, Danny and Lynda Reyes; Francis and Cynthia Naidas…