From the way it looks, Aljur Abrenica is being groomed as the next matinee idol by GMA Artist Center. Well, he’s worth the effort, as Aljur has been proving his acting mettle in his current soap “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?” where he is once more paired with his loveteam mate Kris Bernal.

Actually, the two of them should really be promoted as a tandem; because since they were paired together (in “Zaido” and “Dyesebel”), Aljur and Kris have made a mark among televiewers and as a result their fans are growing in number.

Interestingly, when they were competing in the last season of “Star Struck,” they weren’t yet a tandem. Kris had a loveteam mate then in Mart Escudero. But then, Mart became an item with Jennica Garcia, and so Kris ended up in the arms of Aljur. And since then, they’ve caught the fancy of fans and televiewers who’ve rallied behind their team-up. By the way, they celebrated their second anniversary in showbiz last March 25.

But are they really lovers in real  life? Because they look like they are, but Kris said in a recent intimate interview at the Souvenir Room of the new GMA Bldg., they are only special friends. “Career muna ang focus namin,” she smiled sweetly as she feed Aljur with a spoonful of chicken meat.

We asked Aljur: “Dapat ka bang mahalin (ni Kris)?” “Oo naman,” he answered with a smile.

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Ara Mina, Aljur’s teacher

In a recent episode of “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?” Aljur and sexy actress Ara Mina had a torrid kissing scene. We asked Aljur how he felt then, doing the scene with an established and award-winning actress like Ara Mina. “Nung una, naninigas ako, siyempre Ara Mina yan. But she told me she’s going to make alalay to me, tuturuan daw niya ako kung paano.”

And now, he’s comfortable with their love scenes (which will be many since they play lovers in the afternoon drama show).

Like his father, Aljur is multi-talented. They both sing and play musical instruments. “But my father is more talented, he can play a lot of musical instruments, ako konti lang…” His father is also a businessman, running his own restaurant, Aljur revealed.

Aljur by the way is only 19 years old, just like Kris.

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‘Ordinary Mircles,’ a big hit

The recent concert entitled “Ordinary Miracles” featuring Ms. Pinky Marquez was a successful endeavor by the Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. headed by Ms. Gloria “Baby” T. Golez.  It was attended by IWCPFI officers and members, the relatives and friends of those involved in the fund-raising project.

“Ordinary Miracles” was staged at the Teatrino. Pinky Marquez opened her show with a medley of Broadway songs: “Something’s Coming,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” and “Someone Like You” that truly set the mood of the evening. Pinky went on to sing other well-loved songs including “The Prayer” which to the audience was unforgettable.

She also rendered a samba medley of Sergio Mendes songs with her former group, the Music Making Company, that showcased her versatility. Carla Guevara also performed a duet with her (“Tell Him”) and Mica Torres, too (“More Than Wonderful”) and these two singers also proved their singing prowess to the delight of the audience.

The singing group from the Inner Wheel Clubs of the Phils. District 381, under the tutelage of Ms. Marquez herself,  impressed everyone with their rendition of an Earth, Wind and Fire medley.  Not to be upstaged by Pinky’s “mass appeal” were the manly voices of George Tagle, Leo Nebrija and Raymond Tolentino.

It was indeed a lovely and memorable evening for the IWCPFI officers and members and their guests. And they have to thank Pinky Marquez who unselfishly lent her vocal gift of music with them.

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2009 Box-office Entertainment Awards

All is set for the 2009 Box-Office Entertainment Awards slated to be held on April 24. This is given annually by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation headed by Mrs. Corazon M. Samaniego. Mrs. Samaniego is  also the over all chairman of the yearly Box-Office Entertainment Awards. Chairperson for this year is Ms. Conchita dela Cruz.

Aside from the Box-office King and Queen Awards which is given to the male and female stars of the top-grossing film of the year (for 2009, to be crowned as such are John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo), the other award categories are Film Actor/Actress  of the Year, Prince/Princess of Philippine Movies & TV; Male/Female Concert Performer of the Year; Male/Female Recording Artist of the Year; Most Popular Recording/Performing Group; Most Popular Novelty Singer; Most Popular Loveteam of Movies & TV; Most Promising Male/Female Star for Movies & TV; Most Promising Recording/Performing Group; Most Popular Dance Group; Most Popular Child Actor/Actress of Movies & TV; Most Popular Film Producer; Most Popular Screenwriter; Most Popular Film Director; Most Popular TV Program; Most Popular TV Director.

The special awards to be given are the Bert Marcelo Award; Comedy Box-office King/Kings; Comedy Box-office Queen; Valentine Box-office King & Queen, Outstanding Global Achievement by a Filipino Artist; and Special Merit Award for Music (Posthumous Award) to Francis D. Magalona.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 31, go to Ms. Christine S. Dayrit, head of  Cinema Evaluation Board; Ben Q. Avancena, Maritoni Fernandez, Johnny “Midnight” Joseph, Charisse Garcia-Chuidian, Victor Levi Valenciano,  Ben Asuncion, and Fred Payawan.