In town (she arrived way before the Holy Week) is Malaysian actress-model Carmen Soo who is now a Kapamilya star, joining the roster of stars of the country’s leading star discoverer and builder, ABS-CBN Star Magic.

While here, Carmen who was Jericho Rosales leading lady in the now defunct drama series “Kahit Isang Saglit,” will be under a language tutor who will give her Tagalog lessons in preparation for her forthcoming movie with Jericho and Kristine Hermosa, the stars of the soap opera “Pangako Ko Sa ’Yo” which became a big hit in Malaysia, making Echo and Kristine superstars of sort in that pre-dominantly Muslim country.

Upon her arrival in the country, Carmen who has a cameo role in the now showing Star Cinema horror flick “T2,” joined a fans day with the “Echomen” (fans of Jericho) where she said she had great fans, delighted by the fact that fans recognized her easily despite her simple get-up. Even in the US, fans recognize her and she credits this to the reach of The Filipino Channel (TFC). Carmen, who will also be a part “ASAP ’09,” is one of the endorsers of Petit Monde Clothing in the Philippines, and Slack Shampoo in China.

Carmen started working as a model at a very young age of 17. As a model, she did print and commercials. At 21, she was already based in Hong Kong and stayed there for four years. She enjoyed modeling as she was able to travel, meet a lot of people and experience new things. The work was also fast-paced so she loved her job that paid well so she earned and saved money.

She started acting four and a half years ago but she never turned her back from modeling. Despite being a model and an actress, life in Malaysia is simple. She claims that she can do stuffs like drive, shop and go around places without being noticed. She adds that in Malaysia, there are hardly intrigues and her projects vary, not just drama. Her working hours are long but she gets a day off. But she also says that she got used to shooting with just one camera, unlike our productions which utilize multiple cameras.

Carmen is of course the leading lady of Jericho Rosales in the hit teleserye “Kahit Isang Saglit.” The teleserye is the first co-production of ABS-CBN and Malaysia’s Double Vision. She admits that she is not so familiar with the Philippines so she had not much idea what she was getting into when she was presented to the production crew of “Kahit Isang Saglit.” The teleserye was directed by the late “Manong” Gilbert Perez and according to Carmen, “Manong was kind enough to explain how the local industry works, TFC, the fans, the working hours, etc.”

Working in Malaysia for two months prior to taping in the Philippines gave Carmen the chance to get to know everyone and warm up with the Filipino actors and crew. She admits that she also had idea that Echo is very popular in Malaysia as she is out of the country most of the time because of work.

Her projects prior to “Kahit Isang Saglit” were “A Girl From Ipo,” “Rose Rose I Love You” (a musical), “Trio and A Bed” (Chinese version of “Sex And The City), a horror movie, a play “Wish I Was There” and “Ghost” (a Malay-English TV series). She also did movies such as “Sayang You Can Dance” and the soon-to-be-released “My Spy.”

Nesvita Pro-Weight Management Video contest winners share stories

The Nesvita Pro-Weight Management Weight and See video contest showcased the many tips and secrets to weight management whether it be to gain, lose, or maintain weight. A few months ago, the winners gathered at the Nestlé office not only to receive their prizes, but to meet the other winners as well.

For DLSU-College of St. Benilde students Carmen Del Prado and her boyfriend Julian Rodriguez, doing their video entry entitled “The Secret” was a labor of love. Since both of them are taking up multi-media arts, they had fun doing their own 30-seconder video. Carmen and Julian are both much into sports, doing football, volleyball and spending a lot of time mountain biking together. For their entry to end up in the top 10, they both aggressively campaigned in social networking sites such as Facebook and promoted their video among classmates. The entry they submitted landed them a spot in the top 10 and won them a brand-new iPod Nano.

Victory Church’s Communications Director James Michael Deen found out about the video contest through an online link. Since he was already on his weight-loss program as stated in his blog, James decided to join the contest and make it as his testimonial as to how he dropped his weight from 234 lbs. to his present weight of 198 lbs. His entry entitled “Little Things Count” which he did for 2 days ended up in the top 10 videos and also won him an iPod Nano.

20-year-old UST student James Edward Uy was enticed to join the contest by his high school classmate. His entry dubbed “The 4 Aspects” reiterated the importance of exercise, diet, healthy lifestyle and discipline as his secret in maintaining his weight. James regularly works out to keep himself in tip-top shape. He was more than happy that his entry ended up as one of the winning entries in the Nesvita Pro-Weight Management Weight and See Video Contest.

Gerry Barcelona’s entry, “Tubig para sa Too Big,” was executed in a single sitting, from concept to shooting schedule. Gerry, a blogger himself, promoted his entry thru SMS. He also invited other bloggers to vote for his entry. He believes that exercise and other physical activities such as jogging is the key to maintaining his body weight.

The other winners received an iPod nano each and these are “Brother” by Maui Reyes, “Just Move And Exercise” by Monina Lao, and “Macho Gwapito” by Jonald Linga. The top entry, “Ways To Maintain Your Body Weight” by Steve Christopher Wong won P50,000 in cash and an iPod Nano. The 2nd prize entry is “S.E.E.cret To Weight Management” by Jeffrey Sy took home P30,000 in cash and an iPod Nano. The 3rd prize worth P20,000 and an iPod Nano was won by Jerome Estrella for his entry entitled “Know Your Body First.”

To view the top 10 videos and to find out best-kept weight management secret, log on to www.adultwellness.com.ph for more details.

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 17, go to former Pangasinan Gov. Tito Primicias, lifestyle editor Millet M. Mananquil, Hermie Rivera, Katrina Ponce Enrile, Olive G. Villacorta, Mario M. Cabrillas, Emelinda Palattao, Abe Bulos, Lemuella Marie G. Chan and MB’s Gloria Gempesaw… Currently ongoing is the PAALL 2nd Global Homecoming Reunion in Asingan, Pangasinan, spearheaded by the founder and president, Arsenia Navalta-de Gracia. Activities include motorcade, alumni night, marathon day/sportsfest, family day, batch day and others… Condolence to entertainment columnist Jun Lalin on the death of his beloved mom Adeline Yvonne Rodriguez last Wednesday, April 15. Her remains lie at St. Peter’s Chapel along Quezon Ave. Jun is arriving today from New York, USA…