Hole in the Wall,” a very entertaining and unique game show starts today (after “Gokusen”) on GMA-7. What makes the show fun-filled and worth watching everyday from Monday to Friday is the tandem of Ogie Alcasid and Michael V. who are the hosts of the show.

The two of them promise “to stretch the limits of entertainment possibilities” in this show that is described as “the craziest thing to squeeze into primetime television.” “Hole in the Wall” is a segment-turned-worldwide phenomenon from Japan, and tapped to be  the hosts are the comic duo who’ve proven their versatility not only in hosting but also in composing songs and singing them.

In “Hole in the Wall,” Ogie and Michael V. will play their famous TV characters, as Angelina the spoiled brat, and Yaya, respectively. Ms. Marivin Arayata said Ms. Wilma Galvante, SVP for Entertainment TV, thought of injecting a comic element to the game show, and suggested Ogie and Michael V., being two of the best comedians in the country. 

Marivin added, “Napakaganda ang show na ito. Ibang-iba sa lahat ng game show, ibang-iba sa ‘Family Feud,’ especially with Ogie and Michael V. as hosts.” On his part, Michael V. shared, “I hope masisiyahan lahat ng manonood sa bagong putahe na handog ng GMA-7…” Despite their busy schedule (they have the top-rating weekly gag show “Bubble Gang” and they will soon start filming a movie), Ogie and Michael V. accepted the job and were happy and honored that they were the ones chosen.

Both are now very famous showbiz celebrities but they said they don’t put their fame (kasikatan) into their heads. “What is important is makapagbigay kami ng kasiyahan sa mga viewers…” they said.
And why should people watch “Hole in the Wall?”  “Well, for one, at stake daily is P50,000 na madadagdagan ng madagdagan kung walang manalo,” Ogie said. “And of course, because the show promises a lot of fun. Masaya talaga ito…”

Ogie and Michael V. came to the recent press conference of the show held at Studio 7 of GMA Network’s new building in their girlish get-ups and were particularly amused by Ogie’s character as Angelina.

For portraying girls in “Bubble Gang” and now in “Hole in the Wall,” aren’t they affected by any perception people and their families especially may have about their real personalities? “No naman, okay sa families namin ito because they know trabaho lang, at dahil dito sa trabaho namin, nagkaroon kami ng bahay, mga kotse at iba pa,” Michael V. said with a smile.

Someone asked if there is rivalry or “sapawan” between them and they said none so far. “It has helped us a lot that we are good friends,” they said. By the way, how did their comic characters as Yaya and Angelina come about? Credit goes to the creative team of “Bubble Gang” led by director Uro dela Cruz, they said. Their characters clicked. “If anything, it became sort of a wake-up call for parents not to rely so much sa mga yaya ng mga anak nila, na huwag masyado iwanan at ipagkatiwala ang mga anak nila sa yaya,” Michael V. said. Ogie added in jest, “Mabuti kung marunong mag-English ang yaya.”

Anyway, in the show, players must use both brain and brawn to fit (in the holes), but they must do so quickly – otherwise, the wall will push them straight into a pool. Those who manage to squeeze through the obstacles have greater chances of facing the Jackpot Wall, and winning P100,000.
So, as Angelina says, “Don’t be a Loser,” tune in to the country’s ground-breaking and back-breaking game show. Join Yaya and Angelina in “Hole in the Wall,” beginning today, April 20, on GMA-7.
By the way, auditions for any group of threes, are held every Tuesday at GMA-7. Those who can join should be between the ages of 16 and 50.

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Kristel has a lot  to thank Star Magic

Kristel Moreno, the pretty and promising niece of sexy Alma Moreno (Kristel was among those who attended the recent wedding of her aunt to Marawi City Mayor Fajad Salic in Cebu City) said she has a lot to thank ABS-CBN Star Magic in the last six months. She is most especially grateful for having been given a role in the forthcoming Sam Milby-Bea Alonzo movie under Star Cinema.

“One day lang po ang shooting namin, but kilig na kilig po ako kahit isang araw lang at kahit last minute choice ako. Kasi si Sam naman ang ka-eksena ko, kaming dalawa lang. Landian lang kami. Konting kiss here and there at may bed scene kami. Pero hindi ko muna sasabihin kung paano ang execution ng eksenang yon,” Kristel said with a giggle during a recent merienda-cena with some members of the entertainment press who are close friends of her manager, Ms. Chit Ramos.

“Very pleasant po ang experience ko, kasi si Sam bida na pero siya pa ang nahihiya. Nag-e-excuse at nagpapaalam pa kung puede akong hawakan dito, doon at kung saan.”

Kristel’s first big break on TV is being part of the cast of the top-rated soap “I Love Betty La Fea.” “Salamat kay Sir Deo Edrinal, isinama ako sa teleserye na ito. Tapos, napasama din ako sa ‘ASAP.’ Salamat din kay Mr. Johnny Manahan. Kung sa ‘I Love Betty La Fea’ nabubuhos ko ang talent ko sa pag-arte, sa ‘ASAP’ naman, naibubuhos ko ang passion ko sa pagsasayaw. Sana nga po matuloy ang plano ni Mickey Pers na isama ako sa grupo ng mga dancers. Kasi makakasama ko ang childhood friend kong si Rodjun Cruz…”

Kristel has also been offered to pose in the cover of men’s magazines. But she has declined so far. “Expected ito dahil pamangkin ako ni Alma Moreno. Darating po ako diyan, I know. Pero hindi pa sa ngayon. Hanggang sa pagpapasexy pa lang ako. Puede naman sa akin ang kissing scene sa movie, huwag lang po sobra-sobra. Hindi po talaga ako makiyeme, hindi rin pakipot. Kapag may offer akong sexy movie, game po ako…”

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Veterans Bank’s Traveling Exhibit at the AFP Theater

Philippine Veterans Bank’s (PVB’s) Traveling Exhibit “The War Of Our Fathers… A Tribute to the Filipino Freedom Fighters” was formally opened last March 30 at the AFP Theater in time for the 2009 Veterans Week celebrations. At the same event, Tanghalang Pilipino presented “Mga Gerilya Sa Powell Street,” sponsored by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) with PVB as one of the sponsors. The critically acclaimed play stars Bembol Roco, Lou Veloso and Joe Gruta. “Mga Gerilya Sa Powell Street” is an original play adapted by Palanca Award-winning playwright Rody Vera from the novel of the same title by Benjamin Pimentel.

In simple but meaningful rites, Defense Undersecretary for Veterans Affairs Ernesto Carolina and Col. Emmanuel V. de Ocampo, PVB Chairman and Veterans Federation of the Philippines President formally opened the exhibit.

Veterans Bank’s Traveling Exhibit aims to pay tribute to all Filipino World War II heroes, men and women who fought and died for this country’s freedom. The exhibit has numerous vintage WWII photographs, maps and memorabilia on display for the public, free of charge. The Bank aims to share to the public especially the youth the unknown stories of the Filipino World War II heroes so that today’s generation may have a better grasp of our nation’s history.

Due to numerous requests, the exhibit will still continue to go around the country after touring the countryside in different cities in the past three years.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 20, go to Ms. Guia Gomez, Greggy Araneta,  Nanette Inventor, Carines Zaragoza, Jaypee de Guzman, Jerome dela Fuente, Shiela Santos, Elizabeth Paler, Erlinda O. Marteja, Teresita B. Chua, Ma. Francesca Orense, Mylyn Lazatin, Eljohn M. Galigaro, and DeMarcus  M. Bricia…