It is very seldom that the country’s top caliber stars are gathered together in one production! And needless to say, the casting – plus a great story – is definitely the greatest asset of the drama series.
Such is the production of “Tayong Dalawa” of ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida. It has been gaining top ratings on primetime TV.

Here’s the list of the top-caliber stars: Cherry Pie Picache, three-time Best Actress awardee; Alessandra De Rossi, 2001’s Famas Best Supporting Actress; Mylene Dizon, 13th Pusan International Film Festival Best Actress and Best Actress for the 6th Golden Screen Awards; Jiro Manio, two-time Best Actor; Coco Martin, Best Performance by a Male Actor (Young Critics Circle 2006, an international awardee and the recent Best Supporting Actor for the 6th Golden Screen Awards; Helen Gamboa, 1996 Gawad Urian Best Actress; Baron Geisler, Cinemalaya 2008 Best Actor and the recent Best Actor for the 6th Golden Screen Awards; Gina Pareño, four-time Best Actress and Asia’s Best Supporting Actress for the film “Serbis;” Anita Linda, Southeast Asian 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival Best Actress; Miguel Faustman, 17th Aliw Awards Nominee, Best Stage Actor; Agot Isidro, 2006 Gawad Urian nominee for Best Supporting Actress; Jodi Sta. Maria, Best Actress award – 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival under the Digital Lokal category for the film “Sisa,” and Spanky Manikan, two-time Best Supporting Actor awardee.

“Tayong Dalawa” tells the story of two people with one name, one dream and one love. The story brings to fore universal, varying and conflicting life’s issues of money, power, freedom, family, forgiveness, secrets, revelations, and love.

As to how they collectively and individually made “Tayong Dalawa” a top-rated drama series, some of the cast said:

Alessandra: “We always give our best… each scene is so very important!”

Anita Linda: “I am very glad I am part of the show. The cast – they are so talented. They are also very supportive of me. They even support, guide me.”

Jake Cuenca: “It is an opportunity to start as an actor. It’s so good, so beautiful from the very start.”

Kim Chiu: “The feeling is great to know that the show is No. 1! I learned a lot of acting from them!”

Helen Gamboa: “I am overwhelmed by the success of ‘Tayong dalawa.’”

Gina: “It’s a great honor to be in the show.”

Coco Martin: “I feel blessed! It’s a big story!”

“Tayong Dalawa” airs weeknights on ABS-CBN after “Only You.”

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Reunion of Sampaguita stars

As always, when Pempe Rodrigo celebrates her birthday, it becomes a reunion of Sampaguita stars. It should be because Pempe was part and parcel of the studio and a friend of them all, especially Ms. Susan Roces.

Anyway, when Pempe marked her latest milestone, with a sumptuous dinner at her residence in New Manila, QC, everyone had fun reminiscing the old times, and of course there was singing because one good friend, Pilita Corrales was there as always with hubby Carlos Lopez.

The impromptu musical program started with Dranreb Belleza (Divina Valencia’s actor-painter son) rendering a song with Joey Oreta accompanying him on the guitar. Others who shared their musical talents included Gloria Sevilla, Delia Razon, Perla Bautista, John Nite, and Ricky Davao. Other well-wishers were Liza Lorena and her 87-year-old mom.

Also there, but who arrived a little late because they had to attend another party, were Gloria Romero and daughter Marites and grandson Christopher; Liberty Ilagan and Amalia Fuentes.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for June 9, go to Sixto “Boy” Roa, LA-based entertainment writer Ruben Nepales, Vanessa Pastor, Pamela A. Pacis, Juvielyn Toñada, Michellen Espiritu-Suarez, Ramon F. Lopez, Grace Pascua Urata, Ronian Poe, and Mary Sunshine “Soeng” Ongpauco…