The well-loved tandem of Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, now a real-life couple, is back via the comic teleserye “George and Cecil” which starts airing tonight on ABS-CBN. This is a follow-up to their hit teleserye “Ysabella.” In the romantic comedy series, Ryan and Juday play unconventional roles in that he does the easy chores in their household while Juday takes charge of the “masculine” chores.

The light drama is spiced with an ample dose of comedy. The wife, who is a cop, does the dirty jobs at home, and the husband, who is a high school teacher, does the cleaning. The wife is the tough one, while the husband is soft-hearted. Their situation at home is truly unconventional.

Even their names spell confusion and defy tradition.

Juday is George (from Georgina Castro), and Ryan is Cecil (from Cecilio Murillo). George’s father, an ex-cop (played by Al Tantay) gave boys’ name to all his daughters in his frustration of not having a son.

Described as a comedy to which all Filipino families can relate to, “George and Cecil” is written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes who’ve directed Ryan and Juday in some projects, most notably their blockbuster and top-grossing festival movies “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo” and “Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo” all under Star Cinema.

ABS-CBN TV production exec Linggit Tan noted the dearth of comedy shows these days “so we hope itong show namin na ito ay makakapagbigay ng tuwa sa mga manonood.”

The project was given to Direk Joey “because they know na gamay na gamay na kami nina Juday at Ryan sa trabaho,” he said.

The light drama spiced up with an ample dose of comedy has a big cast, but Direk Joey said they will be given equal exposures. In the cast, aside from Juday, Ryan, and Al include Tessie Tomas, Malou de Guzman, Gladys Reyes, Christopher Roxas, Archie Alemania, Dino Imperial, Dionne Monsanto, Enriquez Gil, Ynna Asistio, Adrian Solomon, and Pinoy Fear Factor participantes Manuel Chua and Jommy Teotico.

Juday, Gladys reunited

Juday and her arch-enemy Gladys Reyes in the now classic drama series “Mara Clara” (one of the shows that propelled Juday to stardom) are reunited in “George and Cecil.” At the recent press conference for ABS-CBN’s newest show, both expressed excitement and delight for having given the chance to work together again.

“I’m really so happy, especially it’s Direk Joey directing our show,” Gladys said. “It’s such an overwhelming feeling to be included in ‘George and Cecil,’ tapos big bonus pa na kasama din dito ang asawa ko (Christopher Roxas).”

Juday actually requested that Gladys be included in the cast because of their deep bonding as friends all through the years. “I’m so happy na nag-asawa na rin siya (Juday),” Gladys added.

Gladys reminded everyone in the presscon that it’s been 18 years since she and Christopher got married (they now have two children). And if she had to give Juday a little piece of advice it is this: “Nasa babae ang mas malaking effort to keep a marriage intact. Siya ang mas magtatrabaho para manatili ang samahan ng mag-asawa. But it takes a lot of effort...”

Juday not yet infanticipating

Juday said she isn’t in that interesting stage yet although she and Ryan aren’t into pills or any other family planning method. “Ang pinaka-effective condom namin ay ang anak namin,” Ryan said, laughing. He was referring to Yohan, their adopted daughter, who sleeps with them.

According to Juday, Yohan has started asking her if she came from her “tummy.” Juday’s answer was: “You did not come from my tummy but you came from my heart.” Well said, Juday!

Anyway, watch out for the premiere showing of “George and Cecil” tonight on ABS-CBN.

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‘ETC A-list: E! Entertainment Sexiest 2’

“E! Entertainment” has explored the planet to unearth the sexiest men and women alive and “ETC A-List: Sexiest Season 2,” airing Sundays at 8 p.m., is all set to dish out the countdown straight to your TV screens.

“Sexiest 2: Beach Bodies,” airing on Sundays at 8 p.m., is set to satisfy everyone’s appetite for sexy, blazing hot, beach-bound bodies that stand out in the shores. Some are famous, some are not, but one thing’s for sure, they’re all sexy and they keep it oh-so hot.

Today, the Sexiest Pop Divas take a breather from the top of the charts to reign over the scorching spots in the coveted countdown. Unwritten babe, Natasha Bedingfield; UK charts princesses from Girls Aloud, and the ever-hot Kylie Minogue are just a few whose charm made it to the list that is sure to keep every masculine heart pumping.

“Sexiest 2: Celebrity Body Parts,” airing on June 21, is next on the red-hot lineup. Eyes, lips, legs or hips, whether they’re natural or cosmetically-enhanced, ETC A-list is filling up your screens with celebrities’ physical attributes at their best.

Last but definitely not the least sizzling stop for June is “Sexiest 2 featuring the Cover Girls,” airing on June 28. From Angelina Jolie to Eva Mendes to Heidi Klum, this episode picks its 25 sexiest and provides viewers with a taste of the most fabulous faces and figures that fiercely made it to the covers.

“ETC A-List: E! Entertainment Sexiest 2” airs every Sunday at 8 p.m. on ETC (seen on SBN 21, Sky Cable 16, Global Destiny 30, Cable Link 38 and Smart My TV).

‘Open Happiness,’ the new single in global music partnership

The Coca-Cola Company and Warner Music Group’s Atlantic Records have come together to record and release a new song featuring some of the hottest acts from the worlds of rock, pop and hip hop.

Titled “Open Happiness,” the single features a unique mix of genres of music with the combined talents of the Happiness Factory composing of Cee-Lo Green, Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, Brendon Urie from Panic at the Disco, Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes and acclaimed, Grammy nominated songstress Janelle Monae. The song is all about inviting people to share a little happiness and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. The song also reflects the spirit of positivity, optimism and fun expressed in “Open Happiness.”

Two superstar producers; Butch Walker (who co-wrote the track with Cee-Lo Green) and Polow Da Don produced the musical collaboration. These award-winning producers have set out to mix their worlds of rock and hip-hop and create a really cutting edge sound that brings the Open Happiness campaign of Coca-Cola to life. They have worked with acts such as Usher, Kelis, Pink, Fergie, Pussycat Dolls, Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry.

Listen to your favorite local radio stations and enjoy the “Open Happiness” track brought to you by Coke and Warner Music Philippines! If you want to Open Happiness and get a hold of this truly positive song, get the true tone or full track on your mobile only through digital downloading. Simply text HAPPINESS to 5677 for the true tone and text FULL HAPPINESS to 5677 for the full track!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for June 14, go to US-based Giselle Toengi, Ms. Digna Rosales, Wylda T. Jimenez, Josie Salcedo, Carmelita “Biya” Borlongan, Norma Calleja, Crescencia P. Lopez, Rose Marie Tolentino, Yola Viana, Miraflor Salvador, Christian Jason Dimaapi, Marciar Seludo, Lilia A. Tolentino, Venus Velasco, director Jerry Sineneng, entertainment columnist Erlinda Rapadas, Aldred Gatchalian and award-winning actor Coco Martin… Happy wedding anniversary to Sen. Miriam Santiago and husband Narciso “Jun” Santiago…