The talents of GMA Artist Center (GMAAC), under the watchful eyes of its head Ms. Ida Ramos Henares and her team (Arsi Baltazar and Lou Gopez), get busier this year and continue to make hay during the rainy season by keeping a full schedule of work on exciting shows, projects and events.

Rhian Ramos, Iza Calzado, Marvin Agustin, Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Isabel Oli, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, Ayen Laurel, and Jackie Rice, headline the roster of busybodies in the center.

Rhian Ramos remains a favorite among advertisers and is contantly on the upswing, her fanbase getting larger by the day. On top of her being Richard Gutierrez’s beautiful leading lady in GMA’s primetime series “Zorro” where she has been earning her stripes day by day, Rhian will also be playing a major role in the next screen version of “Panday” opposite Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Rhian is excited about her role, a young lady infatuated with the hero that she saves the day for him. Another exciting project that her fans should be watching out for is her upcoming dance album “X-Play” where the kids will surely have the time of their lives playing dance battle along with her in the game. Rhian’s endorsements continue to let her shine: PLDT MyDSL (along with Isabel Oli, Stephanie Henares and Gino Dela Peña), Clear, Hang Ten, Sabella, Pink Soda Cologne, Carefree, B Club, Nesteafit, among others.

Iza Calzado, having proven her worth as a very competent actress already with a string of major film outings, including a Hollywood stint, she had just wrapped up work on “All About Eve,” and is currently shooting for three films – the much-talked about indie film “Bente,” “Dukot,” directed no less than by Direk Joel Lamangan, and “Panday,” an entry to the 2009 Metro Manila Film Festival. Iza is this month’s Mega Magazine cover girl and is also Marie France’s new and sexy endorser.

Heartthrob Aljur Abrenica and his loveteam Kris Bernal in “Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin” has been keeping an unprecedented performance in the ratings game toppling all other competitions in the afternoon block. They will soon hit primetime via the much-awaited series, “All My Life” which airs end of June. Mother Lily Monteverde spotted this potential in the Kris-Aljur loveteam long before it performed on the the ratings, that’s why she made sure that the two will start shooting their first movie together under Regal Films very soon. Aljur, for his part, continues to make waves in the top variety show “SOP” on GMA every Sunday, especially in their singing group where his co-GMAAC talents Marvin Agustin and Paulo Avelino are part of. Everyone should also be watching out for the very first record album that Aljur will be waxing anytime soon under Sony Music.

Isabel Oli has been making the rounds of television guestings, corporate and provincial shows. Her billboards with Piolo Pascual for Max’s Restaurant is as dreamy as ever. She had just finished taping an episode for “Dear Friend” along with Mark Herras, Ryza Cenon and Rainier Castillo. She will soon fly higher with her role in Mars Ravelo’s “Narda” starring Marian Rivera also on GMA. Isabel was also a favorite in Santacruzan this merry month of May and had been to Orani and Pilar, Bataan on separate occasions. Isabel is also part of the PLDT MyDSL team.

Ayen Munji Laurel will be fulfilling a wish as she plays a contravida role in “Rosalinda.” This will be Ayen’s first soap opera outing and she is very excited to do it. On top of that, the former real-life princess will also be restaging (for the third time) her much-acclaimed “Atang” musical from Dulaang UP next month. “I’m very happy to be taking on these projects. Contrary to what others think that I don’t need to work, I really want to work and help take care of our family with Franco,” she said with her lovely, bedimpled smile.

Jackie Rice is one of the lead actors in “Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin” along Maxene Magalona and Glaiza de Castro. More importantly, Jackie will soon be taking a more mature step in her career as she graces the cover of Maxim for July. This early, Jackie has been getting excellent feedbacks for it and many are predicting that she could be the next big star to fill in the void for the young and sexy genre. We’ve seen the photos and indeed, Jackie Rice is very beautiful and very ready to go to that next level of maturity in her career.

The handsome Mark Herras continues to sport that lean and mean body which he takes care by going to the gym religiously. His billboards for Flawless has been getting a lot of buzz. Mark is also preparing for his next dance album under Universal Records, where he first garnered double platinum recognition already. He is also regularly seen on “SOP” and in “Paano Ba Ang Mangarap” afternoon soap opera where he shares lead roles with Jennylyn Mercado. Also in the cast are GMAAC talents Rainier Castillo and Chynna Hortaleza.

Mark also guested in the recent Cam Sur gig of Sarah Geronimo and the young actor confesses to have been smitten by the charms of the young singer. “She is very decent, very proper. I had a beautiful time guesting in her show. Sana maulit muli,” he said flashing that George Clooney-look alike smile.

Yasmien Kurdi continues to be one of the more serious drama talents of GMAAC. She is seen in a heavy portrayal in “SRO” and is not stopping at that. Yasmien is also back in school and hopes to finish her college education in two years time. She is also an advocate of the go vegetarian principle and has been slowly but surely achieving her desired weight in the process. Yasmien is also a regular in “SOP.”

Iwa Moto’s bright and cheerful personality never fails to charm her way in the hearts of people. When she does PLDT MyDSL events, Iwa becomes an instant favorite among the crowd and the PLDT team and that goes with her other provincial commitments. The sexy lady will soon grace the covers of Maxim for the first time. She is seen in “Dear Friend” with Yasmien Kurdi and Kevin Santos.

Nadine Samonte’s steady climb is as sure as her commitment in her job. She is seen every Thursday in GMA’s “SRO” where she reunites with Starstruck batchmates Yasmien and Jennylyn for the first time. Along with Yasmien, Nadine was also a guest in the GMA Pinoy TV’s Independence Day celebrations of the Filipinos in Dubai recently.