ABS-CBN is set to revive the legendary characters that once top action star Ramon Revilla played in his landmark movies. The action-adventure series is aptly titled “Agimat” and it will feature four of today’s most sought-after young stars: Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, Coco Martin and Jolo Revilla.

Except for Jolo Revilla (who is with GMA-7), all the three are Kapamilya stars. No, Jolo isn’t moving over to ABS-CBN, but it was his lolo Ramon Revilla Sr.’s wish that he be included in the cast of “Agimat.”

At the recent press conference for the project, which was also attended by two of the former senator’s daughters Rowena B. Mendiola and Andrea “Andeng” B. Ynares , the four young stars expressed excitement over their respective roles: Jolo as Pepeng Agimat, Gerald Anderson as Tiagong Akyat, Jake Cuenca as Elias Paniki and Coco Martin as Tonyong Bayawak.

Surprisingly Nardong Putik wasn’t included in the series’ characters, and when some writers asked why, Andeng said it was because unlike the others, it was based on a real-life story and it would mean some legalities to settle. Both Andeng and Rowena expressed pride and honor that the characters played by their father in his blockbuster movies will be reprised on primetime TV. They also said that their father is an avid fan of the top-rating “Tayong Dalawa” series on ABS-CBN which stars Gerald, Jake and Coco among others.

The image of the former Senator Ramon Revilla was that of an invincible superhuman who has in his keeping a special “anting-anting” or amulet. In the story, the four young stars will play characters whose lives have been altered by a “diwata” or fairy who gives them special powers in the form of an “agimat.”

They were asked if they believe in “agimat.” Jolo said, “Ang agimat galing sa puso at isip. At magdasal ka sa nasa itaas.” Coco said he believes in “agimat,” and he added that Ramon Revilla Sr. is an institution like the late FPJ; but Gerald said, “I’m open-minded to such things.” Jake on the other hand said, “Alam ko na alamat (legend) si Ramon Revilla Sr. but I am more of a Bong Revilla fan, he is also an alamat and I respect him…”

Andeng also said that “dati hindi ako naniniwala but with my father’s survival, naniniwala na yata ako na may agimat siya.” The elder Revilla is still recuperating from a heart attack. His recovery, according to Andeng and Sen. Bong Revilla and his other children, is amazing. With the way he is recovering, he will soon be walking, they said with great hope.

For more updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com.

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Pops, Jay-R are Calayan’s newest celebrity endorsers

A Concert Queen and an RnB Prince – they are definitely adding sensational music in the house of Calayan Surgicenter as both Pops Fernandez and Jay-R are the latest celebrity endorsers of Dr. Manny Calayan.

After the successful launch of his debut album entitled “Calayan Duets with the Icons” under Bellhaus Entertainment, Inc., inking a deal with two of the country’s finest singers is indeed appropriate and timely for Dr. Calayan to get new endorsers. Especially so since both Pops Fernandez and Jay-R are also in his album with the songs “You’ve Got A Friend” and “With A Little Help With My Friends,” respectively.

What made Dr. Calayan decide to pick singers Pops Fernandez and Jay-R as his new celebrity endorsers?

“Of course Pops is one of the most beautiful and sexiest stars in the industry while Jay-R is also hunky with good appeal. So I got them to help them maintain their looks and figure,” he replied.

Dr. Calayan added that what he liked most about Pops and Jay-R are their distinctive voices and impressive singing styles that have made them icons in the musical world.

“They are also very down-to-earth and humble and have earned for themselves a reputable name in showbiz,” he said. He added that their songs in his “Calayan Duets with the Icons” CD somehow express their relationship with each other. .

“For my duets with Pops, it’s true naman that I’m always here for her to support her anytime. It goes the same for Jay-R and he really made our song very R&B talaga, ang galing!” As the newest members of the Calayan family of celebrity endorsers, Dr. Calayan’s primary duty to them is to make them maintain their sexy bodies and youthful looks.

“We have plenty of treatments for them and it would just depend on what they want or need,” he stressed.
And what does he think is the reason why more and more celebrities want to be part of the Calayan name?
“As far as I know, it’s because me and Dra. Pie are hands-on in everything maging sa patients and to the celebrities, too. I make sure all of them are happy and satisfied with our services!”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, June 30, go to Director Lucina Alday, Teresita “Inday” Novales, Celeste V. Garcia, Peregrina Ang, Conrad Mallari of Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, Carlota G. Antonio, Lenita S. Gumatay-Ramos, Joey Uy, Pablo Salangsang, Oscar T. Maliuanag, Zeny Flores, Nycie Lachica, Manuel Hista, DSLU Communications Professor Manny Geslani, Malou Bascara and Alfred Labatos of Star Magic…Happy wedding anniversary to David and Edna Orense…