A repeat of the “ferocious” rivalry of Regine “Chona” Velasquez and Eva Castillo in numerous singing contests during the earlier years of their respective singing careers will be shown on GMA-7’s SRO Cinemaserye Presents “The Eva Castillo Story” aired every Thursday night right after “Cruel Love.”

Viewers will surely be moved with the heart-rending tale of ambition, sacrifice and success between the two remarkable singers.

Beyond being Regine “Chona” Velasquez’s greatest nemesis during the heydays of their singing showdowns, Minerva “Eva” Castillo is just an ordinary woman gifted with an enviable talent. Her parents discovered her penchant for singing when she was only 9, and soon Eva’s career steadily rolled along with numerous competitions tucked under her belt.

While Eva is now having a burgeoning singing career, her road to fame was a rough one. She endured a childhood of emotional and financial poverty. Eva was even bullied, ridiculed and taunted because of her looks. After marrying at the age of 17, Eva doggedly pursued a better-paying job to make both ends meet. Throughout these trying years, her career fell and Eva retired from performing.

It was during Regine’s recent GMA special billed “Roots to Riches” that Eva finally got a chance to be reunited with her childhood friend and rival. This gave her the opportunity to re-establish her singing profession. At present, Eva’s career has made a steep rise towards fame and fortune with several TV guestings and singing stints. All thanks to her once fierce rival Regine.

“Regine is my angel,” Eva said.

In “SRO Cinemaserye Presents Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez,” Manilyn Reynes reprises the role of Eva. Also in the cast are Glaiza de Castro and Renz Juan. Jun Lana directs with Suzette Doctolero as head of the pool of writers.

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‘For the Love of Monsi’

For us parishioners of the Cathedral Shrine of the Good Shepherd in Fairview Park, Quezon City, former parish priest Msgr. Fidelis Limcaco is our beloved “Monsi.” After 27 years of tirelessly shepherding his parishioners he has retired (and is now sickly) but still is revered and taken good care of by his loyal parishioners.

We couldn’t be thankful enough and we couldn’t forget how much initiative and efforts he exerted in building our church (with his parishioners’ help of course), the adjoining social hall, the school and the seminary in Bugallon, Pangasinan among other projects.

And so as a tribute to him as he celebrates his 82nd birth anniversary on Aug. 1, a special fund-raising variety concert will be held at the Cathedral Shrine itself. The show aptly titled “For the Love of Monsi,” will feature celebrity performers managed by Butch and Betta Dans’ Thirdline, Inc. They are Richard Merk, Bituin Escalante, Boboy Garovillo – the third of the famous APO Hiking Society, Ms. Leah Navarro, Six Priests in the City (with Fr. Allan Samonte and Fr. Erick Santos) and the talented brother-sister tandem of Nicole and Carlo, children of Mon David who is now based abroad.

Interestingly, Nicole, 23, and Carlo, 22, were already abroad with their parents but they realized they wanted to pursue a singing career like their father, so they returned to the Philippines. Though they lived under the shadow of their father, Nicole was with the Ateneo Glee Club for many years, and Carlo was with a band.

The Organizing Committee (made up of Romy and Nita Magat, Rene R. Isidoro and Manolo and Beth Carandang who are also the overall coordinators) is committed to make “For the Love of Monsi” a big success and so they are enjoining parishioners and friends to join them in an evening of music, fun and memories – a thanksgiving offering and celebratory tribute to the life and labor of Msgr. Fidelis.

By the way, we now have Rev. Fr. Gerardo R. Tapiador, SSL as rector and parish priest.

Musically gifted, he composes songs which he usually sings after his Sunday homily.

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On losing weight from 3 celebrities

From the pigeonhole:

If you want to lose weight by burning calories the easy way, learn from three sought-after young celebrities in sports and showbiz: Phil Younghusband, Gerald Anderson and Marian Rivera. They have something in common: They are the endorsers of Del Monte Fit ‘n Right.

Phil Younghusband rose to fame as one of the leading strikers of the Philippine National Football Team in the 2005 SEA Games. The Euro-Fil talent who grew up in London, also dabbled a bit in showbiz when he became a contestant in GMA-7’s “Celebrity Duets Season 2.” His being an athlete and with his clean-cut personality put Phil in the limelight of the local celebrity scene. He embodies the Fit ‘n Right lifestyle of having fun while being active and healthy.

From being just another PBB housemate, Gerald Anderson has become one of the most promising actors of his generation. As one of the lead stars in ABS-CBN’s No. 1 primetime teleserye “Tayong Dalawa,” the public has witnessed his transformation from being a stereotypical matinee idol to a brilliant young actor. He’s also very much into dancing, simultaneously developing this hobby with his acting skills. During dance sessions, he’s armed with Del Monte Fit ‘n Right, maximizing every beat, every move and every groove to burn calories and maintain his stellar looks.

There is no doubt that Marian Rivera is one of the, if not the brightest of today’s celebrities. Her rise to stardom was truly astonishing. After starring in top-rating teleseryes, blockbuster movies and a successful dance album, Marian will definitely fly to much greater heights as she plays and dons the famed “Darna” costume for her upcoming fantaserye. She is currently undergoing full training for the role, something that challenges and excites her to no end. Concurrently, she is shooting for a movie entitled “Tarot” with Dennis Trillo, slated for release this October, and will be having a film entry for the Metro Manila Film Festival in December. Her dance album, “Marian Rivera: Retro Crazy,” turned gold recently and is now on its way to turning platinum.

Del Monte Fit ‘n Right was among the first that took a chance and believe in Marian’s captivating allure. She was chosen as one of the first endorsers during Fit ‘n Right’s launch in 2007. The image of Marian’s hips grooving to the tune of Fit ‘n Right’s jingle penetrated the costumer psyche, effectively raising awareness for the breakthrough beverage. A year has passed and Fit ‘n Right is still Marian’s favorite which she confirmed in her statement in the TV commercial: “One year na kami nito, kaya kita niyo naman, maintain!”

Just recently, Del Monte Fit ‘n Right launched its newest TV commercial featuring the three celebrities, Phil, Gerald and Marian, fit role as endorsers, perfectly!

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on July 30 go to famous rapper Andrew E., Troy Montero, former Rep. Al Ignatius Lopez, FAMAS Pres. Angelo Padua, Katrina Reyes, Viktoria “Yeyet” Agbayani, Yvette M. Ocampo, Rufing Oreta, Waly Chua, Redenta S. Castro, Evita L. Tabora, Ann Bermudez Livioco and Rein T. Escano… Belated b-day greeting to PR man Jayce Perlas (July 27).