As we go into the final stretch of the year, wonderful projects continue to pour into the esteemed artists of The Talent Factory.

After his very successful essaying of the lead male character in the weekend drama “Gaano Kita Kamahal,” Sid Lucero is busy once more doing what he does best – acting on a dramatic project. He completes the powerhouse cast of the latest primetime drama “Dahil May Isang Ikaw, where he gets caught in a love triangle that also involves the characters of erstwhile sweethearts Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa.

The soap opera also boasts of a stellar cast that includes Lorna Tolentino, Gabby Concepcion, John Estrada and Karylle Tatlonghari. This is Sid’s biggest role to date on primetime television, after bagging the best actor trophy from the URIAN and scoring a big best lead actor win at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece.

After her talked about performance in GMA-7’s daily drama “All About Eve,” Angel Aquino is back on primetime TV with a very special role in “Darna.” She continues to host “Us Girls” every Sunday and her lifestyle show “Tablescapes” is one of the most watched programs on the Asian Food Channel.

She has also scooped some huge endorsements lately. Angel is the new face of Olay, a dream come true for one of the most beautiful faces that have graced the local entertainment and fashion circuits. Very soon, we will all see a TV special reuniting Angel with her former co-hosts on the lifestyle program “F.” Angel was also recently launched as the new celebrity endorser for the LG Electronics brand.

On the movie front, Angel has wrapped up work for the new Lavrente Diaz film “Woman of the Wind,” and she also plays a very important role in the debut film of Armando Lao, “Biyaheng Lupa.”

Funny girl Eugene Domingo just got the biggest break of her illustrious career by way of a solo movie titled “KimmyDora (Kambal sa Kiyeme),” the debut project of Piolo Pascual and company’s Spring Films. Directed by Joyce Bernal and written especially for Eugene by Chris Martinez, the movie also stars Dingdong Dantes, Ariel Ureta, Miriam Quiambao, Zanjoe Marudo and Baron Geisler.

Busy as a bee, Eugene has just wrapped up work for GMA-7’s “Adik Sa ‘Yo.” She sets aside her Saturday nights for the live program “Cool Center.”

Three of the newest additions to The Talent Factory are also having the time of their lives. Eula Valdes, one of the most beautiful faces of YES magazine and a certified timeless beauty of METRO magazine, is part of light romantic comedy TV show  “The Wedding.” Eula will be back again on the GMA-7 camp, working on yet another big project. Meanwhile, she is busy rehearsing for the Filipino adaptation of the classic “A Streetcar Named Desire” for the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Pilipino theater group.

On the other hand, Francine Prieto adds another project to her weekly gag show “Bubble Gang.” She plays the Babaeng Tuod character in “Darna,” one of the toughest villainess of the local super heroine.

Local television is also welcoming Max Eigenmann with open arms. She has recently been tapped to play Gerald’s Anderson’s leading lady in the weekly action-fantasy series “Agimat (Tiyagong Akyat).” The youngest daughter of Mark Gil and Bing Pimentel, Max is also an in-demand commercial model.

TV host and actor John Lapus has three projects for GMA-7: His weekend hosting chores on “Showbiz Central” where his “Don’t Lie To Me” segment continues to generate big ratings for the show; his hilarious role in “Adik Sa ‘Yo” who falls head over heels for leading man Dennis Trillo; and his new sitcom with Manny Pacquiao and Marian Rivera titled “Show Me da Manny.” John is also cast as the country’s first-ever gay manananggal in the filmfest entry “Ang Panday.”

The men of The Talent Factory are also up to their neck with work schedules. Ian Veneracion is preparing for his next big TV role after “Totoy Bato.” Jordan Herrera made viewers take notice of him again in “Kambal sa Uma.” Nonie Buencamino is the strict but doting father in “Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat Akin” and has a special appearance in the Vilma Santos movie “In My Life.” Carlos Morales is also working on “Ang Panday” (the movie), and actor-director Andoy Ranay has made the big move to GMA-7, calling the shots in “All My Life” and starting work for “Stairway to Heaven.”

The Talent Factory’s other artists are Bembol Roco, Simon Ibarra, Bing Pimentel, Shamaine Buencamino, Bernadette Alyson, Micah Muñoz, Daniel Fernando, Raymond Lim and the comebacking Renzo Cruz.

Bembol has been tapped to play an important role in the television version of “Tinik sa Dibdib” while Bing, Raymond and Renzo have special roles in “May Bukas Pa.”

The Talent Factory’s Ricky Gallardo and his management team must have their hands full with all these first rate artists. We are most definitely happy for our colleague and dear friend Ricky, his efforts, patience and hard work are certainly paying off.

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Honey Blanca’s mini concert live in Tacloban City

Honey Blanca is a Japan-based singer and the producer of “Sanib 2” which stars herself with Victoria Haynes, Lovely Rivero, Jethro Ramirez, Angela Nicole and Jacklyn Jose. From the directorial job of Celso Ad Castillo, coming soon at your favorite theaters. The lady producer is on stage in her forthcoming mini concert entitled “Honey Blanca Sings” on Sept. 26, 7 p.m. at the Boulevard Seafood Grill – Sagkahan, Real Tacloban City. The owner of the watering hole is Noel Matol Sia and Connie Sia. Also joining in this event are famous entertainers from Manila like Rootcrops and Myles (stand-up comedian), Exsabz Dancers and Brown Matrix Band.

The singer-actress is a recording artist of H.B. Records and distributed by D’Concords Recording Corporation. Honey’s first CD-Lite album is composed of songs “Saka Na Lang Kita Iibigin,” “Suwerte-Suwerte Lang,” “Iaala Ko Sa’Yo,” “Mula Ngayon Hanggang Wakas,” and “Sabi Ng Horoscope Ko.” The songs are composed by veteran and noted compower and musical director Pablo Vergara.

As 2009 draws to close, Honey can’t help but look back and feel grateful for what was a very good year and at long last, “Sanib 2” will finally be shown early next year. Career-wise, this year was probably her best. Miss Blanca received major exposure in the provinces and she is in the heart of the movie fan and proved her talent and made the choice of being in a showbiz and this really what she wants to do. What she doesn’t have is the time to worry about all the negative publicity which comes out with being in show business.

“Hindi uso sa bakuran ko ang intriga and I simply choose to ignore them. The loss of privacy? Well tanggap na yan because I’m now a public icon. Sabi nga binibigyan ko ng priority ang pagtulong sa less fortunate, kasabihan nga blessing comes to those who glow with positive aura and requires a lot of persistence and patience to go with it,” says Honey Blanca.

Rudy de la Peña, movie reporter-PRO says, Honey is thankful to all the support given her by the members of the movie press and her sponsors such as Swiss Saloon & Spa, Gen. Manager Reynaldo Macato; and Jose Okaybar, Assistant Manager.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Sept. 11 go to Emilio Tuason, US-based Jeanne Young, Mark Philippe Solomon Fulgar, Baybee Astete, Elenita Grande, Poy Villanueva, Linda Mercado, Ana Maria Mendoza, Loremar Marcial, Maria Karina N. Tan, Ferdinand “Don” Manebo, and Anna Marie Pili. Happy anniversary to Egbert and Marie Rochelle; Noel and Cindy Wil.