Dingdong Dantes

Many of our celebrities, particularly in showbiz, are now becoming more aware of the need to share their blessings with the less fortunate. Dingdong Dantes has organized his own foundation, the Yes Pinoy Foundation, and he has teamed up with National Book Store’s “Project Aklat.”

The National Book Store, through its “Project Aklat,” donated to Yes Pinoy Foundation 5,000 school supply study kits for distribution to the typhoon damaged schools. NBS founding chairperson Socorro C. Ramos made the decision to donate the study kits to Yes Pinoy Foundation.

Trina Alindogan, chairperson of the NBS Foundation, said that “it was a perfect match between National Book Store and Dingdong. Both our foundations support education for the youth. Our working together is really a case of the sum of the parts creating a bigger whole.”

Dingdong was highly appreciative of the donation. “I was actually surprised of the donation. It was very timely because our group has just decided to rehabilitate one of the schools damaged by Ondoy.

“Project Aklat” is a mechanism established by NBS where patrons and customers can participate in an easy way of helping promote education among the less fortunate school children especially those whose schools were damaged by the recent typhoons. Just visit any NBS and contribute your share to the “Aklat Project.”

Meanwhile, Dingdong stars together with Rhian Ramos in the Philippine adaptation of the Koreanovela “Stairway to Heaven” and is the host of the popular game show “Family Feud,” which was previously hosted by Richard Gomez.

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Mark Herras’ greatest moves

First “StarStruck’s” Ultimate Survivor Mark Herras, dubbed the “Bad Boy of the Dance Floor,” makes another great move, and this is via his latest album for Universal Records aptly entitled “Mark Herras: The Greatest Moves.”

It is recalled that Mark’s two earlier albums with Universal Records (“Mark Herras Dance Hits” and “Mark Herras Dance Party”) were both Double Platinum albums. The albums spawned the mega dance hit singles “Average Jose” and “Crazy Pipe (Pump It Rock It)” And now Mark returns with another surefire dance hit entitled “Culos” (as performed by H.O.M.), an infectious dance-rap track taken from his latest CD.

Aside from “Culos,” “Mark Herras: The Greatest Moves” also features “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) by Pitbull; “Now You See It” (Pitbull and Jump Smoker); “Bubblegum” (The Baylies); “The Anthem” (Pitbull); “Enjoy” (The Outhere Brothers); “Lujuria” (RRF Remix) by Tammy; “If You Don’t Know My Name (You Can Call me Baby)” by David Tavere; “Electrica Salsa” (Alex Gaudnino); “Puttin’ On the Ritz” (Alex Swings Oscar Sings); “Two, Three, Four” (Michael Mind); “This is Tecktoonik” (Marc De Siau); “I Know You Want Me” (Calle Ocho); “Crazy Pipe” (Pump It Rock It); and “Average Joe/Culos Medley.”

The CD contains a bonus VCD, Mark Herras’ “Culos” music video.

In a recent press conference for Mark’s “The Greatest Moves,” he said Billy Crawford is his favorite dance artist. “Sa mga foreign, marami akong idolo.” Asked what makes his latest album different from his earlier CDs, Mark said “siguro po yong maturity ng music ko, kasi hindi na ako bata eh.” He revealed that even when he was still very young, he has always been interested in dancing. “Everytime makarinig ako ng danceable music, napapatayo at napapasayaw ako.”

Dancing makes him happy, he added. And he hopes his fans would patronize his latest album and that the music featured would make them happy “at mapapasayaw sana sila. Kasi doble ang efforts namin to make this album really good and exciting…”

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Make way for Nico Cordova

With barely one year in the business, Nico Cordova has been attracting attention.

A member of Masculados Dos, with a physique that can give the present crop of hunk actors a run for their money, Nico recently celebrated his 21st birthday in a party held at Bagaso Grill along Visayas Ave. in Tandang Sora, QC which is owned by actor Harold Montano and Kanlaon Records executive producer Edwin Guiquin.

Aside from Direk Maryo J. de los Reyes, manager of Masculados Dos, Nico’s colleagues from the group were also present like Robin Rovel, Enrico Mofar, Orlando Sol, Dart Cia, Ozu Ong and Lezter Lazaro. Other well-wishers who came were Kanlaon recording artists Thea Aquino and Yul Servo.

Masculados Dos is currently promoting “Good Boy” and “Baby Angkas Na” culled from their album “Masculados Repacked” under Universal Records.

When asked if he’ll be given a chance to do a sexy role, Nico said, “If a good offer comes, why not? They told me that I’m sexy and charming. If ever na dumating nga ang chance na yun, siguro si Rufa Mae Quinto ang gusto kong maging leading lady. Maganda kasi kung sexy-comedy but not so daring.”

He added, “I’m lucky and I’m grateful to Direk Maryo J. for his invaluable support to my career. And I’m looking forward for a more successful career this 2010.”

Nico said getting seriously involved with someone is still far from his mind. He still has so many things to fulfill for himself and his parents. Nico is not in a hurry for love.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 9 go to Dr. James Dy of Dyna Music, TV host Butch Francisco, Dandy Santos-Gomez, singer Judith Banal, Ernesto Pilapil, Mrs. Lily Juico, Millet Zamora, Jesus Que, Beverly Salviejo, Lily de los Reyes, Leticia Belen of Hawaii, Leonila Reyes, Nenette Buenaventura of Missionaries of Mary, Sonia Lim of Zuellig, Inc., Octavio Victor Espiritu, Mary Rosalind Revillame (a.k.a. Meryll Soriano) and Ms. Eva Sharma of Le Charmant Nails. Happy wedding anniversary to David and Jessica Buenavacz.