THE PANDAY KIDS: Sabrina Man, Buboy Villar, and Julian Trono

The legacy of Carlo J. Caparas’ “Panday” lives on and will be felt again with pride as it continues to entertain viewers with a spin-off entitled “Panday Kids,” starring Buboy Villar, Sabrina Man and Julian Trono. The show premieres Tuesday night (right after “24 Oras” on GMA-7’s undisputed and top-rating Telebabad Block).

The new generation of superheroes called “Panday Kids” though small (but with a colossal spirit, bravery and kind hearts) will band together to protect the legendary sword and save the world from the clutches of evil. The telefantasya features the adventures of three ordinary kids chosen by the age-old prophecy to fight and save humanity from the evil forces of Lizardo, the kind of evil (played by Marvin Agustin).

In preparation for their roles, Julian (as Hadji), Buboy (as Oliver) and Sabrina (as Charlie) underwent painstaking martial arts and sword-fighting lessons under Larry Ang, an international Wushu expert.

Also the show’s stunt director, Larry has directed and choreographed martial arts films in Hong Kong, Korea and China.

Making this premium Caparas creation at par with the highest standards is the star-studded cast playing characters in the immortal world: Iza Calzado as Maria Makiling, Queen of the Engkantos; JC de Vera as Aureus, an eskrimador tasked by Maria Makiling to find the Panday Kids; Polo Ravales as Cicero, grandson of Lizardo; Ryan Eigenmann as Andreas, the half-goat, half-human brother of Maria Makiling; Jackie Rice as Sarah, the beautiful engkanto loved by Aureus; Jose Manalo as Mambo, right-hand man to Lizardo; and Marvin Agustin as Lizardo, the King of Evil.

Also adding power to the cast are the seasoned actors who play significant roles in the mortal world: Gelli de Belen as Rosanna, Oliver’s cruel mother; Tirso Cruz III as Atty. Augustus Luna, Sarah’s father who is half-human, half-engkanto; Pen Medina as Lolo Tasyo, Makoy’s grandfather; Marissa Delgado as Doña Guada Salcedo as Eugene’s grandmother and the key to the secret identity of Charlie; Nanette Inventor as Fidela, Ola’s auntie; Bernard Palanca as James, Charlie’s adoptive father; Isabel Granada as Tessa, Charlie’s adoptive mother; Rich Asuncion as Fatima, Hadji’s sister; Akihiro Sato as Eugene Yamamoto, Ola’s lover; and Ms. Jolina Magdangal as Ola, a soothsayer who once lived in the immortal world.

Completing the A-list cast is the new breed of child actors televiewers should look forward to: Ella Cruz as Jenny, real daughter of Charlie’s adoptive parents; Nikki Samonte as Wendy, Hadji’s best friend; Cruzita Salcedo as Marva, Cicero’s daughter; Yogo Singh as Makoy, Oliver’s neighbor who idolizes the Panday Kids; and Migui Jimenez as Sintoy, Aureus’ guide who turns into a monkey.

The show also takes pride in having award-winning actor Christopher de Leon in a very special role as The Teacher, the original guardian of the Panday Sword.

The director, Mike Tuviera, said he and the productive team (including Suzette Doctolero as head writer) were so excited about the project. “I hope that televiewers will enjoy it as much as we enjoyed doing it…”

“Panday Kids” boasts of top-notch production values with production design created by Rodell Cruz, and exceptional visual effects by Imaginary Friends and Santelmo, Inc. Filipino rock band Parokya ni Edgar composed and interpreted the theme song of “Panday Kids.”

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Hanna Flores is now a recording artist

After proving herself as a promising stage actress-singer via her coveted role in “High School Musical Onstage” Hanna Flores is out to conquer another field – recording!

But first, let’s get to know this multi-talented newbie. Hanna, who is in her late teens, is the daughter of Homer Flores, an icon in the music industry, being an established, successful and sought-after arranger, song writer and album producer.

Now, if you’re amazed at Hanna’s songwriting skills (four of her compositions are featured in her debut album under Star Records), you know now where she got them from. As to her singing talent, well, Hanna’s mom the former Rackie Roqueza, used to sing in her school programs and events but she went to pre-Med before finally settling on a MassComm degree at UP. (Rackie was president of Samasskom and was associate producer of “Sharon” for two years.)

Hanna learned how to sing and play the piano at a young age with the help of her mentors Kitchie Molina, Delight Hubilla, and The CompanY. She underwent various workshops under Star Magic, Music Academy, Center for Pop Music and Trumpers. She is on her sophomore year in Entrepreneurial Management at the University of Asia and the Pacific. But right now, because of her showbiz projects, she couldn’t go full-load, she said. But she intends to finish school.

For now, singing remains Hanna’s priority although she is also now into acting, being in the cast of ABS-CBN’s telerserye “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” as Kim Chiu’s best friend. She will also showcase more of her acting skills in the forthcoming Your Song Presents “Gimik” where she will play one of the main characters. The show is a remake of the successful youth-oriented show during the mid-90s.

In Hanna’s debut album are 10 songs including her own compositions: “You Made Life So Beautiful,” “Munting Hiling,” now used in Pokwang’s “Your Song” series, “Come and Take Me,” and “You Know It’s Christmas” which is the carrier single. The other songs are the sure-fire hit single “Love Me, Hold Me,” written by Alvina Sy and her dad; “Dahil Ikaw ang Mahal Ko,” used in the last episodes of the top-rated teleserye “Tayong Dalawa;” “Magparamdam Ka,” which was used as a theme song in the previous Precious Hearts Romances Presents “My Cheating Heart.” The album is now out in stores nationwide.

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Baywalk Bodies, Wonder Gays perform at Music Box

They’ve charged it to experience, their recent sad experience with Cebu Pacific and the Baywalk Bodies and Wonder Gays have vowed to just forget about it and not be affected but instead put more passion to their performances, one of which will be held at the Music Box along Timog Ave. on Feb. 24. The show is entitled “Sexy and Funny.”

Expectedly, the two controversial groups will try to outdo each other with their sexy and exciting song and dance numbers. Aside from the Baywalk Bodies and Wonder Gays, also performing in “Sexy and Funny” are Blanktape and Jmore.

Blanktape composed and sang “Chika Lang Yon” and “Banana” which were recorded under Alpha Records and which are now among the favorites of the bagets (young ones). Jmore, on the other hand, is 2009 PMPC Star Awards’ R&B New Male Recording Artist of the Year. Jmore is being compared to Jay-R because both are R&B enthusiasts.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, Feb. 22, go to Ms. Lea Salonga, councilor and award-winning actor Yul Servo, Councilor Jorge Banal, Dr. Jorge Neri, Margot Gallardo, Mrs. Dading C. Clemente, Lito Anzures, Lourdes Teves, Johann Patrick Graham, Doris Garcia Parungao, Lulu Miraflores, Prof. Mutsuhiko Miki of the Philippine Cultural Institute, Willie Baun, Jamaal Williams, Mrs. Rosa Aguinaldo vda. de Romualdez, and US-based Gabrielle Lara Hermosa…