Sarah Lahbati, the Ultimate Female Survivor, and Steven Silva, the Ultimate Male Survivor. (Photo by MANNY LLANES)

It was a grand production – or as “StarStruck” observers said, the “StarStruck V” finale was the biggest of the series.

It was fittingly so because the prizes also topped earlier prizes. Sarah Lahbati, the Ultimate Female Survivor, and Steven Silva, the Ultimate Male Survivor, each won a total of P5 million prizes!

In detail, the prizes consist of P1.5 million as cash prize, plus an exclusive contract with GMA-7 with a guaranteed income of P3.5 million!

The runners-up, one female dubbed as princess, and two males, 2nd prince and 1st prince, won P250,000 cash prizes.

The Araneta Coliseum, where the “StarStruck V” finale was held, was filled up to the rafters by screaming fans, and indication that the “StarStruck” series has already become an institution and which fans and music aficionados look forward to.

The program was ushered in with an impressive song-and-dance production of “Now Generation.” Popular and at times controversial talent manager, multi-awarded Iza Calzado and director Floy Quintos served as the council of the finale. The three are unanimous that the five finalists were themselves stars, by the fact that they survived up to the last rung of the hotly contested top titles of “StarStruck V.”

Iza described Enzo Pineda as an adorable performer, while director Floy Quintos said that Diva Montelaba as “a joy to watch and hardworking.”

The Ultimate Male Survivor, Steven Silva, California-based and from Davao City was described by Lolit Solis as “the best performer among the finalists.” Sarah, the Ultimate Female Survivor, was described by Iza as class performer and a fighter within. Sarah alone sang live, unlike the others who lipsynched their numbers.

Well-loved actress Marian Rivera led a dance-and-song production number of the song “Sabay-Sabay Tayo.”

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes hosted the finale portion of the program.

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Myrus to resolve ‘identity issue’ on his debut concert with Regine

From the pigeonhole:

Soulful balladeer and certified gold record artist Myrus has a dilemma: A huge segment of the population does not take him seriously in spite of his incredible talent because his real name is a contraction of “Miley Cyrus.”

This is why Myrus will reveal what he has decided to do to solve his dilemma on his debut solo concert titled “Myrus, The Sentimental Prince (A Tribute to Sentimental Original Pilipino Music),” today, Feb. 27 at the Teatrino in Promenade Mall, Greenhills Shopping Complex. His guests include Juris Fernandez and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.

“Myrus is indeed his birth name – and he’s older than Hollywood’s Miley Cyrus. He’s proud of the fact that his parents gave him that name – but then, with the humorous Miley Cyrus references, how would he expect to be taken seriously as an artist?

“As an exceptional artist who has given all his time and energy to making it in the business, Myrus has a lot riding on his name. After all, it’s that name that his fans will know him for and the name that people will remember when he sings for them,” says manager Chris Cahilig.

Myrus, dubbed as the Sentimental Prince of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), gained prominence when he recorded his reinterpretation of the classic 1970s Claire dela Fuente hit “Sayang.” The song gained widespread airplay and became a radio favorite.

Myrus’ debut album “Love Cycle” and its repackaged version had reached the gold record status in December 2009 and is currently moving close to achieving the platinum status.

The upcoming concert would be Myrus’ way to paying tribute to the rich trove of OPM (Original Pilipino Music) songs, which have served as inspirations for young Filipino artists like him. The song selection ranges from top OPM hits in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s as well as sentimental ditties from some of the country’s well-loved Filipino artists.

Tickets of “Myrus, The Sentimental Prince” are sold at P1,250 (premium seats) and P1,000 (regular seats).

“Myrus, The Sentimental Prince” is presented by White Flower Embrocation and is supported by the Mendez Medical Group, online game Highstreet5, Binalot, The Journal Group, and Dental First. Manila Bulletin is the concert’s official media partner.

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Christian-Karylle US show a huge hit

The first US tandem of pop idol Christian Bautista and singer-actress Karylle in the concert, “Love at Last,” turned out to be a huge hit. Tickets were sold out for the pre-Valentine show at the Cache Creek Resort Casino’s Club 88 in California.

Christian and Karylle regaled the audience with mostly standards, plus signature hits from their respective albums. In keeping up with the Valentine season, they also rendered romantic duets like “I’ve Finally Found Someone,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Please Be Careful With My Heart” and “Somewhere,” from the musical “West Side Story,” where they teamed up for the Manila run in 2008.

The undeniable chemistry of Christian and Karylle brought romance, humor and sophistication to casino audiences that night.

To everyone’s surprise, casino owner and general manager Randy Takemoto, with his wife Dina, made a rare appearance in the venue upon learning about the show’s successful turn out on the first night.

After the showcase, entertainment director Ben Slaght with the Takemoto couple personally congratulated Christian and Karylle for a job well done.

The show’s producers further confirmed the positive response of the casino management and promised to do a series of repeats next year.

Incidentally, Christian is the new celebrity endorser of multi-awarded alternative printer ink brand Ink All-You-Can.

Ink All-You-Can is one of the leading providers of alternative printer inks in the local market today. The thrust of the brand is to offer an affordable printing solution without compromising on quality. Especially nowadays with commodity prices rising, Ink All-You-Can aims to help homes, businesses and companies save money by significantly cutting their printing costs.

“Christian is one of the most multi-faceted artists in the country today. His versatility as a singer, actor and entrepreneur is very much consistent with Ink All-You-Can’s campaign of offering unlimited printing solutions to Filipino consumers,” says Jerry Ilao, president and CEO of Ink All-You-Can.

With just one store in 2006, the company now operates over 15 branches in Metro Manila. Most of its branches are located in SM Supermalls such as SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM San Lazaro, SM Bacoor, SM Southmall, SM Bicutan, among others. For more information, log on to www.ink.com.ph.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Feb. 27 go to Las Vegas-based character actress Bella Flores, talent manager Junne Torrejon-Rufino, Cora Castañeda, Zecel Bregaudit, Virgie Veloso, Ms. Annabelle Abaya, Alexis Rae M. Mendoza, and Errol Abalayan of ABS-CBN Star Magic. Happy wedding anniversary to Filemon and Virginia Ligon of San Jose, Nueva Ecija.