It was a grand launch that GMA-7 accorded its new Sunday show “Party Pilipinas” last March 28. The stage was impressive. It was big, which was needed for the dance numbers. The launch drew a big crowd but there were still many fans that were not accommodated inside the studio. In fact, the entertainment press invited to the launch couldn’t get in for lack of space. They instead watched the show in a small room where they were served lunch.

If there was a big intention by the Kapuso network to make a big splash of the kick-off edition of “Party Pilipinas,” it is because they tapped the services of no less than Fusion, a top choreographer-dancer in Hollywood to choreograph the various dances, and had for special guest the popular Korean boy band UKISS (Ubiquitous Korean International Idol Super Star).

The network intends to bring the star-studded Sunday show to famous places and key cities in the country, and so on Easter Sunday, “Party Pilipinas” will have its roadshow kick-off at the Araneta Coliseum where our very own Rochelle Pangilinan of the popular SexBomb Dancers and Hollywood choreographer Fusion will be featured in a dance showdown!

“Party Pilipinas” replaced “SOP” but the original performers – Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, Janno Gibbs – remain, and along with Kyla, Jay R, Jolina Magdangal, La Diva, Gian Magdangal, Kris Lawrence, Frencheska Farr, Geoff Taylor, Miguel Escueta, Joshua Desiderio, Julieann San Jose and newest Kapuso Mark Bautista, the cast of the Sunday noontime show has become truly huge.

Making the show even more hip and exciting party on television is the presence of twin brothers Richard and Raymond Gutierrez who used to host a Sunday youth-oriented variety shows; Dennis Trillo, Geoff Eigenmann, Mark Anthony Fernandez, TJ Trinidad, and Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera who enthralled viewers with their “electrifying” dance moves during the grand launch. Not surprising because Dingdong used to be a member of a dance group, while Marian became famous for her sultry dance moves in “Marimar.”

Adding glamor to the show were the pretty Kapuso stars: Heart Evangelista, Rhian Ramos, Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Jennylyn Mercardo, Bianca King, Carla Abellana, Katrina Halili, Glaiza de Castro, Ehra Madrigal, Lovi Poe, Ynna Asistio, Kris Bernal and of course Ms. Claudine Barretto in a very special number.

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German Moreno hosts Pinoy Cine Klasika

For fans of old movies, here’s good news: Starting on Sunday at 2 p.m., Pinoy movie classics from Sampaguita Pictures (dating back from the 40s to the 60s) will be shown on Q Channel 11. Hosting the program is no less than German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, who was part and parcel of one of the Big 4 studios during the golden years of Philippine cinema, and who is now regarded as an institution in local show business.

There’s no better person to host the show than Kuya Germs, Marichu Maceda and her sister Lilibeth Nakpil said during an intimate press conference to launch the show which will feature 50 Sampaguita Pictures black-and-white films.

Germs is even more thankful that he was given the chance to direct his very first movie under Sampaguita Pictures, which was “Guy & Pip,” starring the most popular loveteam at the time, Nora Aunor (who would become superstar) and Tirso Cruz III. “This movie was No. 1 during the first Manila Film Festival,” Kuya Germs recalled with great pride.

To be shown on Sunday as the first offering of Pinoy Cine Klasika is “Dance-O-Rama,” which stars Susan Roces, Jose Mari Gonzalez, Rosemarie Sonora, Pepito Rodriguez, and Dindo Fernando. On April 11, to be shown is the Amalia Fuentes-Juancho Rodriguez-Dolphy starrer “Bituing Marikit;” on April 18, “Bahay Kubo Kahit Munti” with Rosemarie Sonora, Pepito Rodriguez and German Moreno; and on April 25, “Beatnik” starring Dolphy, Pancho, Susan Roces and Jose Mari Gonzalalez.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on April 4 go to Snooky Serna, Bearwin Meily, UK-based Nelly Teves Marshall, Irene Martel Santiago, Josefina “Pining” Guizon, Dr. Carlex C. Lasaga, Vicente Jimenez, Ma. Theresa dela Paz, Rosalyn Go, Jemuel Salterio, Oliver Gonzales, Dr. Adolfo Ferrer, and Vidal de Guzman. On Sunday, TV5 premieres “Pidol’s Wonderland” starring the “king of comedy” Dolphy. With him in the show are his sons Vandolph and Epi Quizon, Brod Pete, Long Mejia, Joy Viado and Arianna Barouk. “Pidol’s Wonderland,” airs at 6:30 p.m. on TV5. To our dear readers, HAPPY EASTER!