GRETCHEN BARRETTO and CLAUDINE BARRETTO

As expected, the airing tonight at the same time of Claudine Barretto’s first show “Claudine” on GMA-7, and her sister Gretchen’s comeback appearance on “Maalaala Mo Kaya” has sparked fireworks. In an earlier press conference, Claudine pleaded that they (the networks) should not let them be pitted against each other like in a cockfight. Last Wednesday night at Eastwood Activity Center, during Gretchen’s launch as GlutaMax’s endorser, the actress walked out when she can’t take anymore the “grilling” from the entertainment media.

Before leaving, Gretchen said how sad that the interview started on a happy note, she was happy as she was describing the new “glow” in her. “Maraming maputi pero walang glow; I am glowing,” she beamed in reference to the soap she is currently using.

Eventually, she was asked about her and Claudine’s shows being aired at the same time Saturday. She said “I came to know about it only tonight, coming here. I am a new Kapamilya and I can’t make demands, I cannot control their decision when to air ‘MMK’ and I didn’t know kung anong programa ito maitatapat sa kabilang istasyon… I am only an actor and I’m here to work; I just want to do my best…”

She added that “wala akong intension na manakit ng iba, artista ako, buhay ko ito…” But if their shows are aired at the same time, for her it’s not bad, but actually something positive. “We are sisters, pareho kaming Barretto, and we are going to dominate the 8:30 air time, and if I were the parents of these two stars, I would be proud of it…”

Anyway, in Saturday’s episode of “MMK,” Gretchen plays a controversial character named Maria, a widow who falls in love with a newly transferred parochial priest played by Jomari Yllana. Their peculiar relationship will end in marriage. Against all odds, she fights for her love and her children. They move to a new place, thinking that a perfect life awaits them there but circumstances lead her to suffer the life of a pariah, under the intense scrutiny of her new community.

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Advisory on Tom Jones Manila concert

Ovation Productions, producer of the shelved Tom Jones concert in Manila, has issued the following advisory:

“Presently, the new date for the Tom Jones concert in Manila is still being determined by the artist’s management. However, due to Sir Tom’s other previously scheduled commitments, it is likely that it will not be as soon as we hoped it would be.

“In the light of this situation, ticket refunds may now be made at the Ticketnet office located at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. For more info, please call 911-5555.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the postponement of the Tom Jones concert and we thank you for your continued patronage.”

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Producer, radioman shares blessings

Carl Balita – entrepreneur, business visionary, educator, nurse, broadcaster, movie producer,recording artist and inspirational guru – celebrates his 40th birth anniversary Saturday and he wants to share his blessings fourfold: By embarking on a medical mission and livelihood training seminars, hosting a party for kids with cancer, and will cap the day with an intimate cause-oriented concert with family, friends and his Retromaniacs Band (composed of lawyers and doctors) at Ratsky Morato.

If Carl wears so many hats it’s because he wanted to.

Maybe his poor and humble beginnings really pushed him to strive harder. After graduating from UST as a registered nurse, he could have chosen to work abroad, but he didn’t.

Carl has just finished his 2nd doctoral degree in Education. His first one was in Humanities. To date, he holds three professional licenses in nursing, midwifery and teaching.

But that’s not all. Carl is also a multi-faceted talent whose artistic and creative genius has seeped into the showbiz world. He produced “Nars,” (which starred Jennyln Mercado, Jodi Sta. Maria, Coco Martin, Jon Avila, and many others) the very first local film about nurses. He was also the brains behind “iDREAM,” the compilation of inspirational songs performed by an all-star cast.

On his birthday party tonight, side from his friends from business, nursing and the academe, his guests also include good friends Robert and Isay Alvarez-Seña, Trisha Amper-Jimenez and other colleagues in the music biz. They will be singing “Magsimula Ka,” a musicale that will be produced this year by Spotlight Artists Inc., their very own performing arts school.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Saturday, April 10, go to PCSO Chairman Sergio O. Valencia, Ryan Agoncillo, Margarita Penson-Juico, Champagne Morales, Agnes Hilario, Mickey Moreno, Richard Bonifacio, Prescilla T. Aquino, Divine Banaria Duran, Aldrich Lorenz Po-Lim and Humberto “Hubert” Ligon Tabora…