Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes

At the recent well-attended GMA-7 trade party held at the SMX Convention Center where new faces and new shows were unveiled, VP for Entertainment TV Wilma V. Galvante confirmed between lines that indeed Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera are still the network’s leading stars, what with their forthcoming exciting shows and movies.

Richard, aptly dubbed “Primetime King” based on the success of his TV shows, is now seen regularly on GMA-7’s Sunday noontime show “Party Pilipinas” while preparing for other projects, including movies and TV shows including “Captain Barbell” and before this, “Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition” which he will host.

A Fr. Neri Satur awardee for “environmental heroism,” Richard takes his advocacy seriously and in fact, he is spearheading an environmental concert called “Kapuso Para sa Kalikasan” which is slated for April 16 at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds. This will be shown on GMA-7’s “Sunday Night Box-Office” (SNBO) on April 18. Top bands and performers were tapped to share their music and information on relevant environmental issues of today.

Richard is now shooting his latest movie, “In Your Eyes,” a collaboration between GMA Films and Viva Films which will be filmed partly in the US. With Richard in the movie are Anne Curtis and Claudine Barretto.

As to Dingdong and Marian, Wilma said that after their current movie “You to Me Are Everything” (which GMA Films and Regal Films are co-producing), the lovely and sought-after showbiz couple will do a romantic team-up of TV via “Endless Love,” an Pinoy adaptation of the Korean series.

By the way, during the grand trade party, attended of course by the network’s big wigs (President/CEO Felipe L. Gozon, EVP/COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar, Marketing and Productions, Inc. President/COO Lizelle G. Maralag and Ms. Galvante), the third edition of “Party Pilipinas” was taped as live.

Michael V. enlivened even more the party by introducing his brainchild, the first ever reality-sitcom, “Pepito Manaloto,” which became a toprater at the very start. Allan K. and Eugene Domingo did hilarious antics, a taste of their upcoming late-night show “Comedy Bar.” Marian and Dingdong thrilled the audience with their wonderful production number.

Aside from introducing their new shows, GMA Network also gave the guests a chance to experience the newest dating game on TV called “Take Me Out” hosted by Jay-R.

The upcoming shows of GMA-7 will be a mix of action-adventure, comedy, drama, reality and original shows like the youth-oriented “Pilyang Kerubin.” The show stars Barbie Forteza, Jhake Vargas, Joshua Dionisio and also features multi-talented Princess Velasco.

Adding more fun and excitement to the trade party were the attractive raffle prizes that included IPads, PSPs and other electronic gadgets, and a car.

• • •
‘Miracle in Rwanda’

“Miracle in Rwanda,” a one-woman play featuring stage/film actress Lestie Lewis Sword will have its Philippine premiere at the Insular Life Auditorium, Makati City set in July 2010. Produced by The Lewis College of Sorsogon, the play was based on a book written by Immaculee Illibagiza, one of the seven women who survived the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 where almost a million Tutsis were massacred by the Hutu tribe killers.

The lead character is played by Leslie Lewis-Sword, a graduate of Harvard and UCLA Schools of Theater, Film and Television, Aside from the role of Immaculee, she also delineates six other characters. The award-winning actress is the daughter of Fil-American philanthropist and civic leader Atty. Loida Nicolas-Lewis.

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on April 13 go to actress Lani Mercado, who’s running for congresswoman in Cavite; Josephine de los Reyes, painter E.R. Tagle, Marisoc Nuevo, Sandra Jane Graham, Sarah Banga, sisters Lita V. Parlan and Betty Valdez, Gilda Tanjutco, Gerry Perez, and Rose Martillo. Happy wedding anniversary to Rep. Mat and Florence Defensor.