Two exciting soaps from the two giant and rival networks will start airing Monday on primetime. These are “Magkaribal” (ABS-CBN) and “Endless Love” (GMA-7). “Magkaribal” stars Gretchen Barretto, Bea Alonzo and Derek Ramsay, while “Endless Love” features the most sought-after love team in the country today, that of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.

With “Magkaribal,” Gretchen realizes a dream – to star in a teleserye.And what makes the show a perfect fit for Gretchen is that her role as the designer Victoria, the so-called “Queen of Philippine Fashion” in the series, is like her in a number of ways, with her high-end fashion sense, her being glamorous, and a trend-setter and an achiever.

As Victoria, she’d be pitted against Gelai (Bea), a new and budding fashion designer, who’s also her long lost sister. But in real life, Gretchen said she is not in competition with anyone.

“I look at Bea as an inspiration because she is a good actress. And through her I would like to better my craft. I actually asked pointers from her, especially when I couldn’t focus to cry in a scene, so I don’t see her as a competition,” said Gretchen.

In fact, she also said she has learned a lot from Bea who at so young an age, can “level-up” to any kind of actor or actress. “She’s really one of the best actresses that I’ve encountered.” The acting workshops they went through before the taping helped her a lot to develop a symbiotic relationship with Bea.

“I’m wearing a lot of clothes by Filipino designers to promote them. I’d love viewers to also see the creations of our talented Filipino designers like Jojie Lloren, Inno Sotto, Ivarluski Aseron, Michael Cinco and new designers too,” revealed Gretchen.

Gretchen and Bea’s leading man in “Magkaribal” is Derek Ramsay who plays a Mixed Martial Arts Champion. Of course Gretchen would have a love scene with him.

“That love scene was shot on our first day of taping and we had a hard time. I actually had to take a shot of brandy to prepare myself for that scene because I was nervous. But we did it in one take,” she described.

Directed by Nuel Naval and Mae Cruz, also in “Magkaribal” are Angel Aquino, Bianca Manalo, Nina Ricci Alagao, Mark Gil, Robert Arevalo, Arlene Muhlach, Enchong Dee, and Erich Gonzales.

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It’s ‘Endless Love’ for Dingdong, Marian

For Dingdong and Marian, it seems to be an “Endless Love” they’re feeling towards each other. Ever since they’ve come out in the open about their real-life relationship, it’s been easier and more natural for them to act in front or out of camera range.

The phenomenal tandem (from such hit teleseryes as “Marimar,” “Dyesebel” and “Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang”) is indeed the perfect choice to play the lead stars in the much-awaited local adaptation of the very first successful Koreanovela on Philippine TV. The series couldn’t have been made at the most opportune time – GMA Network’s 60th anniversary which is this year.

In “Endless Love,” they breathe life to the well-loved characters of Johnny and Jenny, siblings from a well-off family, sheltered and genuinely loved by their parents Robert (Tirso Cruz III) and Katherine (Sandy Andolong). Johnny loves his sister and is very protective of her. Jenny loves him so much too.

But their perfect and happy life turns topsy-turvy when an accident leads their family to discover an incident in the past.

Also in the cast of “Endless Love,” directed by Mac Alejandre, are Dennis Trillo, Janice de Belen, Bernard Palanca, Marco Alcaraz, Gabby Eigenmann, Ces Quesada, Jana Domingues, Mosang, Bela Padilla and Ms. Kuh Ledesma in a very special role. Three showbiz neophytes are also in the cast: Joyce Ching as the young Shirley, Kristoffer Martin as the young Johnny, and Kathryn Bernardo as the young Jenny.

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Popgirls, Sisters salute achievers

Popgirls, a very promising recording group, has been tapped by Sisters Napkins as its new endorser for their wholesome image and for the fact that they are well-educated. The group is composed of twins Lai and Mar, Rose, Schai and Nadine. And recently, Popgirls and Sisters Napkins paid tribute to young Filipino achievers, namely Rachelle Ann Villareal, 16, of Marikina City; Vina Dee Patiam, 16, Marikina City; and Perla Mae Sinas, also of Marikina.

Through the efforts exerted by Sisters Napkins and Popgirls, the Filipino youth achievers are given due recognition to inspire them to excel more and become excellent individuals who, in the future, can contribute greatly to the success of the Filipino nation.

The Sisters Feminine Napkins tour included stops in Mindoro, Dagupan, Cavite, Pampanga, Lucena, Batangas and Laguna. Maja Salvador and some GMA Artist Center talents like Isabel Oli, Chynna Ortaleza and Arci Muñoz gave away certificates of recognition and gifts from Sisters to exemplary achievers in high schools.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday June 28, go to Princess Revilla, US-based Maffi Papin Carrion, Vilma Gaspar, Jahaj Williams, Perla Primicias, Susan Calalay, Frederick Liwanag, Christine Charisse Aguilar, former MB sports editor Lito Fernandez, and MB wellness editor Rowena Bautista-Alcaraz…Happy wedding anniversary to Sen. Ping Lacson and wife Alice, Manny and Myra Martinez, and John and Josephine Angelo… Belated b-day greetings to US-based Princess Dheimee Lagana (June 27)...