Lisa Macuja-Elizalde

Prima ballerina and radio show host Lisa Macuja-Elizalde embarks on a new challenge in her life – as producer of the international extravaganza “Today’s Stars of the Russian Ballet,” slated at the Aliw Theater on July 10.

As a scholar of the USSR Ministry of Culture, Lisa trained at Vaganova Choreographic Institute (now the Academy of Russian Ballet) in Saint Petersburg in 1982, under former Kirov ballerina Tatiana A. Udalenkova. She graduated in 1984, at the top of her class and became the first foreigner to be invited to join the Kirov Ballet, a 260-year-old dance institution.

Deeply excited about the Russian ballet concert gala, the prima ballerina jokes, “I’m biased, because I am Russian trained.” She explains that ballet in Russia is more than 250 years old, compared to the Philippines where it is only about 80 years old “with only five or six generations of dancers.”

Currently the artistic director of Ballet Manila, Lisa just recently marked her 25th year in 2009 with a three-night concert entitled “Lisa @ 25.” The prima ballerina also hosts the radio show “Art 2 Art” aired over dzRH every Sunday from 3:30 to 4 p.m.

Tickets for “Stars of the Russian Ballet” are available at Ticketworld www.ticketworld.com.ph, or through Ballet Manila re-mail info@balletmanila.ph.

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New technology in news programs

In a press conference held last Monday (June 28), Maria Ressa, head of ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs Division announced that starting today (June 30), in time with the inauguration of the 15th president of the Philippines, Noynoy C. Aquino, the country’s largest broadcast new organization will bring its news programs “TV Patrol” and “Bandila” to “the next level by providing in-depth news stories, empowering citizens and using state-of-the-art technologies.”

Ms. Ressa called it convergence – of the traditional news coverage with new technology. She said providing the news is public service and they’re strengthening their system so people won’t just watch it but will also be part of it. According to the News and Current Affairs Division of the Network, the use of augmented reality and touch screens, which it used in its “Halalan 2010” election coverage last May, will now be part of its nightly newscasts to help make news stories more understandable to viewers.

What more, Cheryl Fabela said “palalawigin namin ang aming public service in that everyone will be part of the news by making them citizen journalists who will be involved to the problems of their own communities with reporter Sol Aragones. Our ultimate goal is to empower the people…”

“TV Patrol” will now return to its original title and will continue to break important news and begin producing investigative reports, in-depth political analyses by Lynda Jumilla, and sports news. Broadcast journalists Ted Failon, Karen Davila and Julius Babao will anchor the newscast on weeknights, while Bernadette Sembrano and Alex Santos will take over on weekends.

On the other hand, the late night newscast “Bandila” anchored by Henry Omaga Diaz and Ces Oreña Drilon will have more in-dept political stories and analysis by Ms. Jumilla and weekly consumer reports by Alvin Elchicao.

2010 TV News Station of the Year ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, will bring the most comprehensive 17-hour straight coverage of the inauguration of President-elect Noynoy Aquino today.

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The GMA hunks

There is a “gang of 14” in the stable of GMA Artist Center who solicit screams and cheers from women fans everywhere they go if only because of their enviable physique. The GMAAC hunks are led by matinee idols Aljur Abrenica, Mike Tan, and Paolo Paraiso.

Aljur (of “The Last Prince” fame) of course doesn’t need any introduction as his title as Ultimate Hunk of “StarStruck” Season 4 is proof enough of how he takes care of his body. Mike was the Ultimate Male Survivor of the second edition of “StarStruck,” while Paolo has proven his bankability, having been tapped to star in two comedy shows on QTV 11: “I Laugh Sabado” and “Bluffing with Paolo and Bodie.”

The rest of the gang are Suzuki Sadatzugu, Jace Flores, Dion Ignacio, Dex Quindoza, Kevin Santos, Geoff Taylor, Prince Stefan, Paulo Avelino, Rey Talosig and Kiko Austria. Suzuki and Jace were part of “Survivor Phils. 2” and have appeared in some shows of GMA-7.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on June 30 go to Dir. Lucina Alday, Celeste V. Garcia, Peregrina Ang, Teresita “Inday” Novales, Conrad Mallari, Carlotta G. Antonio, Lenita S. Gumatay-Ramos, Joey Uy, Pablo Salansang, Zeny Flores, Manuel Hista, Nycie Lachica, Malou Bascara, Oscar T. Maliwanag, DLSU Communications Prof. Manny Geslani, and Alfred Labatos of Star Magic. Happy wedding anniversary to David and Edna Orense. Tanduay Ice, Hard Rock Café (HRC) and NU 107 recently partnered in HRC’s “Ambassador of Rock” promo wherein every hard rocker had the rare chance to win HRC’s “Win a Trip to Hard Rock Calling” international promo campaign. A hard rocker was entitled to one raffle coupon upon purchase of Tanduay Ice. Kenyo’s talent manager Bong Baluyot was the grand winner and he and a friend had the chance to watch “Hard Rock Calling” which happened in London’s Hyde Park last June 25 to 27 and they saw live performances by Pearl Jam, Stevie Wonder, and Sir Paul McCartney. Bong had 3-night hotel accommodations in Intercontinental London Park Lane Hotel, roundtrip airfare to London, and pocket money of $300. Music lovers on the other hand can still enjoy HRC’s artist line up this June headed by Nina, Zoo, Streetbeat (June 28), Drizzle with DNA (June 29), and Kenyo (June 30).