Regine Velasquez

After five months of high ratings, “Diva” comes to a grand finale on July 30 on GMA-7.

At a recent press conference held at the GMA-7 executive lounge, the cast, topbilled by Ms. Regine Velasquez, were all very emotional! “Imagine five months that we were all together enjoying a happy bonding,” Jaya said, “and then suddenly the show has to end!” Jaya also expressed her gratitude for what she learned from the members of the cast, especially from Regine who gave her important tips on acting.

“There’s something I discovered in Jaya,” Regine said. “She can be a great comedian!”

As “Diva” approaches its finale, there will be more revelations, conflicts and plot twists. After Tiffany’s (Glaiza de Castro) revelation of Melody’s true identity, Melody a.k.a. Sam bids farewell to her fans. Gary (Mark Anthony Fernandez), on the other hand, despises Melody for her dishonesty.

Sam returns to her family who accepts her whole heartedly. But can Sam overcome the various problems confronting her especially so that Tiffany is planning again to destroy her?

The other members of the cast are Rufa Mae Quinto, Gloria Diaz, Randy Santiago, Mark Herras, Ynna Asistio, and Chariz Solomon. Direction: Dominic Zapata.

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Barbie, the fresh new face of BNY

From all indications, GMA Artist Center’s Barbie Forteza is certainly headed for big stardom, and to think that she’s only 12 years old (she’s the youngest of two children of Antonio and Imelda Forteza of San Antonio, Biñan, Laguna. The fast-rising star of GMA Network has showcased her bubbly personality as well as her acting mettle in several shows she has appeared in on GMA-7 (“Stairway to Heaven,” where she played the young Rhian Ramos, among others). And Barbie’s current starrer “Pilyang Kerubin” (together with love team mate Joshua Dionisio) is a top rating primetime show of GMA-7. “Pilyang Kerubin” has earned for Barbie legions of fans.

The angelic Barbie was excited with Diamond Star Maricel Soriano’s guesting in the show. “Ang galing-galing niya, she’s so professional. I used to watch her in ‘Beh Bote Nga,’ and now kasama ko na siya.’’

Barbie is working hard nowadays. The last time we interviewed her, she had pimples on her forehead and we kidded that it could be because she was already in love?

“Hindi po, dahil lang sa puyat yan,” Barbie said. She tapes for “Pilyang Kerubin” three times a day (Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. the next day).

Just recently, Barbie was signed up as the fresh new face of BNY Petite (BNY was formerly Bunny Jeans), a perfect choice indeed. Even before she became BNY endorser, she said she has been wearing BNY clothes and she likes them for being “trendy yet comfortable and affordable.”

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Janet Basco guests on Deodato’s show

Ms. Janet Basco, one of the best singers ever produced by the country, makes a return to the concert scene. She guests in “Eumir Deodato’s Whirlwind Tour 2010” to be held at SMX on July 31 and at Dusit Thani Hotel on Aug 1. “I am so excited to be a part of Eumir Deodato’s show. He’s been one of my favorite musicians ever since his rearrangement of Richard Strauss’ ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra,’” bemuses Janet.

Janet has been happily enjoying her quiet life as a devoted housewife and mother of four children with her husband, Johnny (Revilla). However, when a nice opportunity comes up to perform again, like Deodato’s upcoming concert, then she readily dons her costumes and takes to the stage.

We asked Janet what songs she’d be singing in the show, to which she quickly replied, “I shall be doing a few Seawind songs, like ‘Devil’s A Liar’ and ‘Follow Your Road.’ These songs were the most requested then. Conversely, I now note that Seawind’s songs have strong Christian messages… [being a Christian] I definitely can relate to them much more now. I shall also be doing Stevie Wonder’s ‘Lately,’ which I love singing, and my version of ‘How High The Moon.’”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on July 28 go to erstwhile movie queen Susan Roces, Baby Araneta-Fores, Comm. Myrna Yao, Jacqui Magno, Alice Dixson, Mrs. Vina Mercado, Cocoy Cordoba, Gloria Desiderio, Gen. Rudy Tolentino, Boy del Rosario, Arvie Dyan N. Belarmino, Pinky Sabinosa-Nelson, Juliet Vela, Mrs. Lita Forteza, Aileen Lustre, Juliet V. Danaytan, Mrs. Susan Valenciano, Jorge Maniquis and son JM, Celso Santiago, Evelyn V. Lagud, Regina B. Antonio, Charlie V. Estrada of UK, US-based Carol Dimaano, and Rosevida Anne Sayo of U-NID-ME.