GEOFF EIGENMANN and Glaiza de Castro

MANILA, Philippines - She has proven her acting mettle via kontrabida roles in GMA-7 shows, and everybody says Glaiza de Castro is one of the network’s most talented young stars. And now, Glaiza is set to outshine herself, but this time as a bida via a Cinderella-like role in GMA 7’s latest fantasy-drama series “Grazilda,” which starts airing today, Sept. 13.

However, Glaiza will still be a villain at the start of the series because she plays Grazilda, who is one of the evil stepsisters, the antagonists of Cinderella. But she will become the unlikely heroine as the drama progresses, when she will force her feet, successfully, into the glass slipper.

At the recent press launch of the show, Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar said “Grazilda” is inspired by “Cinderella,” the greatest fairy tale ever. “I’m very proud of this project… it will bring us back to our childhood…I’m proud of the creative team and the cast – they all did their best.”

On her part, Ms. Wilma Galvante said “everybody loves a Cinderella story but this is a Cinderella story with a modern twist. This is a story we can all relate to.”

As Grazilda, Glaiza is expected to showcase her whole range of emotions and the impressive acting caliber that she has shown in various Kapuso afternoon and primetime soaps. Indeed, Glaiza has been primed to land her first starring role in this enthralling drama series.

Playing Glaiza’s Prince Charming in the series is GMA’s equally talented and prized leading man, Geoff Eigenmann. He plays the role of Eric, the handsome mortal who will become Grazilda’s “knight in shining armor” in the story.

The story opens from a fairy tale land called Fantasia. Grazilda, along with her stepmom Matilda (ably portrayed by Rio Locsin) and stepsister Anatalia (Djanin Cruz), always makes Cinderella’s (Gwen Zamora) life miserable. She tries to disrupt Cinderella and Prince Charming’s (Benedict Campos) wedding but through her sister’s kind-hearted Fairy Godmother (Jolina Magdangal), Grazilda will be banished to the mortal world.

Completing the cast are Bodie Cruz as Ben, Eric’s good friend; Dominic Roco as Vicente, Prince Charming’s right-hand man; and Angeli Nicole Sanoy as Jik Jik, Grazilda’s friend in the mortal world.
At the helm of “Grazilda” is Director Dominic Zapata together with second unit director Ricky Davao. “Grazilda” is shown right after “Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown.”

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2010 is the best year for Isabelle

Before she auditioned for Star Magic, Isabelle Abiera had been doing print and TV commercials. She was launched as a member of Star Magic Batch 15 and did small roles in ABS-CBN’s defunct shows “Astig” and “Ur Luv,” followed by a hosting stint in Channel V.

With her beauty and talent, Isabelle could have made it in showbiz earlier but then she had to leave for the US and stayed there for a year.

When she came back, Isabelle gave showbiz another try. This time, things looked brighter. She became one of the regular co-hosts of “Wowowee,” something she considers her biggest achievement for 2010. This was followed by an acting stint, as a kontrabida, in ABS-CBN’s afternoon program “Rosalka.”

Isabelle turned 18 last Aug. 29 and she took this as another fitting reason to celebrate, in addition to her well-deserved breaks in show business. Her debut party was held at Hotel Intercontinental and the theme was 1930’s Hollywood Glamour. Isabelle wore an elegant gown by Edgar Allan and was escorted by her “Rosalka” co-star Felix Roco.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Sept. 13, go to Sen. Bongbong R. Marcos, Gen. Edgardo Aglipay, former DoT Secretary Mina Gabor, Mrs. Sonya Mathay, Ms. Beth Sison-Tagle, Chiqui Hollman-Yulo, Annie Tung, Elena Munsayac, Tono Verzosa, Sylvia Zulueta, Ed Sicam, Mrs. Milagros Cruz, John James Uy, Sugar Mercado, and Joaqui Mendoza and CJ Novato of Star Magic… Belated b-day greetings to Renzo Cruz (Sept. 9), Mel Villena (Sept. 10), Gen. Jovito Palparan and Bessie Badilla (Sept. 11)…