The cast of 'Little Star'

GMA-7 shines anew with the premier tomorrow (Oct. 25) of its latest afternoon drama “Little Star,” which is part of the network’s last quarter salvo.

The series (to be aired Monday to Friday after “Yaman ni Lola” in GMA-7’s Haponalo) features some of today’s multi-talented primetime artists led by Mark Anthony Fernandez, Jennylyn Mercado, Paolo Contis, and Lovi Poe. Directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes, “Little Star” also stars Sarah Lahbati, Jiro Manio, Allan Paule, Maricel Morales, Rich Asuncion, Sharmaine Centenera and introducing the country’s newest child star Nicky Castro.

Mark Anthony and Jennylyn, who’ve worked with Direk Maryo in previous projects such as “Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak” and “Impostora,” respectively, find “Little Star” exciting and challenging at the same time because of the chance to work with Direk Maryo again, and with the others in the cast of course.

“Little Star” tells the fascinating story of a singing child star named Diego (Nicky Castro) and how he touches the lives of the people around him, including a famous female star, her personal assistant, a photographer, and an opportunist.

The story begins with Helen (Jennylyn) and her sister Paula (Sarah) on their way to their father Gener (Allan) who works in Manila. Unfortunately, the ship they are into meets an accident. While Paula gets rescued immediately, Helen stays afloat in the sea with an infant she found in the ship, and Dave (Mark Anthony), a good-hearted, handsome photographer. Soon they will be rescued and part ways but it is obvious that Helen and Dave instantly made a connection.

For Lovi, the series is her most challenging drama role to date and her first time to work with Direk Maryo.

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A truly memorable Jade Ecleo concert

It was a truly memorable – and very successful – concert that Jade Ecleo, topbilled together with Dingdong Avanzado and Jay-R, at the MetroBar recently. The show was to launch her maiden solo album (“Just Jade”) and as a belated celebration of her natal day. A few days earlier, the lovely vice governor of Dinagat Islands launched the album via a well-attended concert at the Surigao Gym in Surigao.

At the MetroBar, Jade not only impressed the big crowd with her singing and dancing prowess, but also wowed them with her beautiful gowns that accentuated her whistle-bait figure. Her opening number was a medley of Gloria Stefan, Janet Jackson and Tina Turner songs. Then she did “Kung Walang Ikaw, Walang Ako,” an original composition by Elmer and Vivian Blancaflor and Lyanne Agustin.

With Dingdong, Jade sang “Just The Way You Are,” and with Jay-R, “Reunited,” a classic revival. Both songs are in her album. She also sang an original Vehnee Saturno composition entitled “Kulang Pa Ba,” and then she rendered her own composition (with Romer Timbreza) “Lumaban Ka.”

Then Jade went on to sing a medley of OPM songs (“Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala,” “Nakapagtataka” and “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin”), and “Home.”

In a highlight of the concert, Jade did belly-dancing to a medley of Beyoncé and Shakira songs.

For the success of the concert, credit goes to Elmer Blancaflor, musical director; Vivian Blancaflor, choreographer; Lyanne Gonzalez Agustin for the concept and over-all direction (her debut as such actually), and Ms. Emeellee Mercado who was executive producer. Emeellee, who has produced concerts and shows in the past, is Jade’s manager.

The sponsors were Cherry Mobile, OTO Body Care, JMC, Tsvern, the official residence in Surigao, Power Pizza, StarJed Micro Financing Corp., Metrobar, Punchline and Laffline.

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Sam, Gerald and Daiana in SM Fairview today

Three exciting stars today, Sam Milby, Gerald Anderson and Daiana Menezes will be in SM Fairview Annex Atrium today from 5-8 p.m. for the grand SKINvasion Mall Tour Season 2.

The Mall Tour is in continuation of Stalder Group of Companies’ (now known as Swisse-Phil. Holding Corp.) first quarter campaign for the health revolution they started with SKINvasion. It is a mall tour that envisions spreading awareness of keeping the skin healthy in a more natural way.

It was in 1986 when the maker of Dermablend soaps started its vision to help Filipinos not just to achieve a whiter complexion but also a healthier skin. The company actually pioneered in manufacturing natural whitening soaps in the country. They have as celebrity endorsers Sam, Gerald, and Daiana.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 24, go to QC Councilor Alfred Vargas, Lourna Pal, Cesar Concio, Pia Guanio, Narciso Chan, Yasmin Dayrit, Marites Meyer, Jun-Jun R. Ablaza, Cesar dela Fuente, Salud “Ricci” Mercado, Mary Cris Lumabas Borja, Camille Encinas, Enily Dacer, Susie dela Cruz, Ariel Obera, Maria Luis Javier, Nanet Canchela, Hanna Alegre, Willie Chipeco, Raquel Relucio, Gavina Motel, Ester Cumagun, Brenda Arguelles, Mrs. Alice Rosario, Fely J. Jimenez, Nickson Pacayra, Mary Anne Cabanizas, Dindo Acosta, Ailen Lorenzo, Ronnie Vivar, Raffy Sazon, Rosalina Munoz, Hazel Uy, Atty. Ma. Angelina G. Matibag, Arnold Trinidad, Raffy Lim, Tony Tamayo, Nadine Bonoan, Boy Villasanta, Dr. Tito Torralba of UST, and MB’s Rory Page and Ariel Obera…