MANILA, Philippines – In a recent press conference, GMA-7 executives led by Ms. Wilma Galvante, SVP-Entertainment and the network’s News and Public Affairs team announced its last quarter salvo and 2011 first quarter line-up of shows.

It’s the last quarter of the year but they continue to not only take viewing satisfaction of their audience to greater heights but also to create waves in the hearts of every Pinoy with their top-notch shows – primetime and daytime dramas, variety and dance programs, gags and game shows.

Among the network’s current top-rating shows are: “Koreana,” the first original sinenovela offering which premiered on Oct. 11, and starring the love triangle of Kris Bernal, Steven Silva and Rocco Nacino; “Beauty Queen,” a pioneering drama soap opera starring Iza Calzado, Maggie Wilson, and Katrina Halili under the helm of Joel Lamangan; “Mel & Joey,” featuring the unbeatable tandem of Mel Tiangco and Joey de Leon which kicked off its 6th anniversary celebration with a Halloween special Sunday; “Bubble Gang,” topbilled by Michael V. and Ogie Alcasid and which marked its 15th anniversary last Friday (Oct. 29) with a horror-comedy musical in honor of novelty king Yoyoy Villame; “Anatomy of a Disaster,” a monthly environmental docu-series hosted by Richard Gutierrez; “Kap’s Amazing Stories,” a widely popular infotainment show hosted by Sen. Bong Revilla which is now on its third season of taking the audience on an epic journey with BBC’s highly acclaimed and awardwinning series “Blue Planet;” “Show Me Da Manny,” featuring updates and exclusive footage of Manny Pacquiao’s training in the US for his November 14 bout with Antonio Margarito (the show will also stage a “Kantramedy Special” in December following the success of their recent comedy-musical episode); “Little Star” which introduced the newest child star of GMA, Nicky Castro who shares billing with Jennylyn Mercado, Lovi Poe, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Paolo Contis.

And to be launched soon before the year ends are “Dwarfina,” starring Heart Evangelista and Dennis Trillo under the direction of Mark Tuviera; “Suwerting-Suwerte Sa Siyete: Press It! Win It!” and “I Love You Pare,” starring Regine Velasquez and Dingdong Dantes who will be playing entirely different roles. Meanwhile, “Ang Yaman ni Lola,” to be aired from Dec. 14-24, is a unique game/comedy-serye that combines the sppeal of the teleserye and a comedic storyline and the excitement of a game show.

On the first quarter of 2011, among the new programs that GMA-7 will launch are “Captain Barbell,” starring, of course, Richard Gutierrez who returns to breathe life to his dual characters as Teng and his alter ego Captain Barbell; “Amaya,” the very first local historical fiction soap opera starring the primetime queen Marian Rivera; and “Dance With Me,” the first-ever danserye; “Batang Milyonarya” topbilled by Jilllian Ward.

• • •

Sarah’s 3-year love affair

Yes, Sarah Geronimo has had a love affair for the past three years now. But it’s not with a man, we assure you, but with Magic Sing, solely distributed in the country by the Astra Group, Inc. which renewed recently the pop star’s endorsement of the product.

During the signing ceremonies, Astra Chairman and President Eric D. Singson told guests that “Our company considers Sarah Geronimo as the perfect endorser for the Magic Sing brand. We love her class and wholesome public image, which in spite of her fantastic popularity and success both as a singer and an actress, she remained unsullied. Sarah’s qualities as a person perfectly exemplify Magic Sing’s own emphasis on class, high quality, style, and product integrity.”

Singson recalled that when the Magic Sing videoke microphone was introduced in the year 2000, it became an instant hit in this nation of karaoke lovers. Since then, imitations and similar products have tried but failed to ride on the brand’s popularity. “As of today,” he said, “the total number of Magic Sing brand portable videokes acquired by Philippine households is almost one million units, against an estimated 120,000 units for all the other portable videoke brands combined, including some phased-out imitations.”

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, Nov. 1, go to awarded actor Coco Martin, Winnie Cordero of “Umagang Kay Ganda,” singer Nina, Sharmaine Arnaiz, Dr. Ronaldo Asuncion, Atty. Norberto Capistrano, Col. Jimmy A. Tiu, Jun Pena, Ret. Fiscal Dick Escueta, Atty. Crisanto Saruca, Cora Perez, Mina N. Reyes, Marifil Nina Girado, Lina Misa, and Gladys Maningding-Armas… Happy wedding anniversary to Augusto and Pilarica Abaya…