It is for the first time that Box-Office King John Lloyd Cruz and Multi-Media Star Toni Gonzaga are appearing on the big screen together and this is in “My Amnesia Girl” which is being tagged as Star Cinema’s pre-Christmas Valentine offering. The movie opens on Nov. 24.

This is another romance-comedy-drama, coming on the heels of the successful Kim Chiu-Gerald Anderson starrer (and supposed to be their last movie team-up) “Till My Heartaches End.” With Cathy Garcia-Molina’s magic touch, “My Amnesia Girl” is expected to be another blockbuster.

This is not the first time that Ms. Cathy has worked with John Lloyd and Toni. Said the box-office director: “I’ve worked with both of them in a few movies, so we know one another’s working attitude. It was always fun working with them separately and it’s doubly fun working with them together.”

Toni said she was so excited in doing the movie because of her new leading man, John Lloyd. “May ibang dimension ang acting na ipapakita namin sa pelikulang ito. Maraming bagong makikita ang mga manonood. Una dahil si John Lloyd ang kasama ko. Hinayaan kami ni Direk Cathy mag-infuse, magbigay ng mga kilos, even adlibs na di mo akalaing magwo-work in our scenes…” she said.

On the other hand, John Lloyd has this to say: “Kahit nagkikita kami ni Toni kapag Sunday sa ‘ASAP,’ pero never did I think na she has this certain kind of charm na di akalain na babagay sa klase ng pagpapatawa na needed for the movie. Doon ko nakita na babaeng-babae si Toni pero kuwela with her character. That’s why nag-swak kami!”

Based on a screenplay written by Carmi Raymundo, Jade Castro and Miguel Sevilla, “My Amnesia Girl” also stars Joross Gamboa, Carlos Agassi, Ketchup Eusebio, JM de Guzman, Nico Antonio, Cai Cortez, Beatrice Saw, Dianne Medina and Atoy Co.

In the story, John Lloyd plays Apollo, the only remaining bachelor in his barkada who’s being pressured by his friends to settle down already. But Apollo has a phobia for commitment. Then, he bumps into Irene (Toni), the girlfriend he left two years earlier, with regrets especially when he realized that Irene was “the one who got away.”

Apollo wants to win back Irene but there’s one big problem: Irene develops amnesia after a tragic accident and she doesn’t remember anything, especially having been dropped by Apollo two years ago. So, will Irene come back to her senses as Apollo pursues her with passion?

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Macau songwriting winners announced

Announced recently were the winners of the Macau Songwriting Competition with the theme “My Next Travel Destination: Macau.” Intended for college students in the National Capital Region (NCR), the contestants had to compose and write the lyrics to a song in any genre about Macau for a chance to visit Asia’s most colorful tourist destination. The judges were Noel Maximo, Robert More and Raymond Roldan.

First prize winner was Julius Teodoro, 16, with his entry entitled “Macau, Land of Joy,” whose beat highlights the city’s multi-faceted attractions and whose melody is pleasant to the ears. Julius, a sophomore computer engineering student at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, won a free four-day/three-night holiday package to Macau. This is his first time to join a songwriting competition.

Second prize winner was Jan Michael Tan, a 21-year-old senior Information Technology student at the University of the East. His piece, “Good Day (in Macau),” mentioned some of the city’s most important and popular tourist destinations. Jan wants to pursue a career as a singer and songwriter.

The top two wining compositions will be professionally arranged, sung by a celebrity singer, and recorded. The songs may be played on radio to promote Macau and will also be performed during dinners and other events organized by the Macau Government Tourist Office-Philippines (MGTO).

For more information on Macau, visit www.macautourism.gov.mo.

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Natasha welcomes Empress, Jennica

Natasha, a wholly Filipino-owned company and one of the leaders in direct selling, welcomes Empress Schuck to their growing family of celebrity endorsers. Together with Jennica Garcia, Empress is now one of the faces for Sketches, Natasha Beauty’s make-up line for the young.

The make-up line was developed with the help of renowned make-up artist Robbie Pinera, Natasha Beauty’s make-up consultant. He is also part of the Natasha Beauty Council, which also includes Fanny Serrano and Renee Salud.

Sketches offers a complete array of beauty products from pressed powder, lipstick and lipgloss, eyeshadow, blush and cologne, all at very reasonable prices. Sketches products are hypoallergenic and have natural ingredients. The lipstick and pressed powder offer sunscreen protection with the latter also being non-comedogenic and dermatologically tested.
Empress was the star in the recently concluded ABS-CBN teleserye “Rosalka.” She was discovered by ABS-CBN when she was just eight years old and is remembered being in the cast of “Bida Si Mister, Bida Si Misis” and the little girl in the movie “Nine Mornings.”

Jennica, on the other hand, has showbiz in her blood being the daughter of Jean Garcia and Jigo Garcia. She started her career in GMA-7’s “Impostora” and the movie “Hide and Seek.” At present, she is regularly seen in GMA7’s “Jejemom” and “Bantatay.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Nov. 20, go to National Artist Arturo Luz, Lyn Curtain, Lyn Sunico of Makati Skyline, Marimel Ballesteros, Purita Soliven, Fely Reyes, Dr. Victor Serrano, Wilma Natividad, Maan Ilustre, Aisha Escalada, Bong Espinosa, Edward Kenneth Valbuena and Dr. Angie Monteiro Mauricio... Happy wedding anniversary to Dyan Castillejo and Anton Garcia, Wally and Aida dela Cruz, and Roger and Cynthia dela Cruz...