Shaina Magdayao

 MANILA, Philippines – It was just recently that Shaina Magdayao went through the biggest trial in her career and personal life. That was when she and real-life boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz became the target of the most malicious gossip in local tinseltown. But at the recent press conference for Regal Films’ 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Shake, Rattle & Roll 12,” Shaina said she has overcome the trial and has moved on.

“I feel so blessed and happy at the moment kasi after all that I went through lately, sobra-sobra ang naging kapalit na blessings sa career at personal life ko,” Shaina shared. Among these blessings are two movies in the forthcoming film festival. Aside from “Shake, Rattle & Roll 12,” Shaina is also in the major cast of Star Cinema’s “Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na ‘To!).” She plays one of the children of the title-roler, Ai Ai de las Alas.

In “SR&R12,” Shaina topbills the episode “Mamanyika” where she plays the rebellious daughter of Ricky Davao. In one of her visits to her mother’s (Jackielou Blanco), she finds a doll and brings it home, not knowing that it was previously owned by a mysterious lady and is controlled by an evil spirit.

In real life, Shaina said she has never been fond of dolls. Actually, she’s scared of them, she added.

The other two episodes of “SR&R12” are top-billed by Carla Abellana and Andi Eigenmann.

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Another big win for HCSB dancers

The Shirley Halili Cruz School of Ballet (SHCSB), awarded as “Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia from 2000 to the present, once again brought fame and honor to the country with their triumph in the 21st Century International Arts Festival and Competition held in the First World Hotel in Genting Highlands, Malaysia last Nov. 22-25, 2010.

For the past five years, SHCSB has been consistently garnering the top awards in the said competition. For this year, the school prepared 35 dancers for four entries into the following categories: Children’s category, Youth I category (12-15 years old), Youth II category (16-18 years old) and Open category.

All four entries won gold trophies and the SHCSB was declared as the Grand Prize Winner for Dance. They bested more than 780 dancers from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Shanghai, Thailand, Indonesia and China.

Congratulations to the SHCSB dancers, who were cheered wildly by the foreigners in the audience: Camille Asi Julianne Renee Barrios, Leila Madeline Caro, Tisha Alyssa Caro, Meryl Jacqueline Chua, Kimberly Anne Therese Davies, Jillian Feliciano, Katherine Ann Fernandez Ella Louise Francia, Gabrielle Romina Garcia, Margarita Isabella Garcia, Floriane Clairemarie Jara, Venice Renee Manuel, Ma. Celina Ysabel Maristela, Veronica Mendoza, Ma. Selina Victoria, Noel Kyla Yasmeen Ong, Gabrielle Paras, Nicole Paredes, Maxine Adrienne Roque, Andrea Leigh Samson, Keana Janine Simon, Maria Andrea Tagaban, Kirsten Louise Velasco, Ma. Winnalee Young, Ma. Regina Magbitang, Aira Louise Rostrata, Marielle Anne Sidro, Lian Jane Guerrero, Julia Camille Mazo, Cassey Antoinette Ruiz, Lindsay Lopez, Heather Nicole Orteza, Erika Faye Rapinan, Ma. Gloria Salapantan, and Nordic Caraig.

As you read this, the SHCSB is representing the Philippines in yet another competition, the Bauhinia Cup International Dance Championship 2010 in Hong Kong. The competition is participated in by Beijing, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Jilin, Malaysia, Macau, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

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Jessy Mendiola is ABS-CBN’s ‘Sabel’

We saw her in Your Song Presents “Gimik 2010” as the young Judy Ann Santos, and then in “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” as the leading lady of Coco Martin. Her acting skill was also noticed in Your Song Presents “Boystown” where she shares the screen with the Gigger Boys. Now, Jessy Mendiola is top-billing her own show on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida “Sabel,” which starts airing tomorrow, Dec. 6.

Jessy reprises the role that launched Snooky Serna as an actress in the 1981 classic film “Bata Pa Si Sabel.” The 17-year-old actress said she’s so happy that ABS-CBN entrusted her with the project, after four years of waiting for her big break.

The series is on the timeslot occupied by Erich Gonzales’ “Katorse.” This somehow gives pressure to Jessy but she said “magkaiba naman and ‘Katorse’ at ‘Sabel.’”

Jessy has two leading men in “Sabel,” AJ Perez and Joseph Marco. The director, Don Cuaresma, said “it’s very challenging to direct new breed of actors. Very promising sina Jessy, AJ and Joseph, they are fresh and very talented.” AJ is a member of the Gigger Boys. He has worked with Jessy in past projects. Joseph, on the other hand, is a commercial model and a newbie in the Kapamilya stable of stars.

Also in the cast are Rita Avila, Raymond Bagatsing, Daria Ramirez, Tommy Abuel, Ron Morales and Glydel Mercado.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 5, go to Rep. Amado Bagatsing, Donita Rose of “Unang Hirit,” Mila A. Abad, Anthony Pangilinan, Julie Ann Fortich, Rudy Diego, Chris Almeda, Luz Valderama, Vice Mayor Roderick Tiongson of San Miguel, Bulacan, and MB’s Raymond Sacay… Happy wedding anniversary to Enrique and Miles Yulo, Llewellyn and Carol Llanillo, and Drs. Rodoldo and Rosalina Ante…