MANILA, Philippines – An exciting and heartwarming show “Puso ng Pasko Artista Challenge,” premieres Monday night (after “24 Oras”) on GMA-7. The show, with award-winning broadcast journalist Vicky Morales and Kapuso star Richard Gutierrez as hosts, is GMA Network’s way of giving back to those who have given so much.

Joining the main hosts are Rhian Ramos and Drew Arellano as challenge hosts, and Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz, Heart Evangelista and Ervic Vijandre, Rachelle Ann Go and Kris Lawrence, Fabio Ide and Gwen Zamora as celebrity challengers.

Completing the lineup of the Kapuso celebrity challengers are Carla Abellana and Geoff Eigenmann, Bianca King and Aljur Abrenica, Ynna Asistio and Mark Herras, Paolo Contis and Sam Pinto, Kris Bernal and Rocco Nacino, Jennica Garcia and Carl Guevara, Bubbles Paraiso and Benjie Paras, and Raffy Tima and Mariz Umali. “Puso ng Pasko” will see the Kapuso stars, 12 partner families and communities in hair-raising challenges as they aspire for over P5 million worth of prizes.

The challenges range from the death-defying to the heartwarming. The teams selected their partner families from among hundreds of entries that comprise of the “most deserving” families. Over P4 million in cash and prizes will be awarded to the 12 partner families.

Both Vicky and Richard are happy to be working together in this laudable project. Richard said “It’s an honor to be working with such awarded and acclaimed broadcast journalist like Ms. Vicky Morales.”

“Puso ng Pasko” comes on the heels of “Survivor Philippines” which Richard hosted. Vicky of course is still hosting “Wish Ko Lang” every Saturday afternoon.

• • •

Regine’s fantasies in latest album

As her wedding to Ogie Alcasid approaches, Regine Velasquez, dubbed as “The Songbird,” is probably engaged in a number of romantic fantasies. For instance, how does one prepare for a honeymoon, or how do newlyweds approach and touch each other as soon as they have shut the door of the honeymoon room?

Or paraphrasing what a song says, “Where do I begin…” In another scene, a love poem whispers: “Tonight, beloved, we shall not count the stars with our finger tips, but with our pulse beats. Because the night is a song for us!”

The love fantasies are endless! But Regine can also be practical that she came out with a fantasy that is physical, breathing with life and which anyone can feel, listen to and experience the joy as Regine does!

This fantasy is “Fantasy,” her biggest collection of songs in a double album produced and released by Universal Records.

“I dedicate this album to my best friend, my source of strength, inspiration and my happiness, to my husband-to-be, I am ready to start a new life with him, I’m sooo Ogie forever!”

Very fittingly, “Fantasy,” her last album as a single woman, features more than a dozen beautiful songs: “True Romance,” “Sana’y Laging Ganito,” “OK Lang Ako,” “Fairy Tale,” “Smile, Funny One, Smile” (Operation Smile theme), “Walang Iba,” “Fantasy,” “All My Life,” “I Go Crazy,” “What About Love?” “You And Me,” “Without Me,” “Love Will Keep Us Alive,” “Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop,” and “Dying.” To get Regine’s ring back tones, follow the instructions at the back of the album.

• • •

Shoppers’ challenges a big hit at Tutuban

Despite the inclement weather especially during late afternoons, the consumer challenges held at the grounds of Tutuban Mall has brought fun and excitement to night market shoppers.

The consumer challenges were held on separate Friday evenings in different venues within the sprawling Tutuban Mall complex. The first challenge, “Kainan Challenge,” tested the mettle of the participants in food preparation. The next challenge was “Makuha Ka sa Tiil” highlighted men’s fashion where participants included traffic enforcers, barangay kagawads, etc. Two other challenges were “Kalahating Ako, Kalahating Presyo” and “Tawanan sa Tawaran.”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, Dec. 6, go to Elizabeth Ramsey, former Press Usec. Mila Alura, Madeline Nicolas, Teodoro M. Luansing, Estela de Silva, Ching Alano, Alice E. Salariosa, Jovy Gonzaga, Conie Pastores, Bobby Duran, Expedito Vergara Jr., Felix Naguit, Rocelyn M. Hormigas, Nelmy Mabutas, Dionne Monsanto, Remedios Celi, Francis Laborra of Flawless and Madonna “Happy” Ongpauco… Belated b-day greetings to Engr. Ernesto Isidro (Dec. 5)...