MANILA, Philippines — JUST A THOUGHT: Hope is not about closing our eyes to the difficulty, the risk or the failure. It is trusting that if we fail now, we shall not fail forever.

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ENDING FEBRUARY: February, the second month of the lunar calendar in the year 2011, is ending with a noise barrage of TV news.

At GMA Network, “Koreana” closed shop on Feb. 28, meriting for lead actress Kris Bernal an afternoon TV hit.

“Koreana” executive producer Kaye Cadsawan says the homegrown teleserye scored its highest AGB Nielsen rating of 11.6 percent on Feb. 16, up by 2 points from the show’s average rating of 9 percent daily.

“Koreana” ran for a total of 20 weeks, exceeding the normal 13-week run of a TV soap. It is the latest addition to Bernal’s cap, who in 2009, in partnership with Aljur Abrenica, scored a hit out of “Dapat Ka bang Mahalin,” which at one point posted a high 32.2 percent rating.

Kris’ success with “Koreana” has inspired GMA to add her into the cast of “Machete,” reuniting her with teammate Abrenica.
The move is seen as an effort to boost “Machete’s” sagging ratings.

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TV5 SUNDAY FACELIFT: “Tanghaling Go-Go-Go!” is how TV5 wants its Sunday afternoon block to be known.

The three-hour block, starting at 12 high noon, is really a triple treat of shows spanning different genres: Comedy, game, and variety.

Starting Sunday, Feb. 27, PR Peachy Guioguio says it’s definitely “Tanghaling Go-Go-Go!” as the Happy Network delivers potential new Sunday favorites – “Pinoy Samurai” (12 n.n.), “Lucky Numbers” (1 p.m.) and “Fantastik!” (2 p.m.).

At 12 noon, nothing is impossible with Pinoy players, especially if exciting prizes are at stake to become the “Pinoy Samurai!” Set in a real majestic castle, the show fit for a king is hosted by the royalty in comedy, Mr. Joey de Leon as Emperor Yoje.
Joining him is his loyal servant Kimonay (Rufa Mi), and game masters Wilma Doesnt as Itimpura and Mr. Fu as Gaysha.
From a highly physical game, TV5 presents a live game-variety show that turns numbers into gold, “Lucky Numbers” at 1 p.m. Hosted by Eugene Domingo with Keempee de Leon, the next big thing in Philippine game shows is a take on the most entertaining game show in the UK at present.

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FANTASTIK: Come 2 p.m., TV5 gathers the freshest and brightest teen stars of the network for an hour of quality entertainment in “Fantastik!” Sunday is fans’ day as Alex Gonzaga, Kean Cipriano, Danita Paner and JC de Vera take center stage to showcase their talent.

A steamy battle of the sexes awaits as alluring young stars Princess Ryan, Diane Medina and Carla Humphries and Sakto Boys members Rodjun Cruz, Lucky Mercado, Rainier Castillo and Edgar Allan Guzman deliver flame right to your TV screen with their sizzling dance performances.

Helmed by Al Quinn and with musical direction by Jay Durias, the Sunday gathering of rising stars also features “Star Factor” prized talents – Final Four’s Ritz, Christian, Sette, Eula, and the rest of SF teen stars.

Spicing up the new Sunday variety show are singing champion Gerald Santos, DJ Mike, Alyana and Anykka Asistio and Gloc9, plus Alwyn Uytingco, Meg Imperial, Empoy Marquez, Martin Escudero and Arci Muñoz.

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PINOY HUNKS: For a change, two very Filipino-looking hunks are cast as leading men in “My Lover, My Wife,” which premieres also on Feb. 28 over GMA.

Marco Alcaraz and Luis Alandy play the role of the same man in the new GMA afternoon teleserye to take the place of “Koreana” starting Monday.

Maxene Magalona and Nadine Samonte play the female leads in what is suspected as another bold attempt to showcase both drama and a bit of erotica in afternoon programming.

From its title alone, it is obvious that “My Lover, My Wife” is inspired by the Koreanovela, “Temptation of Wife,” which has a current Nielsen percentage rating of 64.1 percent.

Production executive Lilybeth Rasonable recognizes this, noting that the two shows will thus run back to back.

Whereas the wife portrays two different personalities in “Temptation,” it is now the husband who is duplicated in “My Lover.”
What a double whammy to soap audiences finding release of their pent-up emotions through such vicarious experiences!

“My Lover, My Wife” marks Alandy’s belated elevation into the ranks of TV leading men after languishing in second lead roles for so long.

(nescuar@yahoo.com)