MANILA, Philippines - More and more Kapamilya and Kapuso stars are joining the Kapatid Network, and among those reported to be joining TV5 soon is Wendell Ramos who’s been appearing in GMA-7 shows for the last 15 years or so. Wendell is the latest addition to the roster of talents of Perry Lansigan’s management company. Although Perry doesn’t deny the report of Wendell’s impending transfer to TV5, he said that nothing’s final yet, they’re still negotiating.

Wendell said he has known Perry for a long time, and “he was a friend of Tito Douglas (Quijano, Wendell’s former manager) and he used to advise me on what to do to improve myself. Now that I’m under his wings, aayusin daw namin ang focus ng career ko and of course I’ll have to work harder.”

He signed a three-year management contract with PPL Entertainment, Inc. He doesn’t foresee any problem or conflict with the other PPL talents, especially Dingdong Dantes. “Friends kami ni Dingdong and the other talents of Perry.”

Wendell has been in the cast of GMA-7’s top-rating gag show “Bubble Gang” (topbilled by Michael V. and Ogie Alcasid) but he doesn’t have an exclusive contract with the network. “It’s just per project basis,” he said. But he’s grateful because “tuluy-tuloy naman ang mga shows na ginagawa ko sa GMA.” Wendell’s last series for the network was the Christmaserye “Jillian: Namamasko Po.”

The award-winning actor (he won the URIAN Best Supporting Actor award in 2005 for his performance in the Judy Ann Santos’ starrer “Sabel”) said he may do a romantic comedy in his next movie project. His past movies include “Filipinas,” “Hubog,” “Desperadas,” and “Happy Heart.” He recalled that it was Joel Lamangan who gave him his first big break in the movies via “Hubog.” “I am very grateful to Joel Lamangan. He’s a very good director; he brings out the best in you like what he did for me in ‘Desperadas.’ But Maryo de los Reyes’ ‘Kasangga’ was my training ground for TV.”

He said he couldn’t also forget working with Juday in “Sabel.” “Si Juday, ipaparamdam niya na artista ka rin. Maganda siyang katrabaho, she made me very comfortable working with her. I’m so grateful that she believed in my talent.” Among the male stars, he idolizes Christopher de Leon, Albert Martinez and Cesar Montano.

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Music of ‘Treme’ featured in concerts

The music of “Treme,” the newest HBO series shown every Monday (at 11:30 p.m. on HBO/HBO HD) will be featured in a series of concerts to be produced by Wendell Pierce, the star of the show which is being shown in Asia for the first time. Pierce said the concert will start in San Francisco in June, and then he will bring it to Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC.

“Treme” is a show about New Orleans and was written by David Simon. Pierce is from New Orleans and so a role was tailor-made for him in the show for which he felt so proud and honored.

In a recent phone interview with Bulletin Entertainment’s Julien C. Matabuena, Pierce said, “That was one of the great honors in my career, having someone write a role especially for you. I felt so privileged and happy to be part of the show especially in these difficult days of New Orleans...”

In “Treme” Pierce play Antoine which he said is entirely different from his previous roles. Antoine, he said, is the “quintessential New Orleans musician, someone who loves the music and who is really a student of the culture of New Orleans and brass band music.” It’s the first time that Pierce is playing a musician.

His character reminds him of the men he grew up with who were musicians, he said. And being from New Orleans, being in the show became more than just an acting job. Because he felt a great responsibility to do a message and be truthful. “This isn’t just a fictional story for us, this is a time that’s gonna define our lives... it will be a moment in time that will be a milestone in our lives, before (Hurricane) Katrina and after Katrina.”

Pierce’s most memorable experience while shooting “Treme” was playing “Closer Walk With Thee” at the jazz funeral at the end of the pilot episode. With him were the Treme Bass Brand members Lionel Batiste, Benny Jones, Bunchy Johnson and Kenny Terry, who are some of the best musicians that he admired for a long time. “To actually play with them at home, it just brought tears to my eyes.”

“Treme” currently airs on HBO every Monday at 11:30 p.m.

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Marvin Ong does solo major concert

Marvin Ong is all set to do his first major solo concert. Entitled “Marvin Ong… Beginnings,” the show will be staged at the Music Museum on April 2 with Maricris Delgado as director. The concert is presented by Viva Concerts and Lingkod ng Potrero Foundation, Inc. Guests artists are Rachelle Ann Go and the Pop Girls.

The concert will showcase Marvin’s wide vocal range with carefully selected songs from varied musical genres. Included in his repertoire are a Ryan Cayabyab medley, a Michael Jackson Suite and selections from his self-titled gold-certified album released by Viva Records. Marvin will also play the guitar and the keyboards during his two-hour show.

Marvin started performing on stage at age nine. As a child performer, he has topbilled several stage musicals as well as school presentations. But his first professional stint on the legitimate stage was in Repertory Philippines’ “Sweeney Todd” for which he received the Gawad Buhay Award for Best Featured Performer from Philstage. He also played the title role in PETA’s “Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diablo at Limang Milyong Boto.”

As a pop performer, Marvin scored a big hit with his debut, self-titled album from Viva. He has been performing in pop concerts here and abroad.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for March 7 go to belter Carmen Pateña, Tong Payumo, Tomas Apacible, Leo Martinez, Rica Peralejo, Ella Mae Saison, Nora Robles, Francis Choy, Dr. Johnny Labodahon, Jay Paul Galino, Karylle Abigail Adao, Tomas B. Medina, Charlotte Quiambao-Pascual, Perpetua C. Plastina, Carmen Bautista, Veronica R. Samio, Star Magic’s Gerald Anderson and awarded broadcaster Tina Monson-Palma...