LOS ANGELES – Actor-singer-visual artist Ernie Garcia is lately having his hands full with assignments. The week after his pre-Valentine concert at Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood City, he got a call from GMA-7 and was told to report to the story conference of a new teleserye, “My Lover, My Wife.” After another week, he was already in the Kapuso studio taping the first episode.

“My Lover, My Wife,” featuring Maxene Magalona, Luis Alandy, Nadine Samonte and Marco Alcaraz, is being directed by Joselito Altarejos. Ernie plays supportive and understanding father to Maxene.

The singer-actor is now gathering materials for a new album. Upon the advice of Repertory Philippines’ stage director Freddie Santos, Ernie intends to record songs along the beat and rhythm of the R&B, country and rock n’ roll hits by Tom Jones, the Grammy award-winning international recording artist from South Wales.

“I must say it’s a brilliant idea,” quips Ernie. “Until now, we still don’t have an established local Tom Jones clone. Tom Jones is such a marvelous performer with a powerful voice. I like his style. I used to open my concert repertoire with his ‘Kiss’ complete with the signature Tom Jones bumps and grinds.”

Freddie Santos was Ernie’s buddy at Repertory when he appeared in stage plays many years back, shuttling between Rep and Teatro Pilipino under the late National Artist for Theater Rolando Tinio. Freddie was the one who conceptualized Ernie’s February concert which had for a theme “love in different languages.”

Ernie is contemplating on engaging the songwriting skills of TV host-comedian Joey de Leon. “I like Joey’s contemporary danceable songs with sexy and naughty lyrics,” says Ernie.

But does Joey still have time to compose new songs, what with his daily shows and travels?

“Well, I can settle for his old compositions as long as they fall under Tom Jones’ category! Pero ‘wag naman ‘yong lumang-luma,” Ernie says.

He also wouldn’t mind being called a Tom Jones copycat. “I wouldn’t mind [people calling me that] at all. That’s what I really want to become,” seriously replies Ernie.

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Gawad Tanglaw 2010

Backroom artists won several awards in the Gawad Tanglaw 2010 organized by the Gawad Tagapuring mga Akademisyan ng Aninong Gumagalaw. The awarding ceremony will be held on March 17, 5 p.m., at the St. Dominic College of Asia in E. Aguinaldo Highway in Bacoor, Cavite.

Leading the list of victorious Backroom artists is Boy Abunda who won the Gawad Tanglaw para sa Sining ng Telebisyon. Queen of All Media Ms. Kris Aquino received the Gawad Tanglaw para sa Sining ng Mass Media.

The Presidential Jury Award was given to Ai Ai de las Alas for “Tanging Ina” film series and Laurice Guillen for film director. Direk Laurice also won Best Director for the movie “Sa ‘Yo Lamang.”

Gretchen Barretto received the Best Performance by an Actress (Single Performance) for her acting in “Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK)” episode entitled “Larawan,” while her hit primetime teleserye “Magkaribal” bagged the Best Drama Series award.

“It is a great honor to win in the Gawad Tanglaw. Marami pong salamat sa inyong lubos na pagtitiwala. We promise to continue giving only the best for the audience who never stops watching and supporting us,” Abunda said.

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Why Japanese girls don’t get fat

Why do Japanese women don’t get fat? More so, why don’t they seem to get older? After a spate of blockbuster movies on Japan like “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” which glamorized Japanese women, more and more (including the men) are demanding to know their secret of “eternal youth.”

The secret lies in Japanese skin care and beauty treatments which make the skin whiter and smoother, and softer and younger. This Japanese obsession with flawless skin, youth and purification and wellness also give them longevity of life without looking old. One of Japan’s new benchmarks for beauty is now in the Philippines, the Mariko Tokyo Skin & Body Center which specializes in the science of Japanese dermatology.

Mariko Tokyo is located at Richbelt Tower in Greenhills and has branches at El Jardin Presidente in Sct. Esguerra Ave. in Quezon City, Holiday Plaza in Arnaiz St., Pasay City, LPL Manolr, Leviste St. in Makati City, and Mandaluyong Circle near Mandaluyong City Hall.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings March 14 go to Louie Reyes, Paolo Contis, fashion designer Rudy Fuentes, Dindi Gallardo, Angelo Gabriel Matias Pizarro, Remy Aquino, Marilen Nolasco-Espiritu, Linda Buenviaje, Carmelita Salvador, Elenita Bolipata, Jhing de Leon of BPI Family Bank, and newscaster Percy Lapid... Happy wedding anniversary to Lito and Ligaya Fernandez, and Carlo and Mina Martinez of GMA, Cavite...