MANILA, Philippines -- Three award-winning actors return to the Kapamilya Network via the drama series “Mula sa Puso” which premieres today at 6 p.m. on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida. They are Ariel Rivera, Dawn Zulueta and Eula Valdez.

Ariel, Dawn and Eula will reprise the roles of Fernando, Magda and Selina, respectively, in the TV series that endeared itself to Filipino viewers in the late 1990s.

Ariel, who was also part of the original series, said “This is an emotional comeback for me. I am excited to be part of ‘Mula sa Puso’ which was a record-breaking soap opera.”

On the other hand, Dawn and Eula, who last worked together in the movie “Hindi Pahuhuli ng Buhay” in 1989, are aware of the public’s expectation.

Dawn was last seen in the ABS-CBN teleserye “Lastikman” and in some TV shows in the Kapuso Network. Her husband, Rep. Lagdameo, has been very supportive of her showbiz career.

On her part, Eula said “people will compare us with the original actresses. I take it as a challenge.”

“Mula sa Puso” is a remake of the teleserye shown 14 years ago which was topbilled by Claudine Barretto, Rico Yan and Diether Ocampo. It will also be directed by Wenn V. Deramas, who’s very excited of course because as he said, “I am the only director given the chance to rectify yong mga mali ko sa original teleserye na ito. This time, gagawin ko ang mga hindi ko nagawa noon so mas maganda ngayon ang ‘Mula sa Puso.’”

He said they auditioned more than 100 stars for the lead roles.

The others in the cast are Lauren Young, JM de Guzman, and Enrique Gil.

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Angelica Jones sues Ilac

Laguna Board Member Angelica Jones, angered but with a tempered voice, recently denied that she was involved in a scuffle, shouting match with the showbiz girl friend of Ilac Diaz, president of the My Shelter Foundation and Jones’s partner in a civic project called “Bottle School Houses” in San Pablo City.

“The published report in a tabloid was absolutely false,” Ms. Jones stressed before a big gathering of showbiz media.

She added that she would file a libel complaint against the reporter if he did not correct what he wrote.

The alleged girlfriend of Diaz, Julia Clarete, was reported to have gone to San Pablo City (Laguna), sought Jones and engaged the provincial board member to a shouting match.

“Nothing like that ever happened,” Ms. Jones said. “I did not see her come around!”

Diaz and Jones have been working closely together for the construction of the first “bottle school houses” in the Philippines or Asia. There were supposed to be eight school rooms, 90 percent of which were made of plastic bottles contributed by several companies or donated by individuals.

The “bottle school room” was the idea of Diaz, and he sought the assistance of Jones for a site where to build the school rooms. Being a board member of Laguna, Jones was able to get a lot donation from San Pablo City.

Somehow, a spat between the two occurred, and the noble project was jeopardized!

Jones also revealed that Diaz berated her in one or more occasions at the site. “So I’m filing a slander complaint against him,” Jones added.

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Thanakha Calendar Girl search continues

Thanakha International Corp,. maker of organic beauty and healing products, will hold the 2nd installment of its Thanakha Calendar Girl Search today, March 28, at the Metro Concert Bar, West Ave., QC.

The company launched its calendar girl search last December where a girl was chosen to be their January Calendar Girl. This time they are looking for their February-March Calendar Girl.

The candidates are Elsha Joy Soriano, Ma. Katrina Gregorio, Aerielle Lorraine Mercado, Jingky Pintos, Maricel Reyes, Ramilio Joy Anastasio, Angeline Tolendo, Jody Edelweis Candalario and Judith Mae Ramos.