PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Cristino Naguiat Jr. and President and COO Jorge Sarmiento with the 14 grand finalists for the ‘OPM@PAGCOR, A Nationwide Search for the Total OPM Performer.’

MANILA, Philippines -- From a list of more than 2,000 candidates who auditioned for the first OPM@PAGCOR national search for the 2011 OPM Total Performer, 14 finalists were chosen, and they will vie for the title on June 10 at the Grand Finals Night to be held at the PAGCOR Grand Theater of Airport Casino Filipino, Parañaque City.

The finalists are Russ Narcies Cabico, Faye Danica Abadico, Louie Murphy Regala, Dioseyl Fornes, Marie Joyce Tanana, Renz Ruther Robosa, Jell Christie Sumagui, Paullete Cambronero, Hadasa Von Camporaso, Charles Kevin Tan, Arcel Bullo, Fred Abaquita Jr., Steve Fernandez and Gilda Joy Togonon.

Jorge V. Sarmiento, president and COO of the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), said: “We are proud to partner with OPM in this significant project, and the 14 finalists prove that there are indeed great Filipino talents just waiting to be discovered.”

The winner of the “OPM Total Performer” award will receive P300,000 cash award, plus a performance contract with PAGCOR and a contract with a major recording company. The second and third place winners will receive P200,000 and P100,000 cash awards respectively. The non-winners will receive P20,000 each.

PAGCOR gave the 14 finalists all-expenses paid trip to Manila and free accommodations for the duration of the performance workshop and preparations for the Grand Finals.

“The workshop is an integral tool for these amateur singers to perform professionally. It focuses on the fundamentals of vocal preparation, onstage movements and other rudimentary concepts essential to a successful performance,” explained Bong Quintana, PAGCOR’s assistant vice president for entertainment.

Blockbuster movie now on video 

The laugh-out-loud romance-comedy “Who’s That Girl,” starring Anne Curtis and Luis Manzano is finally on video.

“Who’s That Girl” is a collaboration between Wenn V. Deramas and writer Mel Mendoza-del Rosario. The movie also stars Ms. Eugene Domingo.

The story has Elizabeth Pedrosa (Anne Curtis) as a woman utterly smitten with a hunk named John Eduque (Luis Manzano). But she can only love him from afar as she is an absolute wallflower. But surprisingly, John approaches her one time and gives her encouragement at a time that she needs it most. This becomes life-changing for Elizabeth.

Her stunning beauty and confidence come out, and she succeeds in her career. So when she reads John’s name in the obituary, she is grief-stricken. She goes to the wake in hysterics only to find out that the deceased is John Eduque Sr., John’s father.

“Who’s That Girl” also stars Ms. Dina Bonnevie, Dennis Padilla, Candy Pangilinan, DJ Durano, Dino Imperial, Abby Bautista, Nadine Lustre, Bobby Yan, Joy Viado, Ricky Rivero, Mac-Mac, and John Lapus. Distributed by Viva Video, the movie is available on VCD and DVD at your favorite video stores.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, June 8, go to former FDCP Chairman Rolando “Kacky” Atienza, Mayor Chuchi Purisima of Ilocos Sur, Col. Federico Laciste, Jr., Wilma Cruz-Tapalla, Bob Albano, Atty. Rogelio Montero, Linda de Leon, Caliope Chua-Coteok, Joy Dela Ysla Villagomez, Gabrielle Gabayno, Julie Ang of Metrobank, Tina Corpuz, Elvira Ramos-Venegas, Jopay Lizardo of Star Magic, and movie/TV director, scriptwriter and author Leonardo Q. Belen… Happy wedding anniversary to Conrad and Sandra Estrella III; Rene and Flor Ragunton; Serge and Tina Valencia; and Prandy and Chiqui Yulo…