Enchong Dee and Erich Gonzales

MANILA, Philippines -- Awarded filmmaker Rory B. Quintos said she’s very confident of her latest project “Maria La Del Barrio,” top-billed by two of the hottest stars today, Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee.

The Filipinized version of the hit Televisa soap opera is set to premiere on Monday, Aug. 15, on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

“I am very confident of this project because I have a very good cast,” Direk Rory, who shares directorial chores with Richard Somes, expressed during the recent press conference of the series. She cited in particular Erich, who she described as “very professional... She’ll do what she’s told to do.”

Erich and Enchong have had many successful projects in the past and so they were asked if they experienced any pressure working on this project. Erich said, “Ang pressure di naman nawawala kahit sa anong project namin. I’m just so happy that our co-stars and the crew are all very helpful and supportive of me and Enchong.”

As to any romantic relationship they may have, both said there is none. “Trabaho lang muna kami, we agreed that we should not fall in love with each other kasi mahirap ma-in love sa co-star mo baka maapektuhan ang trabaho ninyo. But when I learned that I was going to work with Erich again in ‘Maria La Del Barrio,’ sobrang natuwa at na-excite ako kasi masarap siya katrabaho.”

In “Maria La Del Barrio” Erich plays Maria Hernandez while Enchong plays Luis Fernando, two young people searching for two love, amidst their pasts and conflicting present lives.

Comedy Queen Ai Ai de las Alas plays a special role as Casilda, Maria’s adoptive mother. Angel Aquino, on the other hand, portrays Victoria Montenegro Dela Vega, mother of Luis Fernando. Ian Veneracion plays Victoria’s husband who has a past with Maria’s biological mother played by Assunta de Rossi.

Others in the cast are Arron Villaflor, Paw Diaz, Katya Santos, Jake Roxas, Gio Alvarez, Atoy Co, Jane Oineza, Badjie Mortiz and K Brosas.

Lovi scores a Belo deal

Fresh from the success of “Temptation Island” where she portrayed Serafina, the glamorous beauty queen brat whom everybody loved to hate, Lovi Poe moves on to another high profile project as she becomes the newest endorser of Belo Medical Group, after the campaign made for Ruffa Gutierrez.

At first, there was a hitch when the original Belo billboard of Lovi was disapproved by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), but another image of Lovi was chosen, and now the new billboard is all over Metro Manila.

The singer-actress said, “I’m very grateful to Dr. Vicki Belo for choosing me to be her latest endorser because Belo’s treatments are very effective for my skin.”

Lovi will be seen next in a highly dramatic role in Jun Lana’s “My Neighbor’s Wife,” where she is paired for the first time with Dennis Trillo and Jake Cuenca.

“I’m so excited because Dennis is one of my dream leading men while Jake is my ultimate crush,” said Lovi. After “My Neighbor’s Wife,” Lovi moves on to the set of Erik Matti’s “The Aswang Chronicles” where she is paired for the first time with one of the country’s top leading men, Dingdong Dantes.

While an album is in the works for the singer-actress, Lovi is slated to topbill the remake of Alma Moreno’s “Aswang” under the direction of Jerrold Tarog with Jillian Ward, Marc Abaya and Paulo Avelino as her co-stars.

Jaya, Joey join ‘Protégé’ hunt 

Jaya and Joey Generoso join the nationwide search for the Ultimate Protégé in Davao and Dagupan. The chosen hopefuls will vie for the title in GMA Network’s much-awaited singing superstar search entitled “Protégé.”

Jaya traveled around the largest city of Mindanao followed by Joey Generoso’s hunt for potential protégés in Dagupan.

The search is not yet over as two more cities will open their doors for the Protégé Call-out: Cagayan de Oro on Aug. 10 with mentor Aiza Seguerra and in Manila on Aug. 12 and 13 (SM Mall of Asia Music Hall) with mentor Gloc 9. The competition is open for solo, duo, trio and group acts of all ages.

Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid will be the Journey Host of “Protégé” while Kapuso Network’s multi-awarded drama actor Dingdong Dantes is the Gala Presenter.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Friday, Aug. 12, go to Aga Muhlach, Annie Gaw, Ramon Zaragoza, Atty. Tito Castañeda, Cindy “Bhem” Roxas, Gloria Ignacio, Tessie Rosales, Nemia D. Bonoan, Roberto Lim Zamora, Nimia Ocampo, Edwardine Hartmann, Pinky David, Yolanda Federigan and GMA-7’s Primetime Queen Marian Rivera...