Kim Chui

MANILA, Philippines -- My Binondo Girl,” ABS-CBN’s newest teleserye which starts airing today on primetime, will showcase traditional Chinese culture. This is according to the lead star Kim Chiu who is making a comeback on primetime television.

Many of our young ones can relate to the story of her character Jade/Yuan, Kim added. “In the true Chinese tradition kasi napaka-importante sa family nila ang magkaroon ng anak na lalaki.”

Kim breaths life to a girl named Jade, who despite growing up with a loving mother (Zheny, played by Ai-Ai de las Alas) and an equally loving grandmother (Amor, portrayed by Ms. Gina Pareño), still yearns for the love and approval of her Chinese father (Chen Sy, played by Richard Yap).

“My father, like any traditional Chinese father, wants a son not a daughter. So nagpanggap ako bilang lalaki,” Kim said.

Kim has three leading men in “My Binondo Girl:” Jolo Revilla, Xian Lim and Matteo Guidicelli. Jolo plays Onyx, Jade’s childhood friend and best friend; Xian is Andy Wu, Yuan’s rival. Matteo, on the other hand, plays Trevor Wu, the second son of Edison Wu (Ricardo Cepeda), who is always being compared to his brother Andy.

Also in the cast are Cherry Pie Picache who plays Jean Sy, Zheny’s former bestfriend who is now Chen Sy’s legal wife; Lauren Uy as Amethyst Sy, daughter of Jean and Chen Sy who is also seeking his father’s affection; and Glydel Mercado as Ningning Wu, Zheny and Jean’s friend who is married to businessman Edison Wu.

High-five experience with Kim

TriNoma and Polyeast Records join forces in giving music fans the first ever “high-five” experience in the country with the famous Asia’s pop star Kim Hyun Joong who’s visiting the country in connection with the release of his debut album “Break Down.”

“The Hi-Five Touch Event” will be held Aug. 25, 6 p.m. at the TriNoma Activity Center.

For those who would like to meet Kim and get a taste of this “high-five” experience, they only have to buy a copy of his album at the event.

Kim displays a different persona from his SS501 days. Together with the Japanese group V6, Kim involved himself in the making of the album to reveal more of his talent as a solo artist.

Locally, “Break Down” is distributed by PolyEast Records in cooperation with KeyEast Entertainment and CJ. E&M Korea.

Jon Avila, new Sundance man

Jon Avila, who has moved to TV5, is the new face of Sundance.

A commercial model, Jon first made waves when he joined the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother.”

Sundance Managing Director Joao Pajaro said they had a hard time deciding whether to get a male endorser or not. “This is the first time that we’re tapping a guy as image model ever since we started operating way back in 1999. I guess the timing is right because almost 30 percent of our active members now are male.”

For more details, visit their website at www.sundance.net.ph.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Monday, Aug. 22, go to Asia’s Queen of Song Ms. Pilita Corrales, actresses Jean Garcia and Angelu de Leon, Chito Ponce Enrile, Carolyn Masibay, Jun Guevara, Bea Michelle, Fely R. Sanchez, Leah Salterio, Efren Mercado, Aida Lecitona, and Allen Singson…