Ethel Rose

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – Before she arrived for the mini presscon at the Honeybear Chicken House, we were asked not to ask Marian Rivera anything about her issue with fellow Kapuso star Heart Evangelista. But jokingly, we asked her this anyway: “How is Heart?” And before she could react negatively we hastened to add “I mean your sweetheart,” and her face brightened as she told us that Dingdong (Dantes) was okay and that, at that time, he was in Lucena City for his own show there.

In fairness, Marian was also game enough to say she doesn’t want to say anything anymore about the issue between her and Heart that reportedly happened during the shooting of “Temptation Island” in Ilocos Norte. Noting that she has mellowed somehow, we said “Mabait ka na daw,” to which she replied that Dong (his pet name for her boyfriend) has a lot to do with any changes in her attitude and all.

“Kami naman ni Dong, nagtutulungan kami... hindi kami magtatagal nang ganito kung di kami nagtutulungan.” But of course, she learns from her experiences, from the intrigues and issues that she admitted have become part and parcel of her career.

Marian and the cast of “Amaya” (among them Sid Lucero, Rochelle Pangilinan, Roxanne Barcelo, Sheena Halili, Glaiza de Castro, AJ Dee, Dion Ignacio, Michael Daez, et al) were in Davao City over the weekend for an “Amaya Road Show” (held at the Abreeza Mall) that coincided with the city’s annual Kadayawan Festival.

Marian said her role in “Amaya” (to air till October yet) is challenging. It is the first original soap that she has ever starred in. All the others were adaptations like “Marimar,” “My very first teleserye kung saan ako nakilala,” Marian said with pride; “Darna,” and “Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang.” It was during this teleserye that she and Dingdong became officially sweethearts.

After “Amaya,” Marian said she’ll do a sitcom, while Dingdong will also be starring in his own soap. Marian also said she’d like to try other roles in the future. “Yong iba-iba ang role na gagampanan ko, kahit basurera for a change.”

Also playing significant roles in “Amaya” are Glaiza de Castro and Roxanne Barcelo. Glaiza, who has proven her acting mettle in teleseryes such as “Grazilda” and in indie films like “Still Life” and “Patikul,” plays the fake Amaya. “Medyo kontrabida, but not an all-out kontrabida,” she described. Glaiza is also a good singer and a recording artist. In fact, she started out as a singer.

Meet very talented Ethel Rose

What she lacks in height, she more than makes up in talent. We are referring to 13-year-old Ethel Rose Amistad from Vancouver, Canada who’s in town to promote her debut album entitled “A Life Story.”

Born to Ilocano parents (Mario Amistad and Leilani Sadio Amistad), Ethel Rose was born and raised in Canada and her hobbies are singing, acting, playing the piano, and ukelele.

Ethel Rose, dubbed “Vancouver’s Singing Sweetheart,” was the first place winner in the PNT Idol Vancouver and has done front acts for music icons like Brian McKnight, joined concert tours like “The Divas North American Tour” and “One Journey North American Tour,” and starred in her own concerts.

Ethel Rose’s “A Life Story” album, produced by Ramil Omosura under his own recording company, Ecclesiastes, has sold more than 10,000 digital downloads on iTunes. Ramil, together with his sister Nora, wrote “A Life Story.”

While here, Ethel Rose guested on radio and TV shows to promote her album. On Aug. 26, she will be at SM Sucat.

EK launches E-Kindness effort

Enchanted Kingdom launched another program that embraces its corporate social responsibility called E-Kindness, an initiative addressing pressing environmental concerns.

“Enchanted Kingdom’s ‘E-Kindness’ program is our simple and humble initiative to contribute the protection and sustainability of the environment,” stated Mario O. Mamon, Chairman and President of Enchanted Kingdom.

According to Blue Reyna, Head of Park Operations and E-Kindness Committee Chair, the efforts of Enchanted Kingdom also involve trash segregation.

On Sept. 1 to 4, EK becomes “Earth-friendly park.” The celebration includes EKo-Bazaar, the EKo-Seminar Series and the premiere of Enkantada sa EK” featuring Ballet Philippines world-class performers.

For more details, log on to www.enchantedkingdom.ph.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Thursday, Aug. 25, go to former Senator Eddie Elarde, Liza Gokongwei, Encar Benedicto, Director Willie Milan, Elizabeth Mancao, Lady Salterio, Leah A. Gordoncillo, Peter Burges, Joseph Zeiden, Robbie Velasco, Raymund Miranda, Mikko Regala Katigbak, Rudy B. Lomugdang, MB’s Glaiza Lee and John E. Angelo…