MANILA, Philippines -- The new show entitled “Daldalita” will certainly bring inspiration and love on GMA Telebabad starting Monday (Oct. 17) right before “24 Oras.” Featuring an impressive ensemble of actors led by Ogie Alcasid, the show stars Jillian Ward in the title role.

Ogie plays the role of Mateo, Daldalita/Lolita’s father who loses his wife (singer-actress Donna Cruz, in her TV comeback) in childbirth and definitely, he is challenged by the fact that he is playing drama for the very first time. Ogie has only played comic roles in his TV projects, most notably the long-running “Bubble Gang.” We believe Ogie when he said during the presscon “we have a winner in this show because it has a touching, heartwarming and romantic story...”

Also playing vital roles in “Daldalita” are Manilyn Reynes and Rufa Mae Quinto.

Completing the cast are Isabel Oli, Marc Abaya, Julie Ann San Jose, Elmo Magalona, Spanky Manikan, Arnold Reyes, and Joy Paras.

Don Michael Perez directs the show, his fifth directorial job under the Kapuso Network. He first directed Jillian in “Trudis Liit” and he said the challenge for him then was how to make a precocious five-year-old act her role the best way. “Noon, Jillian’s attention span was still short, but now she has improved a lot. She asks for actor’s cue when she needs to cry, goes to a corner, internalizes her scene and when she comes back, umiiyak na siya.” Jillian is now six years old and is on a home-study program. She starts work around from 11 a.m. and is dismissed from the set at 10 p.m., Don said.

With “Daldalita,” his challenge is how to make animals talk. Yes, there will be real animals in the show which will certainly make it uniquely entertaining. The pilot episode was shot in Taal, Batangas. “I made a combination of live animals and computer-generated ones, but so much on the latter because mahahalata na kung sobra,” Don said. Don has been with the Kapuso Network for 12 years. He started out as head writer. His last project as writer was “Zorro.”

The scent that is Ogie

Ogie Alcasid is also getting to be an in demand product endorser. Ogie happens to be the president of Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), and he has taken the job to heart. Just recently, OPM had a successful musical trade fair at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Prior to the OPM music fair, Ogie launched his own scent aptly called “OPM Gold” and “OPM Platinum” under the Bench Celebrity Scents Collection. With his stature, it’s not surprising that Ogie would have his very own signature cologne for men, what with his status as a best-selling recording artists as affirmed by five gold records and three platinum records.

A percentage of the sales of the OPM scents will go to the OPM to serve as an endowment fund.

More Kitchen Wonders in ‘Quickfire’

“Wok Around the Philippines,” the new season of “Quickfire,” continues its journey this week in Cebu, Albay and Bohol to present a number of “Quickfire” foodies and their very own 10-minute kitchen wonders! Featured “Quickfire” foodies from Albay consist of Vivian Cimanes, Ivan Ricafranca, Loyda Villena, Jomel Macinas, and Janet Magayanes.

In Bohol, viewers should watch out the recipes created by Eric Ferolino, Herbert Flores, Maricel Poliran, Adela Gordoncillo-Stroud, Chuck Lim and Neshell Ian Anto. In Cebu, watch out for the culinary creativity of Buddy Amodia, Jr., Marybeth Chan, Janzhell Abellana, Jennifer Pepito, Josephine del Rosario and Jeryl Belara Tio.

Ivan Ricafranca’s “5-Spice Chicken Wings sa Tanglad at Gata” is something to watch and learn to cook. Likewise Maricel’s Poliran’s “Chicken Malunggay Pesto Pasta” and “Stir Fried Oregano Chicken with Leomy Chickpea.” Cebu’s TV personality Mary Janzhell Abellana will showcase why Cebu is famous for its flavorful lechon bia her “Mexican Lechon Sub” recipe.

Catch the rest of this season’s 10-minute kitchen wonders with Chef Rosebud Benitez in “Quickfire,” served several times daily, on GMA News TV Channel 11.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, Oct. 17, go to Bea Alonzo, Vina Morales and Sam Concepcion of Star Magic; Dante Silverio, Ester Barbin, Mariz C. Ricketts, Bert Nievera, Bienvenido Rodriguez, Alona Alegre, Nards Ocampo, Maria Montelibano, Christine Manalang, Josie Fombuena, Jay Carlos, Mary Grace Cabanizas, Dr. Andy Reyes, John Jacaria, Enrique “Quito” Pili, Florence Cruz, Dante E. Gerella, Norman Constantino, Rene Pilande. Marge Rogan, Jing Garcia, Cooky Chua, Adolfo B. Alix, Jr., Monina C. Cruz, CM Madrigal and directors Olive Lamasan and Maryo J. de los Reyes... Watch Duncan Ramos, Live! Jam with him at Off the Grill, Timog, Quezon City on Oct. 18 (Tuesday) at 9 p.m. Special guests are Aliya Parcs and Next Level…