Ervic Vijandre

MANILA, Philippines — Jessa Zaragosa plays a mother role in her new TV assignment, Ruben Marcelino’s “Kokak,” which starts airing on Nov. 14 on GMA-7’s Afternoon Prime Block. It’s a dramatic role and the singer-actress said, “gustong-gusto ko ang role ko dito, may challenge.”’

Jessa was last seen in a Kapamil-ya show, “Idol.”

She may look young to play mother roles but Jessa, who’s only 32, said “okay lang, kasi mother na rin ako.” In “Kokak,” directed by Ricky Davao, she is Angela, mother to Sarah Lahbati who plays Kara, a girl who becomes a frog when her feet get wet at night and goes back to being human when morning comes.

If Jessa looks fit and healthy it’s because she adheres to a “Blood Type Diet.” To do this, you have to know your blood type, she said. “Then you can just research sa Net kung anong mga pagkain na dapat mo kainin and what to avoid.”

By the way, Jessa is set to release her latest OPM album soon. It is another collaboration with Vehnee Saturno who composed Jessa’s biggest hit, “Bakit Pa?” Her new song “Nasaan” is the theme song of the Carla Abellana starrer “Kung Aagawin Mo ang Langit.”

JC, a villain in ‘Kokak’

“JC” Tiuseco, who achieved fame when he was named grand winner of “Survivor Philippines” in 2008, plays a small-time crook who turns martyr and protector of Kara in “Kokak.” He will also be Kara’s love interest, in addition to TJ Trinidad.

After he won in “Survivor Philippines,” JC did hosting jobs, first with “Unang Hirit,” and then went on to act in teleseryes like “Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin,” “Langit sa Piling Mo.”

Ervic Vijandre, also in ‘Kokak’

Another Mercator talent, Ervic Vijandre, is also in the cast of “Kokak.” He plays Borge, the best friend of Carl (TJ Trinidad). Ervic is also an episode of “Shake, Rattle & Roll 13,” Regal Films’ entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. But his first movie is “Dead na Dead,” a horror-comedy starring Ruffa Gutierrez and Gabby Concepcion.

Like JC Tiuseco, Ervic was also a basketball player turned model before embarking on a showbiz career. He finished high school at St. Francis-Taguig. He met Marian Rivera (who studied at St. Francis Cavite) during a Junior-Senior Prom where he emerged “King of the Night” and Marian, “Queen of the Night.” That started a seven-year romantic relationship between the two.

Ervic studied Philippine Studies major in Filipino Masscom at La Salle Taft, while Marian finished a course in Psychology at De La Salle Dasmariñas. Ervic did On the Job Training (OJT) as floor director with NBN Channel 4.

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Who’ll be eliminated on Sunday?

Last Sunday, Denise Barbacena, protégé of Gloc-9, was eliminated during the 3rd Elimination Night of “Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break.” The first to be eliminated was Rosalyn Navarro, Mentor Imelda Papin’s protégé, and the second, Samantha Felizco, protégé of Joey Generoso of Side A.

Tomorrow night, who will be eliminated from the remaining seven protégés? We had the chance to meet them at the Centerstage of SM Mall of Asia last Sunday – Lovely Embuscado, Jaya’s protégé, Lirah Bermudez, Janno Gibbs’s protégé; Kenneth Monico, protégé of Jay-R, Nomer Limatog, Rachel Ann Go’s protégé, Krizza Neri, Aiza Seguerra’s protégé; So What singing group, Rey Valera’s protégé; Jensen Tenoso, Claire dela Fuente’s protégé.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 12, go to Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, TAPE, Inc. exec Ms. Malou Choa-Fagar, NHA Chairman Rico Laxa, Atty. Teresita Cruz-Sison, Anna Marie Gutierrez, Rene Tiongco, J-Nel Bernabe, Berbie Bermundo, Bobby Enciso, Reynaldo Campos, Vangie Go, Dr. Wendell Lozano, Estrella Cruz Muñoz, Mike Aguirre, MB’s Christina Hermoso and Diego Cagahastian, Sandara Park, Ron Morales of Star Magic… This Saturday at 8:30 a.m., Ronin Leviste of “Amazing Cooking Kids” joins “Tropang Potchi’s” Sabrina Man and Bianca Umali for a different food adventure…