GOV. ER EJERCITO

During his most recent meeting with the entertainment press (it was to celebrate his birthday which also served as a thanksgiving for his winning five Best Actor awards for the movie “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story”), Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito (a.k.a. Jeorge Estregan) proudly said that if “Asiong Salonga” was great, “El Presidente” will be 100 times greater!

“This I can promise,” he said.

“El Presidente” is Scenema Concepts Int’l’s entry to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival. With this movie, directed by award-winning director Mark Meily (“Baler”), ER vowed to clear all the issues and controversies about General Emilio Aguinaldo with the full support of his descendants. ER also takes pride in his two leading ladies – superstar Nora Aunor and Viva Artists talent Cristine Reyes.

Gov. ER is running for reelection as governor of Laguna. His approval ratings as public servant has soared to as much as 70 percent, all because he is a hands-on governor, and has remained hard-working and humble. His wife Maita, the incumbent mayor of Pagsanjan, is also running for reelection.

• • •

Stars Go For Bikram Yoga

Local stars and celebs like Lorna Tolentino, Ara Mina, Ruffa Gutierrez, Edu Manzano, John Estrada and Dr. Vicki Belo engage in an exercise rooted in centuries-old discipline that keeps them not only in good shape but helps prevent disease, bust stress and promote mental well-being.

This discipline is called Bikram Yoga, a 90-minute series developed in the ’70s by Bikram Choudhury as a universal “prescription” of poses for everyone to do in a group setting.

In the country, there are only five accredited Bikram Yoga studios one of which, Bikram Yoga Greenhills, is owned by Al Galang who, himself, is a Bikram Yoga practitioner for nine years now and is, in fact, a certified Bikram Yoga instructor. He trained at Bikram Headquarters in LA in 2006.

“Among Hollywood celebs, Lady Gaga is often spotted going to and from her private classes. George Clooney does Bikram anytime he’s near a studio, and so does David Beckham, and Beyonce,” Al added.

The highest profile Hollywood celeb that Al has had the honor of teaching is tennis player Serena Williams. “She attended a class of mine, earlier in my teaching, when I was still teaching at headquarters. Her athleticism shines even in yoga, it’s truly inspiring,” he said.

• • •

Kapuso Stars Well-Loved In Vigan

Viewers see them clashing on TV, often dealing with issues of infidelity and treachery but recently Mike Tan, Michelle Madrigal, Vaness del Moral, Wil Devaughn, and Isabel Oli, stars from GMA Afternoon Prime’s “Faithfully” joined fellow Kapuso celebrities in the scenic and historic city of Vigan to celebrate the World Heritage Cities Solidarity Cultural Festival and to personally thank their Ilocano fans for the support.

Joining them in Vigan were “Luna Blanca’s” Bianca King, “Pepito Manaloto’s” Manilyn Reynes, John Feir, and Angel Satsumi, “Protégé” Season 1’s Jensen Tenoso and Nomer Limatog, and Kapuso actress Ehra Madrigal.

“This is GMA Network’s first time to join the Solidarity Cultural Festival of Vigan, and I am simply humbled with the very warm welcome that the locals have given us. Mas lalo akong na-inspire magtrabaho matapos kong malaman na tinatangkilik talaga ng mga Ilokanos ang mga shows ng GMA-7,” Mike said. To date, “Faithfully” is secured at the top position with its high ratings since its initial airing last June 18.

The highlights of the Network’s participation in Vigan’s Solidarity Cultural Festival can be seen on Oct. 21 via the TV Specials airing on all nine regional stations of the Network in Cebu, CDO, Davao, Iloilo, Dagupan, Ilocos, GenSan, Bacolod, and Bicol.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 16, go to Ms. Rosa Rosal, Richard Reynoso, Sec. Sonny Alvarez, Princess Violago, Dr. Pacita Gonzalez, Eden Arias, Dr. Concordia Pascual, Cathy Babao, Fe Aurora Castro, Cynthia Sullivan (a.k.a. Zapphire), Pearlie Cabanizas, Jojo Temporal, Victor Mark M. Santos, Ace Esibal, New York-based Dr. Nora Realuyo and Ernesto V. Martinez, Gerry Velasquez, Tony Gonzales, entertainment writer Emy Abuan, and GMA Network executive Jimmy Duavit… Happy wedding anniversary to Bobby and Venny Yalung of New Jersey, USA…