Dingdong Dantes

Lorna Tolentino

It has all the elements of a toprating drama series – a powerhouse cast (it’s actually a casting coup!) and a compelling, engaging and exciting story on love and relationships. We are referring to “Pahiram ng Sandali,” GMA Network’s latest drama offering which premieres today, Nov. 26, replacing “Coffee Prince,” on GMA Telebabad.

“Pahiram ng Sandali” has in its lead cast Ms. Lorna Tolentino, Christopher de Leon, Dingdong Dantes, and Alessandra de Rossi, award-winning actors all, together with Mark Gil, Sandy Andolong, Roi Alvarez, Isabel Rivas, Neil Ryan See, Julio Diaz, Kristoffer Martin, Luz Valdez and Max Collins, who is introduced in the series. At the helm is Maryo J. Delos Reyes.

Maryo, who has worked with Lorna and Christopher in many notable films in the past, said “Pahiram ng Sandali” is a series about relationships. “All kinds of relationships, and that is why I am very comfortable with the project, it’s something very close to my heart,” he said. “I’m really so excited with this project. Because for one, I’m working with a great cast.”

Ms. Redgie Acuna-Magno, GMA’s AVP for Drama, enthused: “Bawat isa sa atin ay may hiram na sandali. Kaya magugustuhan ang ‘Pahiram ng Sandali’ ng ating mga Kapuso. Yung buhay natin. Yung makapiling natin ang mga mahal natin sa buhay. Yung trabaho natin, makapag-aral. Lahat yan ay mga hiram na sandali.”

According Direk Maryo, the intriguing question that the series will explore for its viewers is: “Matatagpuan ba ang pag-ibig na karapat-dapat ipaglaban sa isang hiram na sandali?”

From Ms. Lilibeth G. Rasonable, OIC of GMA’s Entertainment Group: “Viewers will find ‘Pahiram ng Sandali’ exciting because it mirrors our lives, how we are, what we are and how falling in love makes us different from who we thought we were. Even more engaging is to discover how someone we love can alter our destinies.”

Lorna plays Janice Alvaro, a media executive who is her hurt by her husband’s (Christopher de Leon’s character who is a lawyer) lack of interest and is flattered by a young man’s sincere interest and affection.

Dingdong plays Alex Santiago, a photojournalist who is driven by his desire to care for his mother, and who falls in love with an older woman. In this series, Dingdong is all set to showcase his acting prowess that earned him the 2011 Metro Manila Filmfest Best Actor Award.

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Culinary Comrades Put Up Komrad

Actor Marvin Agustin is never too busy for his passion as restaurateur. While taping TV shows and shooting films these past months, he and business partner Raymund Magdaluyo have also been cooking up a new restaurant that offers food items from two exotic regions in China.

The result is Komrad, a resto located at Eastwood Mall and in Il Terrazo Bldg. on Tomas Morato, Q.C. that have the best dishes from Sichuan and Hunan in China. Even before Agustin and Magdaluyo thought of bringing to life such a concept in Manila, the two had fallen in love with these dishes – collectively referred to these days as the “new Thai” owing to their growing popularity – from their various travels abroad.

Popular dishes at Komrad include Spicy Seafood Bowls, the braised pork belly in preserved vegetables, the Sichuan fish head, the Hunan cumin ribs, mapo tofu, and their version of General Tso’s Chicken as well as Kung Pao Chicken.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 26, go to Tonyboy Cojuangco, Evelyn Alvaran-Cruz, Edmundo M. Reyes, Monette de Villa, Randy Santiago, Frederick Peralta, Timmy Cruz, Atty. Emma M. Rosqueta, Aimee Singson, Jacqui M. Aquino, Jun Banaria, Gabriel Munson Jr., David Siytangco, Edmundo Bayota, Nena del Rosario, Wilfredo Jose, Babidi Rubio, Gail Goodrich P. Garcia, Mitos Araneta, Anthony Vijungco, Jet Nuesca Martin, Raquel Hizon, Jonas Valdecanas, Camille Silayan, Nita Tolentino, Norvina Flores, Joross Gamboa and Sheryn Regis of Star Magic…