MEG IMPERIAL

Young showbiz newbie Meg Imperial is being launched to sexy stardom via “Menor de Edad,” Viva Films’ opening salvo in 2013 to hit theaters on Jan. 23. The movie, a remake of the 1970’s film produced by Crown Seven, also stars Ara Mina, and Wendell Ramos.

Meg, who turns 20 on Jan. 20, and was FHM’s December cover girl, revealed that “Menor de Edad” is her most daring project to date. “It’s sexy but I bare just a little skin here. Hindi ko kaya ang all the way... kasi meron naman akong kayang ibuga sa acting.” But as to her kissing scenes with Wendell Ramos, “kailangan may feeling... you have to feel it para makatotohanan.”

In “Menor de Edad,” Meg plays the role of a lonely third year high school student named Jen Guilarma who falls for her teacher Ariel Basco, who is like Jen, a lonely person saddled with family problems. Jen lives in a tenement housing building with her dysfunctional mom and her tomboy partner. Jen tries to escape from such hellish life.

The teacher becomes sympathetic to his student’s plight and their counseling sessions lead to a friendship that others misconstrued to be more than platonic. Actually, Jen tries to seduce her teacher one time (she needs to undergo a sexual rite as initiation to her membership with an all-girl gang) but he rejects her advances. Having been humiliated, she runs away from him, only to be kidnapped and gang-raped a few minutes later.

Anyway, Meg who has appeared in a number of TV5 shows like “Bagets,” “Lokomoko U,” “Pidol’s Wonderland,” “Game and Go,” “Maynila” and “ Just Got Lucky,” said “Menor de Edad” is her biggest break. “Kaya nangako ako sa Viva na gagawin ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko para sulit ang tiwala nila sa akin. Malaki ang tiwala ko sa kanila dahil magaling na direktor ang humawak sa pelikula namin, si Direk Joel Lamangan.”

A talent of Viva Artists Agency (VAA), Meg played kontrabida to Ritz Azul on the series, “Glamorosa,” and she is about to start work on a new series, also for the Kapatid Network, very soon.

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‘Ginuman Fest’ Kicks Off Jan. 19

The highly anticipated “Ginuman Fest” will kick off its 15-leg tour around the country on Jan. 19 at the Plazuela in Tarlac City. This is the second year that Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. (GSMI) is presenting “Ginuman Fest” and music lovers can look forward to evenings of great music as featured artists perform their greatest hits as well as the hottest chart-toppers, standard favorites and party anthems.

Expected to return on stage are GSMI’s brand endorsers The Itchyworms, Kenyo, Callalily, Rocksteddy and dance sensation Jhong Hilario. Joining them in some of the Greater Manila area runs are the company’s brand ambassadors: Anne Curtis, Maja Salvador, Solenn Heussaff and 2013 Ginebra Calendar Girl Georgina Wilson.

“Ginuman Fest” is GSMI’s way of thanking its millions of “kalahi” for making its flagship product, Ginebra San Miguel, the world’s largest-selling gin. Ginebra San Miguel was introduced in 1834 and will be celebrating its 180th anniversary in 2014.

Last year, some 100,000 music lovers from 11 locations attended the maiden run of “Ginuman Fest.” More are expected to attend this year. By the way, a total of R100,000 in prizes for each leg is up for grabs for lucky game participants.

From Tarlac, “Ginuman Fest” will go to Davao on Feb. 1; San Fernando, La Union (Feb. 16); San Pedro, Laguna (Feb. 23); Cebu (March 1); Antipolo (March 9); Pampanga (March 9); Tuguegarao (March 22); Kalibo, Aklan (April 12); Dasmariñas, Cavite (April 19); Lipa, Batangas (April 26); Solano, Nueva Vizcaya (May 17); Lucena, Quezon (May 24); Naga, Camarines Sur (May 31); and Metro Manila (June 8).

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Derek Ramsay Supports Sustainable Fishing

His face is everywhere – on television, on the big screen, on billboards along major highways, and on newspapers and magazines – and yet, fans still can’t seem to get enough of Derek Ramsay.

True enough, Derek revealed a new side of himself and shared that while he enjoys vigorous sports like Frisbee, football and basketball, he is also into peaceful activities like fishing. “I love fishing. I actually have a lot of photos of myself fishing in South Africa,” he said during a recent event by Century Tuna and WWF-Philippines.

Derek added that while fishing is merely a recreational activity for him, he is aware that many Filipinos’ lives and livelihoods depend on it. And to show his support for these fisherfolks and their families, he expressed his appreciation for Century Tuna’s new product called Handline.

Century Tuna Handline uses individually caught Yellowfin Tuna chunks in olive oil, which means that it not only has healthy ingredients but also has premium taste. More importantly, it allows customers to reach out to and help local handline fishers. For each purchase of this new product, R1 goes to the WWF-Philippines’ fishing program in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

“I think the whole campaign is wonderful. First, Century Tuna presents us with another healthy and tasty product. But the great thing about it is that it supports WWF-Philippines’ project of sustainable fishing in Pasuquin. I know for a fact that fishing takes a lot of time, hardwork, and patience so I believe that the product’s proceeds will go a long way in helping our local fishermen improve their livelihoods,” said Derek.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 17, go to Rep. John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, awarded actress Hilda Koronel, socialite Minnie Osmeña, hairdresser Tony Galvez, Mrs. Letty Jorman, former HACAP president Nick Diaz, Lito Relos, singer-actress Lilet, entertainment columnist Tonee Corraza and Hanna Trinity J. Dumaual of GMA Corporate Communication… Happy wedding anniversary to Bobbit and Bing Bautista…