Martin and Pops with Regine and Ogie

More than having high caliber concert performers on one stage, the “Foursome” of Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez on Valentine’s Day showcases friendships, romance and why they are still indispensable in the entertainment arena.

For aspiring professional singers, seeing them in one performance is inspiring as well, especially if they hear stories of their humble beginnings. “Foursome” is actually a show of how the four met years ago, how they forged professional and personal relationships through the years and now coming out with a once-in-a-lifetime concert.

Regine shared that Pops was also instrumental in her discovery as a singer. She said it was through Pops and Martin’s show in the ‘80s called “Penthouse Live” wherein she performed in its segment for new and talented discoveries.

“Si Martin nakipag-duet agad sa akin na isang baguhan lang. Forever na nakatatak sa isip ko na malaking parte sila sa career ko, sa 27 years na pinalagi ko sa showbiz,” said Regine.

Even her husband - singer, songwriter and composer Ogie - has a Martin and Pops experience when he was starting in showbiz. He bragged that his first TV appearance was in Martin and Pops’ show held in a school in 1988, where he sang “Heart To Heart.”

He added that he has admired them for their talent and dedication to their craft. He also has high regards for Martin as singer and performer. Martin, on the other hand, observed that Ogie and Regine, as a couple and as individual artists, are in a new era of showbiz. He said that they are at a time when celebrities can come out openly about their relationship and still go on with their respective careers.

Pops, who is co-producing the concert with Anna Puno’s Starmedia Entertainment, shared that each of them who has a “special standing in the business” has succeeded because of hard work. She said that everyone of them climbed the ladder of success slowly and that they just can’t be knocked-down easily in showbiz.

“Foursome” is directed by Rowell Santiago with musical directors Homer Flores and Raul Mitra. It will be staged on Feb. 14, 8 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

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Sen. Koko Pimentel’s ‘Zombie Piggy’

Sen. Koko Pimentel has another potential hit TV ad on his hands. The TV ad that comes on the heels of his much talked about “Zombie” ad released late last year, shows a housewife at a wet market trying to figure out from whom to buy pork. When a vendor entices her by saying that she has the freshest goods around, the consumer approaches the stall and begins inspecting the pig’s head. Though already suspicious of the rotting mask before her, she gives it the benefit of a doubt and takes a sniff. But lo and behold, the head comes alive - it’s a zombie porky!

Sen. Koko appears and drives home an important point: “‘Di lang sa eleksyon ang dayaan. Double dead? Pandaraya yan! Talo ka dyan. Use your Koko-te. ‘Pag walang madaya, buhay ay kay saya.” Indeed.

Released just a few days ago, the ad has already received raves among hundreds of netizens for its witty concept and the truthful, timely message. Some of the comments posted are:

“Very catchy ang mga ads ni Sen. Koko Pimentel! Shifts me to a happier mood;” “Nice campaign ad by Koko Pimentel. Promising nothing but promoting a fair and square elections instead. I hope you win Mr. Senator;” “Koko Pimentel’s 2nd TV commercial is another winner.”

To view the ad and the other comments, you can visit Sen. Koko’s Facebook account.

It will be remembered that the first “Zombie” ad of Sen. Koko for voter registration had been cited by Adobo Magazine last year, and got global compliments on delivering a political advocacy message without the usual elements.

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GMA Network Maintains Ratings Superiority

Riding on the momentum of its yearlong ratings success in 2012, GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) maintained dominance over competing stations in nationwide ratings in January, based on data from more widely recognized ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

For the period Jan. 1 to 31 (Jan. 27 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA registered an average total day household audience share of 33.1 percent in National Urban TV Audience Measurement (NUTAM), ahead of ABS-CBN’s 32.4 percent, and TV5’s 15.7 percent.

The channel ranking remains the same in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which represent 76 and 59 percent, respectively, of the total urban television households in the country.

More GMA programs also made it to the list of top-performing programs in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila with multi-awarded news magazine program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” leading both rosters for the month of January.

The much-anticipated epic drama “Indio” bannered by Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. also figured prominently in both lists, as well as in the list for NUTAM. “Indio” made an impressive debut on its pilot week in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.

Other ratings drivers of GMA for January are the Filipino adaptation of “Temptation of Wife,” the returning drama anthology “Magpakailanman,” its banner newscast “24 Oras,” the original primetime drama “Pahiram ng Sandali,” the reality comedy program “Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Buhay,” the country’s longest-running gag show “Bubble Gang,” and multi-awarded public affairs program “Imbestigador.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 8, go to our dear President Noynoy Aquino, director Leonardo Garcia, Ronnie Henares, Bea Guanzon, Gen. Joven Gongora, Edith Diaz, Martin D.C. Alegre and Jenny Miller…