Celebrity World

Four new ABS-CBN stars

June 16, 2008, 10:42am

Ejay Falcon, Robi Domingo, Nicole Uysiuseng and Beauty Gonzalez are the newest breed of upcoming young stars on account of their being the Big Four Winners of the recently concluded Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus (PBBTEP).

Let’s get to know them better:

Ejay Falcon

We all know of course that Ejay, dubbed as the "Promdi Hottie" from Mindoro, was the PBBTEP Big Winner, who clinched the title after earning 620,934 text votes (36.31% of the total text votes) in a neck-to-neck fight with true blue Atenean Robi Domingo who got 588,116 text votes (34.39%) that made him second placer.

Since the start of his stay at Big Brother’s House, Ejay has displayed his tenacity to hurdle all the challenges and tasks thrown his way, and all out of his desire to free his family from the clutches of poverty, the very cause of his parents’ marriage’s breakdown.

He most especially proved his determination during their Puerto Princesa adventure wherein he bravely faced and completed the physical tasks. He also showed that he is a good son in his emotional encounter with foster dad Erning (who was also the Big Winner among the guardians), where he admitted straight to him how he knew all along that he was not his biological father.

He admires and loves his poster father who took him as his own and took care of him and his three siblings when his mother left them. He couldn’t fathom why she had to leave her family, and there was even a time when his father used to receive poison letters saying his mother was already involved with another man.

And you couldn’t blame if he hated his mother then. But now, Ejay has forgiven her he said.

He is poised to meet the challenges that his showbiz career would throw to him. He wants to prove his worth, so that his fans’ support wouldn’t be in vain. He is aware of the popular belief that he won because of pity, but "they must also have seen something in me, other than pity, for them to want me to win," Ejay said.

He doesn’t want to disappoint them, so he will work hard to prove his mettle. In conclusion, Ejay said "hindi pala masama ang mangarap. Kasi noong napapanood ko ang PBB, sabi ko sa sarili ko, sana someday makapasok din ako du’n. Nakapasok nga ako, at nanalo pa!"

Virgin Robi Domingo

At 18, he’s still a virgin, he boldly answered when he was asked about it. "I believe that sex is sacred, something to do with someone you love."

This Atenista is so focused on his studies that is why when the Four Big Winners were presented to the entertainment press, he couldn’t stay long, much as he wanted to because it was his first day of class. He is a college freshman and taking up Health Sciences which is a new course.

Although many thought and wanted him to win, Robi said it was just as well that he was just 2nd placer. "Because if I won, my main responsibility would be that as a winner and I may not be able to concentrate on my studies.

Of course, as 2nd placer he will also have jobs to fulfill at ABS-CBN, and he’ll do them on weekends or whenever he has the free time. He said he is also open to the loveteam concept. "Bahala na ang ABS-CBN d'yan," he said.

While inside Kuya’s House, Robi displayed commendable leadership, as he took charge and saw to it that everything was well taken care of. But he also showed a selfish streak when he spearheaded the eviction of his father Daddy Boy, citing his medical practice left on hold in the outside world. But he also displayed amazing patience all throughout the season.

Nicole Uysiuseng

Although she has the makings of a beauty queen, 3rd placer Nicole said she has no plans at all to join a beauty contest. Because she is the shy type, she admitted. Dubbed as the "In-Chick" from Cebu, Nicole wanted to enroll in a Management course at Ateneo but "maybe sa next semester na lang, di na ako aabot," she said.

While inside Kuya’s House, Nicole developed close friendship with Josef, the potential basketball star among the housemates. But Nicole’s mother, it was said, doesn’t approve of him. "Actually, it’s her father, who is a disciplinarian, who doesn’t want her to get romantically involved yet, kasi nga she’s the eldest and the only girl among our four children," the mother said. "Kapag 18 na daw siya." To which Nicole retorted, "three months na lang, sa Aug. 18, 18 years old na ako."

As to why Nicole liked Josef, it’s because "we have many similarities and common interests like music," she said. Nicole led a sheltered life, one who hasn’t had earthshaking experiences to throw her off-balance, but she proved she could also cope away from the finer things in life that she was accustomed to at home.

Beauty Gonzalez

Now that she’s out of Kuya’s House and the 4th winner too, Beauty’s priority, she stressed during our interview, is to lose weight. "Priority ko ngayon ang magpapayat. Just give me two weeks!" she declared.

And how is she doing it?

"By being on a strict diet of fruits and vegetables, and by eating nothing after six p.m.! By going to the gym too." Interestingly, it’s his father, a former Spanish pelotari, who’s very interested in achieving her goal. "Mas showbiz na siya kaysa ako. Ayaw niya noon na mag-showbiz ako, ngayon siya ang more concerned. He will help daw me to lose weight."

She used to be a spoiled brat but she changed while inside Kuya’s House. She learned to become responsible and independent without compromising her beliefs. She’s still as opinionated as ever, but the "Rebellious Beauty" from Dumaguete has learned how to listen to what others have to say.

While inside, she learned how not to be selfish. She realized too that she has to change "at maging mabuti sa sarili."

So what will happen to them now that they’re out of Kuya’s House? Let’s wait and see..

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Gary V’s anniversary show now in CA

Gary V’s 25th anniversary concerts started with a four-night show at the Music Museum entitled "His Love" which ran from May 22-30. At the beginning of the show, Gary acknowledged that remaining on top of his game after 25 years in the business was due to "His (God’s) Love," the divine inspiration to whom Gary credits his continued success.

But after his special guests (sons Paolo, 20; Gabriel, 19; and daughter Kiana, 15) came out in succession to join him onstage, it was obvious "His Love" equally referred to his pride as a Dad to children as prodigious as he, and as diverse in their musical proclivities.

And it looked like Gary would burst with pride as he did numbers with each of them

Notwithstanding the fact that the concert was a foretaste of his grand anniversary concert slated in November at the Big Dome, Gary still gave his all in the Music Museum series, as he is wont to go no matter the venue size or the occasion.

Just recently, Gary did a 700 Club guesting and last June 7, he started a concert tour in the US: At the Nokia theater in LA with guests Martin Nievera, sons Paolo and Gabriel, Mico Aytona, Jason and Joshua Zamora. Last June 13, he was at the Stockton Arena; and yesterday (June 15), at the Comcast Arena in Seatlle, Washington DC. On June 17, 18, 30 and 31, Gary will have a repeat of "His Love" at the Music Museum.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, June 16, go to Eva Estrada-Kalaw, Dean Ophelia A. Dimalanta, Mrs. Julie Benedicto, Jackie Maniquis, US-based Jackie Y. Regala, Keno, Cesar Canchela, Noli A. Pili, Rizza Tayag Pili, Dr. Felipe A. Estrella, Jr., Jesse Cruz, Geraldine So-Gazo, Romel Sanchez, Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson, Jodel Stasic, and Gerhard Acao of Star Magic…Happy wedding anniversary to Crispulo and Zenaida Icban…