Poor Piolo got enmeshed in the alleged vote-buying scam but clearly, he had no knowledge about it, even if two individuals from ABS-CBN were being accused to have offered money to a PMPC member in exchange for the latter’s vote for Piolo as best actor.
The Hunks’ first show was last March 18 at the Rancho del Rey Auditorium in San Diego. Their last leg will be on March 27 at the Kauffman Auditorium in Alameda, also in California. On March 20, Piolo will perform with Lani Misalucha in Las Vegas, where Lani has been wowing audiences for several months now.
The Hunks will return to Manila end of the month to resume their many commitments. Aside from their individual showbiz projects, they are seen Tuesday nights in the ABS-CBN sitcom, "Bora," and also every Sunday in "ASAP Mania."
When he returns to Manila, Piolo is set to reunite on TV with Judy Ann Santos for a new soap on ABS-CBN. They were last seen together on the small screen in "Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka." But how true is it that Judy Ann’s manager, Alfie Lorenzo, no longer approves of a Juday-Piolo tandem this time around?
After Judy Ann wraps up "Krystala," which has not been doing well in the TV ratings, the soap with Piolo can be a welcome treat for most of her fans.
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ABS denies vote-buying
Here is ABS-CBN’s statement regarding the recent allegation of votebuying in the Star Awards for Movies:
"ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation is saddened by the alleged vote-buying scam in the recently concluded 21st Star Awards for Movies. It is unfortunate that such allegations routinely surface after every awards ceremony regardless of parties, to the detriment of the industry.
"For the record, ABS-CBN has not tolerated and will never tolerate such practice. The network has always espoused the principles of professionalism and integrity, and this extends to playing fair in any industry-related activity, including the Philippine Movie Press Club’s (PMPC) Star Awards."
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Claudine back on track
After taking a much-needed break since her primetime tele-series, "Marina," ended late last year, Claudine Barretto is ready to face the cameras again. This time, Claudine will be seen in a new, yet untitled ABS-CBN soap, which will pair her with Diether Ocampo. They will also be joined by the loveteam of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, Angelika de la Cruz, and Shaina Magdayao. The soap will be directed by Erik Reyes and Jerome Pobocan, the same winning team behind the highly successful Diether-Kristine Hermosa-Jericho Rosales soap, "Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas."
Claudine, who also inked a new contract with Star Cinema (following the success of "Milan" last year), is set to film "Dubai" with Aga Muhlach and John Lloyd Cruz as her leading men. The two good-looking actors will play brothers who will fight for the love and attention of Claudine in the movie.
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Fund-raising concert
Actor Cesar Montano, who is a native of Bohol, has teamed up with restaurant and bar owner Richard Merk to mount a fundraising event for the recent tragedy in Bohol, where more than 20 kids were killed after eating cassava cake which reportedly contained pesticide.
Here is Richard’s text invitation: Let’s do our share and be a part of the fundraising event, "Panaghoy ng mga Bata," for the affected children and families of Bohol, on April 2, 8 p.m. at Merk’s Bar and Bistro, Level 3 Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City. Tickets are at
1,000. Cesar and other artists are sharing their talent and gift of music. Call 757-4720 or 0917-824-1465.
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Readers’ feedback
From Salvador V. Salen of Doha, Qatar: I am a regular follower of your column. Please write more about GMA- 7’s going global this year. We would be very happy if it would materialize finally. Some say it would be in March. I hope it would reach the Middle East soon. We are subscribers of ABS-CBN’s TFC. We would like to have variety of the programs we watch. We also miss GMA-7. TFC’s programming is alright, although we don’t like some of them. The programs overcome our homesickness, though.
From Mister Showbiz: As GMA-7 has announced, its Kapuso Pinoy TV has started operations this month. The network’s programs will be seen in Singapore, Malaysia, Guam and the United States.
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(For feedback, please e-mail showbizmister@yahoo.com or entertainment@mb.com.ph.)
