Regine Velasquez, Basil Valdez, Christopher de Leon, Sarah Gerenimo, Freestyle and the promising newcomer Nikki Bacolod are but a few of the big names who figure prominently in Viva Records’ dynamic lineup of releases for the coming year.

The Viva Entertainment Company ended 2005 on a high note with a number of high profile albums. Leading the race is Rivermaya Greatest Hits 2006. Sub-titled "The Ultimate Collection" the album includes the triumphant "Posible," one of the songs that served to inspire Filipino athletes to a record-breaking victory at the recent Sea Games. Also included are "Liwanag sa Dilim," "Balisong," "Sunday Driving," "Ipo-Ipo" and "Alab ng Puso" among others.

Search for a Star Champ Rachelle Ann Go beat the sophomore jinx with an international lineup of collaborators for "I Care." The first single release is the power ballad, "If You Walk Away" which was produced by Hollywood producer Christian de Walden with engineer Luca Vittori. The album also includes "Bakit" composed by actor Chuckie Dreyfus, "Window of My Heart," a duet with Mark Bautista and the latest Vehnee Saturno composition "I Care."

Released earlier into the market were The Other Side, the CD and DVD recording of Sarah Geronimo’s successful Araneta Coliseum concert; Jinky, the first solo venture by Freestyle soloist Jinky Vidal featuring the single "Somebody; The Love Concert," the live recording of the Music Museum Concert of the same title featuring Nonoy Zuñiga performing his biggest hits like "Never Ever Say Goodbye" and "Doon Lang;" and "Dream On Expanded" which is Mark Bautista’s CD-Lite release with the big hit "I Need You" now blown-up into a full CD.

2006 opens up with three blockbuster albums. Regine Velasquez offers "Covers 2" which is made up of the Songbird’s interpretation of foreign oldest like "Your Kiss is On My List," "Xanadu," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Piano in the Dark" and the first single, Rick Astley’s "Hold Me in Your Arms." Music and cinema come into a memorable partnership in Mga Awit Pelikula ni Christopher de Leon where the multi-award-winning actor sings the themes from some of his most memorable movies like "Iduyan Mo from Agila," "Sisikat Din Ako" from "Kakabakaba Ka Ba," "You are My Song" from "Wanted Perfect Mother" and "Bituing Walang Ningning."

The legendary Basil Valdez returns to recording with an album of classic Pilipino songs like "Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak," "Babalik Ka Rin," "Bituing Marikit," "Sapagkat Kami ay Tao Lamang," "Kung Nagsasayaw Kita," "Bakas ng Lumipas" and others arranged and produced by Ryan Cayabyab and performed with the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Watch out too for the launching album of "Search for a Star in a Million" finalist Nikki Bacolod, a new studio album by Sarah Geronimo, a live recording by Freestyle and many others.

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As 2005 draws to a close, Anne Curtis can’t help but look back and feel grateful for what was a very good year.

Career-wise, this year was probably her best. Anne received major exposure in two of ABS-CBN’s major teleseryes for 2005— "Hiram" and "Kampanerang Kuba," both of which were lead roles and which won her rave reviews from critics. This year, too, Anne proved her versatility, taking on hosting chores in "ASAP ‘05," "Qpids," "Wanna Buzz" and "Pinoy Big Brother Buzz."

As a product endorser, Anne was also one of the most in-demand this year. She is still the main image model of fashion brand Petit Monde. Anne also landed in two major endorsement deals—one for GSM Blue and the other, for the new Head and Shoulders conditioner, of which she is the first endorser in the Philippines. Magazines couldn’t get enough of her either, as she became the year’s most visible cover girl. You name it, Anne’s face was on it, from teen magazines to men’s magazines, they all wanted a piece of today’s busiest and brightest star. Anne was also hailed as one of the 12 sexiest stars in showbiz by a leading glossy magazine. Another proclaimed her showbiz’s newest "It Girl." All of Anne’s hard work will pay off next year, when she finally moves into her own house, a four-bedroom Victorian-inspired house that she bought and paid for from out of her showbiz earnings. The property will be formally turned over to her in February 2006, two days before her birthday. Anne feels good that finally, after eight years of working, of scraping and sacrificing her sleep and privacy, she now has something she can call her own.

Because of the house, her dad—who was initially opposed to her joining showbiz since it took her away from her studies—has given his daughter his approval. "Now he understands (why I have to work this hard)," says Anne. Anne says she has no regrets whatsoever, and adds that she is looking forward to 2006 being even better and busier than this year, even if she doesn’t yet know what the future holds, or what plans her home studio, Viva, has for her career. Anne says she trusts Viva and her manager, Veronique del Rosario of the Viva Artists Agency (which also handles the careers of Rachelle Ann Go, Mark Bautista, Desiree del Valle, Carlo Aquino and the Viva Hotbabes, among others) to make the right decisions for her. She is having the time of her life right now. What she doesn’t have is the time to worry about all the negatives that come with being in showbiz—that is, the loss of privacy, the rumors and the intrigues. She simply chooses to ignore them. "I just try not to think about all that. I’m just doing what I love," says Anne. "And if people appreciate what I’m doing, that’s a bonus. The loss of privacy, tanggap ko na ‘yon. Even if you try to have a private life, it’s hard, because you’re a public icon. Once you get used to it, okay na. Besides, I made the choice (of being in showbiz), and this is really what I want to do." Next year, it’s definitely going to be another very good year for Anne. Among the projects lined up for her are a movie with Star Cinema, a film coproduced by Star Cinema and Viva Films and a new TV show.

Anne is thankful to all the support given to her by the members of the media, her Viva and ABS-CBN family; and her sponsors such as Petit Monde, Head and Shoulders, Skechers, GSM Blue, Belo Medical Group and Kampanerang Kuba Merchandise Collection.

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Bernard Palanca is very excited to be part of the Star Cinema movie "Sukob" which also stars Kris Aquino and Claudine Barretto and directed by Chito Roño. BJ, as Bernard is fondly called, looks forward to being part of another teleserye next year. His was last seen in "Hiram" where he was Dina Bonnevie’s love interest. Bernard also continues to host for Sunday noon time show "ASAP’ 05" and is part of the sitcom Bora. BJ is still very much part of the Hunks. The group just came from a successful US tour. He is also the endorser of Oxygen. On Dec. 14, BJ had a show with Troy Montero at the Metro Comedy Bar. He is very proud because they are also the producers of the show. He celebrated his 29th birthday last Dec. 2.

Carlos Agassi has been very busy with the promotions of his latest album entitled "Amir!" "Amir is his third album, the first he actually produced, has six tracks (three English and three Tagalog), all original R&B with a dash of rap. According to Carlos, "I learned so much in the process of producing this album. I really poured my heart and soul into this project. You can expect a more mature Carlos in this album, someone with more substance." He drew inspiration from fans who were clamoring for a rap album when he was in the US for the Kapamilya Summer Caravan. With this album, he dreams of breaking into the international scene. Carlos is also busy with his television shows "Bora "and "ASAP ’05" and will soon be part of a teleserye. He was in the successful US tour with the Hunks. Carlos celebrates his 26th birthday last Dec. 12.

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The country’s retro pop icon – Gold, Ogie, Teejay and J. Martin, more popularly known as Retrospect, will surely "Shake Your Booty" this New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu City at 9 p.m. onwards.

Together with "The Rhythm" – Raul Policarpio on keyboards, Rey Reyes on bass guitar, Anton Castro on guitar, Joey M. on sax and Gary Lahoy on drums, Retrospect welcomes the Year of the Dog – 2006 with howling party music from their album as well as immortal ditties from the past eras.

By January, catch Retrospect every Monday night at Ratsky Malate, Strumm’s Jupiter Makati on Tuesday nights and Wednesday night at Dish–ABS-CBN Compound, Mother Ignacia, QC.

Retrospect endorses Skechers Retros, Something Else from Sketchers, Sketchers Time Watches, DNK GYM along Aguirre Ave., BF Homes, Parañaque. Log on to wwww.restrospect.ph for more information

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 31, go to Mrs. Elaine Gamboa Cuneta, Usec. Isabel de Leon, realtor Esther Musngi, Mrs. Fely C. Bautista. and Dr. Joven Cuanang of St. Luke’s Medical Center... Happy wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Godofredo Camacho...