From the pigeonhole:
For the fifth time, Richard Gutierrez has proven that he’s the undisputed king of Valentine films. The currently showing “When I Met U,” the Valentine offering of GMA Films and Regal Entertainment, is doing exceedingly well at the box-office. The past days saw lovers of all ages lining up at theaters nationwide where “When I Met U” is showing.

Word of mouth is, indeed, the best publicity. Those who’ve watch “When I Met U” tell friends what a beautiful and wholesome and romantic pair Richard and KC Concepcion are, the movie most enjoyable. The word spread around, making “When I Met U” stronger at the box-office as days go by.

“When I Met U” is Richard’s fifth Valentine hit in as many years. He earlier starred with Angel Locsin in “Let the Love Begin,” “I’ll Always Love You,” “The Promise,” and with Marian Rivera in “My Best Friend’s Girl Friend.”

Aside from being a blockbuster, “When I Met U” also earned raves from critics.

Writes Butch Francisco: “I may be no fan of young love, but I dare-say that their screen tandem as proven by “For the First Time” now “When I Met U” could be an enduring love team that would stand the test of time.” He notes, “They really look good together and have amazing chemistry between them making “When I Met U” the perfect Valentine date movie.”

From Rito P. Asilo: “Yes, the guy is no longer just a pretty face and we’re hoping that Richard’s growth and new-found sensitivity don’t stop here.”

In films to come, Valentine offerings included, Richard promises to do even better. Yes, King Richard rules.

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‘Four…The First Time,’ You’ve Got Male in concert tonight

Four impressive singers – Jan Nieto, Harry Santos, Bryan Termulo and Gian Magdangal – comprise the quartet You’ve Got Male, who’re set to stage their first major concert “Four…The First Time” tonight at the Music Museum. Formed by the creative minds behind GMA’s ‘SOP,’ the group was once part of the segment called “Three of a Kind.”

The four members of You’ve Got Male are not just wannabe singers waiting for their star to shine but all of them has had their share of the limelight in the recent past as they were part of popular singing competitions on TV. Gian and Jan were runners-up in the first “Philippine Idol,” while Harry and Bryan are products of two separate batches of GMA’s “Pinoy Pop Superstar.” Although none of them won the grand prize in said competitions, “SOP” saw their potentials and so they added them to their roster of solo performers. Until they came up with the idea of putting them together as a group.

As individuals, they are busy with their own respective careers, in and out of showbiz. Aside from performing, Harry and Bryan are in college finishing degrees in Music and Nursing respectively. Jan and Gian are already college graduates (Jan from Ateneo University and Gian from De La Salle), so they are full-time performers. Jan is set to release this month his self-titled album, produced by Ogie Alcasid. The first single “Bakit Kailangan Pang Lumayo,” which was also composed by Ogie, is currently enjoying airplay in select radio stations. Gian, on the other hand, is in the process of finishing his album.

Their first major concert, “Four…The First Time” is set to introduce them as legitimate concert performers. The audience will get to see them individually presenting their talents as solo artists, and as a quartet, complete with four-part harmonies. Each of them will sing songs that will reflect their individual styles and influences, ranging from light rock, ballads, pop classics and of course, OPM favorites.

Included in their repertoire are medleys of 80s OPM hits and theme songs of popular children’s movies, as well as some standards and a tribute to singer-songwriters Barry Manilow and Ogie Alcasid.

Special guest performers in “Four…The First Time” are Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and recording artist/actress Lovi. The concert, by the way, is produced by Dream Concert Asia Entertainment Production in cooperation with GMA 7. Tickets are available at Music Museum and Ticketworld.

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Perla Bautista tackles title role of ‘Hermana Fausta’

Veteran character actress Perla Bautista was amused by the fact that it’s only now after several decades of being an actress that she is playing a title role. This is in the indie movie “Hermana Fausta,” which incidentally will premiere tonight in Lucena. The movie is produced by the Daughters of Charity, and directed by Felino Tanada.

The movie is about Fausta Labrador whose life is told in the book “A Good Woman of Lucena,” presented in conversational style by biographer Monina A. Mercado and which contains testimonies about the life of piety and good works of a Catholic lay woman. During her time, Fausta Labrador, who was born in Tayabas, Quezon but lived, worked and died in Lucena, focused on education as she founded Sacred Heart College in Lucena.  She later turned over the school to Daughters of Charity.

“I feel so blessed because ang tagal ko na sa pag-aartista, ngayon lang ako nagka-title role,” Perla said over lunch with “old” friends from the movie press Monday at Alex 111 in Morato. It was an early birthday treat because on her birthday (last Wednesday, Feb. 18) she had a taping for a new teleserye, the Anne Curtis-starrer “Weddings.”

Joining her for lunch that day were Norma Japitana, Ricky Lo, Nora Calderon, Ronald Constantino, Mario Bautista, Mario Hernando, Rino Fernan, Nap Alip, Felix Espinosa and this writer.

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Bugoy hits No. 1 in the hearts of many

Bugoy Drilon, second placer in Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2, has released his first album, “Bugoy: Paano Na Kaya.” Aside from the title song, the album features the following songs: “Kung Puwede Lang Sana” (Vehnee Saturno), “Muli” (Vehnee Saturno), “Baka Ba” (Jonathan Manalo), “Simulan Mo Isang Pangarap” (Ryan Cayabyab), and “Lahat Ng Yan” (Vehnee Saturno).

Bugoy’s music videos are being shown at MYX and a back-to-back airing at ABS-CBN before it signs off.

The “Most Promising Male Performer of Asian Entertainment Awards 2008,” Bugoy attributes his success to his avid followers and supporters.

“Taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa kanila sa pag-suporta nila sa akin. Hindi lang po ‘yong una kong kanta, pati po ‘yong pangalawa kong kanta magiging No. 1 na din po. Kaya maraming salamat sa paniniwala nila sa talento ko,” Bugoy said.

Bugoy is known as a farmer’s son. He has come a long way - from being a sanitation workers in a school in Bicol to being the 2nd Star Dreamer in Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2, he has now become one of Star Records’ freshest artists as he recently came out with his first solo album entitled “Bugoy: Paano Na Kaya?”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 20, go to Mrs. Ditas Remulla, Laleine Legasto, Diego Nicolas Capili, Chari La’O Bagatsing, Tita Abiva, Enrico Castelo, Marina Calma-Visaya, Perla Dungo, Tiffany Santos Red, granddaughter of the late Dr. Rene Santos and Amy Santos, Emy Rodriguez, Lito Gruet, Amelia Lopez, Mary Grace Agoncillo, Betty Luz Go Chua, Dolly Bohol and Prof. Lulu L. Geslani…