KC Concepcion will have her first teleserye called Istrangero, an action, suspense thriller teleserye unlike any other because it will not be a remake, the current staple of local soap operas. Istrangero is also special since the budget is like that of a movie, since it will be shot in Paris, New York, and Batangas. The cast will include Jake Cuenca, who will be KC Concepcion ’s leading man in Istrangero; Rafael Rossel, Valerie Concepcion, Dennis Padilla, Redford White, and Toni Gonzaga.

I am surprised that Marian Rivera is just turning 24 on August 12, after all the things said and done that she is “old” as in Lola Marian daw by some detractors. 24 is young, very young actually. Marian Rivera in an interview said despite the declaration that she is the biggest star of Philippine television now, nothing has changed with her despite the success of her career, she is still the Marian that her fans knew when she was still starting out in showbiz. Marian Rivera is set to do a movie with Dyesebel leading man Dingdong Dantes entitled One True Love. Marian said this is different from the projects she has done with Dingdong Dantes. One True Love is a heavy drama love triangle involving her, Dingdong and Iza Calzado. She is soon flying to Australia to shoot the promotional materials for clothing brand, Jag.

As a gift to her fans, Marian and Dingdong Dantes will have a free “grand” concert on August 27 at the Araneta Coliseum, in line also with Dingdong Dantes birthday on August 2. On her birthday Marian Rivera wishes herself personal happiness for her 24th birthday. “Gusto ko na palagi akong masaya kasi importante sa akin ang pagiging masaya. At saka sana mas mahalin ako ng mga tao sa pagiging ako. Kasi gusto ko ‘yong sarili ko sa pagiging ako, e.

And her message to her detractors?

“Kahit pa sabihin nila na, ‘’Yan si Marian, naku, palaban iyan, bungangera ‘yan…’ I don’t care, basta ako, totoo ako sa sarili ko, na ito ako. Naipapakita ko sa inyo kung sino ako kesa naman sa wala ngang nasasabi sa ‘yo, pero hindi naman totoo ‘yon.

“Gusto ko na ‘yong, sige, pintasan n’yo na ako, pulaan n’yo na ako, okay na ‘yon. Basta ang importante sa akin, ako, hindi ako naninira ng kapwa ko, masaya na ako doon,” Marian Rivera definitely talking to her critics there.

Photo Credits for the 3 pics above: Vince Lopez Photography

The Philippines Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo is blooming. If you will see her HerBench billboard, you won’t recognize it as her. From the not so good looking lass who came from the masses and won Pinoy Pop Superstar then in IBC13 to a multimedia star now, certainly, Sarah Geronimo has gone places. In her latest pictorial for “A Very Special Love” she is once again transformed into some beauty rivaling Bea Alonzo, erstwhile film and television partner of John Lloyd Cruz, Sarah’s leading man in A Very Special Love.

Check out Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz‘ pictorial photos below for A Very Special Love showing soon..

Lea Salonga in her 30th Anniversary Concert Lea Salonga… My Life Onstage,  held at the PICC Plenary Hall on May 23 and 24. Lea Salonga had as special guest no less than Aga Muhlach, who did a duet with her. Lea Salonga and Aga Muhlach did two very successful movies together in “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal” and “Sana Maulit Muli.”

Watch Lea Salonga in a segment in her successful 30th Anniversary Concert called Lea Salonga at the movies, encompassing the 6 movies she has done so far, by singing the theme songs of those movies and or the hit songs incorporated in these movies. Lea Salonga has done 2 Hollywood blockbusters and Disney Classics, Alladin and Mulan. Hilarious is her guest former leading man Aga Muhlach’s appearance.

Dingdong Dantes is the first celebrity male endorser of Gran Matador. Dingdong was chosen because of his staying power in Philippine Showbiz. Dingdong Dantes was only 17 when Viva introduced him in “TGIS” which became the defining teen show of his generation. From that time onwards Dingdong can be considered as the most successful member of TGIS. For all these Dingdong is grateful. “I’m really thankful dahil tuluy-tuloy ang career ko and I feel that it’s only now that my career is reaching its peak. Kung before, teen idol lang ang tingin sa akin ng tao, now, they look at me as a more mature romantic leading man, thanks to my role as Sergio in “Marimar” and as Fredo in `Dyesebel’. Through the years, I was also able to invest in some businesses, like my own production house and investment company, and the Centerstage KTV on Timog Rotonda,” Dingdong said.

Dingdong is also happy that despite a successful career, his lovelife with actress Karylle is also doing well, a feat in Philippine showbiz. Normally, a good career meant an unhappy lovelife or vice-versa. Dingdong muses, “I’m really thankful that fans and viewers now know how to separate the private and public lives of stars like us.”

Gran Matador is all praises for Dingdong as well. “Bilib na bilib kami kay Dingdong as he’s a force to reckon with whether as an actor, director or businessman. He’s a man of character who’s decent and responsible. Gran Matador stands for excellence seasoned by time and that’s exactly what Dingdong is as he has learned to hone his craft in his 10 years in the business. Isa pa, pampainit ang Gran Matador and Dingdong is also very hot now kaya perfect siyang endorser namin,” says Nelson Elises, VP for Marketing of Gran Matador.

But it’s not all roses for Dingdong Dantes. He recently figured in a blind item where he was said to have picked up some girls in a fastfood. Dingdong didn’t deny that such an incident happened but he corrected that he didn’t get on with anyone. “I would say na ako nga yun [subject of blind item] and it was in Timog kung saan nag-burger kami. Late night or midnight na rin noon at hindi lang ako yung nandoon, I was with my cousin and my brother.

“What happened is that, yung kasama ko, gustong manghiram ng lighter. Pumasok yung mga girls, they are group of girls na…beautiful girls. So, nahihiya yung kasama kong manghiram kaya sabi ko, ‘Sige, ako ang magsasabi.’ So, ganoon lang yun. Definitely, walang playtime na naganap or something. Because yung mga girls, they look beautiful and decent girls. At hindi ako lasing or anything.

“Afterwards nga, dumating din yung mga kasama nila, some are guys. And it so happened pa na yung isang guy, I know him pa. Nakasama ko or nakatrabaho ko na siya before. So, you know, it’s purely healthy conversation,” Dingdong clarified.