RichardGutierrez returns to big screen on Valentine?s

By Isah V. Red

The local showbiz media call Richard Gutierrez Valentine box-office king. And understandably so because in the last four years, the actor starred in movies that became Valentine?s Day hits.

Let the Love Begin, I?ll Always Love You, and The Promise (all opposite Angel Locsin) and My Best Friend?s Girl Friend (with Marian Rivera) were all big blockbusters that became the benchmark for any movie wanting to be screened on Valentine?s week.

Next Wednesday, Chard, as he is known among his friends and relatives, is back to make hearts flutter as the movie When I Met U, with rumored sweetheart KC Concepcion, starts its Valentine run on Wednesday.

When I Met U, by the way, is the reunion movie of Richard and KC after last year?s For the First Time.

They say love is sweeter the second time around and in the movie it is. Joel Lamangan, who directed the movie for GMA Films and Regal Entertainment, has made sure it would surpass the two?s first big-screen outing in terms of scope, despite that the production team confined itself in Philippine territory.

Partly shot in Coron at the northeast tip of Palawan, When I Met U tells the story of two people of contrasting backgrounds and clashing personalities fated to be together in trying, if at times humorous, circumstances. They try to look the other way, denying the attraction and affection they are feeling for each other. But love finds a way of making them closer.

Richard cuts a dashing figure, complementing KC?s pretty looks. Together, sparks fly on- and off-cam. If they?re not a couple yet, their chemistry makes people think they are. Now closer and more comfortable with each other, Richard and KC give more credible performances.

Richard, the Valentine?s Day box-office king, should hit KC?s heart with everything associated with the day of hearts?sweet, tender, loving.

More of The Great Balladeers in Concert

Viva Concerts and Events recently announced the addition of more dates and venues in The Great Balladeers concert series.

The show starring Jun Polistico, Anthony Castelo and Victor Wood is all set for a romantic opening at the Music Museum on Saturday.

This will be followed by more performances at the CAP Auditorium in Davao City on Feb. 14; the Thunderbird Resort, Rizal on Feb. 21.

They will be back at the Music Museum on Feb. 27 and 28.

Thrill to the music of Jun Polistico, Anthony Castelo and Victor Wood, three artists who popularized many of the most enduring ballads of the past four decades as they perform some of the greatest love songs ever written.

The velvet-voiced Polistico is set to do ?Mahiwaga,? ?Sana?y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan,? ?Mahawi Man Ang Ulap,? ?Langis at Tubig? and many others. Castelo will sing his hits ?Balatkayo,? ?Nang Dahil Sa Pag-ibig,? ?Maghihintay Ako Sa?yo,? ?Kaibigan,? ?Ibig Kong Ibigin Ka,? ?Hahanapin Ko,? and many more. Jukebox King Victor Wood has ?I?m Sorry My Love,? ?Eternally,? ?Malupit Na Pag-ibig,? ?In Despair? and many others. They will be performing together for the first time.

The Great Balladeers is another prestige presentation from Viva Concerts and Events, the same promoter that brought together revered music icons in the most enjoyable shows by Filipino talents like the Greatest Hits of the ?80s The Golden Divas, Back to Back to Back and Legends of OPM.

Tickets to the Great Balladeers are now available at all SM Ticketnet outlets and The Music Museum. Prices are Orchestra Center, P2,500; Orchestra Side, P2,000; and Balcony, P1,500. Call Viva 687-6181 local 620 and 745 for inquiries.

Pop Icons: The Concert

Celebrate the love month right! The country?s most sought-after bachelors and concert artists unite in one grand concert entitled Pop Icons produced by Asap Live and Sunday Night Productions!

The Pop Icons namely, the Ultimate Heartthrob Piolo Pascual, the Rockoustic Heartthrob Sam Milby, Asian Pop Idol Christian Bautista, the Prince of Pop Erik Santos and the Pop Heartthrob Mark Bautista have had successful concerts in the past. Just think what will happen when these young men get together for a night of singing and ribbing.

The series of concerts will take place in Dagupan on Feb. 13, Cebu on Feb. 14, Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 21, and lastly in Bacolod on Feb. 28. Behold as these five young talented and good-looking men serenade you with love songs and delight you with their mind-blowing performances.

Their friendship started in their cell group in their Victory Fellowship every Sunday Night. Piolo, Sam, Christian, Erik and Mark once thought of having a concert and try to produce for the first time, giving birth to ?Sunday Night Productions.? With the support of Asap Live!, the idea materialized.

Don?t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event as five heartthrobs join forces in Pop Icons: The Concert, produced by Asap Live!

Karylle, Ricky Lee in S

S Magazine, the entertainment monthly of the Mega Publishing Group, celebrates love in February with Karylle and her poem on the cover, Piolo Pascual on the centerfold, plus special stories on Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado, Dingdong and Marian Rivera, KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez, Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho, Christian Bautista, Kyla, Boy Abunda and Bong Quintana, Ricky Reyes and Kris Aquino, and many others.

Multi-awarded scriptwriter Ricky Lee also contributed an exclusive article for the magazine?s Star Blog section for celebrities. Ricky shares his thoughts on writing, his first novel Para Kay B, his classic film Himala and superstar Nora Aunor.

The issue also features S Magazine?s unique Christmas party for the deaf kids of Steam Foundation which is part of the publication?s socio-civic advocacies. S also has recently arranged for GMA-7 TV host and Ateneo basketball star Chris Tiu to support the global NGO Habitat for Humanity for its mass-housing projects for the urban poor, an initiative that helps instill self-reliance among the urban poor.

S Magazine, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, has set the house-building project of Chris Tiu and youth ambassador Alex Madrigal Eduque on Valentine?s Day, Feb. 14 at the Pasig 1 Medium-Rise Building Project Site, Bernardo Compound, Caliuag, Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig. Habitat for Humanity?s international celebrity partners include former US President Jimmy Carter, movie star Brad Pitt and TV host Oprah Winfrey.

Editor-in-chief Wilson Lee Flores said: ?S Magazine hopes to be a fun and unique entertainment guide for all showbiz fans, as well as help contribute to social change and cultural progress.?

Valentine problems

Incurable romantics are preparing for Love Day or Valentine?s Day QTV-11?s Life and Style with Ricky Reyes telecast every Sunday, 10 a.m. It presents a pre-V Day episode for lovers young and old. It promises to be a morning filled with romantic songs to be performed by Pinoy Pop Superstar champion Jonalyn Viray and finalist Michael Garcia with Pinoy Idol May Flores. These young singers will be joined by singer-actress Selina Sevilla in a chitchat with Ricky about relationships and problems of the heart.

Marilyn Borja of Ateneo de Manila who dabbles on runway and commercial modeling gets pampered on ?Great Hair Day? and after the makeover smiles with great satisfaction ? eager to impress her ?Romeo? and how!

On ?Tesda Bida,? the life story of Regie Guevarra will be dramatized. Regie is among the lucky ones who took the new Tesda course?Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic under the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Scholarship Program.