Eugene Domingo, at last

By Isah V. Red

She has been making audiences laugh in a variety of characters in a variety of shows on both networks, but more recently on the Kapuso network. Last seen as the maitre d? of a high-end restaurant in the Kapuso adaptation of Nae ireumeun Kim Sam-soon, the Korean dramedy about a not-so-pretty pastry chef who gets employed in a restaurant being managed by the son of the owner who seems unable to get over a lost love.

Now, Eugene Domingo, acclaimed comedienne with several awards tuck under her belt, finally gets the big break on television as co-host of breakthrough show called Cool Center, sharing the screen with Eat Bulaga co-host Anjo Yllana.

The idea seems to work on the pre-concept level, having a pair of actors known among audiences as comedians to be the operators of a ?center? and who will talk directly to audiences encouraged to make calls.

?The show is layb na layb [meaning it is not taped as live, as most others are] so everyone has a chance to make a call and be part of the show,? Eugene says.

Yllana, whose comedic talents have been sharpened through appearances daily on the noontime show Eat Bulaga, says that Cool Center is where audiences can make new friends, seek love advice, voice opinions, and even barter possessions. ?And all you need is a telephone,? he adds. The idea is that Anjo Yllana and Eugene Domingo will be the radio jocks on TV.

Cool Center takes a shot on the radio talk show format that has become the ?in? thing these days, where jocks just yak it down the hour and occasionally interacting with a listener via a phone patch.

Anjo and Eugene will take in callers from all over the country to participate in its wide-ranging and colorful segments that are sure to keep the audience awake and entertained. The show, by the way, fades in on your screens at around 11 p.m. or even later, right before the very popular Walang Tulugan with German Moreno, Kuya Germs to a lot of people including vegetable vendors in Balintawak.

Celebrities, resource speakers and previous callers will also make live appearances and will have the chance to throw in their two cents? worth in different portions that may stir their imaginations, challenge their intellect, or even dare them to let down their guard.

This Saturday, Anjo?s younger brother, Jomari, will make a special appearance and talk about his recent breakup with girlfriend Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera?s ex. For those who are wondering why the couple broke up, this is your chance to hear Jom?s side of the story, which, by the way, had already been pre-empted by Pops disclosure on SNN last Monday. Also, Eugene said that they are going to give away an item from Marian Rivera and hopes a caller who will be lucky to be the recipient of the item has something to give Marian in return.

From the lovelorn seeking counseling, the unattached searching for a potential match, to the penny-pincher who is willing to swap his guitar in exchange for a cell phone, Cool Center gives TV viewers a whole new reason to stay home and dial their phones every Saturday night. The number to call is 981-1936 to 38.

Cool Center ?Hello, it?s me!? the first and only comedy radio talk show on TV, piloting tomorrow, March 14 and airs every Saturday thereafter with Imbestigador as its pre-programming on GMA.

All?s well with Annabelle and GMA

At the birthday assalto for JC de Vera at Barrakz on T. Morato Avenue last Monday, we saw Annabelle Rama seated at one table on the terraza with Lily Monteverde, Eddie Gutierrez, and Alfie Lorenzo. We greeted her and immediately she told me that everything is okay with her and GMA Network.

Annabelle said that she had met with Atty. Felipe Gozon and his daughter Annette Gozon Abrogar on the weekend and they discussed the contract of JC de Vera. 

In the meeting, Atty. Gozon explained her that the option to renew JC de Vera?s contract was with the network.  Annabelle said that JC wants to stay with GMA Network and has no plans of moving to another channel. JC simply wants an assurance that GMA will continue to support him and his career. 

Atty. Gozon told Ms. Rama that JC de Vera had the support of the station in the past and that there has been no change in this support.

Annabelle had given her word to the Gozons that she would accept the roles assigned to JC by the network.  As previously planned, JC will soon be appearing in a sinenovela in GMA?s sinenovela timeslot.

Atty. Gozon explained to Annabelle Rama that in the issue of casting talents, if there are any concerns from the talents themselves or their managers, they can always reason out with the network and the network will listen to what they have to say. 

The final decision, however, shall always rest with the network. 

Annabelle agreed with Atty. Gozon?s point. Atty. Gozon affirms that GMA-7 is a professional organization and that it lives up to one of its core values that its people are its best assets.

With regard to Annabelle?s allegations against Wilma Galvante, SVP of GMA Network,  Atty. Gozon told Ms. Rama that he could not stop Galvante if she decides to file a case against Annabelle in her personal capacity. 

Now, if Annabelle seems a bit tame these days, it?s because Atty. Gozon requested her to refrain from saying anything anymore about what her feelings are for some people in the network.

Kapamilya reacts on UPLB?s MMK complaint

We got this from the mail, ABS-CBN?s answer to UP Los Ba?os? complain on the recent Maalaala Mo Kaya episode that has allegedly a summa cum laude graduate of the university failing to find a job and ended up as a stripper and eventually losing her mind. The character was played by Angel Locsin.

Here are excerpts from the statement.

?Storytelling in Maalaala Mo Kaya [MMK] is always based on narratives sent to the program by people who want to share their stories. MMK decides to go into production of the chosen stories, ONLY after the letter sender has signed a waiver attesting to the authenticity of the story sent.

?MMK recognizes that a number of UPLB alumni are questioning the truthfulness of one letter sender who claims that her sister, the main character in Blusa, was indeed a UPLB BS AgriBusiness summa cum laude graduate, who could not find a job and ended up as a stripper.

?When MMK found out about the adverse reactions, the MMK production group went back to the letter sender to inform her of the issue raised and to re-verify her account. She reiterated that she stands by her story. Be that as it may, and after careful deliberation, MMK realizes that its writing and research pool may have been remiss in one thing?verifying with UPLB the veracity of the indicated facts of the letter sender. Having said that, MMK sincerely apologizes for the oversight.

?MMK always aims for truth and excellence. This incident may have deviated from its tight norm, but rest assured that MMK will continue to serve its publics with utmost care and respect.?

Ex-senator back on TV

Former Senator Ana ?Nikki? Coseteng will be with Glenn Doman in The Sweet Life with Lucy Torres on March 19.

Coseteng invited Douglas Doman, vice president of The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP), to conduct the Glenn Doman seminar. He is the son of world renowned writer, Glenn Doman, founder of the IAHP based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA.

The IAHP has been providing Literature and Programs for Parents who are devoted and concerned in the proper neurological development of both brain-injured and normal children.  Douglas Doman will be discussing the topics ?How to Multiply Your Baby?s Intelligence? and ?What to do About Your Brain-Injured Child.?

The show airs 4 p.m. daily at QTV-11. Wilma Doesnt co-hosts with Richard Gomez?s wife, Lucy Torres.

Karen Davila at Harvard

After winning the TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) for Broadcast Journalism in 2008, Karen Davila was invited to speak for the HPAIR Harvard Conference held last Feb. 19 to 22 at the prestigious Harvard Campus in Boston, Massachusetts.

Since it started in 1991, HPAIR has become the premier place for the discussion of issues pertinent to the Asia-Pacific region and their effects around the world.

This year marks the 2nd year of hosting the Harvard conference at Harvard University. This year?s theme was ?Linking Minds: Challenges in the 21st Century.?

Karen Davila was invited to speak for the Social Policy Workshop, on Gender Equality for Women in Asia. Her speech was one of the most attended in the conference. Karen showed videos of documentaries from the Correspondents showing issues revolving women including health care, OFW mothers leaving their children, sex trafficking and child marriages.