It’s election year next year, and all the broadcasting networks are gearing for a busier year with more revenues and massive lobbies from political and vested interest groups.
GMA-7, after vowing to take the lead when it launched its new scheme in programming six years ago, overtook ABS-CBN, leader for 16 years in Mega Manila, but failed to make good its threat to be no. 1 in the whole country.
Now, its leadership in Mega Manila and some parts of Luzon (they are never able to penetrate the Visayas and Mindanao, sadly!) is also under threat with the Kapamilya launching better shows with bankable stars, especially in the primetime block.
Last week, the GMA Network Entertainment Group with senior vice president Wilma Galvante met members of the press to announce its plans for the remaining weeks of the year and what they are preparing at least for the first quarter of 2010.
On the list is the fifth season of StarStruck V, which is now hosted by Raymond Gutierrez, newcomer Carla Abellana and Dennis Trillo. It premiered last night.
Abellana secures a berth on television as Rosalinda fades out next. But she and co-star and ex-Kapamilya Geoff Eigenmann continue their on-screen cavorting in SRO Cinemaserye Presents Carinderia Queen.
Family Feud gets a new host in Dingdong Dantes on Nov. 30 taking over Richard Gomez who has built the decades-old game show to become one of the more popular adaptations of an American concept. The question remains: Can Dingdong give it spunk like Goma did?
Premiering this month is Full House with Richard Gutierrez and Heart Evangelista as it goes on the air on Nov. 30 after shooting parts of the series in Prague.
Also, the Kapuso network spreads anew the Christmas spirit with its very first “ChristmaSerye” top billed by three of the country’s most respected actors, Christopher de Leon, Gina Alajar and Susan Roces starting Dec. 7. It also stars TJ Trinidad, Maxene Magalona, Yna Asistio, JC Tiuseco and JC de Vera.
Stairway to Heaven’s finale week on Dec. 7 to 11 promises to keep the viewers glued to their TV sets as the romance between Jodi and Cholo comes to a bittersweet end.
Beginning next month, Kap’s Amazing Stories becomes something for kids as Senator Bong Revilla leaves the show with son Ram Revilla for Kap’s Amazing Stories Kids Edition.
All Sundays of December will feature young and innocent love in Dear Friend starring Joshua Dionisio and Barbie Forteza, the cute teenagers who played the young Jodi and Cholo in the GMA adaptation of Stairway to Heaven.
GMA’s Christmas special After the Rain featuring Regine Velasquez airs on Dec. 13. The show is a tribute to the heroes of the recent typhoons and meant to inspire viewers to share and spread the love this Christmas season.
Kapuso stars bid 2009 goodbye and welcome 2010 at the SM Mall of Asia on Dec. 31 for the New Year’s Eve Countdown.
Ushering the New Year is a bevy of drama and “telefantasya” programs, GMA-7’s commitment in giving quality entertainment to all viewers around the globe.
On Jan. 11, The Last Prince opens the year with a blast starring one of the country’s hottest love teams Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal.
Joshua Dionisio and Barbie Forteza together with Jhake Vargas and Joanna Marie Tan star in First Luv beginning Jan. 18 replacing Ikaw Sana.
Mother and daughter tandem Jean and Jennica Garcia get together to liven up weekday afternoons in GMA Sine Novela’s Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? beginning Jan. 25.
Another heavy drama, Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak, premieres on Feb. 8, 2010.
Is the lineup competitive enough? We’ll wait what the Kapamilya has in store for its very loyal and rabid followers.
New timeslot for Shining Inheritance
GMA’s top-rating Asianovela moves to an earlier timeslot and airs longer beginning tonight as it moves to an earlier and longer timeslot.
Audiences who stay up late in order to follow the spellbinding fairy tale of Juan and Inna could now catch them right after Rosalinda. The program now airs from Monday until Friday.
With the change in quantity also comes the boost in quality as jaw-locking revelations and heart-pumping twists are set to fire up audiences’ nights for the whole week.
Grandmother Aurea will prove how overbearing she is as she kicks out Juan and his siblings yet again. How will this remorseful pack handle a second rejection? Juan, on his travels, will encounter Nono, the long-lost brother of Inna but will he be able to connect the dots and eventually end Inna’s torment? Uncovering a skeleton once more, Juan will find out that Aimee and Inna are stepsisters. Who will be held responsible for this long-kept secret?
Other than the shocking revelations, prepare for Inna and Juan’s first “unlikely” embrace and Francis’ “heart-melting” admission of feelings to Inna. What does the embrace of Juan and Inna mean? What will happen to Francis’ duties to his family after such a sudden admission? More importantly, how will Inna handle her entanglement with these two handsome princes? Will Aimee and Joanna let Inna have it all?
A Venezian Affair
With Mayon Volcano restive again, more tourists (domestic and foreign) should be heading for Legazpi City again.
The main problem of travelers is finding a place to stay in the city that is not as popular as Cebu, Davao, Baguio, or even neighboring Naga City.
In the couple of times I’ve visited the city, I discovered one hotel that is comparatively world-class in amenities and services.
It’s even just five minutes away from the airport. It’s called Hotel Venezia.
The hotel offers a range of accommodations—15 Standard Rooms, 23 Junior Suites and two One Bedroom Suites. Some rooms have king-size beds and some have double beds. Each room is equipped with standard amenities such as bathrobes and slippers, coffee/ tea-making facilities, complimentary buffet breakfast, complimentary local newspaper, hair dryer, in-room safe, iron and ironing board upon request, LCD television with cable channels, mini bar, office desk and twice daily housekeeping service.
Before guests turn in for the night, they will find that their robes and slippers have been laid out for them on the turned-down bed, with pastries or sweets thoughtfully placed on their coffee table.
The hotel also offers business services, a business center Wi-Fi access in public spaces, audio visual equipment and computer rental. It has three function rooms for events like weddings and parties. The hotel’s meeting facilities and equipment are good for 10 to 350 guests for meetings and 500 persons for cocktails.
Those seeking recreation may opt to use the hotel’s swimming pool and tennis court. Twenty-four-hour reflexology services are also available.
To those who wish to explore the province, the hotel arranges city tours, which include Mayon skyline, handicraft, Albay Park and Wildlife, Lignon Hill, churches, Cagsawa Ruins and Kapuntukan Hill; adventure tours including whale shark interaction, manta ray interaction, wakeboarding, caves, waterfalls and an 18-hole golf course experience; as well as educational tours, which include visits to a museum, the Japanese tunnel in Lignon Hill and a pili nut factory.
For inquiries and reservations, call (63 2) 683-8222 local 3306/ 3307 or call Hotel Venezia at (63 52) 481-0888.
Newest MTV VJ
Six years in the making. That’s 22-year-old Eri Neeman’s story on his road to becoming an MTV VJ. “I first auditioned when I was 16 years old, but I was too young for it. Eighteen was the requirement.”
Perseverance was definitely key to reaching his goal. But Eri realized that much more was required, especially after losing in the 2007 MTV VJ Hunt. “I wasn’t good enough. I needed to get better, to improve.” So he immediately got down to business and polished his skills. He did just that by getting into radio. Now, Eri has his own show on the airwaves called The U Know Show on U92—the FM station of All Youth Channels Incorporated, home of MTV Philippines. He is also a part of Gabe Mercado’s S.P.I.T. (Silly People’s Improv Theater) and is a stand-up comedian for the Comedy Cartel founded by Tim Tayag and Allan Manalo.
Eri is glad that it took him this long to get to where he is. “I don’t think I’d be as good as I am now if I got the job earlier on.” Asked on how he felt about finally getting the stint, Eri says, “It’s really something when you can tell yourself, you got what you really wanted. Now that I have it, I want to work harder, do more things, find more challenges, evolve as a host, as well as an entertainer and performer.”
One thing Eri finds crucial to achieving his goals was surrounding himself with great people. “I have wonderful friends, like my S.P.I.T. family. Gabe Mercado started the group seven years ago and I’m happy that they took me in. I learn so much from them. Same goes for my buddies at the Comedy Cartel.”
Despite his punishing schedule, Eri finds time to de-stress by cooking at home. “It’s something I really enjoy. I had to learn how to cook for myself because I live alone. You survive on pancit canton for only so long.”
When asked about the challenges that lay ahead, the newly-minted VJ says, “I want to be one of the best hosts in the industry—if not, at least the best for my standards. I also want to take my comedy act to the international stage. The Hong Kong Comedy Festival is a goal for me next year.”
At such a young age, Eri Neeman has definitely something to show for, and he’s just getting started. For now, catch him doing stand-up comedy, performing improv, hosting local events, playing your tunes on the radio, and dishing out the latest on the music scene as your newest VJ for MTV Philippines. Let’s hope he has time to cook.
