Angelika dela Cruz says motherhood has changed her a lot: "Mas bumait na ako."

At the age of 27, welcome na kay Angelika dela Cruz ang tumanggap ng mother roles. Sa tunay na buhay kasi ay isa nang ganap na ina ang aktres sa one-year-old baby nila ng asawang si Orion Casareo, si Gabby.

Kaibahan nga lang, sa bago niyang primetime series na Pilyang Kerubin, ina si Angelika ng isang 12-year-old actress sa katauhan ng bida ng serye na si Barbie Forteza.

Nang makausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Angelika sa presscon ng Pilyang Kerubin last Monday night, May 31, inamin niya na nagdalawang-isip siyang talaga when she was first offered the role.

"Ina na ako dito," nakangiti niyang sabi. "Sabi ko nga, parang naging ina na rin ako ng kapatid ko [Mica dela Cruz] kasi same age sila [ni Barbie]. Okey lang naman sa akin kasi maganda naman ang role. Ako si Melissa dito na love interest nina Paolo Contis at Raymart Santiago. This time, bait-baitan naman ako dito.

"Actually, yun nga, noong in-offer sa akin, talagang nagdalawang-isip ako!" tawa ni Angelika. "Parang ang tanda naman ng anak ko! Isang taon pa lang naman ang baby ko, biglang naging 12, 13... Sandali lang ha, mag-iisip lang ako. Nabuntis ako ng kinse anyos or fourteen years old? Sabi ko, 'Pag-iisipan ko, ha!'"

Pero dugtong niya, "Noong mabasa ko naman ang script, nakita ko na maganda yung role. May dahilan naman pala kung bakit ako nabuntis nang maaga. So, sabi ko, 'Sige po, puwede na.'"

Hindi naman daw natatakot si Angelika na baka ma-typecast siya sa mother roles after Pilyang Kerubin. Ipinapasa na rin daw niya sa manager niyang si Perry Lansigan ang pagdedesiyon when it comes to her career.

"Gusto ko iba-iba. Kung puwede iba-iba. Minsan mabait, minsan mommy, minsan kontrabida. Paiba-iba talaga. Ang sa akin naman, siyempre it helps din na mommy na ako in real life. Tapos si Mica naman, ang trato ko rin sa kanya, parang baby na kasi malayo ang agwat namin, di ba? Hindi naman ako ilang na ilang na maging mommy ng 12 years old kasi ang kapatid ko, parang baby ko na rin. So, okey lang. Hindi naman sobrang nangangapa," saad ng aktres.

HANDS-ON MOM. Bilang mommy naman sa totoong buhay, super hands-on daw si Angelika pagdating sa kanilang anak.

"Yung baby kasi, hindi namin siya iniiwan sa yaya lang. So, from morning till 5 p.m., nasa akin siya. Kahit nagte-taping ako, sinasama ko siya. May call time din siya at may cut-off siya hanggang 5 p.m. Yung asawa ko, lumalabas ng four o'clock sa office, tapos kinukuha na niya si Gabby," kuwento niya.

Tipong spoiler mom ba siya?

"Oo... Ay, as a mom, winner akong mommy! Best in multi-tasking," sambit ni Angelika.

Aminado rin ang aktres na simula nang maging mommy siya ay napakalaki na ng nabago sa kanya.

"Mabait na. Mas bumait na ako. At saka hindi na ako nabubuhay para sa sarili ko. At saka obsessed ako sa anak ko!" natatawa niyang sabi.

Paano niya nasabing "bumait" siya?

"Ako kasi, never akong nagsisimulang makipag-away, pero kapag may ginawa ka sa akin, hindi ko papalagpasin. Ako yung pumapatol ako. Pumapatol lang. Pero ngayon, hindi na masyado. Iniisip ko ang anak ko. Kahit anong gawin sa akin, kahit minsan naiiyak ka na sa gigil, parang tama na," paliwanag niya.

Very proud din naman si Angelika sa kanyang mister na si Orion.

"Magaling siyang daddy. Actually ano kami, e, kaya hindi kami hirap, tulong kami, e. Sa gitna namin natutulog si Gabby kaya ako talaga ang gumigising. Kapag puyat na puyat naman ako galing taping, yung asawa ko naman ang gumigising. Hindi na naman siya yung panay gising," sabi ng aktres.

Kahit daw kayang-kaya siyang buhayin ng kanyang asawa, ayaw naman daw ni Angelika na umasa lang siya rito.

"Kailangan ko rin naman pong mag-work. Ayoko naman ng naka-gano'n lang," sabay lahad ng kanyang palad. "Mahirap yung bilmoko ng ganito, bilmoko ng ganyan. Mahirap, e. Sanay po ako na bata pa lang, ako na yung nagtatrabaho."

GMA Network sues Mo Twister and TV5 for breach of contract

Apat na milyong piso ang halaga ng breach of contract case na isinampa ng GMA Network laban kay Mohan Gumatay a.k.a. DJ Mo Twister at sa TV5.

Dalawang milyong piso ang hinihingi ng GMA Network mula kay DJ Mo at sa TV5 para sa damages, isang milyon para sa attorney's fees, at isang milyon bilang litigation fees.

Isinampa ng GMA-7 ang kaso sa Quezon City Prosecutors Office at diringgin ito sa sala ni Presiding Judge Santiago Arenas ng Branch 217 ng QC Regional Trial Court.

Nadamay sa kaso ang TV5 dahil kinuha nila ang serbisyo ni DJ Mo kahit hindi pa raw tapos ang kontrata nito sa Kapuso network. Co-host si DJ Mo sa showbiz-oriented talk show na Showbiz Central.

Nakasaad sa 16-page complaint ng GMA-7 na may exclusive talent contract sa kanila si DJ Mo at may bisa hanggang May 3, 2010 ang nabanggit na kasunduan. Pero may option to renew for a year ang GMA-7.

Humiling din ng Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) ang GMA-7 para ipahinto ng korte ang paglabas ni DJ Mo sa mga programa nito sa TV5—ang Juicy at Paparazzi, pati na sa ibang mga programa ng Kapatid network.

Napag-usapan sa recent episode ng Juicy ang demanda na nakaamba kay DJ Mo at ayon dito, ang mga abogado na ang mag-uusap tungkol sa problema nila ng GMA-7.

Marian Rivera tops partial and unofficial results of FHM Sexiest Woman in the World 2010

More than 260,000 votes have been cast since the voting for the FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll started in April. With only two weeks left before the voting period ends on June 15, Marian Rivera is still a force to reckon with, as she stays strong on number one spot in FHM's partial and unofficial tally.

The GMA-7 Primetime Queen topped the annual list back in 2008, a feat she achieved despite never being featured on the cover of the country's number one men's magazine. If she ends up taking the top spot for 2010, it will come on the heels of the success of her recent movie outing with Dingdong Dantes, You To Me Are Everything, and the launch of her newest series with her home network, Endless Love.

Trailing her in the second and third spots are Angel Locsin and Cristine Reyes, respectively. Returning to FHM's cover this May after a five-year hiatus, Angel seems poised to become this year's Sexiest Woman in the World, a title she last had in 2005. Cristine, on the other hand, recently starred in Working Girls 2010 and is the reigning Sexiest Woman in the World. The complete top 10 based on partial and unofficial results is as follows:

1. Marian Rivera

2. Angel Locsin

3. Cristine Reyes

4. Iwa Moto

5. Erich Gonzales

6. Angelica Panganiban

7. Anne Curtis

8. Katrina Halili

9. Ehra Madrigal

10. Jennylyn Mercado

Would you like to keep Marian at number one? Would you rather see Angel return to the top after five years? Or would you like Cristine to extend her reign for another year and make her the second woman to hold the title for two straight years?

To vote for your favorite hottie to be included in the FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2010, log-on to www.fhm.com.ph. You can also text in your votes by sending in FHM100 to 2948 to get a complete list of keywords, or fill out the ballots found in the April and May issues of FHM.

GMA Network hikes Q1 net income by 71 percent to P855 million

According to its Corporate Communications department, GMA Network has posted a sharp increase in its performance during the first quarter of 2010. Based on a report furnished to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), GMA-7 garnered a net income of P855 million, 71 percent higher than the P501 million it netted for the same period last year.

Consolidated gross revenues for the three-month period breached the P3-billion mark and settled at P3.625 billion, 37 percent higher than last year's P2.651 billion. Network executives point out that this growth is driven by political advertisements and backed up by revenue increases across all business units.

Operating expenses for 1Q reportedly rose by 20 percent to P1.927 billion. The report explains that the rise in operating expenses was mainly driven by the significant increase in production cost, since the Network produced TV programs with high production value on top of additional station-produced shows.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) climbed by 57 percent to P1.413 billion from the previous year's P902 million.

Total assets grew by 13 percent to P14.820 billion, while total liabilities increased by eight percent to P3.085 billion.

GMA Network chairman, president, and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon commended the Network's first quarter performance and credited the company's continued operational efficiencies as a key factor in the company's profitability. "I am satisfied with the Network's performance for the first quarter. Even without the political ads, we would still post modest gains in net income because of our operational efficiencies," Gozon said.

INTERNATIONAL REACH. Overseas, employees of the Kapuso Network have been working actively to gain more international viewers. For the first quarter, GMA International contributed P235 million in subscription revenues, an increase of 27 percent from last year's P185 million.

As of end March, GMA International reported a 19 percent increase in the subscriber count of its first international channel: GMA Pinoy TV (GPTV) to 250,000. Of the said number, 120,000 are also subscribers of the second international channel, GMA Life TV (GLTV), which reported a seven percent growth in the subscriber count year-on-year. The subscriber counts are equivalent to 1.5 million and 800,000 viewers for GPTV and GLTV, respectively.


GPTV, which carries GMA Channel 7 programs, was recently launched in MTS Canada, KPU Ketchikan Alaska, Comcast Colorado , Brighthouse Florida , and En-Touch Texas. GLTV, which airs lifestyle programs from Q Channel 11, was recently launched in Comcast Colorado, PCCW Hong Kong, Central California, Brighthouse Florida, and En-Touch Texas.

Both channels have penetrated markets in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Guam, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and many other territories.

On the other hand, GMA Network's distribution subsidiary, GMA Worldwide, Inc. (GWI), has syndicated locally produced programs to as far as Africa, Alaska, the Middle East, and North America. GWI has also distributed several GMA-7 dramas and films to Indonesia, Malaysia Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, and Vietnam.

Recently, GWI showcased GMA-produced programs at Discop Africa held in Dakar, Senegal, and at the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market, where more international buyers once more took notice of GMA-7's locally produced shows.

UPGRADING FACILITIES. GMA Network likewise continued its signal and facility upgrade projects in key areas nationwide including Matina (Davao City), Roxas City (Capiz), Dipolog (Zamboanga del Norte), Ozamis City (Misamis Occidental), San Jose City (Occidental Mindoro), Kalibo (Aklan), Virac (Catanduanes), Ormoc City (Leyte), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Santiago City (Isabela), and Jala-jala (Rizal). GMA-7's Engineering Group has also looked at doing trial broadcast of digital terrestrial TV in view of the industry's forthcoming migration to this technology.

In terms of TV ratings, GMA Network remained the leader in viewer-rich Mega Manila as of the first quarter of 2010, according to survey results from TV ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen Philippines. Mega Manila's TV households comprise 55 percent of all TV households nationwide.

GMA-7 edged out competition with an average audience share of 37.2 percent for the first quarter, 1.3 percentage points higher than ABS-CBN's 35.9 percent.

During the 1st quarter, GMA-7 had 15 entries in the list of overall top 30 programs. GMA-7's adaptation of Mars Ravelo's Darna, topbilled by Marian Rivera, took the top notch in the list with an average household rating of 32.2 points.

Six GMA-produced programs made it to the top 10 list. Apart from Darna, other Telebabad (primetime) programs that made it to the top 10 include the fantasy series The Last Prince topbilled by Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal, the action-packed Panday Kids led by child actor Buboy Villar, the romantic comedy Full House topbilled by Richard Gutierrez and Heart Evagelista, banner newscast 24 Oras, and television's first reality sitcom, Pepito Manaloto.

Pepito Manaloto, which is the brainchild of comic genius Michael V., piloted with an impressive 27.5% program rating last March 28, up by 11.3 points compared to ABS-CBN's Goin Bulilit, which registered 16.2%.

Meanwhile, including TV specials during the quarter, the latest bout of boxing's pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey beat all TV programs with 37.9 rating points. The main event registered a household rating of 49.7 percent and an audience share of 81.3 percent in Mega Manila.

GMA-7 programs launched during the quarter including The Last Prince, First Time, Diva, Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita?, Gumapang Ka Lusak, Kandidato, and Wipeout beat their ABS-CBN counterparts.

GMA Network also kept its lead in another key area—Urban North/Central Luzon—where GMA-7 led competition by 2.6 points in average channel ratings during the first quarter. The TV households in this area comprise 21 percent of all TV households nationwide.

Among the programs set to launch on GMA Network in the coming months include Endless Love topbilled by Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Pilyang Kerubin starring Barbie Forteza, Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Edition with host Richard Gutierrez, Langit sa Piling Mo with lead actors Heart Evangelista and Mark Herras, and a whole lot more.

Just recently, the Kapuso Network delivered a comprehensive and credible election coverage dubbed Eleksyon 2010. The Network's marathon coverage of the elections was watched by more viewers in Mega Manila.

GMA-7 most preferred station for election coverage, according to AGB Nielsen

More Filipinos tuned in to GMA-7's election coverage special, ELEKSYON 2010, according to data from AGB Nielsen.

ELEKSYON 2010 posted a 12.3 TV ratings average from May 10 to 11 based on Mega Manila Household ratings from AGB Nielsen, compared to ABS CBN's 10.

GMA's audience share for the same period is 39.6 percent, 8.6 percent higher than the competing station's 31 percent.

The May 10 average of ELEKSYON 2010 is also higher at 12.5, compared to ABS-CBN's 11.2. The next day, GMA's election coverage pulled ahead with a 3.5 lead. ELEKSYON 2010's corresponding audience share for the same period is 36.8 percent while ABS only received 32.5 percent.

GMA's primetime newscast on May 10, 24 Oras ELEKSYON 2010, also posted an imposing rating percentage of 33.7 against TV Patrol World's 22, resulting to a staggering 11.7 margin. The TV program led with 16.8 percent audience share-with GMA posting ratings as high as 51.3 percents against the other station's 34.5 percent.

According to a press statement from GMA-7 released yesterday, the high ratings was a result of the combination of the use of "impressive high tech equipment - which included the use of hologram effect, a first in Philippine television... and the unbiased and comprehensive coverage and its reliable and up-to-the-minute count."

The press release continued, "backed by nearly 600 reporters and correspondents and stalwart partners that include the biggest entities in tri-media, telecommunications, information technology, education, business, research and public service, GMA network's historic coverage truly delivered the lightning-quick and comprehensive updates that Filipinos require as they await the results of the country's very first automated elections."

Ina Kasusuklaman Ba Kita will air finale on May 21

The tension-filled finale of GMA-7's Sinenovela Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? will air this Friday, May 21, after Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak.

Alvina's (Jean Garcia) longtime wish to see her family complete again is slowly falling into place. Rizzi (Jennica Garcia) has finally come to her senses that Cora (Karla Estrada) is the villain in this story, and not her mother.

Daniel (Ariel Rivera), likewise, has rekindled her love for Alvina and the two are now planning on renewing their vows.

Rizzi and Bren (Paolo Avelino), meanwhile, are able to mend their ties and are back to being friends.

However, not everyone is pleased about the seemingly happy ending that awaits Alvina, Daniel, Rizzi and Bren.

Rossan (Iwa Moto), Alvina's eldest daughter, and Cora have gone completely haywire and have conspired to destroy Alvina and Rizzi's second chance at happiness.

Cora creates a huge scene at the wedding, which ultimately puts Alvina's life in jeopardy.

Catch the finale of Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? and find out whether or not Alvina will emerge triumphant in her never-ending quest for vengeance this Friday, May 21, on GMA-7's Dramarama Sa Hapon.

Take Me Out offers an exciting week ahead

GMA-7's hottest reality dating show Take Me Out gets even more exciting this week as surprising twists unfolds that will surely awe-struck love stricken viewers.

Aside from the brighter and livelier set, the 30 single ladies and the searching bachelors will do production numbers and sketches to allow both parties to get to know each other.

Today's episode, May 17, will witness Mr. Single reaching Round 3 without a single lady switching her lights off. One bachelor, on the other hand, will find his romantic match through sign language.

See also how 2008 Cosmo Bachelor Bryan Benedict and hunky swimmer-businessman Franco Sillona fare in their respective bids to find a date.

This week will also feature a Cebuano bachelor who gets very emotional when he sees his parents inside the studio, making even the girls along with the audience teary-eyed.

The team behind the show told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that inserting personal and heart touching stories was a conscious decision to allow both the viewers and the ladies to appreciate the bachelors even more beyond just their physical attributes.

Other searching bachelors, among others, include a Latino lover from Cuba, a classically trained pianist, a Baranggay Kagawad, a Samar native hunk, and a responsible and hardworking dude bent to give love a try after years of assuming bread-winner role following the death of his father.

The featured and lucky ladies this week are also sure to catch the attention and interest of the viewers because of their good looks and appealing personalities.

Even more exciting is the all male celebrity week special featuring a famous actor, a cutie graduate of Survivor, a Brazilian model, a local rock n' roll band singer, and a Kapuso hunk—all guaranteed to make the girls swoon in delight and desire.

It was also announced that Take Me Out is inviting single guys and girls, 20 to 40 years old to audition every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. at the GMA Network Drive.

Applicants are asked to bring the original and photocopy of their birth certificate, valid ID, and whole body close-up photos. Interested applicants should look for Virna Cañete and required to personally hand over their requirements.

Take Me Out, hosted by Platinum Prince of Soul Jay R, airs from Monday to Friday at 5:00 p.m. on GMA-7. The show will have its replay after the News and Public Affairs late night block.

Jennylyn Mercado celebrates birthday with beau Dennis Trillo

Kahapon, May 15, ang mismong birthday ni Jennylyn Mercado, at kinumusta siya ng Startalk host na si Joey de Leon over the phone.

Paano ang celebration ng birthday niya?

"Simpleng dinner lang po kasama ng mga family and friends," ang sagot ni Jennylyn.

Sa panayam naman ng Startalk sa rumored boyfriend nitong si Dennis Trillo, nasabi ng huli na pupuntahan niya si Jen at dadalhin ang birthday gift niya para dito. Gusto rin nitong siya ang maunang bumati sa dalaga. So Joey asked Jen, natuloy ba ang mga plano ni Dennis?

"Opo," natatawang sagot ni Jennylyn.

BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR BOYFRIEND. Tulad ni Dennis, ayaw ring sabihin ni Jennylyn kung ano 'yong birthday gift niya. Humirit si Joey na kahit first letter lang ng gift ang ibigay ni Jennylyn, at sumagot naman ito ng letter C.

Camera ang hula ni Joey, na itinanggi naman ni Jen.

Gamit na raw ba ni Jennylyn ang birthday gift ni Dennis?

"Opo, nagagamit po..."

Si Dennis naman, noong May 12 nag-celebrate ng birthday niya. Kaya ang tanong ni Joey kay Jen, ano naman ang naging birthday wish niya kay Dennis?

"Ang birthday wish ko, siyempre, ang dami rin na pinagdadaanan na intriga ni Dennis. So, peace of mind at saka siyempre, importante yung kalusugan niya dahil ang dami niyang trabaho. Ang dami niyang ginagawa. Busy na tao si Dennis, so, yun, good health."

Natawa naman si Jennylyn nang tanungin ni Joey kung kasama raw ba si Dennis sa plano nitong dinner at kung part na raw ba si Dennis ng pamilya niya?

"Oo naman po, kasama po. Kasama lang naman po mga family and friends, hindi naman po intimate na dinner."

May birthday wish ba siya para sa sarili niya?

"Para sa akin po, wala na akong mahihiling pa. Siguro po magtuloy-tuloy lang ang career para sa akin at sa family ko. Yun lang siguro."

source pep.ph

Dennis Trillo publicly declares love for Jennylyn Mercado

May trabaho si Dennis Trillo noong birthday niya sa May 12, kaya laking tuwa niya nang sorpresahin siya ng kanyang pamilya at mga kaibigan.

"Nasa taping ako ng Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak noong mismong birthday ko. Bago matapos ang taping namin, may surprise pala. Dumating ang family ko sa set ng taping namin. Nagulat ako kasi never naman nilang ginagawa 'yan sa akin.

"Nagdala sila ng food, may cake at may mga balloons pa. Parang nahiya nga ako kasi ginawa nila akong bata. Pero mas natuwa ako kasi nga kumpleto ang pamilya namin noong birthday ko.

"The following day nagkaroon naman kami ng konting celebration din at dumating ang ibang relatives, friends at siyempre, nandoon ang baby boy kong si Calix Andreas para maki-celebrate sa akin," ngiti pa ni Dennis.

PRICELESS. Natutuwa nga si Dennis dahil kinakantahan daw siya ng kanyang anak. Pinakamagandang regalo nga raw iyon para sa kanya.

"Natuwa talaga ako kay Calix kasi kanta siya nang kanta. Alam niyang birthday ko kasi. The whole day na nakasama ko siya, hindi nawawala ang ngiti ko sa mukha kasi nga nandoon siya to share that day with me. More than the gifts na natanggap ko, si Calix ang pinaka-priceless sa lahat. Walang makakapantay sa mga ginagawa niya para sa akin."

Binati rin daw siya ng ina ni Calix na si Carlene Aguilar. Pero yung ibang girls na nakarelasyon niya ay wala siyang natanggap na pagbati.

"Binati naman ako ni Carlene. Natuwa naman ako sa naging mensahe niya sa akin. Pero yung iba... siguro busy sila kaya hindi na nila naalala na birthday ko," sabay tawa pa ni Dennis.

At siyempre, binati siya ng babaeng malapit sa puso niya ngayon, si Jennylyn Mercado. Kelan nga ay nagkaroon ng fans day si Jen sa isang mall at binati ni Dennis si Jen via phone patch. Kinilig ang maraming tao nang magsabi si Dennis ng "I love you" kay Jen.

First time daw niyang magsabi ng "I love you" in public kay Jennylyn. Patunay nga na mas malalim na ang nababalitang relasyon nilang dalawa.

"I said those words kay Jen kasi nga siya ang babaeng inspirasyon ko ngayon. And she makes me happy, kaya ano pa ang words na puwedeng sabihin sa taong importante sa iyo ngayon, di ba?

"Actually, hindi ko nga alam na nasa isang mall show pala siya. Noong tawagan ako at hingan ng message, narinig ko na lang may mga nagsisigawan at pumapalakpak. Nandoon pala si Jen sa fans day niya.

"Okey lang kasi it's her birthday and pinasalamatan ko siya sa mga magagandang bagay na nagawa niya para sa akin since nagkatrabaho kami sa Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak. Hinding-hindi ko iyon makakalimutan," diin ni Dennis.

BIRTHDAY GETAWAY. Ngayong May 15 ay birthday ni Jennylyn. Hindi makapaniwala si Dennis na ang babaeng minamahal niya ay ka-share niya rin sa buwan ng kaarawan.

"Sabi nga nila, parang itinakda ng panahon na magkakilala kami nang husto ni Jen. Tapos nalaman pa namin na pareho kami ng birth month at halos magkalapit pa. Bukod doon, we share a lot of things in common talaga. Kaya parang swak na swak kaming dalawa.

"Masarap lang isipin na nangyayari pala ang ganito. Hindi ko alam kung destiny ba ito, pero ang sarap ng feeling. I feel so happy kapag nandiyan si Jen. Kaya gusto ko na magtagal pa ito. Huwag naman sanang matapos kaagad."

May mga plano nga sina Dennis at Jennylyn na mag-celebrate na magkasama.

"Oo, at matagal na naming pinaplano ang araw na ito. Wala kasi kaming trabaho kaya may time na kaming mag-celebrate. Kung saan iyon, sa amin na lang iyon. Basta special ang araw na ito para sa aming dalawa," paniniguro ni Dennis.

Hanggang first week of June na lang mapapanood ang Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak at nagpapasalamat si Dennis sa mainit na pagtanggap ng marami sa kanilang show.

"Sobrang bilis ng panahon at nalaman namin na matatapos na pala kami. Mabuti na lang at extended kami ng ilang weeks pa kaya mas marami pa silang mapapanood na mga matitinding eksena. Kaya huwag silang bibitaw sa mga huling weeks ng Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak. Alamin nila kung ano ang mangyayari kina Levi at Rachel sa bandang huli."

Award-winning actress Iza Calzado affirms loyalty to GMA-7

Masayang-masaya pa rin ang actress-TV host na si Iza Calzado sa kanyang pagkapanalo bilang Best Actress sa kakatapos na Golden Screen Awards na ginanap noong May 5 Teatrino Greenhills Promenade sa San Juan.

Hanggang ngayon nga raw ay hindi pa rin makapaniwala ang dalaga na nanalo siya considering na pawang magagaling din ang kapwa niyang mga nominado sa kategoryang Best Actress in Dramatic Motion Picture: Bea Alonzo (And I Love You So), Rustica Carpio (Lola), Sharon Cuneta (Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love), Anita Linda (Lola), Lovi Poe (Sagrada Familia), Snooky Serna (Sagrada Familia), at Vilma Santos (In My Life).

Napanalunan ni Iza ang tropeo para sa kanyang magaling na pagganap sa pelikulang Dukot.

"It feels really awkward, to be honest with you. When people tell me that 'Uy, you beat ganyan!' parang I cringe kasi I didn't even think of that. It feels good to receive an award but it doesn't really feel good to think that I beat someone. I always choose to look at the positive side of things kasi. So it's not about beating someone, it's just about achieving something," paliwanag ni Iza sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) nang makausap namin siya kaninang tanghali, May 13, para sa special press conference na inihanda para sa kanya ng GMA Artist Center.

EYEING NOEL FERRER. Hindi itinanggi ni Iza ang kumakalat na usap-usapan na binabalak nitong kunin bilang manager si Noel Ferrer. Kilala si Noel bilang handler nila Ryan Agoncillo, Paolo Bediones, Joross Gamboa, Rainier Castillo, to name a few.

Co-management deal between Noel and GMA Artist Management & Development Center ang naiisip ni Iza na set-up kung sakali ngang matuloy ang plano nito.

"But I have to consult with the network kasi I have to give them respect. Alam ninyo kasi si Noel, kaibigan ang trato ko sa kanya. He's been a good friend since I made Sabel [2004]. This is not just business na I'm getting him because of something. I just feel na may pagmamalasakit siya sa akin apart from what Artist Center has been giving me and is able to give me and will continue to give me. I just want someone, not my father [Lito Calzado], to handle my career. Because my father, I just want him to be my father from now on," ngiti ni Iza nang tanungin kung bakit niya gustong kunin si Noel.

KEEPING THE FAITH. Bagamat sa November 2011 pa matatapos ang kontrata ni Iza sa Kapuso network ay marami ang nakakapansin na tila hindi yata nabibigyan ng magandang break ang dalaga despite the fact na may ibubuga naman ito bilang aktres.

Maging si Lito Calzado ay nagpahayag sa mga entertainment reporters ng pagkainip sa tila mabagal na usad lately ng proyekto para sa kanyang anak.

Sa kasalukuyan kasi ay puro guesting lang ang ginagawa ni Iza bagamat mapapanood pa rin naman siya sa Q11 cooking show na Healthy Cravings every weekend.

"May mangyayaring maganda diyan," salag naman ni Iza. "Alam ninyo, patience is a virtue."

To be fair ay hindi naman totally pinababayaan ng GMA-7 si Iza dahil nabanggit din sa nasabing presscon na may dalawang bagong shows na inihahanda para sa kanya ang kanyang home network.

Nagulat naman si Iza nang tanungin kung totoo ngang may alok ang ibang istasyon sa kanya. Wala naman daw siyang naririnig at hindi rin naman daw posible sa ngayon dahil nga may existing contract pa siya.

"Hindi ako uupo para malaman kung ano 'yong gusto nilang ibigay sa akin dahil oras na gawin ko 'yon, dapat wala akong kontrata," seryosong sambit nito. "I wanna deal with this kasi accordingly. Talking to you guys is not the way [to handle this]. I deal with this in a business-like manner so let's not bring focus on that. I still want to put my faith on the network that I work for and I have a contract with."

Dagdag ni Iza, "Ano 'yan, e, respetuhan. I give them respect hoping that they will give me the same kind of respect. If they don't see it right away, eventually I know they will."

source: pep.ph