Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Jennylyn Mercado








Jennylyn Anne Pineda Mercado also known as Jennylyn Mercado (born May 15, 1987 in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, Philippines) is a Filipina actress and singer. She was the winner of the first season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of GMA Network in the Philippines.

In May 4, 1991, when she was nearly four years old, she made headlines as a battered child. The assailant was her stepfather, who burned her skin with cigarette butts and put a flat iron on her back. Her mother, who was then working in Dubai as a domestic helper, immediately came home not to rescue her daughter, but to bail out her partner, who was in detention. Her life story was featured in the TV drama series Magpakailanman on October 14, 2004. Jennylyn is now the official spokesperson of the Bata Foundation (Christian Mission Services), a non-governmental organization. Her mother migrated to London and had her own family.
Mercado's aunt, Lydia Mercado then became her legal guardian.

When her biological father, Noli Pineda, now 50, came home from Korea, reports came out saying that he was asking for money from his now self-sufficient daughter (an accusation she has strongly denied, insisting that her father wanted her to use his surname Pineda). She and her biological father, who is based in Korea still keep in touch.

Mercado studied at Augustinian Abbey in Las Piñas from Prep to 4th year High School. On the April 3, 2004 episode of Startalk, a Philippines-based talk show, Jennylyn admitted that she suffers from a heart ailment which prohibits her from becoming too tired, overly excited, or angry.

She is the former girlfriend of co-StarStruck survivor Mark Herras. She is currently a few months pregnant with a love child by ex-boyfriend Patrick Garcia, who has reportedly distanced himself upon learning of the pregnancy.

Jennylyn started out as a recording artist, in 1999, with Alpha Records through the recommendation of her voice coach Susanna Pichay. She was with the singing group G4 of Nonoy Tan. Unfortunately, two of the co-members did not continue on so the group and the planned album was scrapped. But the group was able to record two songs. After G4, she went into modeling and landed an endorsing stint with Bambini cologne and a Ponds television advertisement. She also made it to the elite Circle of 10 modeling search along with fellow Starstruck member, Dion Ignacio winning the Ms. Photogenic title. Prior to joining Starstruck, she has appeared in soap operas Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay with Lorna Tolentino in (ABS-CBN), Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw and Nagmamahal, Manay Gina, where she appeared three times.

In 2003, Mercado joined the reality show Starstruck and together with Mark Herras were proclaimed the winners of the show. Each of them received one million pesos plus exclusive contracts from GMA Network. After winning Starstruck, she has appeared in several films including So Happy Together and the teen-flick Let the Love Begin. In television, she has appeared in the fantasy soap opera Encantadia, I Luv NY, Now and Forever, entitled Dangal and Super Twins.

She released her first album Living the Dream containing original compositions by composer Vehnee Saturno and a carrier single titled "Kahit Sandali". In May 2006, Mercado released her second album, Letting Go which included the single "Sa Aking Panaginip" by Vehnee Saturno. Her first major concert was held on May 15, 2006 at the Music Museum in Greenhills.

Jennylyn appeared on the cover of the January 2008 issue of FHM Philippines.
Supposedly she was unknowigly pregnant during the shoot.


Jennylyn works hard for son's future

Jennylyn Mercado is more focus right now with her showbiz career for her son AJ.

Jennylyn, who sported a toned body during her contract signing with Viva Entertainment, said she's really working hard for her son's future.

"Nagiipon ako at nagtatarabaho ako at nagsa-save ako for Aj's future (I am saving and working very hard for AJ's future)," she said.

Roxanne Guinoo




Roxanne Guinoo is a Filipina actress. She was born in Rosario, Cavite on February 14, 1986 to Bernardo Guinoo and Ana Bosch. She attended elementary at St. Joseph College Cavite City and in highschool at Atheneum Amcan School in Noveleta, Cavite and graduated in 2003. She then attended college at De La Salle University Dasmariñas, Cavite.

She auditioned for Star Circle Quest in SM Bicutan with her sister to accompany her.

She first appeared in the first season of ABS-CBN's teen edition of Star Circle Quest. It was said that she resembled former beauty queen and Filipina actress/host Charlene Gonzalez and that she has the makings of the next soap opera princess. They said that aside from having dramatic talent, she had very leading-lady features and striking TV presence.

She was paired up with fellow Star Circle Teen Questor Joross Gamboa during the competition, and their pair was dubbed "JoRox". The two of them were part of the contest's Final 5 or "Fab 5" along with Melissa Ricks, Sandara Park and Hero Angeles. Roxanne finished as second runner-up, with Sandara being the first runner-up and Hero winning the competition.

After the first season of Star Circle Quest, Roxanne, along with the nine other finalists of SCQ, appeared in SCQ Reload wherein she played Roxanne Roxas, the sister of RJ Martinez and Errol Abalayan and half-sister of Hero Angeles in the series.

After SCQ Reload, she then appeared in the hit drama series Gulong ng Palad with her loveteam Joross Gamboa. She also appeared in many other ABSCBN shows. She co-hosted the now defunct show At Home Ka Dito along with look-alike Charlene Gonzalez and former loveteam Joross Gamboa.

Guinoo is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic. Presently she has appeared as model for White Castle whiskey and has posed for Maxim magazine (no.3 sexiest women in the Philippines). On March 17, 2007, she officially became a co-host of the noontime game and variety show Wowowee. However, she was removed from the said show on July 31, 2007 due to conflict in schedules, but occasionally guest co-hosts the show when she is needed or if her schedule permits.

Roxanne recently starred in the highly acclaimed Sineserye: "Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos" together with her former flames Joross Gamboa and Jake Cuenca. She was seen on "Mars Ravelo's Lastikman" as the best friend of the lead character Migs. Roxanne also starred alongside leading man Dennis Trillo in the episode Bangungot of the movie "Shake, Rattle, & Roll 9." She went through martial arts and firing training for her special role as a secret agent and one great love of one of the main characters in the action-packed series "Palos (TV series)" starring Cesar Montano and Jake Cuenca. She is also set to be paired with Zanjoe Marudo and star alongside Philippines' award-winning actress Maricel Soriano in the suspense-thriller series Florinda (TV series).

Roxanne was chosen by ABS-CBN to do her most daring and title role as Lea Alegro, in her very first solo afternoon teleserye Ligaw na Bulaklak, premiering on May 26, 2008, after "Wowowee". She will be joined by her leading men, upcoming actors Sid Lucero as her childhood sweetheart, Billy and VJ and Kjwan member Marc Abaya as Francis.

Roxanne is also set to be part of two films. One as the leading lady of Willie Revillame in Mr. Housewife. She will play as Revillame's wife, who works as an OFW abroad, while he is left in the Philippines with their two children. Another is One Night Only, an entry in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Roxanne says that she had a sense of freedom upon joining SCQ. She was finally allowed to go wherever she wanted.

She also claims to never have had a date or a boyfriend until she entered SCQ. Her first date was during the contest, wherein she had a date with Filipino actor Juddah Paolo.

Her first boyfriend was Joross Gamboa, her former love team partner during and after SCQ.
According to several magazines, they broke up after more than a year of being together.
Roxanne recently confirmed on The Buzz that she and Filipino actor Jake Cuenca had broken up.

Iya Villania




Raelene Elaine Ebaler Villanía (born June 29, 1986 in Australia), better known as Iya Villania, is a Filipina-Australian actress, host, singer and model. Mostly credited for being one of Philippines television's most visible and prominent personalities, she shares hosting roles for notable TV shows like ASAP '08, U Can Dance, Wowowee, Us Girls and as a VJ for MYX music channel.

Villania was born in Camperdown, Australia but grew up in Sydney, Australia. Both her parents, Ray and Elena Villania, are of Filipino descent. The youngest of three siblings, she has two elder sisters named Rhoda and Sheila. She learned to play the piano at age 8. Influenced by her dad’s fondness for karaoke, Villania began to sing at an early age. By age 13, she has fronted for Filipino acts like Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera, the APO Hiking Society and Jaya in her hometown.

Wooed by her current manager, Arnold Vegafria, to be a singer in the Philippines, Villania, accompanied by her mother, left Australia to try her luck. The move was a hard one for her especially with the language and getting around the city.
Villania continued her secondary study at the Colegio de San Agustin in Makati and graduated from the same school on March 2004. She continued her educational pursuit by taking up AB Psychology at the De La Salle University where, despite her busy schedules, managed to become a consistent dean’s lister. She currently is in her senior year and is preparing to take up her thesis work. Concurrent with her psychology studies, Villania is also enrolled at the Asian College of Science and Technology where she is taking up culinary studies.

Things were difficult for her at the beginning; she went to numerous auditions and VTR-tests with no encouraging results. She was even rejected in her first MYX audition because of her heavy Australian accent. In 2003, Villania got her screen name, Iya, in an anime-inspired endorsement stint for Globe Telecom.

Villania’s first TV appearance was via IBC-13’s Game Channel, an interactive texting game show. While hosting for the show, she was offered to join the cast of GMA 7’s youth-oriented hit program “Click”. As Game Channel grew in popularity, it was later transferred to ABC-5 and given a new format as “Game Channel Extreme”. GMA 7, afterward, included her in its afternoon drama project “Walang Hanggan” along with Oyo Boy Sotto and Valerie Concepcion. In 2004, she transferred to GMA 7’s rival network, ABS-CBN, to accept a VJ job offered by its music channel subsidiary, MYX, and an acting role for another youth-oriented show, “Seasons of Love”. In 2005, she was chosen to co-host the daily noontime show, Wowowee, and the variety show, ASAP Mania. In 2006, Villania had to give up her hosting job for Wowowee to accommodate her two new ventures; a lifestyle show, Us Girls, for Studio 23 and a reality-dance show, U Can Dance. In 2007, she again hosted for the season 2 of U Can Dance and was paired with Vhong Navarro in the fantaserye Lastikman. In between, Villania was given numerous TV guestings for shows like Komiks, Love Spell and Your Song. She was also given the opportunity to play in Deal or No Deal and Wheel of Fortune. Currently, she is still with ASAP Mania, US Girls and a VJ for Myx.

Villania was signed up by Regal Films’ owner, Lily Monteverde, to be one of the front liners for the latest batch of Regal actors. Her debut movie, “A Beautiful Life,” released in 2004, was directed by multi-award winning director, Gil Portes; where she starred opposite stellar actresses: Dina Bonnevie, Amy Austria and Gloria Romero. In the same year, she was nominated for best supporting actress in the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival for the war drama movie “Aishite Imasu 1941” under award winning director, Joel Lamangan. In 2005, she played an all-powerful nature fairy for Imus Productions’ “Exodus: Tales of the Enchanted Kingdom” opposite Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. In the summer of 2006, Villania acted her first horror-flick with Dennis Trillo and Marian Rivera for the movie “Pamahiin”. The following year, she played a cameo role as the wife of Piolo Pascual in the romantic movie “Paano Kita Iibigin.”

In 2005, Villania got her first taste of theater acting thru STAGES’ musical production, “Footloose”. Based on the 1983 hit movie “Footloose” by Kevin Bacon, she auditioned for the role of Ariel, the rebellious pastor’s daughter essayed in the film by Lori Singer. Playing love team with Jay-R, she sang and danced her way thru stellar soundtracks like “Let’s Here it For the Boy”, “Holding Out for a Hero”, the love theme “Almost Paradise” and the supremely upbeat “Footloose”.

Due to numerous offerings and school loads, Villania’s singing career, her main reason for coming in the Philippines, had to take a backseat. In spite of this, she still was given the opportunity to demonstrate her talent on many occasions. In 2003, she front-acted for the American pop rock band Hanson. In 2005, she had a singing duet with Ogie Alcasid in his Valentine concert. Beside singing for most of her part in Footloose The Musical, she recorded “Almost Paradise” with Jay-R which became the carrier song for the musical’s album release. In 2006, in-line with her endorsement for Rose Online, she recorded the game’s carrier single “Good To Be Me” and performed it during the game’s official launching.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Carla Humphries


Carla Humphries (born Madeleine Lauren Humphries on May 20, 1988 in California, U.S.) is a commercial model and actress in the Philippines. In her acting roles, she is sometimes credited as Carla Humphries Loren or Carla Loren.

She has a Filipina mother and an Italian-American father.She is fluent in English, French, and Filipino.

Humphries is best known for her roles as Rita Arguelles in ABS-CBN's soap opera Bituing Walang Ningning and as Brenda Smith in ABS-CBN's award-winning youth-oriented program,Abt Ur Luv.

She is currently working on Ligaw na Bulaklak -- an afternoon drama series that began airing on May 26, 2008 on the ABS-CBN network.

Humphries has been a member of Star Magic, ABS CBN's circle of homegrown talents, since 2003.

Humphries was discovered in 1999 at the age of 11 by Johnny Manahan, the Director of the ABS-CBN Talent Center (now known as Star Magic).He invited her to join the Talent Center's acting workshops and audition as a Talent Center artist after seeing her perform in her school's Recognition Day program.

Humphries attended workshops in various disciplines, including acting, singing, and personality development over the course of two years. She was accepted and launched as a member of Star Circle Batch 11 in May 2003.

After her launch, Humphries began appearing in one-time guest supporting roles on various shows on the ABS-CBN network. Her first recurring guest role came in late 2003, when she was cast as a fashion model named "Paris" in the youth-oriented TV show Berks. In the show, Paris subsequently became the girlfriend of Berks regular, Ketchup (portrayed by Ketchup Eusebio). The role would be the first time Humphries is paired with a comedian, a pattern that is later repeated in the TV show Qpids.

In 2004, Humphries appeared in a supporting role in her first movie, My First Romance, as a friend of the lead character portrayed by Heart Evangelista.She was also cast that same year in her first primetime recurring guest role as "Penelope" in the TV series Sarah, the Teen Princess where she was positioned as a romantic rival of the show's lead character portrayed by Sarah Geronimo.The role ended prematurely when the show was canceled due to poor ratings.

In 2005, Humphries got her first big break on primetime TV when she was cast in ABS-CBN's Reality Loveteam Search Qpids in 2005, where she and her loveteam partner Janus del Prado emerged as the Qpids Voter's Choice for receiving the most votes from viewers through phone calls and SMS text messages. Qpids was where the stage name "Carla Humphries-Loren" was first used, with the intent to eventually transition her stage name to "Carla Loren"ostensibly to improve her name recall among Filipino viewers. After Qpids, however, Humphries continued to be credited as "Carla Humphries."

In 2006, Humphries and loveteam partner Janus del Prado were cast in the Langis episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, a drama anthology on ABS-CBN, where Humphries' performance garnered glowing reviews from the local entertainment press.

In the same year, Humphries was cast as "Rita Arguelles" in the primetime drama series Bituing Walang Ningning, which starred Sarah Geronimo and Angelika dela Cruz. The series ran for 21 weeks during which time one of her shampoo commercials also began airing in the Philippines ,making her more visible and recognizable.

Humphries also appeared that same year in supporting roles in two well-received Star Cinema movies, D' Lucky Ones and First Day High.

Humphries was also cast as one of the four lead characters in the youth-oriented TV series Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv, which began airing in November 2006. The show launched her new loveteam with Victor Basa, won Best Youth Oriented Program at the 21st PMPC Star Awards (2007), and aired a total of 57 episodes. The series finale aired on January 5, 2008.

In 2008, Humphries joined the cast of Palos -- a primetime action / drama TV series on the ABS-CBN network where she was cast as a medical doctor who also happens to be the First Daughter of the Republic of the Philippines. The role is a departure from the teen and youth-oriented roles that Humphries has portrayed since her launch as a Star Magic artist in 2003.

After Palos ended, Humphries began work on Ligaw, an afternoon drama series that also began airing on the ABS-CBN network in May 2008.

In 2003 shortly after her launch, Humphries began appearing in local style and fashion magazines intended for the teen market.

In 2004, she landed her first magazine cover with Pink Magazine[12] and appeared for the first time in Metro Weddings, an upscale magazine targeted at the bridal market.Also in the same year, Humphries appeared in her first TV commercial for Globe Telecom's GenTxt club.

In 2006, she landed her first multi-country TV commercial for Sunsilk shampoo. Her commercials were aired in 6 countries in the Asian region.

Humphries is the second of four children born to a Filipina mother and an Italian-American father who grew up in France.Humphries and older brother Alec were born in the United States, while her two younger siblings Nicolas and Samantha were born in France and the Philippines, respectively.

Humphries studied in French schools until her mother transferred her to the ABS-CBN Distance Learning Center (DLC) in Manila, where she obtained her high school diploma.

She enrolled and attended one year at the University of Santo Tomas to study Fine Arts, before transferring to the Center for International Education (CIE), whose more flexible schedule allowed her to pursue her acting career without giving up her studies.

Humphries dabbles in both music and art, and at one point entertained the idea of working in a museum or a gallery.She has been painting since she was eight years old: "I have always loved drawing and was always best in drawing in school. After that, I did after-class painting workshops. I love painting abstracts and landscapes. My works either reflect me, or they're sceneries. But I don't consider myself a professional.

In an interview in May 2004, Humphries admitted to having had a boyfriend at the age of 14, "but it lasted only for four months as I realized I was too young.

While on the set of the TV series Qpids in 2005, Humphries met actor Janus del Prado and was subsequently partnered with him by Qpids creator Lauren Dyogi to form an acting love team.

In an interview in October 2005, Humphries clarified that she and del Prado are "not together but he's courting me. We're happy being a loveteam at the moment. We can't say right now if we can be more than that.

In February 2006, a magazine feature article confirmed that Humphries and del Prado had officially become a couple. The relationship, however, did not last as confirmed by both Humphries and del Prado when they appeared together on the September 5, 2006 episode of Homeboy, a Philippine morning talk show.

In May 2008, Humphries and John James Uy admitted to a budding relationship in an interview on the morning talk show Boy & Kris.

Cathy Gonzaga


Catherine Cruz Gonzaga, also known as Cathy Gonzaga, is a Filipina actress. She is the sister of Toni Gonzaga. In 2008, she officially changed her screen name to Alex Gonzaga.

She is best known for her role as Alex, the "artistahin" fashionista in ABS-CBN's sitcom Let's Go and Go Kada Go.

Cathy Gonzaga is a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic.

Erich Gonzales




Erich Chryselle Gonzales Gancayco also known as Erich Gonzales (born 20 September 1990) is a Filipina child actress and is part of Star Magic.
She is well known for playing the role Waling-Waling in Abt Ur Luv.Erich was the Grand Questor of Star Circle National Teen Quest 2.Erich was raised in Davao City and has two siblings.

After winning Star Circle Quest, she changed her family name from Gancayco to Gonzales which is the maiden family name of her mother.

Erich attended the prestigious Trinity University of Asia School in Quezon City with fellow actors Ahron Villena, Megan Young, Alfred Navarro, Che Tolentino, Charles Christianson, Kontin Roque, Sugar Mercado, Sophia Montecarlo, Alvin Aragon and Marco Aytona .

Erich started her career in showbiz last 2004 by joining Star Circle National Teen Quest 2 (SCNTQ2). Indeed all the hard work pay off eventually. She made it as the Grand Questor among thousands of other young and talented achievers and lter.

Eda Nolan


Eda Nolan (born Eda Kristy Cabilan on December 14, 1988) is a Filipina Actress.

She is best known for her role as Junniper, the shy, 'promdi' girl, in ABS-CBN's sitcom Let's Go and Go Kada Go.

Eda Nolan has been a member of Star Magic, ABS CBN's circle of homegrown talents, since 2006.

Eda first started as a contestant in ABS-CBN’s reality-based talent search Star Circle Quest: Season 2 in 2004. She was part of the Top 25, but never made it to the finals.

Eventually, Eda was asked to audition for Star Magic and still she didn't get picked. When she was about to leave ABS-CBN she met Mr. M. Talked to her and asked her to come back after graduation.

After high school graduation, Eda went back to Manila to under go training and workshop in acting, singing and dancing. That lasted for six months.

After the training, Eda patiently waited for an offer. Getting bored and feeling it was not just her time yet, she decided to go back to Cebu. And just when she made up her mind to pursue her studies, she got a call asking her to audition for the sitcom Let's Go. This time, luckily she got picked.

On the May 12th, 2007, episode of Wowowee, to promote ABS-CBN's new teen comedy "Gokada Go!", cast members from the show performed a dance number as part of the entertainment segment of the show. The tube top of one of the dancers, Eda Nolan, became loose, exposing one of her breasts. Although producers claimed that Eda was wearing a skin-colored bra.
Wowowee received a 3-day suspension from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

Eda, has not been seen on TV after she left a sitcom, "that's my doc" on ABS-CBN (2007). But then everyone was shocked when she was seen again on TV, news this February 2008, It was revealed that Eda gave birth to a healthy baby boy on February 8. Her Boyfriend, teen actor from GMA 7 named Gian Carlos is the father of her Son. Eda seemed very happy when she was interviewed by Boy Abunda of The Buzz (An ABS-CBN talkshow).

Empress Schuck




Empress Karen Schuck (born February 19, 1993) is a Filipina actress who is currently a member of ABS-CBN's elite circle of homegrown talents collectively known as Star Magic.

Born of a German father and a Filipino mother. She was born on February 19, 1993. Standing 5'5". She's also a musician. Schuck plays the guitar and the piano. Schuck was discovered by ABS-CBN when she was eight years old. When she was only eleven years old, Empress appeared in Bida Si Mister, Bida Si Misis.
Empress' first movie was 9 Mornings, she was only nine years old then. Empress was seen on GMA when she played the roll of Young Cassopeia in Etheria. She also appeared in Super Inggo as Ava Avaniko where she was paired with Sam Concepcion. Empress was known as Hillary in Abt Ur Luv and Abt Ur Luv, Ur Lyf 2 which was replaced by a new youth oriented show on ABS-CBN called Astigs.
She and her co-stars are still together in this show including Dino Imperial, Enchong Dee, AJ Perez, Angelo Patrimonio, Chris Gutierrez, Lauren Young, Zia Marquez, and Erich Gonzales but with a different and better storyline. Sadly, the other casts of Abt Ur Luv are not casted, but on the bright side, the show has added new young talents for teens to love.

Sandara Park



Sandara Park (Korean: 박산다라, Hanja: 朴-, born November 12, 1984 in Busan, South Korea) is a Korean who once starred in movies and television shows in the Philippines. Her unusual three-syllable Korean name, which she has talked about numerous times during interviews, comes from that of a Korean general, Kim Yushin - whose childhood name was "Sandara. Sandara was born to affluent Korean parents. However, by the time Sandara was 8-years-old, her father's relatives placed him in a financially tight spot which then crippled his business. In hope of recovering from this strain, Sandara's father tried his luck in the Philippines. He settled in a small apartment in Pasay City, and started a business. Sandara and her family remained at her grandmother's house in South Korea for some time until her father finally had enough money to relocate them to the Philippines.

Sandara enrolled in voice lessons at the Center for Pop Music in the early 2000s. Initially, no one in their family was fluent in English or Tagalog. However, she learned English when she began school in the Philippines, and later became quite fluent in Tagalog.

During one of her school functions, Sandara met Pauleen Luna, who was then a talent of ABS-CBN Channel 2. Luna encouraged the shy Sandara to audition for Star Circle Quest, a then-up-and-coming talent search for ABS-CBN. Park tried her luck and found herself in the same batch with fellow questors, Hero Angeles and Joseph Bitangcol.

The show's judges called her in, and she was able to elude elimination several times, paving the way for her inclusion into the contestant-pool's top ten. Being a native Korean, she displayed some trouble with the daily exercises set by the panel of Filipino judges. Though she had some comedic ability, she remained monotonous, dull or lacking in timing. What she lacked in talent, however, she made up with charisma. She proved this during the whole run of the show in which she consistently garnered the Texter's Choice Award, an award given weekly for the contestant who got the most text votes from viewers. During the last elimination round in which the final five contestants were chosen, Sandara made Philippine history by garnering approximately 500,000 text votes, making her the first female to garner that much SMS support. And so she remained until the final night when she was announced runner-up to Hero Angeles. It is estimated that she got at least 2,000,000 accumulated SMS votes from supporters during the entire run of the contest.

During the contest's run, she was paired with Hero Angeles but their relationship became increasingly estranged. This later ended up in a real fight that broke up their partnership. ABS-CBN showered Park with projects after her Star Circle Quest days. She had six local commercial endorsements for personal care and stationary products. She also received several television show offers. She starred as Sandara Soh in a Star Circle Quest spin-off SCQ Reload, OK Ako (SCQ Reload, I'm OK), and hosted Sandara's Romance, a show featuring Korean dramas and commentary. She also had a hosting stint on ASAP Fanatic, a Sunday noontime teen variety show. She also appeared in a local daily primetime superhero soap opera, Krystala, as Kim, who shared similar personalities with her real-life self, but her tight schedule limited her appearances.

In addition, Sandara also embarked on a musical career that eventually led to the release of her self-titled 6-track album which spawned the novelty dance hits "In Or Out," a song that parodied her experiences on Star Circle Quest, and "Walang Sabit," the jingle for Rejoice Shampoo. As proof of Sandara's rapid rising-star status, the album was certified double platinum after 6 months, selling 60,000 copies.

Sandara also appeared in two movies. Her first was a three-storyline movie called Bcuz of U in which she co-starred with other prominent young local actors. Her second movie was with her loveteam partner, Hero Angeles, Can This Be Love, which grossed P 99,000,000.

After a tumultuous partnership with Hero Angeles, Sandara Park opted to pursue college and workshop lessons in Seoul, South Korea. There were rumors and statements in the Korean press that Sandara had tried to become a singer and actress in South Korea, but due to a series of setbacks, that never materialized.

Soon, local media, playing along with the controversy, voiced their unhealthy indifference with Angeles and his brother-turned-manager, Henry. This even led to the Angeles brothers suing writer/columnist/and showbiz aficionado, Cristy Fermin. Nonetheless, Sandara left for Korea still, leaving her troubles unresolved --for the public to decide on the fate of her popularity/rating.

During her stay in Korea, her rumored boyfriend, Joseph Bitangcol, openly admitted their relationship on national TV via the talk show, The Buzz, shocking "Hero-Sandara" fans.

On July 14, 2007, Joseph Bitangcol confirmed that he and Sandara had dissolved their relationship two weeks prior. No third party was involved because the only reason for the break-up was frequent quarrels between the two.

Six months after she first announced her plans of studying in South Korea, Sandara came back to the Philippines to continue her career. ABS-CBN had already released Angeles, so with no one currently paired with her, Joseph Bitangcol took the spot Angeles left.

Around December 2005, Sandara realized that her schedule was less tight than before. Despite improvements in her singing and acting abilities (after returning from South Korea), she had only a few TV invitations and one regular Sunday show. Additionally, she received a cold reception for her comeback. This was partly due to the success and attention that the Pinoy Big Brother Season One housemates were receiving at the time.

In early March 2006, Sandara voiced out (on national television) her feelings for the reception she received on her comeback, as well as her envy towards the Pinoy Big Brother housemates, commenting on them as colorful, whilst she is only black and white. However, the real surprise was when she revealed that her father had abandoned them, and had another family he resided with. Tears flowing, Sandara revealed that her father is a wife-beater and has taken all of her savings, leaving them in a hard position once again.

A week after Sandara gave her interview on national television, Star Cinema studios revealed its intent on casting Sandara and her boyfriend Joseph in D'Lucky Ones, coupled with her latest single, Ang Ganda Ko, the movie's official theme song. The movie opened in theaters on April 16, 2006, but grossed only P71,200,000.

Sandara then signed up with Regal Films. Dondon Monteverde, Regal's talent manager for Aubrey Miles, was in charge of Park's projects in films. She made her Regal "baby debut" in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Super Noypi, working alongside with actors from ABS-CBN's rival, GMA Network. Despite being a contract star of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, Park appeared as a guest on the December 31, 2006 edition of GMA Network's Mel & Joey. Her appearance sparked rumors that Park was exploring the opportunity of transferring to the rival network.

Eight months later, and after receiving no substantial projects, on August 1, 2007, Sandara left the Philippines once more, sadly returning to South Korea with her mother and siblings to begin a new life. The next day, August 2, 2007, YG Entertainment reported they had signed a contract with Sandara and had the confidence that she would be successful like the popular singer BoA. As a new member of the YG family, she joined Korean popular artists and bands such as Se7en, JINUSEAN, LEXY, and 1TYM. In 2008, Sandara will film a whole new drama, to which it shall be shown on television. Sandara has already appeared in a Gummy MV for a song entitled "I'm Sorry" as a partner with T.O.P., which is one of the members of BigBang. The two are both members of YG Entertaimment.

Although she was enormously popular with the teen/young-adult market, critics had panned Park for being "all hype, and no substance." But many people still believe that she has what it takes to be a star, and that she just needs to develop her craft.

Enthusiasm for Sandara died down with her breakup with Hero Angeles. After the breakup, Hero's acting career eventually faded due to further controversies with ABS-CBN and a couple of reporters. When the HeroSan mania, which prevented other loveteams from gaining recognition, had fizzled out, so did the career of Sandara, whose "reel and real" partnership with fellow Star Circle Questor, Joseph Bitangol, hardly took off. After Hero's descent into obscurity, Hero later began a career as a film-maker, rather than continue as an actor.


2007—present: Return to Korea and 2NE1's Introduction

The artist left the Philippines and returned to South Korea on 1 August 2007 with her mother and siblings to start a new life. The next day, 2 August 2007, YG Entertainment reported that they had signed a contract with the Park. As a new member of the YG Entertainment, she joined Korean popular artists and bands like Big Bang, Se7en, Jinusean, Lexy, and 1TYM. Sandara's younger brother, Sang Hyun, also debuted in early October 2009 as a rapper and dancer of a Korean boy band, in J. MBLAQ Tune Entertainment. 2NE1 was highly anticipated by fans of YG Entertainment. Before his debut, YG Entertainment had posted numerous videos of members, Sandara Park, Bom, CL, and Gong Minzy during practice, and became known as the Big Bang Man. News Woman of the Big Bang, "even became eagerly awaited abroad, and their fans began to grow. Then, on 27 March 2009, 2NE1 was featured in a commercial for the LG Lollipop with the Big Bang. 2NE1 gained popularity through both commercial and music video for the song "Lollipop" and his debut became a hot topic. On 6 May 2009, were published two versions of his music video "Fire". 2NE1 made his stage debut on May 17th at SBS Inkigayo. "Fire" topped the charts for weeks and 2NE1 hit the first again with his song "I Do not Care" from their first mini-album. The song was released on 1 July 2009 and reached number one on the lists on the same day. She is the first member to release a single entitled 2NE1 Kiss. In his commercial music video, she joined the famous Korean actor Lee Min Ho, who is best known as the Boys Goo Pyo June hit drama in Flores. The single "Kiss" won much attention and took first place on the same day it was released. She first performed live on the night of the awards for their performance MAMA 21st Street Musical. She offered to play the lead role in the Korean version of "Step Up", but negotiations are still ongoing on the production.

Juday ann Santos


Judy Anne Lumagui Santos (screen name: Judy Ann Santos), Born May 11, 1978 in Manila, Philippines, fondly called Juday by family, friends, and peers. Tagged by the press and the public as the Young Superstar due to her phenomenal success amongst the masses at a very young age, is an award-winning and multi-nominated television and film actress, a platinum-selling recording artist, a commercial model , a sought-after product endorser, a favorite magazine cover girl, and chef-restaurateur in the Philippines.


Santos is one of the granddaughters of the late Businesswoman Mrs. Victoria Dayrit-Santos and Businessman now 88 years old Tatang Miguel Santos ( proprietor of the defunct Victoria Supermarket; Owners of the biggest Victoria Building located in Kalookan City which is now on its 38th anniversary and landowners of a big farm in Rizal and one in Tarlac). She has an elder brother actor Jeffrey Santos and elder sister named Jackie. Her mother single-handedly raised them by working as a caregiver in Toronto, Canada. She also has half-siblings with her father who is now based in California, U.S.A.


Born May 11, 1978 in Manila, Philippines, Santos was discovered during her eighth birthday, when she passed the audition for Regal Films' Kaming Mga Ulila, a project that became a TV series instead for GMA. Santos's first first title role is on IBC-13's Ula, Ang Batang Gubat at the age of 10 before forging a long-running television career with ABS-CBN. To date, she has starred in nine television series (Kaming Mga Ulila, Ula Ang Batang Gubat, Mara Clara, Esperanza, Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka, Basta't Kasama Kita, Krystala, Sa Piling Mo, Ysabella), one episodic youth-oriented show (Gimik), and two anthologies (Star Drama Theatre Presents, Judy Ann Drama Special) and more than 60 films. She was awarded the Box Office Queen trophy at the age of 21.
In November 2006, Santos was awarded her own star in the Philippines Walk of Fame. In March 2007, she was inducted into the Paradise of Stars in the Mowelfund Compound. Both honors were spearheaded by German Moreno.


Santos attended Assumption Convent/Our Lady of Peace Antipolo and Mount Carmel College in Quezon City then went on to study at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies under the tutelage of Chef Gene Gonzalez where she graduated with distinction . She is now training for certification as a professional chef. She owns and manages a fine dining restaurant called Kaffe Carabana located in Quezon City. She used to own and manage Kaffe Kilimanjaro.


She has an elder brother actor Jeffrey Santos and elder sister named Jackie. Her mother single-handedly raised them by working as a caregiver in Toronto, Canada since her father left them. She also has half-siblings with her father who is now based in California, U.S.A. Santos is engaged to actor-TV host Ryan Agoncillo.[4] She has an adopted daughter Johanna Lois a.k.a Yohan.


Santos is being managed by Alfie Lorenzo. She is an exclusive artist of Star Cinema, and also an exclusive contract artist of ABS-CBN, though she was allowed to do some guest appearances on rival station GMA Network. Santos and Ryan Agoncillo had finally confirmed their engagement on June 19, 2008.


Santos grew from a skinny little girl into a chubby teenager. Soon, she discovered the sport of kickboxing and started losing considerable weight during her training for the role of a boxer in Bakit 'Di Totohanin.


Due to her transformation from a "chubby teen sweetheart" to a "sexy fitness guru", she has become an image model for health and physical fitness. She regularly appears on television advertisements, endorsing pharmaceutical brands, herbal supplements, and weight management products.


Star Records produced and released Musika Ng Buhay Ko in 2007. This CD chronicled Judy Ann's showbusiness career through personally handpicked film and TV theme songs. She sings on two tracks: Thanks To You and Ikaw Lang. This is her first solo recording venture after two certified platinum efforts (1999's self-titled debut and 2001's Bida Ng Buhay Ko) produced and released by Viva Records.


Santos has 10 Best Actress trophies, one Best Supporting Actress trophy, and more than thirty acting nominations including Best Child Actress. She already received the Gawad URIAN, the FAMAS, the FAP Luna, the PMPC Star (two times), the ENPRESS Golden Screen (three times), the Gawad PASADO and the Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines statuettes. She also received a special recognition for Chairman's Excellence in Acting from Gawad TANGLAW.


Santos also received one Box Office Queen award, one Ms. RP Movies award and two Teenage Queen of Philippine Movies awards from the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation.


As a singer, Santos has three Platinum album certifications for 1999 and 2001 Bida ng Buhay ko and 2007 Musika ng Buhay ko.

Ara Mina


Hazel Reyes-Mathay, who is better known by her screen name Ara Mina (born May 9, 1979 in Manila, Philippines), is a Filipina actress, model and singer.



She is a grand daughter of former Quezon City mayor Ishmael Mathay, Jr. She won the Golden Screen Award in 2004 for Best Actress in a drama in the Philippines. Since 1998, Mina has been a regular cast member of Bubble Gang, a sketch comedy television show in the Philippines. She is the daughter of Chuck Mathay, a former Philippine congressman from Quezon City. Her sister Cristine Reyes is also an actress with GMA Network. She had to leave GMA and her show Bubble Gang due to ABS-CBN's exclusive contract and having her show Prinsesa ng Banyera as Angelika de la Cruz' replacement for her role.

Bianca Gonzalez


Bianca Monica Malasmas Gonzalez (born March 11, 1983) is a Filipina TV host and model.

Bianca graduated high school at the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School and graduated with a degree in AB Communication Arts at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Her first job in ABS-CBN was with production, where she was a brainstormer for the Creative Development Group.

Gonzalez first hosted GameChannel Extreme with Iya Villania, Chase Tinio and Aaron Mempin. Her first ever on-cam career in ABS-CBN network however was for the now defunct show, Review Night which she hosted with Ryan Agoncillo in Cinema One. For a little less than a year, she got her Studio 23 stint as a tadjock for Wazzup Wazzup. She also co-hosted MTV U-Break.

She also became part of a Studio 23 morning show, Breakfast and later moved to the mother network to co-host Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas and the dance reality show, Stardance, the director of which was Lino Cayetano.

Her career was boosted after an invitation to join Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition where she landed at 3rd place garnering 245,594 votes or 19% of the total votes and got major breaks afterwards. Aside from hosting Y Speak, she also landed a hosting job for Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition UpLate and as the resident campus VJ for Pinoy Dream Academy's Update and UpLate shows.

She also the hosted a The Filipino Channel show, TFC Connect where she discusses Filipino issues abroad.

Currently, she continues to host and produce Y Speak. She also hosted the now defunct showbiz-oriented news show Blog: Barkada Log, and the showbiz show Entertainment Live together with her co-hosts in Pinoy Big Brother, Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez. She also reprised her role as one of the hosts of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2 in a brand new spin-off show called Über. Moreover, she hosts Cinema News Alert: Weekend Edition and a Cinema Jock features movie of the day on Cinema One. She interviewed her star crossed lover Zanjoe Marudo in Blog as her facial expressions reveal her inevitable fondness of him.

Melissa Ricks
















Melissa Ricks (born Melissa Marie Ricks on 9 January 1990) is a Filipina actress. She is of Filipino-American descent. She has come a long way from being a runner-up in Star Circle Quest; Melissa received one of her biggest breaks when she portrayed Hiyas, the apple of Pedro Penduko's eyes in the fantaserye Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko and its sequel, Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao.
She currently hosts ASAP.
Melissa Ricks: I’m not a playgirl

Melissa is part of the opening movie of Star Cinema for 2010 “Paano na Kaya” starring Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson.

During the press conference held at ABS-CBN compound, Melissa said she's very happy working with the most popular love team.

“It's an honor especially this is my first movie with Star Cinema,” she said. Melissa added: “I've been wanting to work with Star Cinema and Kim and Gerald, so its an honor for me po, so kahit anong role, big or small ok na."

She also said she doesn't have any qualms even if her name did not get a better billing on posters.

“Paano Na Kaya” Director Ruel Bayani meanwhile said Melissa was his first pick when the casting for her role was done.

“We need someone who will stand between Kim and Gerald who has enough charm and charisma na hindi negative yung dating sa moviegoers,” he said.

He added: “True enough nagawa nya sa movie, hindi sya lalabas na kontrabida dito.”

When the entertainment press raised the news about her being a playgirl, Melissa cleared the issue, saying “Playgirl? Parang hindi naman po yata ako playgirl.”

Melissa is now being linked to co-stars Matt Evans and Jolo Revilla and Precious Hearts Romance star Jake Cuenca.

“Siguro flattering din po na ma-link ako sa iba, pero hindi rin naman po maiiwasan yun,” she said.

The young star added that in showbiz people tend to give meaning when you are seen together with someone from the opposite sex.

But Melissa admitted that Jake was giving her signs that he wants to court her.

“Si Jake po, kaibigan ko matagal na. Sabi n'yo po, hindi na valid ang close friends or best friends, so masasabi ko po na parang nanliligaw po siya sa akin, pero hindi po kami,” she said.

Melissa also cleared that he is just close to Pepeng Agimat co-star Jolo because of their show and that nothing romantic is happening to them.

“Lahat na tayo, na-encounter na natin si Jolo and he's very nice, charming. Pero yun po, kaibigan ko lang po si Jolo,” she said.

Nikki Gil




Nikki Gil (born August 23, 1987) is a Filipina actress, host, and singer. She is famous for doing the Asian versions of "Breaking Free" and "Gotta Go My Own Way" from the Disney Channel Original Movies, High School Musical, and High School Musical 2.

Nikki graduated from Shekinah Christian Training Center in March 2004 as batch Valedictorian. She is currently studying at the Ateneo de Manila University. She attends church in Alabang New Life Christian Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Nikki Gil was originally known for her role in a Coca-Cola commercial. She was voice talent for various television and radio commercials and jingles including Dunkin Donuts, J&J, Ovaltine, Anchor Milk, Del Monte Catsup, and Del Monte Pineapple.

She later became a regular in variety show ASAP '06, Breakfast Surprise, and MYX. She was a host for reality tv search show Pinoy Dream Academy. She released a self-titled album, which includes the songs "Sakayan ng Jeep" and "Glowing Inside". She recorded a rendition of the song "Breaking Free" for the soundtrack of the Disney Channel's original movie High School Musical, together with Singapore's Alicia Pan and Malaysia's Vince Chong. Because of the success, she was also entitled to make the Asian version of "Gotta Go My Own Way" with Tom Price for the Philippine soundtrack of the 2007 Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical 2. This made her an Asian Girl Superstar.

Nikki is now a member of ABS-CBN's circle of homegrown artists, Star Magic.

Valerie Concepcion






Valerie Concepcion (born December 21, 1987 in Manila, Philippines), is a Filipina actress. She is currently being managed by Becky Aguila and is a free lancer. Currently, she is a co-host of ABS-CBN's noontime show Wowowee.


On December 8, 2007, Jinky Pacquiao, wife of Manny Pacquiao, sent a text message to young actress Valerie Concepcion (when Jinky discovered Manny's torrid kissing scene with her in the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Anak ng Kumander): "This is Jinky Pacquaio, I saw you with my husband in a kissing scene. How sweet! Ito ang masasabi ko, kung isa ka rin sa bumabalak na manira at sirain ang pamilya ko, Hindi kita uurungan o kaya gusto mo, pupuntahan kita sa Wowowee at ipagsigawan ang kalandian mo. Balita ko, nagpahanap ka daw ng bahay. Pera ba ang kailangan mo? Subukan mo mga balak mo, lalabanan kita.


She is being considered to play the lead for the local version of Betty La Fea, the same role that Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez wanted to do as her first Valerie Concepcion teleserye on ABS-CBN.Other actresses like Angel Locsin, Bea Alonzo and Anne Curtis are also rumored to be on the short list. Valerie admitted that she already feels honored to have been thought of taking on such a challenging role. It has been comfirmed that Bea Alonzo willbe playing the lead role in Betty La Fea.

Concepcion is currently single but has one child, named Fiona. She got pregnant when she was 16 to a Sotto.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Pokwang



Marietta Subong, better known by her stage name Pokwang is a Filipina actress, TV Host, and comedian. She started in a reality show in ABS-CBN and subsequently appeared in dramas and sitcoms of the network. She also received the Best Comedy Actress award from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) for her portrayal in the sitcom Aalog-Alog and the Best Female Comedian award from People’s Choice Awards. She is also a host of the variety show Wowowee.

Mariel Rodriguez




Mariel Rodriguez (born Maria Erlinda Termulo on August 10, 1984) is a Filipina young actress, commercial model and endorser, and TV host. She started as a model for Clean and Clear facial cleanser. The GMA Network later discovered her and she was made host of Extra Challenge, Rodriguez later transferred to the ABS-CBN Network, and was made one of the hosts of Pinoy Big Brother.


Mariel Rodriguez is also currently one of the hosts of Wowowee with Valerie Concepcion and Pokwang. Rodriguez is also set to play a superheroine in the upcoming series Varga.

Angelika Dela Cruz




Maria Lourdes Egger Dela Cruz, better known by her screen name Angelika Dela Cruz (born October 29, 1981), is a Filipina actress and singer of Italian-Austrian-Filipino descent. She started her career in 1995, and has since appeared in a lot of television shows and movies, mostly with ABS-CBN, and has recorded a couple of albums as well.

Angelika Dela Cruz was born of a Filipino father and an Italian-Austrian mother. She is 5 feet and 1.5 inches tall and has dark brown hair and eyes. She has a younger sister, Mika, who is now a child star, and two brothers, Edward and Erick, the former being the lead singer for the boy band "Freshmen". She currently resides in Malabon, Metro Manila. She used to be the girlfriend of fellow actors Jericho Rosales, Victor Neri and the late Miko Sotto. She is currently dating a non-showbiz man named Orion. Angelika is also the owner of Starz Bar and restaurant.

Angelika Dela Cruz started her career in 1995. She became part of the movie Nights of Serafina which made her win the 1997 New Best Actress of the Year award. After that, ABS-CBN spotted her and she became part of the noon-time soap opera Mara Clara. Angelika, whose main passion is singing, made two albums under BMG Records and one album under Imperial Records, which succeeded in selling her album in Japan. Though she really wanted to be a singer, Angelika found more success in the field of acting. After her stint in Mara Clara, she was seen again in another Judy Ann Santos series: Esperanza. She was also paired with Jericho Rosales in the teen horror series Oka Tokat and in the movie Magandang Hating Gabi, they also had a short flick of the hit series Esperanza. She also starred in some movies such as Seventeen so Kaka, Huwag Mo Nang Itanong and Esperanza: The Movie which gave her a Best Supporting Actress nomination. She became part of ABS-CBN's Star Magic.

After being with ABS-CBN, Angelika decided to transfer to GMA Network. On GMA, she became part of a Jessa Zaragosa series, Di Ba't Ikaw. She was also in the youth-oriented show, Click, the noontime variety show, SOP and in the fantasy-action-adventure series Pintados. One of her biggest breaks on TV came when she starred in the series Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin. Her performance in the said series crowned her as GMA's Soap Opera Princess. However, though she was very active in primetime TV, Angelika didn't stop making films. She did a mature role in the movie Hari ng Selda: Anak ni Baby Ama 2 with Robin Padilla. She also did the movie S2pid Luv with Andrew E. After Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin, Angelika starred in another GMA Network soap series Habang Kapiling Ka.

When Angelika's contract with GMA expired, Angelika moved back to her first home studio ABS-CBN. She was paired again with ex-boyfriend Jericho Rosales in the hit series Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas with Kristine Hermosa and Diether Ocampo. After doing the soap, Angelika refrained from drama and concentrated in her hosting talent. She did hosting in the showbiz-oriented show ETK: Konek, ASAP, Morning Star, MTB: Ang Saya Saya, and the 2004 Himig Handog Love Songs. After that, Angelika made another primetime series, Ikaw ang Lahat Sa Akin with Claudine Barretto, Diether Ocampo, John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. Prior to that series, Angelika received offers such as playing the role of Eden in the series Panday and playing the role of Alena in the hit fantasy series Encantadia but she had to turn down to the role due to the said soap with Claudine. After doing a supporting role in Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin, Angelika made another soap opera, the TV remake of a Sharon Cuneta and Cherie Gil movie, Bituing Walang Ningning, this time, she played the anti-heroine to the series which also starred Sarah Geronimo and Ryan Agoncillo. Angelika was also seen in Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao where she played the role of Kalagua, the ultimate evil. She also played as one of the leads in the mid-drama series Prinsesa ng Banyera along with Kristine Hermosa. She subsequently turned down the following roles offered to her by ABS-CBN: lead role on the then-upcoming show Kapag Langit and Humatol which was shelved; the leading lady of Vhong Navarro in Lastikman; and the anti-heroine roles in Ysabella and Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (which was bought later on by GMA Network where she accepted the role). She was also considered for the lead role of the remake of Rubi.

While Prinsesa ng Banyera was still on air, Angelika decided to move back to the Kapuso network. She signed a full-year contract with the station that gave her two major soap operas. Her comeback project with the Kapuso network is a remake of a Sharon Cuneta movie, Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita. She was replaced by former Kapuso star, Ara Mina, in the on-going Prinsesa ng Banyera. There are news that Angelika will star in another sinenovela with Iza Calzado entitled Una Kang Naging Akin.