ANGEL Locsin says the series “The General’s Daughter” will forever have a special place in her heart.

“Napakahirap gawin but I enjoyed doing it very much,” she says. “I love my character as Rhian a.k.a. Arabella kasi her priority is the greater good and the people she loves. I want to thank everyone involved for the past nine months, from the big cast and the crew. We really had a great team and we’re already so comfortable with each other, so I’m sure we’ll all miss one another now that the show is ending.”

What scenes are most unforgettable for her?

“Isang eksenang tumatak sa’kin was when we’re taping sa cemetery. The whole cast was there, biglang lumindol. Lahat very professional, walang bumitaw. Nayuyugyog na ‘yung puno sa tabi namin so I told Tito Pip (Tirso Cruz III), halika na, let’s save ourselves first.

Grabe din ‘yung karera ng bangka sa isla, we won ni Arjo Atayde at napataob namin ‘yung isang bangka but muntik na silang malunod.”

“The General’s Daughter” is such a big show and it would be a tough act to follow.

“Meron akong pending movies sa contract ko sa Star Cinema, pero ayoko munang pag-usapan kasi, hangga’t wala pa sa harap ko, ‘di pa tayo sure kung tuloy talaga. So after this, aayusin ko muna ang health ko kasi, kahit may back injury ako, I continued doing my own action scenes, na kinaya ko naman. Ilang beses akong bumagsak kaya magpapagaling muna ako and I will also attend to my coming wedding (to film producer Neil Arce). I think ‘yun ang mas mahirap at mas malaking challenge na papasukin ko so, good luck na lang po sa akin.”

***
Myrtle Sarrosa was the big winner in “Pinoy Big Brother: Teens” in 2012 but her career didn’t take off the way those of other winners did. She’s lucky that Regal Entertainment continues to give her film assignments and she’s now one of the lead stars in the barkada movie, “Ang Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love.” In real life, was there a time that she really wanted to give up on love?

“I admit may times na gusto ko nang sumuko,” she says. “Kasi when you’re in a relationship, there are times na both sides, hindi na happy at hindi na kayo nakakatulong for each other to grow, so it’s better to just give up.”

Has she done any crazy things for love?

“Oh yes, I’ve done some crazy things for love. Ako kasi, pag alam kong may kailangan ang taong mahal ko, gumagastos talaga ako para sa kanya, like I bought all the things he needs for his mobile game at sobrang mahal noon, ha. Now, pinagsisisihan ko ‘yun kasi hindi naman pala kami magkakatuluyan. Dapat pala, ginastos ko na lang para sa sarili ko ang pera kaysa para sa gadgets niya.”

Of course, she would not reveal the identity of the guy. In “Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love,” she plays Juna Mae, a promodizer who is afraid of commitment. She has a boyfriend, Albie Casino as Hadji, who’s a hopeless romantic and her exact opposite. She’s cynical about love after her past relationships ended badly and does not believe in forever. In contrast, Hadji is more idealistic when it comes to romance.

***
Ken Chan admits he was totally surprised when his team up with Rita Daniela in “My Special Tatay” last year became immensely popular with the public. “I was originally paired with Arra San Agustin pero mas kinagat ng tao ang tambalan namin ni Rita. We were first called ‘BoBrey’ love team, based sa names namin sa show na Boyet and Aubrey. But now, they call us ‘RitKen,’ based on our real names.”

And now, they are featured in the new primetime show, “One of the Baes.”

“I’m so happy for Rita kasi unti-unti na niyang naabot ang kanyang mga pangarap and I’m happy rin na I’m part of her life and the success in her career that she’s now getting.”

Rita says she feels the same way for Ken. “Masaya rin akong bahagi ka ng buhay ko. You’re so full of energy and you share it with other people with your contagious smile, so just stay the way you are.”

Ken started as one of those countless wannabes in the late German Moreno’s “Walang Tulugan” but he has now really managed to be one of the top leading men of GMA. He works hard as he is the breadwinner after his dad was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus.

“He’s okay now, after 12 chemotherapy sessions. He’s really getting better and it’s a big blessing for us. But nakaalalay pa rin kami sa kanya and, every month, he has a check up to make sure he’ll remain cancer free.”

***
Julie Anne San Jose knows she has a tough job filling in the shoes of Regine Velasquez as host of “The Clash.” Regine left GMA-7 after “Clash, Season 1” and is now with ABS-CBN.

“I know mahirap ang trabaho ko but I’m excited about it,” she says. “I’d like to thank GMA sa pagtitiwala nila sa’kin. First time ko to host a musical competition and I promise to do my best para hindi ako mapahiya sa mga nagtiwala sa kakayahan ko. I’m just happy na kasama ko rin dito sina Rayver Cruz as co-host, and Ken Chan and Rita Daniela as journey hosts. Rita and I can relate sa pagdaraanan ng contestants kasi pareho kaming galing din sa isang singing contest, ‘Popstar Kids.’”

What can she say that her ex, Benjamin Alves, has found a new love, model Chelsea Roberto?

“Kung happy siya, kung happy sila, then okay lang po ako roon. Hindi naman ito contest ng kung sino ang mauunang magka-boyfriend or girlfriend. As of now, ang focus ko, ang career ko lang, lalo na nga’t dumating itong hosting job ko sa ‘The Clash.’ I don’t wanna be distracted dito, so hindi ako naghahanap ng lovelife.”

***
Alden Richards is on a winning streak. After bagging the Asian Star Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards, he now wins Starmometer’s Sexiest Man in the Philippines title for the second consecutive year.

He got more than half of all the votes at 56.9%. After him are Daniel Padilla (2nd), Enrique Gil (3rd), Dingdong Dantes (4th), James Reid (5th). Derek Ramsay (6th), Carlo Aquino (7th), Marco Gumabao (8th), Matteo Guidicelli (9th) and Gerald Anderson (10th).

“I want to thank all those who took the time and voted for me in this poll,” says Alden. “It inspires me to do better in everything I do. I also want to thank all those who continue to make our new show on GMA-7, ‘The Gift,’ trending every night on social media. Lahat kami ng kasama ko sa show are all so flattered sa dami ng magagandang feedback at positive comments na pino-post nila about ‘The Gift’ on social media. Dahil dito, mas ginaganahan kaming lalo pang pagandahin ang bawat episode ng show.”

SARAH Geronimo and boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli are currently in Bali, a favorite tourist destination in Indonesia, to celebrate their sixth anniversary as sweethearts.

They’re just all by themselves, which means Sarah’s mom no longer chaperones her and they’re now allowed to go out of the country on their own.

Their fans are now hoping they would walk down the aisle soon, but both Sarah and Matteo have said they’re not in a hurry to settle down yet and build their own family. Sarah is just taking a short break from the shooting of her new movie which already has a playdate this coming October. We’re told it just needs two more days of shooting and it’s finished.

This is “Unforgettable,” the story idea of which came from Sarah herself and she specified she doesn’t want to have any leading man in it. She plays an autistic girl who has a dog as her best friend, so this is like those past hit movies about the unique relationship of a human being with a dog, like “A Dog’s Purpose,” “Marley and Me,” “A Dog’s Way Home,” “A Dog’s Journey,” etc.

Sarah travels with her dog to Baguio to visit her ailing grandmother, played by Gina Pareño. She believes that when her lola sees the dog, she will regain her good health as it has happened to her before.  But Sarah takes the wrong bus and ends up in Ilocos, so she walks her way back to Baguio.

Along the way, she meets Regine Velasquez and many other guest stars. Also in the cast are Ara Mina and Meg Imperial as Sarah’s older sisters who are looking for her. This is written and directed by Jun Lana, who’s now scoring a big hit in the rollicking comedy, “The Panti Sisters,” the top grosser in the current Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. It’s really doing well at the box office and we heard it earned P13 million on opening day.

***

JM de Guzman is back on primetime in “Pamilya Ko.”

The actor wants to thank ABS-CBN for giving him another chance to return to something he loves, which is acting, because he is back on primtime .

“I’m really grateful that they gave me another opportunity to be part of the industry,” he says. “I play a very good role in ‘Pamilya Ko’ as Chico, the eldest of eight kids, but I am so unhappy because my mother is distant to me.”

And why is this so?

“May nangyari kasi noong bata pa ako sa isa naming kapatid, for which she blames me, kaya pinalaki ako ng lola’t lolo ko, sina Perla Bautista and Noel Trinidad. Kahit anong gawin ko para mapalapit uli sa kanya, my mother resists me kaya naiinggit ako sa younger brothers and sisters ko na nakikita kong mas mahal niya.”

He was linked to Barbie Imperial in his previous soap. Now, he’s being linked to Ria Atayde, who happens to be the daughter of Sylvia Sanchez in real life. “Good friends lang kami ni Ria,” he says.

“At this point, I’m not really ready to get into another relationship. Ngayon pa lang uli ako nakakabangon after what happened to me so sa work na lang ako naka-focus muna. Baka magtampo si Lord kasi binigyan niya ako ng another opportunity tapos sasayangin ko lang by being in love again. So, sa trabaho muna po ang concentration ko.”

***

Kim Molina is being launched by Viva Entertainment to full stardom in the comedy “Jowable.” But who is she? Her full name is Kimverlie Soriano Molina and she grew up in Saudi Arabia where her dad works as a dentist. She started as a front act singer to local artists who do shows in the Middle East. When she was 14, she won ABS-CBN TFC’s singing contest in the Middle East.

She then came to Manila to try her luck in local showbiz and first ventured into theater, doing musicals like “Tarzan,” “Carrie,” “Ghost,” “Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady” and “Rak of Aegis,” which was a big hit with her playing the lead role opposite Jerald Napoles, who became her boyfriend. They’ve been together for five years now.

She then branched out to TV, appearing in supporting roles in various ABS-CBN soaps. On the big screen, she did “Walang Forever,” “Camp Sawi,” “Dalawang Mrs. Reyes,” “Pambansang 3rd Wheel,” “Miss Granny” and won the Awit Award best female artist trophy for her debut single, “Naluluha Ako.” Viva feels she’s now ripe for stardom in “Jowable” playing the role of Elsa, a woman who is NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth). Did she ever expect to star in her own movie when she was in Saudi?

“Naku, hindi po. Lumaki ako watching TFC shows at ang gaganda ng leading ladies nila. Alam ko namang malayo ako roon. I came here to be a singer, pero dito po sa acting ako dinala ni Lord. I’m really overwhelmed and thankful sa break na binigay sa’kin ng Viva. Ako rin ang kumanta ng title theme song na ‘Jowable’ whose music video is now nearing 100,000 hits.”

“Jowable” is a movie that banks on irreverent humor and opens on September 25. Her leading man is Jerald. What does she find endearing in him?

“It started with good conversations. He’s very smart and one of the few people I can talk with hanggang mag-umaga na. He’s one of the most intelligent comedians in the country now,” shared Kim.

***

Darryl Yap is the 31-year old writer-director of “Jowable,” produced by Viva and the Facebook page VincenTiments.

Yap started with his own theater group in Olongapo called Sa Wakas that has staged various productions, from one-act plays to a stage adaptation of “Himala.”

He then shifted into short films and won award for “Squatterina,” “Oyayi,” “Bago Ako Lumipad,” “KPL,” “Mga Bagay na Hindi na Dapat Pag-usapan.” He has a degree in Mass Communication from Centro Escolar University and in public administration from Nanyang University Singapore.

He started “Jowable” as a short film about a woman begging the Lord to give her a boyfriend or jowa while drinking beer inside the church. He uploaded “Jowable” on FB’s VinCentiments page at 2 a.m. and by 7 a.m., it already got 1 million views. It had two sequels that proved to be hits also so he turned it into a full-length novel, which also was an instant hit.
Did he really cast Kim as the lead character in “Jowable”?

“Actually, when Viva told me they’re giving her a break, naisip ko, I’m launching her but she’s also launching me kasi first full-length film ko ito and first lead role naman niya. When we started shooting, that’s when I realized we hit the jackpot with her. She is sharp like an eagle and like a chameleon, ang galing niyang magpabago-bago ng emosyon from one scene to another,” said Daryl.

ALDEN Richards is confident his new drama show, “The Gift,” is a fitting follow-up project to his highly successful recent blockbuster movie, “Hello Love Goodbye.”

“GMA-7 made sure this project will touch the heart of viewers, like the way our movie did,” he says.

“They left no stone unturned in coming up with a crowd pleaser. I play a role I’ve never played before, that of young man who goes blind and gains the gift of being able to see into a person’s past and also his future. Sa story, kapag nahawakan ko ang isang tao, nakikita ko ang nangyari sa nakaraan niya at ang maaaring mangyari sa kinabukasan niya. Grabe rin ang budget ng GMA sa crowd scenes dito. Ginastusan nila ang crowd scenes sa palengke where we use up to 250 extras.”

The show’s director, Lord Alvin or LA Madridejos, attests to this.

“Alden as Sep here is a fruit vendor in Divisoria,” he says. “We want to be authentic so we tried to shoot in Divisoria, but the success of his movie made him so popular with the masses today. We know there will be a crowd to watch the shooting but we didn’t expect na ganun karami ang taong darating. We had 20 policemen with us, 20 barangay tanods plus security men pa ng GMA, lahat sila, walang nagawa sa tao kasi nilalabanan sila. Tinatanong sila, ‘Bakit, anong gagawin nyo sa amin?’ Ito namang si Alden, napaka-friendly sa fans, kahit binabawalan mo na, ayaw makinig.

Mabait talaga at siya pa ang lumalapit. After several tries, we decided to quit. Tatlong beses kaming nag-attempt mag-shoot sa Divisoria, laging nauuwi sa pack up dahil inuulan pa kami. So we just put up a set sa isang warehouse sa Murphy. Ayaw sana naming dayain, but we have no choice but just get establishing shots of Divisoria sa drones then ibang scenes, sa set na lang where we use hundreds of extras as the vendors and as the people na namimili sa palengke.”

“The Gift” starts airing September 16.

***

Lea Salonga sings “We Win as One,” the official theme song for the South East Asian (SEA) Games 2019, with music by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and lyrics by Palanca awardee Floy Quinto.

Our country is the host of the biennial sporting event, which is now on its 30th year in the ASEAN region. It will take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, with 11 countries competing: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. It will involve 11,000 athletes, 9,000 volunteers, 530 events, 56 sports and 44 venues from Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas to Clark, Subic and La Union. The last time we hosted the games was in 2005.

Lea just finished her “Perfect 10” concert at Resorts World and is now a coach in “The Voice Kids.”

She’s also in the cast of Atlantis Theatrical’s production of “Sweeney Todd” to be staged in October then it goes to Singapore. She quickly agreed to sing the SEA Games theme for our country and our athletes.

“I love the song with its message of unity and being a good sport, written by two wonderful, multi-awarded artists who are both good friends of mine,” she says.

This is the second time she sings for a sporting event. The first time was when she performed at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. “But this time, it’s special as our country is going to host the games. That’s when I really have to make sure that every note I sing dapat walang mali, dapat hindi pumapalya, dapat hindi sintunado It’s not just ‘Oh, it’s Lea Salonga singing it,’ but it’s ‘Lea Salonga from the Philippines who is singing it.’ There’s a difference in the mindset, there’s a difference in the execution, even in my mind. So, for me, when I know I’m like, consciously representing the country, there’s a whole different mode of thinking that I kind of just launch into. We all have to represent the country as well and as best as we can. It’s always an honor to do it.”

***

Gabay Guro is a commendable flagship advocacy program of the PLDT-Smart Foundation with Chaye Cabal Revilla as the chair person. Their aim is building the nation one teacher at a time and their mission is to provide programs that are anchored on their 7 Core Pillars designed to hone and improve the welfare of Filipino teachers nationwide.

It now celebrates its 12th anniversary with their annual Grand Gathering at the MOA Arena on September 22. Twenty thousand teachers from all over the country are expected to attend this special tribute to them where top celebrities will perform to entertain them in a special show. This includes Aegis, Angeline Quinto, Christian Bautista, Eat Bulaga’s BakClash Divas and Broadway Boys, Edward Barbers, Gabby Concepcion, Erik Santos, Ian Veneracion, Jaya, Jay-R, Jason Dy,

Jed Madela, Jona, K Brosas, Klarisse de Guzman, Kuh Ledesma, Kyla, Martin Nievera, Maymay Entrata, Moira de la Torres, Piolo Pascual, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Zephanie Dimaranan, as hosted by Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Dimples Romana.

Teachers will also get the chance to win big prizes from Gabay Guro’s partners. Admission is free, just get your tickets from your local DepEd unit. You can also visit their official Facebook page, Twitter and INstagram accounts @PLDTGabayGuro for updates.

***

Joey Marquez and Sylvia Sanchez play husband and wife in “Pamilya Ko.” Joey admits that when they were paired in their younger days, he tried to woo her.

“Ilang beses kaming nagkasama noon at batambata siya, ang ganda, ang puti, ang sexy,” he says.

“Siyempre, [dahil] marupok na tao, nagkakaroon ako ng konting imahinasyon, maraming beses na kapag naiiwan kami sa kuwarto, dressing room, alam mo na, bilang pilyo, magtatangka at dahan-dahan akong lumalapit sa kanya. Tapos bigla siyang sisigaw, ‘Si Nes, andiyan si Alma (Moreno).’

Tatakbo na ako paatras. So, sa dami-daming experiences namin, naging mas close kami as friends at saka nawala ‘yung malisya. Kaya ginagamit namin ito sa ‘Pamilya Ko.’ Pinalalabas namin na natural talaga.”

Joey has one of the best PRs in local showbiz, just like his late dad, director Temyong Marquez.

They’re also ladies’ men. Joey says he has 15 children with different women. “Marami akong nagawang pagkakamali sa buhay when I was younger, pero nabago na lahat ‘yun ngayong 61 na ako. Maloko noon, pero nagpakatino, which is better kaysa kung dati kang matino tapos nung tumanda ka, dun ka pa nagluko. Sinasabi ko naman sa mga anak kong lalaki na huwag nila akong tularan.”

ARCI Muñoz has a new soap, “Pamilya Ko,” on ABS-CBN and she also has a new movie that’s an entry in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, so she’s really busy. She’s happy to be reunited with JM de Guzman in “Pamilya Ko,” after they were paired in the film “Last Fool Show” shot in Boracay that was shown last April.

“I did this for him,” she says looking at JM, “Kaya you owe me. Remember, si Piolo Pascual ang last leading man ko. JM and I have been good friends since our college days in UP, so it’s really nice working with him. Basta siya, anytime. Pero dito, ang role ko, best friend lang niya. Hingahan ng kanyang mga sama ng loob sa buhay, lalo na’t ayaw sa kanya ng mother nilang si Sylvia Sanchez.

‘Yun lang ang papel ko sa kanya dahil ang object of affection niya rito, si Alyssa Muhlach, a young doctor.”

“Pamilya Ko” starts airing this Monday before “TV Patrol.” The last time we got to talk to her at the presscon of “Last Full Show,” Arci was still on with Anthony Ng, also the ex of Erich Gonzales. But now, she admits they’ve broken up. She said then her past boyfriends were two-timers. Is Anthony one of them?

“No, nothing like that po,” she replies. “Walang third party involved at all. Ilang months na rin po kaming wala. Everything naman happens for a reason. Maybe it’s not just the right time for the two of us.”

As of now, she’s not interested in having a new boyfriend. “I just devote my time sa trabaho ko. And also, sa pagiging fan ng K Pop, lalo kay Park Ji Min ng grupong BTS. Sobrang obsessed ako sa BTS ngayon. Gusto ko na ngang mag-aral ng Korean to communicate with them, kasi hindi sila marunong ng English.”

***
Louise de Los Reyes was the original partner of Alden Richards when she was still with GMA-7. They did several soaps together like “One True Love” and “Mundo Mo’y Akin” that rated really well. But Louise left GMA to be managed by Viva while Alden was paired with Maine Mendoza and the rest, as they say, is history. Now, Alden has become a top box office star because of his appearance in a Star Cinema movie, paired with a top Kapamilya actress.

Louise, in turn, played supporting roles in some Kapamilya shows, did a movie with Xian Lim for Viva, and she’s now one of the sexy leading ladies of Viva’s new naughty comedy, “Sanggano Sanggago’t Sangguwapo.”

“I’m happy to be doing this movie with Janno Gibbs, Andrew E and Dennis Padilla kasi matagal na akong di nakagawa ng comedy,” she says. “Masaya kami sa set, lagi silang nagpapatawa, at masaya rin ang buong pelikula. They helped us ng iba pang leading ladies in our work. Tinuruan nila kami ng tamang techniques sa pagko-comedy, lalo na ng tamang comic timing sa pagbitiw ng mga linya.”

Off cam, Louise admits she’s now living in with her non-showbiz boyfriend. They’ve been together in a condo unit for some months now, along with two other friends. She thinks that at 27, she is now in the right age to make important decisions for herself. And so far, she is enjoying their current kind of setup.

***
Gabbi Garcia admits she felt sad when the soap she was supposed to do, “Rosang Agimat,” was shelved early this year after Manoy Eddie Garcia had an accident at their taping and eventually passed. But now, that show has been replaced by “Beautiful Justice,” a hardhitting action drama about three women who seek revenge after their loved ones were killed by a ruthless drug syndicate and will start airing on September 9 to replace “Sahaya.”

“I play Brie Cuevas, whose boyfriend was mercilesslly murdered so gusto ko siyang ipaghiganti,” she says. “I’m paired with Derrick Monasterio for the first time. Siya ang boyfriend kong PDEA agent na napatay. But it turns out he didn’t really die naman pala and he just has a secret kaya nagtatago siya to protect his own life.”

So what kind of girl is Brie? “Mayaman siya, susyal. She has a vlog and I do have a vlog in real life, so I can relate with her. Deep inside, she has a good heart but she’s also technically savvy and is a computer hacker. So ‘yun ang edge niya at magagamit nila ito later.”

“Beautiful Justice” will start airing on September 9, replacing “Sahaya” that ends this week. Gabbi has also finished a new movie that is an entry in the coming Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, “LSS (Last Song Syndrome).” Directed by Jade Castro of “Endo” and “Zombadings,” Gabbi stars with boyfriend Khalil Ramos and the current hot band, Ben and Ben. Khalil now sports a hort haircut and it becomes him. “Hindi ba? It was the right decision kasi he looks more neat, bumango ang hitsura niya. Noon ko pa sinasabing magpagupit siya and I’m glad he finally did kasi mas bagay sa kanya.”

***
Ryle Santiago renews his contract as endorser of Cherub Baby Care Products of Megasoft Hygienics. In his first contract that lasted for one year and six months, Ryle was able to do 30 shows for Cherub and visit many schools in various provinces throughout the country. Which ones are the most memorable for him? “Una ang sa Negros Occidental kasi naging wild ang reception ng mga tao.

Sobrang pinagkaguluhan ako at nagkasugat tuloy ako sa may leeg. Pero okay lang, kasi magandang souvenir ‘yun ng warm reception nila sa’kin.”

“Naging tagaawat nga ako sa crowd,” says Aileen Choi Go, Megasoft VP for sales and marketing.

“Pati hair ko, nahila. But doon ko nakita kung gaano kagusto ng tao si Ryle. Marami ngang schools ang tumatawag sa amin para bisitahin din niya. We love Ryle kasi napakabait niya, masayahin ang personality and maganda ang upbringing ng parents niya sa kanya. He’s a good example sa youth kasi kahit busy siya sa showbiz, he continues with his college studies kaya bagay sa aming theme na ‘School is Cool’.”

Ryle is currently taking up filmmaking at Meridian International (MINT) College. He’s with his stepdad, Chris Tan, at the signing of his renewal contract. He considers Chris his real dad as he grew up with him since he was 7 years old. “He was legally adopting me para maging Tan na rin ang surname ko but my real dad (Junjun Santiago), hindi pumayag, kaya Santiago pa rin ang ginagamit ko. But I had Tan tattooed on my arm to show how much I respect Daddy Chris.”

Ryle admits he’s not in the best of terms with his biological dad, although he’s in good terms with his Uncles Rowell and Randy. He says he’s just waiting for his dad to take the initiative to make “lambing” to him and everything will be okay with them. He’s now 20 years old and it’s common knowledge he wooed 19-year old Kira Balinger, who’s now in “Pamilya Ko,” but it didn’t prosper. What happened?

“Favorite siya ng ABS-CBN management and they can see she has a bright future. Niligawan ko siya, pero hindi naging kami. People around her think hindi pa siya dapat makipagrelasyon. So kung ayaw ng family niya at ng management, I have to respect that. I don’t want to get in the way of her career, but she remains to be a very special person for me up to now.”

SUNSHINE Dizon is one of GMA’s prized stars.

She is now in the cast of two new shows, no less. She plays the lead role in the first offering of “Wagas” titled “Throwback Pag-ibig” now showing as a pre-program to “Eat Bulaga.” And she’s now also taping for “Magkaagaw,” with Sheryl Cruz and Jeric Gonzales.

Well, the fact that she’s so busy is not surprising because you can count on Shine as a really good actress. In “Throwback Pag-ibig,” she plays July (if you don’t know it yet, she was really born in the month of July, July 3 to be exact). She’s happily married to Mike Tan as Ryan. But their marriage crumbled when they tragically lost their daughter in the floods. They eventually separated. But as the show’s title indicates, there will be a throwback in their lives and hope for a reconciliation.

In real life, it is common knowledge that Sunshine has called it quits with her husband, Timothy Tan. What if a throwback situation would happen to them also, just like in “Wagas,” would she be amenable?

“Honestly, mahirap sagutin ‘yan. But it takes two to tango,” she says. “It has to work both ways. Kasi lahat ng tao, puede namang magbago. I look at the positive side of life. If it’s bound to happen, hindi mo naman kailangang ipilit. Ultimately, it boils down to forgiveness. Dapat complete, kasi kung may natitirang hurt and bitterness, it will not work.”

***
Sylvia Sanchez plays Luz, the mother of eight kids in “Pamilya Ko,” the fruits of her marriage to Joey Marquez. To avoid confusion, she names her children after fruits: JM de Guzman is the helpful and hardworking “panganay” and he’s called Chico. Next is Kiko Estrada as the family’s black sheep and troublemaker, Berry. They’re followed by Kid Yambao as the obedient Apple, Jairus Aquino as the effeminate Persi, Maris Racal as the fashionista social media influencer Peachy, Kira Balinger as the introverted and artistic Lemon, Mutya Orquia as the hilarious joker Cherry, and Raikko Matteo as the math genius Pongky, who is everyone’s favorite.

“Kapag tinatawag ko silang lahat, I just say fruit salad and that means kailangan ko silang lahat,” says Sylvia.

She also played a mother in her past hit soaps, “Greatest Love” and “Hanggang Saan.” How is “Pamilya Ko” different from them?

“Doon sa past two soaps ko, wala akong asawa. Single mom ako. Dito, hindi lang ako may asawa, si Joey Marquez, kundi may kabit pa siya, si Irma Adlawan. At sobrang dami ng anak ko rito!”

How important is family for her?

“Very important. Family is life. I have five kids in real life and they’re my reasons for living. Sila ang dahilan kung bakit ako humihinga.”

“Pamilya Ko” follows the journey and struggles of the Mabunga family. “This is our tribute to the family as an institution,” she says. “It shows infidelity, sibling rivalry, the usual fights among family members, but in the end, your family is your fallback. You can always count on your family for forgiveness, acceptance and unconditional love.”

***
Andrew E admits he’s no longer as visible today as during his heyday in the 1990s when he was doing hit songs and movies, one after another.

“But I’m glad hindi naman ako totally nawawala sa eksena,” he says. “I’m now 52 years old and I can say I’m still around. Napapasali rin ako sa TV shows, like ‘Dolce Amore’ as the father of Liza Soberano, as a judge in ‘Showtime’ and in ‘I Can Hear Your Voice’ as a sing-vestigator. Last movie ko was six years ago, ‘Raketeros,’ and now, heto ang ‘Sanggano Sanggago’t Sangguwapo’ and I’m happy to be reunited with Janno Gibbs and Dennis Padilla, and our director, Al Tantay.”

He plays Andy in “Sanggano” that opens in theaters tomorrow. “Best friends kami nina Dennis, who plays Dondon, and Janno, who plays Johnny,” he says. “Lagi kaming napapatrobol. Pero si Janno pala, anak ng isang mayamang negosyante and when his father died, minana niya ang mga negosyo nito. Hiningi niya tulong namin ni Dennis in managing the businesses na naiwan ng father niya. Sa hacienda nila, ako ang pinakilala niyang si Johnny kasi ayaw niya doon sa mabibigat na mga responsibilidad na minana niya.”

This leads to some complications. “Siempre, mga poor boy lang kami, at nang makatikim kami ng buhay mayaman, biglang nagbago ang lahat lalo na nga’t surrounded na kami by sexy, gorgeous women like Louise de los Reyes, Cindy Miranda and Vanessa Wright na siyang leading ladies namin.”

***
Bea Binene is happy to be back on primetime in the action-drama, “Beautiful Justice,” which starts airing on September 9. In the series, her brother, played by Anthony Magbanua, is killed by drug pushers and she is now seeking justice for his untimely demise. She joins Yasmien Kurdi and Bea Binene as crimefighters and they become like the trio of ass kicking women in “Charlie’s Angels.”

For someone who started as a child actress, this is her most mature role to date. “Kasi ang tingin ng ibang tao sa’kin, nene pa rin ako,” she says. “So I’m trying to project a more mature image. Pati boses ko, binabaan ko na para hindi magmukhang boses ng little girl.”

She’s also trying to project a sexier image. “Ang mga damit ko rito, medyo mas revealing. I’m sure maninibago ang iba kasi ako mismo, naninibago rin. But I have to do it so I won’t get stuck in teenybopper roles. Kailangan ng transition, ng transformation, pero kailangan ding hindi pilit ang dating but natural lang.”

Is she ready to do kissing scenes?

“It will depend sa story, sa eksena, kung ano ang requirement sa role ko. Dito, I trust our director, Mark Reyes, na director ko na sa ‘Tween Hearts’ pa lang so lumaki ako sa kanya. I’m sure hindi naman nila ako isusubo sa isang sitwasyong hindi ko makakayang gawin. Maganda ang role ko rito sa ‘Beautiful Justice’ as Kitkat. Beautician ako rito and later on, magagamit nila ang talent sa pagme-make up kapag may missions kami na kailangan naming mag-disguise.”

***
Miguel Tanfelix is happy to be the mentor of “Starstruck 7” hopeful Abdul Rahman at this point when the show nears its finals. All the other remaining contestants now have their respective mentors: Mark Herras for Kim de Leon, Yasmien Kurdi for Lexi Gonzales, Kris Bernal for Allen Ansay, LJ Reyes for Pamela Prinster and Katrina Halili for Shayne Sava.

So what’s Miguel’s advice to Abdul?

“As an actor, I told him: you need to know your strengths and weaknesses. Number 1 tip is be well grounded. Be open. Tapos huwag kang kakabahan. Kasi ‘yun ang first na magba-block sa mga emotions mo. You also need to know the character you’ll play and memorize mo ang script para hindi ka nawawala.”

Miguel and Abdul are both very good looking but also both vertically challenged that you’d wish they’d grow a few inches taller for their own benefit. Meantime, Miguel wants to remind loyal viewers of “Sahaya” that their primetime drama series is ending this week. “Marami pa pong dapat abangan sa pagpapatuloy ng ‘Sahaya; kaya huwag na huwag po kayong bibitaw on our last remaining episodes. Patuloy na ginigipit ni Ana Roces as Irene si Bianca Umalis as Sahaya pero mismong ang sarili niyang anak, si Ashley Ortega as Lindsay, bumaligtad sa korte at sinabing puro kasinungalingan lang ang sinasabi ng ina niya and she cannot stand it any more.”