5 Years of "Princess And I"

5 years ago, we premiered what was to become the “Most Successful Teenserye of Our Time” on primetime television, Princess And I. The show was such a gamechanger, it changed the lives of the people involved in the serye, most importantly its lead stars. From lesser known yet promising teen stars, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla and Enrique Gil have turned into this generation’s superstars both on TV and movies, while Khalil Ramos has transitioned into one of the Philippine movies’ most critically lauded young actors.

I feel so privileged to have been part of this serye’s journe. From its humble beginnings as a concept, to its finale that reached 39% in the ratings, I was there. Looking back, we all took a leap of faith in and for this – a “princess story” on primetime  teleserye was something new that time. And we had newcomers for lead stars. We weren’t sure, but we were so hopeful. We had faith in our material, and our young, fresh cast. By God’s grace, and your support, we made it 10 months on air, even peaking at 41% in the ratings game. And apart from being my first in ABS-CBN, it remains as my most favorite among the series I've been part of.

In honor of this ground breaking teenserye’s 5th anniversary since it debuted, let me share some of the most unforgettable moments I had on the set with our stars, which today can be considered “gems” already… Memories I will treasure for the rest of my life. Back when Kath, DJ, Kali and Quen weren’t the superstars and acclaimed actors that they are now.

Wait, I admit, while I’m typing this entry, I’m listening to the serye’s theme song “Nag-Iisang Bituin” is on repeat. Legit tears are now streaming down from my eyes.

Each of them had respective hectic schedules then, having them together in one workshop was nearly impossible. This was the first, and last time the four had a workshop together for the series. I was just so excited to see them together finally. 

The four lead cast really shared a beautiful working relationship during “Princess and I”. In fact, up to this day, they’ve remained really good friends. This photo was taken after Enrique, Khalil and Daniel played basketball at our St. James set, while Kathryn was taping her own sequences. Ang gugwapo at ang fresh! =P

Visiting Khalil and Kathryn at our Marikina Riverbanks set. This was one of our earliest tapings, and Kiko and Mikay’s scenes were the first to be shot. Kath and Kali instantly hit it off as friends on the set. Cute na cute kami kay Khalil that time, he was like our baby brother. 

I dropped by our Tierra Pura set to have this gho arranged by our wardrobe mistresses for my graduation pictorial then. This was one of those used by Quen (as Dasho Jao) in the series. He was laughing and teasing when he saw me wearing it, but he was helpful he even taught me how to wear it. It looked simple, but was complicated in reality. And it felt hot wearing it. 

At our Enchanted Kingdom set, while waiting for the rain to stop. Remember when I appeared on the serye as that ticket guy who refused Daniel’s (as Gino) entry to the amusement park, prompting him to wear that unforgettable Blue Bear mascot? This pic was taken an hour before we taped it! And I remember DJ being so supportive of me in that scene. 

I visited our Hotel Rembrandt set, where Gino and Mikay’s first dance was taken. And afterwards, Kath and I had this photo op. Guess who took it? Daniel lang naman! 

Wish Granted For JoshLias!

Two Thursdays ago, as I was preparing for my weekly “A Love To Last” online companion show stint at the Star Cinema office, someone just broke in to our room to watch her scenes on the series: JULIA BARRETTO. I was shocked. Even my co-hosts were.

And Julia was not alone… She was with Joshua Garcia, her ka-loveteam in the MMFF 2016 breakout hit “Vince and Kath and James”. I casually asked them why they were there. I was informed of what was coming up. Of course, I am not allowed to reveal it yet that time.

Yesterday, the cat is finally out of the bag. Star Cinema officially revealed JoshLia’s next project: a movie to be directed by Tonette Jadaone, no less.

Green hearts spread all over social media as fans of these two’s pairing have been requesting non-stop for a project featuring JoshLia. They are doing separate projects on TV: Julia is in “A Love To Last” where she is paired with another VKJ leading man, Ronnie Alonte”, while Joshua is about to wrap his “The Greatest Love” stint and will figure in a love triangle with Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona in an upcoming serye. Putting Julia and Joshua together seemed impossible… Until this project came. Answered prayer, as some of their fans put it.

Details about the film are still in the wraps, but according to Direk Tonette, he was surprised to see Joshua in tears as she was pitching the story to him. “Na-feel ko yung sincerity niya. Ang bilis niyang nakapasok sa character niya,” the box-office director revealed. She is also appreciative of Julia’s gesture and trust on her as the film’s director and screenwriter. “Sabi niya, ‘Direk, when you write, don’t worry about my image, of what I can or can’t do’,” Direk Tonette shared.

This exciting and, for sure, kilig offering is expected to hit theaters later this year. So let’s ready our JoshLia hearts for another movie event we wouldn’t really want to miss!

AC: From Dance Sweetheart to Total Performer

Today and tomorrow, the cutest and biggest transformations happen as the Grand Showdown of "Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids" happens.

After 13 weeks of exciting yet feel good competition among 8 charming and talented young stars, we will finally get to know who will follow in their Ate Melai Cantiveros' and Ate Denise Laurel's footsteps of being the pinaka- "ka-face" and "ka-sound" of some of the most iconic singers and performers, foreign man or sariling atin.

My personal favorite among the 8 contestants would have to be AC Bonifacio, half of the former Lucky Aces dance duo, which won Dance Kids' grand prize almost two years ago. Not only because I'm actually close to her, but more so, through the weeks that we've seen them perform and impersonating, AC has successfully proved that she's more than just this awesome dancer - she can be a total performer! A really entertaining one, who can follow in the footsteps of Pops Fernandez and Sarah Geronimo as concert royalties and most admired total performers, given the proper training and rightful breaks.

To show you guys HOW GOOD AC really is, and to prove that she's worthy of our votes in this weekend's YFSF grand showdown, I've compiled 5 of what I consider her best impersonations in the shows, which earned the judges' and the viewers' appreciation and admiration of her talent and determination to make ot through the finish line of this top-rating reality show.

1. As Janet Jackson

2. As Usher 

3. As Gwen Stefani 

4. As Gloria Estefan 

5. As Sandara Park

So who would AC be on her last, and probably most challenging transformation? Find out tonight (at 7:15pm) and tomorrow night (at 7pm) on "Your Face Sounds Familiar" Grand Showdown, airing live from the Resorts World Manila! 

Can't Help Falling In Love With KathNiel

What I consider one of the most unforgettable moments I had during my promo days for Pangako Sa 'Yo was the siksik, liglig at umaapaw na series of mall shows we did during our finale weekend. Estimated total of 24,000 were in attendance, meaning roughly 6,000 people were in each of the 4 malls we visited. At hindi biro ang mga numerong 'yun. Record-breaking. Yung isa pa sa mga yun, muntik na naming hindi ituloy sa sobrang dami ng tao. We were scared of the possible stampede and/or damage sa mall. Proof that Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla's magic, individually and as a pair, remained still and strong, amid the words then spreading that the 6-year old loveteam's popularity was already waning, given the rise of other hit onscreen teamups, especially that one from the other network.  

I had the chance to check out KathNiel's first mall show for their upcoming film, Star Cinema's summer offering, "Can't Help Falling In Love". in Trinoma yesterday. Not to my surprise, jampacked at punung-puno ang Activity Area ng mall. Parang deja vu lang from the last one I saw featuring the two. Ang sigawan, tulakan, siksikan, kilig... Walang pinagbago. Na kahit anong gawin nila, level na ngumiti o kumaway lang si Daniel o magsalita lang si Kathryn on stage, o kahit naglalakad lang sila o paalis, matinding reaksyon na from the audience ang kapalit. May mga humabol pa talaga sa parking lot para makahabol sa dalawa.

Present pa rin ang mga fans na ginawang moshpit ang pwesto near the stage, na hindi na talaga napigilan o nagawan ng paraan ng security. Yung mga umiiyak at nagmamakaawa na makapag-selfie lang o makahawak lang sa kamay nina Kathryn at Daniel. Ang mga placards, posters at tarpaulin na kung anu-ano, pero mostly entertaining at amusing, ang statement at laman. Yung may gumagawa ng paraan, makalusot lang at makapasok sa siksikan ng venue. Yung mga sigawang hindi mo na maririnig ang kinakanta o sinasabi ng KathNiel on stage. Buti na lang at walang hinimatay... Muntik lang. I also saw familiar faces - mga supporters na since "Princess and I" ay masigasig nang sumusunod sa lahat ng ganap ng KathNiel, kahit saan, kahit kailan. May mga galing pa nga sa malalayong probinsya. Masulyapan lang ang paborito nilang loveteam, sobrang happy na nila.

Ang maganda naman e, gumagawa talaga ng paraan sina Kath and DJ na mag-reach out sa mga tagahanga nila, kahit gaano pa kadami. Kaya siguro they can't help but fall in love with the two... Mababait at appreciative talaga sila sa suporta at pagmamahal na nakukuha nila all these time.

These sights only proved one thing: that KathNiel magic lives on. They're still the country's premiere love team. And it may really take a while bago mawala ito o humupa ito. I mean, 6 years is no joke. Ang ibang loveteams, after one project, or maximum of three years, naghihiwalay na. Kanya-kanya na, at may iba nang kapareha. Ang KathNiel, may movie at serye pang parating, at inaabangan. At ang support system nila from their fans, very solid. One of, if not the most solid in this generation. More importantly, once I described it, sabay naggu-grow sa industriya ang fans at ang KathNiel.

This Summer, muli tayong pakikiligin ng King and Queen of Hearts sa takilya - ang kanilang pagbabalik sa romcom genre na somehow na-miss natin nilang gawin. Marami na ang naiintriga sa kakaibang kwento ng "Can't Help Falling In Love", even some of my friends are asking kung bakit naging ganun ang kwento, at ikinasal sina Gab at Dos nang hindi pa naman sila nagkakakilala o nagtatagpo at all. Well, kahit ako ay excited nang malaman ang sagot. Kaya 'wag nating palalampasin ito, as the film opens in cinemas on April 15, Black Saturday. This is directed by box-office and kilig director Mae Cruz-Alviar kaya for sure, mage-enjoy tayong lahat!