Star Magic artists aim for higher heights

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Star Magic’s Piolo Pascual, Angelica Panganiban, Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Erich Gonzales, Shaina Magdayao, Pokwang, Diether Ocampo, Jodi Sta. Maria, Maja Salvador, Coco Martin and John Lloyd Cruz are setting their sights on higher heights this 2013.

Being in the showbiz industry for 15 years now, Piolo uniquely ended his 2012 with various Ayala mall shows to launch his Decades III album. “I was really hands-on in conceptualizing the album,” Piolo said.

In 2012, the actor also led the joint projects of Sunlife Financial and Star Magic, the SunPIOLOgy Run and the Star Magic Gives Back concert. The back-to-back events were for a good cause and happened at the Venice Piazza Mckinley Hill last Nov 24.

“Fulfilled” was how Piolo described his 2012 because, aside from his numerous endorsements including Sunlife, Timex, Canon, Bench, BDO Remit, Belo and Sky Travel, he had hit movies, Every Breath You Take with Angelica Panganiban and 24/7 in Love with other Star Magic stars.

After the soap Dahil sa Pag-Ibig, Piolo is looking forward to his next project titled Apoy sa Dagat with Angelica Panganiban and Diether Ocampo. “I’m really excited to work again with Angelica. The last soap we did together was Mangarap Ka in 2004. This time, we’re doing a soap with Diether; it’s going to be a memorable project for us.”

Angelica is equally excited about the teleserye. She also described 2012 as a “character-building year.” She won Best Supporting Actress at the 60th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) awards for the movie Segunda Mano. She continues to do endorsements for Angel Milk, Carb Trim, Globe TM, Chic Nails, Pantene, SM Accessories and Zen Institute. She still does the TV comedy show Banana Split and has an indie flick titled Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi. She was also part of 24/7 in Love and the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Picture, One More Try.

2012 was also memorable for Bea. She celebrated the 10th anniversary of her team-up with John Lloyd. She did the movies The Mistress and 24/7 in Love, plus started the soap A Beautiful Affair. For this year, Bea will be doing a movie under Skylight films and Star Cinema.

Bea continues to be the face of Kashieca, 4G Food Supplements, Olay Body wash, Clear Dandruff Shampoo, Colour Collection Cosmetics, Angel Krèmedensada and Secosana bags.

For Kim, 2012 was highlighted with another Anak TV Seal Award for being a role model to kids. Kim also did the films The Healing with Vilma Santos and 24/7 in Love, which marked her screen reunion with Gerald.

In 2012, her loveteam with Xian Lim was launched in Binondo Girl. The team-up is now seen in the primetime serye Ina, Anak, Kapatid.

This year, Kim will star in a movie with Xian under Star Cinema and will continue to endorse Rejoice, Whisper, Olay, Goya, Unisilver, Bantex, Skinwhite, Bench, Cherry Mobile, Faces and Curves.

Gerald, for his part, headlined several overseas shows — from London, Sydney, Melbourne to Toronto — in 2012. “I’m glad I did the roadshows because I was able to meet other Pinoys abroad and made them feel ‘home’ even just for a show,” he said.

To kick off his 2013 is an Erik Matti movie with Rayver Cruz and Piolo. He also has a new soap, Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin, with Cristine Reyes and acting greats Maricel Soriano and Dina Bonnevie.

Gerald’s endorsements include Globe Telecom, Jollibee, Mint apparel, Unisilver Jewelries, Puma shoes, Bench scents, Dr. Steve Mark Gan Dental Services, Rayban eyewear, BlackBerry mobile phones and Faces and Curves.

Another Star Magic star that had a very hectic 2012 is Erich, having starred in the movies Corazon: Ang Bagong Aswang, Suddenly It’s Magic and Cinema One Originals’ Mariposa.

This year, Erich will be the new loveteam partner of Coco Martin in the soap Juan Dela Cruz. She is the endorser of Silka, Skechers Mirobeni, Careline, Cathy Valencia, Pantene, Sisters, Olympus, GAOC and Aficionado.

For Shaina, 2012 proved to be her most dramatic year, career-wise. She scored a hit in the afternoon drama Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo, her most challenging project to date, with fellow Star Magic artists Bangs Garcia and Jake Cuenca. The endorser of Bench, Ystilo, Gaoc and Freshlook is also looking forward to her new primetime series this year.

Comedienne Pokwang proved in 2012 that she’s a versatile actress who’s capable of drama when she starred in the film A Mother’s Story, which was produced by The Filipino Channel (TFC) and distributed by Star Cinema. The project gave her a Best Actress nomination at the FAMAS.

Pokwang also did last year the movies The Mommy Returns, D’ Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! and The Healing. For 2013, Pokwang will still have her regular shows TODA Max and Aryana. She will soon shoot an indie film. She continues to endorse UltraMega Supermart, Globe, Belo and SM Accessories.

Diether, on the other hand, was busy with his KIDS Foundation in 2012. He endorses Bench and Time Depot watches.

Be Careful with My Heart star Jodi couldn’t be any happier because her ongoing daily series made her a household name and opened doors to numerous endorsements such as Magnolia fruit juice, Silver Swan Suka, Monde Mamon, Hype Ardent Skin Care, Sundance Apparel, Calayan skincare clinic and Tide laundry soap. The success of her show also made her loveteam with Richard Chen sought-after here and abroad. Meanwhile, Maja had her hands full with teleseryes (Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin and Ina, Anak, Kapatid, which is still airing) and movies (My Cactus Heart, Thelma and 24/7 in Love). Award-giving bodies such as the Gawad Urian, FAMAS and Luna Awards also took note of her acting by giving her the Best Actress award.

For 2013, Maja will be working on several new projects. She remains an ambassador for Banana Peel, Sure White, Sun Cellular, Coby Kyros, Petit Monde, Faces and Curves, Head and Shoulders, My Dentist, Tupperware Scents, Secosana Bags, Chic Nails and GSM Blue Light.

Meanwhile, Coco has started filming his new soap with Erich, Juan Dela Cruz, and a movie with Julia Montes.

Coco is a proud endorser of Nescafe, Max’s Fried Chicken, Globe TM, Belo, Boardwalk Trion, RDL Papaya Soap, Wade shoes, Bench apparel and fragrances, My Dentist, Cebuana Lhuillier and MyPhone.

Lastly, John Lloyd was busy in 2012 because of three blockbuster movies such as Unofficially Yours, The Mistress and 24/7 in Love. His teleserye A Beautiful Affair continues to air. He’s also the ambassador of Greenwich, Head and Shoulders, Biogesic, Magic Flakes, PS Bank, Bear Brand, Tropicana, Natasha, Banana Peel, Swatch, Cherry Mobile, Joel Cruz Signatures, Lucky Me, GAOC and Urban. This 2013, she will reunite with Sarah Geronimo in the film It Takes a Man and a Woman.