Kumusta, Kapatid Ogie!

It’s a done deal…but the signing!

Yes, according to Funfare Update’s VDPA (Very Deep Penetration Agent), Ogie Alcasid is now officially a Kapatid. Anytime now, added the VDPA, Ogie will finally sign the dotted line and put a period to the prolonged speculation whether or not he would remain a Kapuso, his home for the last 18 years. His contract with GMA expired last June 30.

“So I am basically jobless now,” Ogie told Funfare Update in a recent interview.

But not really idle. These days, Ogie is busy preparing for his concert, 25: I Write The Songs, which marks his 25th year in showbiz, set for Aug. 16 (a Friday), 8 p.m. at the Mall Of Asia (MOA) Arena.

Ogie has stopped appearing in the GMA Sunday All-Stars show two Sundays ago, replaced by Joey de Leon as co-judge (of Janno Gibbs and Jaya) for four Sundays. Last Friday, Ogie was (thankfully!) still in the gag show Bubble Gang from which he might also soon disappear.

Actually, Ogie’s turning Kapatid marks his Balik-TV5 which introduced Tropang Trumpo (of which Bubble Gang is a spin-off) ages ago. I guess his being Kapatid Big Boss MVP’s inaanak sa kasal factored considerably in Ogie’s decision to accept the offer that has been tangled before him for a long time.

Any day now, the GMA management will issue an official statement perhaps wishing Ogie good luck on his new journey. TV5 will do the same, welcoming the “prodigal son” back.

During a phone chat yesterday, Ogie said that he didn’t want to sign up with TV5 without asking the permission of his GMA bosses.

“Last Friday morning,” he disclosed, “Atty. (Felipe) Gozon and JRD (Jimmy R. Duavit) and the other (GMA) bosses received me at their office and they wished me well. They have no problem with it and said that I may ask them for support if I need it. I was deeply touched by their gesture and I told them that I am truly thankful for the 18 years that I spent with them. Atty. Gozon said that he understood and that he didn’t want to stop me from pursuing other goals. God is good.”

Asked if Ogie is taking over the timeslot of Willie Revillame’s noontime show Wowowillie, a Kapatid executive said no, “It’s not true.” Otherwise, I’m sure Willie’s fans, mostly from the underprivileged, will stage a hunger strike in front of the former Delta Theater where Wowowillie is aired Monday through Saturday noontime.

What about Ogie’s wife Regine Velasquez…is she going where the husband goes (kind of, uhm, package deal, Regine also being MVP’s godchild)?

“Only Ogie,” said the Kapatid executive, “not Regine.”

Ogie added that he couldn’t speak for Regine (whose GMA contract is expiring next month. “She has her own manager. It’s between her and GMA.”

(Note: For tickets to Ogie’s 25: I Write The Songs MOA Arena concert on Aug. 16, call 470-2222. Prices: P5,280 for SVP Reserved Seats; P3,700 for VIP Reserved Seats; P2,640 for Patron Reserved Seats; P1,590 for Lower Box A Reserved Seats; P1,060 for Lower Box B Reserved Seats; P530 for Upper Box Reserved Seats; and P320 for General Admission Free Seating.) 

Enrique winner twice over

Dubbed as The Ultimate Leading Man, Star Magic/Stages talent Enrique Gil won two major awards online — as the No. 1 Starmometers Sexiest Man in the Philippines (out of 100 nominees), voted by thousands of fans on Twitter and Facebook and as Breakthrough Actor in the 2013 OMG Yahoo! Awards with 316,772 votes.

Last year, the OMG Yahoo! Awards voted Enrique Most Promising Actor.

Said Enrique, “I’m amazed. To all the fans who voted for me, thank you. Your votes are your expression of your love for me. Rest assured that I enjoy doing things for you.”

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