Gretchen Barretto plays mistress in MMK

If the long-running drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” hosted by Ms. Charo Santos Concio used to be your Friday evening habit, then it's going to be your new Saturday viewing companion as the top-rated drama anthology series starts its 17th year on a new day and on a new time slot.

Beginning this Saturday, July 19, MMK will now be aired on Saturdays and as its initial offering on its new time slot, MMK is presenting the story of a mistress of a politician.

Playing the role of the mistress is Gretchen Barretto and joining her in the very special episode are Phillip Salvador and Tonton Gutierrez. MMK had been long requesting Gretchen if she could appear on an episode of the widely-followed program. Gretchen hasn't said yes, saying that she wants a good script before she could agree on doing. Talent fee is not a problem.. She can even do it for free, it she wants too.

“Just give me a good script and I’d gladly do an episode for you,” Gretchen would tell the MMK staff each time they would approach her to do a project. But the waiting took of all two years before Gretchen finally got to lay her hands on a script that she liked very much. When she get got to read the script, Gretchen imagined what would she feel if she gets to work again with Ipe after 15 years.

She also requested that Phillip Salvador be her co-star. When she bumped into Kuya Ipe at the wake of the late actor Rudy Fernandez, she and Ipe talked. She told him she might be doing an episode for MMK and she would love to have Ipe to be her leading man.

Gretchen wasn't told by the MMK staff that indeed they were able to get him to play the pivotal role of the politician in the drama series. It was Ipe's idea for Gretchen not to be told since he wanted to surprise her.

When Phillip got to read the script, he loved the story. “I liked the idea that they are going to make look old,” says the actor. At that time, he didn't know he'd be working with Gretchen. It was the role of the politician who got into an affair with a married woman.

He was thrilled to find out that he will be working with Gretchen that’s why Kuya Ipe told the staff not reveal to Gretchen that he got the role of the politician. He wanted to surprise her that’s why she told the staff not to reveal to Gretchen that he accepted the role.

No wonder, Gretchen was so thrilled when she met Ipe on the set. It dawned on her Ipe is portraying the role of a mayor in the longest-running drama anthology on TV.

Kuya Ipe told us that the viewers will be impressed with Gretchen's acting. "She's more mature and focused with her work," says the actor.

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We liked and enjoyed Baron Geisler's performance in the Cinemalaya titled "Jay" and although we have yet to see all the ten entries, we'd like to say that Baron should be a contender (if not the winner) of the best actor award.

We can say the same thing for Mylene Dizon for the Cinemalaya entry titled “100” where she plays a woman diagnosed with cancer and was given only a few months to live. Then she makes a list of the things that she'd like to do before she leaves this world.

 Mylene got a lot of praises for her acting after the gala premiere of "100" held Tuesday night at the CCP Main Theater. She should be a frontrunner for the best actress race for the awards night set on Sunday also at the CCP.

 Eugene Domingo and Tessie Tomas should be contenders for best supporting actress. All three of them had a skinny-dipping scene in the film that had the audience roaring in approval amidst a gale of hearty laughter.

The film, the first directorial assignment of Chris Martinez, the writer of "Bridal Shower," will also be a contender for the awards. For a first time director, Chris came up with a very entertaining film that also tugs at the heart. “100” has comic touches at the right moment. For a first time director, Chris did a good job.

Among the stars who came to watch the gala of “100” were Ricky Davao, directors Maryo J. delos Reyes and Joel Lamangan, Paolo Paraiso and, of course, the stars of the movie Mylene, Tessie, Eugene, and Simon Ibarra who plays Mylene's brother.

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Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin reunite as screen partners in "Dear Friend," GMA 7's newest afternoon show beginning July 20 after Pinoy Idol Extra.

Dear Friend is a drama anthology that features true and personal stories from letters sent by televiewers. Each letter will reveal real life adversities and trails confronting today's youth.

Dear Friend is primed to inspire, motivate, and stir the youth's consciousness of issues encircling their lives. Stories vary each episode and the narration stimulates an edifying awareness to the televiewers.

As hosts of "Dear Friend," Marvin and Jolina will share their personal experiences to letter senders as well as televiewers. Both have evidently surpassed various obstacles and difficulties that added maturity to their personal lives.

Issues concerning the youth like teenage marriage, date rape, sibling rivalry, addictions and broken families are likely to be featured in Dear Friend. Also, every episode will include a song and a produced MTV.