“Philippine Idol” grand prize winner Mau Marcelo is trying her luck anew in showbiz, this time under the wings of Viva Artists Agency (VAA). This is a homecoming of sorts for Mau. If you recall, Mau was a finalist of Viva’s “Star for A Night,” which was won by Sarah Geronimo. Then she joined the “Philippine Idol” search on ABC 5 where she emerged as its grand champion on December 2006.
Mau is giving showbiz another try after a not so good (if not disappointing, to say the least) experience under her former manager Sandra Chavez who handled Mau after her “Philippine Idol” win.
In an interview with Mau at the Viva office last Friday, the singer didn’t hide her disappointment at her former manager, although they parted ways amicably. Mau rues Sandra didn’t take good care of her. Except for several corporate shows, she said she was not given ample TV exposure and projects—like that of her runners-up Gian Magdangal and Jan Nieto who are now both mainstays of “SOP”—which would help her earn her keep.
True, she did receive her prizes as “Philippine Idol” winner but these were not enough to tide things over as the months went on, especially as Mau has a family to support. It was indeed very unfortunate that the top winner was the one lacking in work instead. She even emoted that Sandra seemed to have paid more attention to Sharon Cuneta and KC Concepcion, whose career the talent manager also looks after.
“All I wanted was to have work so I can support my family but the projects came few and far between,” said Mau in Tagalog. She had to go back to Lucena City because she could no longer afford to pay the rent of her apartment. So even if she signed a three-year contract with Sandra, she sought release from it to give herself a chance to make it in showbiz through the help of another manager. But she said that she and Sandra were able to talk things over and there’s no bad blood that between them.
Mau is confident that VAA will be able to “resurrect” her career. Aside from doing an album, Viva is giving her an acting break by casting her in a future movie project. “That sounds interesting. I’d like to do even a short role, kahit extra,” a beaming Mau said. The excitement of getting a second chance at stardom is enough to make Mau forget her not so good experience in the past and look forward to a better future for her and her family.
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“We have yet to hit the jackpot,” Richard Gomez said in jest when asked when he and wife Lucy Torres-Gomez plan to have another baby, after all, their daughter Juliana is already eight years old. Even before Juliana was born, the couple was already planning to have a big family. Lucy wants six children, while Goma dreams of having four. It’s been eight years since Juliana was born and they have yet to have another baby—but one thing’s certain, they haven’t stopped trying.
At the presscon of “Family Feud,” his newest hosting job on GMA 7, Richard expressed elation at the chance given to him by GMA network to anchor the longest-running game show in the world. It’s been a long time dream of his to be a game show host.
He hasn’t done a movie for quite a while since he had been busy with TV work. He’s in “Codename: Asero,” but he hasn’t really turned his back on doing movies. In fact, he has been offered by Mother Lily to direct a project. But Richard is not keen on directing a film as he’d rather direct commercials.
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Broadcaster Julius Babao, the better half of TV personality Tintin Bersola, reportedly got mad when he learned that Mr. Alfonso C. Supetran, the President of ACS Manufacturing Corporation, the makers of Unique Toothpaste, allegedly said that the company lost money when they got Tintin as endorser of the toothpaste brand before.
But Mr. Supetran reportedly denied having said anything like that so Julius is trying to find out who’s telling the truth—the press people who heard Mr. Supetran saying it or the owner of the toothpaste company who has denied saying it?
Tintin was just a newcomer when the said toothpaste company got her to endorse the product and she shouldn’t be blamed if she was unable to make the sales of Unique toothpaste escalate. One more thing, she didn’t receive a hefty sum for her endorsement deal.
But for sure, Richard Gutierrez received a handsome fee as the new endorser of the toothpaste brand. The brand was relaunched via a new TV commercial featuring the star of “Codename: Asero.”
In the TVC, Richard shows off the musculature and fighting skills that garnered him a massive following as the lead actor in “Captain Barbell” and “Mulawin.” The action star had been training in aikido for some months when the TV endorsement offer came. During the filming, the actor refused a body double. On hand as well was his personal aikido trainer, who choreographed his action scenes. Also present were professional stuntmen who previously worked on films with Richard.
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Valerie Concepcion is indeed one of the most in-demand artists of her generation. Her hosting stints in “Wowowee,” her antics in “Banana Split,” and her other endorsements keep her fully loaded.
What keeps Valerie going despite the stress and exhaustion that she encounters is Energo, an energy drink by Aldrtz Corporation (a 100% Filipino owned business) that gives her an extra boost in whatever she does. She feels revitalised in her daily activities.
But when it comes to her lovelife, Valerie is taking her time. Although she has her share of suitors, Valerie said she’d rather concentrate on her career. She’s set to leave for the United States for a show together with her “Wowowee” family, led by Willie Revillame.