GMA 7’s Showbiz Central is marking its fifth anniversary with a month-long celebration by presenting special episodes, beginning with the birthday celebration of its new co-host Jennylyn Mercado last Sunday. The said episode saw Luis Manzano, the boyfriend of Jennylyn, appearing in the show as part of the deal that saw Jennylyn also appearing in Kapamilya Deal or No Deal, hosted by her boyfriend.
We had a chance to talk to John “Sweet” Lapus last Sunday after the live telecast of Showbiz Central and the TV host is in high spirits. “We are so happy that we have gone this far. Hindi naman basta-bastang programa ang binangga namin, di ba? Ang feeling ko, after five years, vindicated na kami. Showbiz Central was able to change the TV viewing habits of the audience every Sunday afternoon as evidenced by the ratings. We are very thankful to God and all the televiewers who watch Showbiz Central regularly,” he said.
Sweet admits it was he who broached the idea of getting Jennylyn to be part of Showbiz Central. “She was our guest co-host before and she did very well. I told the staff that we should get her as a regular co-host. I was very vocal about my desire to have her in our show. I even told Luis that he was such a good influence to Jen. Aside from being very pretty, Jen is also very articulate. And she dresses well. The fans are waiting what she will wear on the show and how she looks like every Sunday. She is blooming.” John added they are all happy that Jen is now part of the Showbiz Central family.
What can the viewers look forward as Showbiz Central enters its sixth year? Of course, there would still be the Don’t Lie to Me segment hosted by Sweet, although there was none last Sunday to give way to the grand launch of Jennylyn as host. This Sunday, Sweet will be featuring the controversial Annabelle Rama in Don’t Lie To Me. Then there is the segment, Story of Your Life (being done by Raymond Gutierrez) which is also much-awaited. Many celebrities would want to be featured on that segment. They have also this new segment called Most Influential which they do once a month. This features influential people in showbiz who are non-celebrities.
We asked Sweet if he has a hand in choosing the celebrities featured in Don’t Lie to Me. “I am confident with the segment that we could put anyone in it and the segment would still rate. Sometimes, I would tell the staff na sila-sila na lang ang lumabas sa Don’t Lie to Me. Confident ako na kahit sino ang i-guest namin, the live rating would prove that the segment is much-awaited, modesty aside. Ipaglalaban ko ang segment. Aside from having a good concept (may tatak Showbiz Central), inaabangan ng mga tao kung paano ako mahihilo o maaksidente, the more they enjoyed it,” he said.
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Jean Garcia has a new career as a talk show host and this is via the program Personalan, aired from Monday to Friday on GMA News Channel. Another host of the show I Jolina Magdangal-Escueta and they are seen every other day. She tapes for Personalan every Tuesday since she is taping for the show Alice Bungisngis which had been extended until June.
She said that she had been secretly to be a regular host of Personalan after its former host Ali Sotto left the show and Jean was taken in as a guest co-host together with Jolina. That’s why she was very thankful to GMA News TV when she was offered to do the show on a regular basis, alternating with Jolina.
“I am happy with my new role as a talk show because I am able to relate with the situations we are discussing in the program kahit na problema ito ng mga common tao,” said Jean. “At times, I can’t help but cry especially if a family problem is being discussed. I am a mother myself so I can relate.”
One challenge for Jean in doing Personalan is how to maintain her neutral stance even if she can relate to the problem. “Being the host, I have to be neutral. I should not take sides but rather listen to both parties present their side of the problem,” she added
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Bianca King goes back to primetime via the new fantasy series Luna Blanca which starts airing on Monday, May 21. This would be her second show for GMA since she is still doing Broken Vow (still seen in the afternoon). After playing lead in the afternoon series, she shares stellar billing with Heart Evangelista in Luna Blanca.
Bianca was asked if she received an offer to transfer to another network and she said she’s not really aware of it. She leaves it to her manager to do attend to such matters. She did hear of an offer but decided to stay on as a Kapuso. After all, GMA is giving her good projects and finally gave her a solo starrer on TV after doing several acting assignments in afternoon soaps, as well as primetime dramas. “They are taking good care of me.”
She says it’s the first time that she is playing the role of a bubbly person and she sees it as a challenge. She is planning to watch child actress Jilllian Ward (who plays the youmg Luna) so she could see how she acts and what she does in her role.
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In life, there is really no telling what the future will bring into the lives of each and every person.
Such is the case for the 26-year-old pastor from a Christian Community in Quezon City. During his early years, he was made famous by the children’s program, “Eh Kasi Bata!’” and a hit TV commercial of the Department of Health.
Although he is seldom seen on television these days, he has continued his passion for singing. Today, as a pastor in a Christian community, he shares his faith through his love for singing.
Join Rhea Santos as she listens to the new tunes in the life of the child star-turned-pastor in this week’s episode of Tunay Na Buhay Friday night, after Saksi only on GMA-7.