Nora gets fewer scenes in "Never Say Goodbye"

CEBU, Philippines - The taping of TV5's telenovela "Never Say Goodbye" has not been as smooth as expected. That's because the show's star, Nora Aunor, is not in the pink of health, admitted Director Mac Alejandre.

"Her voice gets hoarse in the afternoon. She gets short of breath and becomes feverish," said Alejandre of La Aunor. "By the time night comes, her voice is practically gone."

"We have to have paramedics always standing by," he said.

He blames the star's condition to the biting cold in Benguet and Tanay where the series is being shot.

Because of Nora's unpredictable medical condition, the script has been revised so that there are fewer scenes for her, said Alejandre.

Nora was not at the promotional press conference for the show last week. Only Alice Dixson and Gardo Versoza showed up.

Alejandre said Nora was attending another TV5-sponsored event.

Some recent reports claimed that the veteran actress has been dropped from the series and replaced by Eula Valdez. Not true, said Alejandre. "Eula Valdez isn't coming in. Eula Caballero portrayed the character of Ate Guy in the flashback."

"Never Say Goodbye" starts airing tomorrow. It also stars Cesar Montano, and features Artista Academy winners Vin Abrenica and Sophie Albert.

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Toni Gonzaga will host the Philippine edition of The Voice, the singing competition in the US that is closely rivaling American Idol.

Co-hosting the show with Toni will be Robi Domingo.

"The show has a unique concept," explained Toni last week. "It will showcase Filipino talent in a way that has not been tried in local television."

In the American version of The Voice, four coaches assemble their own teams, recruiting the members from among the talents who are auditioning.

In the first stage, the Blind Audition, the coaches will have their backs to the singer and will make their decision solely through the singer's voice.

A coach who likes what she or he hears must push a button to face the singer. If two or more coaches choose the same singer, the singer must decide whose team to join.

The show then proceeds with each team pitting its talents against the other teams'. The winnowing continues until two talents are left for the final showdown.

The coaches in the US edition are Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton. The host is Carson Daly.

Sarah Geronimo has been named as one of the coaches in the Philippine The Voice.

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Speaking of Sarah, ABS-CBN announced last week the cancellation of her Sunday evening show, Sarah G. Live. The show's episode today will be its last. It will be replaced by a drama anthology.

In a statement, Bong R. Osorio, head of the network's Integrated Corporate Communications, said Sarah will move on to "fulfill other commitments" with ABS-CBN.

"The Popstar who recently renewed her contract with the Kapamilya network will sit as one of the judges of The Voice of the Philippines, and will soon have her own drama anthology. Sarah is also busy filming her upcoming Star Cinema movie with John Lloyd Cruz, and is set to go on a Sarah G concert worldwide," Osorio said.

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Mother Lily Monteverde is overwhelmed by President Aquino's visit her three days before her operation to remove a growth in her lung.

Mother Lily's daughter, Roselle, said the President was accompanied by Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas. The visit lasted for hours, Roselle added.

In return, Mother Lily's family sent a birthday message to President Aquino who turned 53 last Friday.

The message quoted the Regal matriarch as saying that the President "really touched my heart." She described the President as "very dedicated, full of integrity, God-fearing, hardworking and very trustworthy. Our country needs a leader like him."