Pilita gears up for ‘A Million Thanks ’ concert

The iconic Ms. Pilita Corrales had been theidol of our grandparents. As young kids, we remember watching her show an “An Evening with Pilita” at our grandparent’s house. It is heartening to note that even to this day (no one knows how old Ms. Pilita is, but she is definitely a looker), she still has that look that mesmerized men during her prime.

The singer, dubbed as Asia’s Queen of Songs, has remained a top act and continues to be a much sought-after performer both here and abroad. She just came back from a concert in Canada where she performed with a symphony orchestra which was floored by her singing talent and as comedic flair.

Just recently out in the market is Ms. Pilita’s first ever “Duets” album wherein she performed with known singers like Basil Valdez, Martin Nievera, Sharon Cuneta, Joey Albert, and Vic Sotto. “It was my first time to do a ‘Duets’ album because I only used to sing duets with Jackie Lou [Blanco] in my albums. It was Boss Vic (del Rosario) of Viva who thought of producing for me a Duets album,” said Ms. Pilita  at the presscon for her forthcoming concert titled “A Million Thanks” to be held at the Fiesta Pavilion of Manila Hotel on November 15. The concert will be directed by Calvin Neria with Louie Ocampo as musical director.

Joining her in the said concert are Jackie Lou Blanco, the Wing Duo and some stars from her “Duets” album like Chad Borja, Joey Albert, and Martin Nievera who are just too willing to be a part of this benefit concert. “How I can say no to her? She discovered me,” said Martin who will fly back to Manila just in time for the concert.

To this day, Pilita remains very active in her career – she is recording, performing and even acting as a comedienne in the TV series “Vampire Ang Daddy Ko.”

The “A Million Thanks” concert is for the benefit of The MARE Foundation, Inc., which is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life of underprivileged Filipinos. It evolved from a group of women volunteers joining hands with private individuals in support of the government’s mission to help alleviate poverty.  It is headed by Chairperson Dra. Luisa Loi Ejercito-Estrada.

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Kylie Padilla passed her first acting test in a horror flick via “Dilim” which had a celebrity premiere last Monday held at Trinoma Cinema in Quezon City. Robin Padilla took time out from his busy schedule (he is currently shooting “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” for the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival) to attend the premiere together with his wife Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla.

We are sure that Robin is proud of Kylie, as the Kapuso actress was able to come out credible in a role of a nursing student who became the bridge that solved a crime. She was involved in a number of horror scenes and she came out well. Congratulations to Kylie and director Jose Javier Reyes. “Dilim” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

Since Direk Joey and Kylie enjoyed working together, it was the director himself who announced that his next assignment for Regal Entertainment will also feature Kylie as one of the lead stars. It is a story about second generation Filipino-Chinese children with the working title of “Hototay.”

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Joross Gamboa attended the premiere night of “Dilim,” but he didn’t want to talk about the billing issue raised by his manager Noel Ferrer. Pointing out that lesser known Nathalie Hart and starlet Ella Cruz were billed more prominently than Joross, his manager felt slighted that the “Star Circle Quest” alum was unfairly treated in the billing. Since his manager had said his piece, Joross is keeping mum on the subject.

What he likes to talk about is his forthcoming wedding this November 29 to his girlfriend of six years. There is no stopping their march to the altar. Joross joked that he has given his girlfriend a chance to back out but since she didn’t, then it’s a go. He said his bride was his classmate who pushed him to finish his degree.

They plan to have a baby as soon as possible. He is turning 30 soon and his would-be wife is 29. “I want to have kids right away because I want to play basketball with him. Ayoko naman na naka-wheelchair na ako tapos nanonood lang sa anak ko na maglaro ng basketball,” he said.

Joross is set to do an indie film to be directed by Charliebebs Gohetia.