The paradox that is Gerald Santos

Prince of Ballad Gerald Santos is holding a special two-night dinner show this Valentine’s season. Titled “All of Me,” it will be held on February 13 and 14 at the Serendipity Lounge of Discovery Suites. The dinner concert will see a different side of Gerald as he serenades his guests during the most romantic season of the year.

The show promises to bring out the versatility in Gerald’s singing prowess. Known for his sentimental ballads, he is set to demonstrate what a true paradox is: old but young; simple yet sophisticated; suave yet powerful; ordinary but classy. “All of Me” is a stark departure from the pop concert that Gerald held last year at the SM Skydome which he packed.

The former “Pinoy Pop Superstar” grand prize winner may not be in a contract with any major TV network but he is nonetheless happy because he still has numerous concerts and singing engagements. “I am thankful to my fans because they are always there to support me in my concerts,” said Gerald who is also doing the musical “San Pedro Calungsod” which is now touring several schools nationwide.

He is currently promoting his brand new album titled “Kahit Anong Mangyari,” his fourth studio album which gathers some of the best contemporary composers and arrangers. The carrier single is “Sa ‘Yo Lang,” a Mon del Rosario composition which has an upbeat tempo. It also has a music video which features the sexy Danita Paner as Gerald’s leading lady and is directed by Migz Tanchangco.

The album is a joint venture of Redlife Entertainment Productions and TS Productions and is distributed by Star Records. It will be available in music stores this month.

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Mapua Institute of Technology’s School of Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences (SLHS) launched its first TV award giving body in celebration of the 90th Foundation Anniversary of Mapua.

Professor Ryan Leonardo, one of the proponents of Gawad Kamalayan, said that Mapua wants to recognize television personalities and programs that have raised the awareness or consciousness of Filipinos.

Each Gawad Kamalayan category is divided into two – one award for a program and one award for an individual. To determine the winners for each category, the Mapua community composed of 12,000 students, 500 faculty members, and 1,000 staff cast in their votes. Several forums were also held to guide the Mapua community in voting.

The nominees for each category were named by asking TV networks to send in their nominees for the 23 categories, winning programs and personalities.

The Kapamilya network won awards in 11 categories and they are as follows: Natatanging Programang Pang-Drama (Best Drama Program) – “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” Natatanging Programang Pang-Variety (Best Variety Show) – “ASAP” (Robi Domingo accepted the award for ASAP), Natatanging Programang Tampok at Buhay-Estilo (Best Feature and Lifestyle) – “Umagang Kay Ganda,” Natatanging Host ng Programang Tampok Buhay at Estilo – Anthony Taberna (“Umagang Kay Ganda”), Natatanging Programa sa Pagbabalita (News Program) – “TV Patrol,” Natatanging Tagapagbalita (News Anchor) Ted Failon (“TV Patrol”), Natatanging Magasin Program (Magazine Program) – “Rated K” (Korina Sanchez says the award is timely since “Rated K” is celebrating its 10th year), Natatanging Magasin Program Host (Magazine Program Host) – Korina Sanchez-Roxas (“Rated K”), and Natatanging Host ng Programang Pang-Turismo at Paglalakbay (Travel Show Host) – Robi Domingo (“Sunday’s Best Lakwatsero Hokkaido”).

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Former “Goin’ Bulilit” mainstay Igi Boy Flores is very happy to be chosen by APT Entertainment to be one of the featured stars in “Liwanag sa Dilim,” the teen adventure-horror movie starring the tandem of Jake Vargas and Bea Alonzo.

The ABS-CBN contract artist told the media at the recent presscon of “Liwanag sa Dilim” that he was very pleased upon learning that he had an offer to do a movie. When he read the script, he liked his role and was very excited to report for the shoot.

“It was like a dream come true for me and I feel privileged. There are so many stars that they can choose from but I was the one they picked. This is also my first time to work with Kapuso stars Jake and Bea and it was such a pleasant experience. Our shows used to compete before but I won’t pass on the chance to work with them,” said Igi Boy who also expressed elation that he was given the opportunity to work with director Richard Somes.

He said it has been his childhood dream to become an actor but even if he is busy with his career, he is pursuing his studies. He is taking up a Communications Arts course in San Beda College. He hopes to write and direct his own movie someday.