Diether is ‘okay lang’ as long as he’s working

Erika is a successful commercial model who lives in the home of her drunkard sister Loida. Erika’s life is miserable. She lives a life of terror and humiliation because she has to put up with her sister’s wealthy and powerful husband Lorenzo. Erika’s only hope for a better life is Rodney, Lorenzo’s son by his first wife, who has fallen in love with her.

No, this is not the gist of an upcoming soap opera but Regal Entertainment’s latest offering, Bahid, directed by Joel Lamangan, that is showing in theaters nationwide. Dina Bonnevie plays Loida while Eddie Garcia is Lorenzo Lavares. Assunta de Rossi plays Erika while Diether Ocampo plays Rodney.

Many say that the character of Rodney is so far Diether’s most challenging role. The young actor, whom we saw grow from a young teeny bopper to one of show business’s most in-demand leading man indeed is in an enviable position. Under the guidance of the ABS-CBN Talent Center, Diether has developed into one of the hottest young actors in tinseltown.

Diether didn’t plan it this way. He remembers that when he was starting, he was already ecstatic if he was included in a TV show or a movie, "na kahit supporting lang ako or one of the friends of the bida. As long as I was working, okey na ako." Never did he imagine that he would headline various TV shows and films, endorse numerous products and work with veteran actors like Eddie Garcia or Maricel Soriano or Rosanna Roces. "I’m in a continuing journey when it comes to my career. I’ve learned so much from the actors I’ve worked with and I’m still learning from them."

Diether’s regular shows are Recuerdo de Amore and ASAP. He is also the current endorser of Pizza Hut and Bench and has just opened his own gym. Diether is also busy with his alternative band Blow which plays every Wednesday in Rockstar.

Sapatero Festival

The 1st Sapatero Festival in Marikina City is now going on. It kicked off with the unveiling of the world’s largest shoe according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

During this month-long festival, Marikina Mayor Ma. Lourdes Fernando has embarked on a reform and revitalization program for Marikina’s footwear industry to keep in stride with the market. Hence, Marikina introduces to the public the Marikina Shoe Design and Business Center with the goal of helping the industry to upgrade the skills and quality of its shoe designers.

Situated at the Marikina Riverbanks Mall, the center provides shoemakers the latest in information technology and gives training seminars in latest shoe making techniques. Mayor Fernando hopes that this will sustain the development of the city through strengthening and institutionalizing the business sectors of the city.

The center is open to all shoe manufacturers and designers in the city.

Why Max’s is in a roll

Max’s Restaurant is on a roll. Its original branch in Scout Tuazon in Quezon City has recently re-opened while maintaining its well-known structure. This is the branch that started it all for Max’s Restaurant.

Max’s Restaurant started 1945 after Maximo Gimenez, a Stanford-educated teacher, befriended American troops stationed in Quezon City. Because of this, Maximo would often invite the soldiers to visit his home for a drink or two. Later on, the troops insisted that they pay for their drinks. This prompted Maximo to open a café where his friends could enjoy food and drinks.

The café initially served chicken, steak and drinks. Maximo’s niece, Ruby who also managed the kitchen, created a special recipe for children that became an instant hit for the GIs. Soon, word of the delicious chicken spread like wildfire and the rest is history.

Max’s Restaurant Scout Tuazon, after 57 years of serving its loyal and satisfied diners, boasts of newly-restored function rooms and a cozy main dining area.

More soaps on ABS-CBN

ABS-CBN is now showing Wheels of Love, a new telenovela starring Vanessa Acosta, weekdays at 10 a.m.

Wheels of Love unfolds at a college campus where three young women from the same family are trying to find their places in the world.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN also announced the return of Studio 23’s top-rating series Angel. Angel, starring David Boreanz, combines super natural adventure and dark humor that is also a spin-off of the hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Angel airs every Friday, 9 p.m. on Studio 23.