Another Pinay making waves in the int’l scene

Currently making waves in the international scene is Filipina actress Mariel Rodriguez. Chosen from more than 400 hopefuls from all over the world, this 19-year-old looker was cast in Rouge, an action-packed TV series produced by MTV Asia.

Mariel was first seen on TV in the Close-Up Eucalyptus commercial, which, as we all know, has been the launching pad of many celebrities like Gabby Concepcion, William Martinez, Rafael Rosell, Leandro Muñoz, Brad Turvey and many more. Mariel was cast as Lucky Manzano’s leading lady.

A few months after the Close-Up commercial, Mariel sent her photos via e-mail to producers of Rouge, who were so enamored by her beauty they immediately cast her as Pam, a "walking encyclopedia."

Mariel left for Singapore late March of this year and has been undergoing martial arts training, acting and singing workshops. They are now starting to tape the first season of Rouge and as early as now, there are already talks about a second season.

Rouge is an action-packed TV series that tells the story of five young female rock stars who are actually secret agents by night. Together with Mariel in the cast are fellow Filipina Denise Laurel, Singaporean Desiree Ann Siahaan as Ling, a former Special Forces captain, Vietnamese Veronica Ngo playing Thuy, a martial arts expert and Pamela Fields as Jazz, a computer whiz. It will premiere all over Asia (including the Philippines) in October.

Mariel is set to fly back to Manila today to pursue a career in local show business. "I want to try out show business in our country," shares Mariel. "I love acting, dancing and hosting and I hope I can use the lessons I have learned in Singapore in the Philippines."

Welcome back, Mariel!

Programs on the Entertainment Channel

etc., or the Entertainment Channel is the latest addition to the growing list of cable channels specifically designed for the discriminating Filipino audience.

etc’s programs were formulated to give viewers what they want: a fresh line-up of shows and big hits that contribute to a viewer’s enjoyable and relaxing TV entertainment experience. Its line-up boasts of the hottest television series, the latest talk shows, the most entertaining reality-based programs and even the latest news program.

Included in the etc line-up of shows are the medical drama Nip/Tuck; teen dramas The OC and One Tree Hill; reality-based hits like The Simple Life, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Starting Over and Knock First; unique dating shows like Meet My Folks, Blind Date and The 5th Wheel; and hot talk shows like The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Nip/Tuck addresses the real issues people encounter in cosmetic surgery. It has been nominated at the Golden Globe Awards, including Best Television Series – Drama and is a top-rating medical drama in the US. It is seen on etc every Sunday at 10 p.m.

Watch the drama unfold in the world of The OC – the top-rating US TV series seen only on etc every Tuesday night at 9. Meet Ryan Atwood, a teenage boy arrested for car-jacking, who is given a fresh start when a chance encounter with Sandy Cohen, a good-intentioned public defender, presents him with a second chance at life on the other side of the tracks.

One Tree Hill is about two half-brothers whose worlds collide when they go head to head not only on the court, but also for the love of a beautiful girl. Discover how the lives of these two brothers intertwine even further only on etc every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is about five certified queer men determined to turn the world of the heterosexual man into a world full of style, taste and class – and with the growing number of style-indifferent men in our world, their timing couldn’t be better. It’s the only make-over show straight men actually watch on Monday nights at 9.

The Simple Life features rich kids Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, who are embarking on a trip to the heart of the Ozarks in Arkansas, USA. For the next 30 days, the two girls will have no money, no cellphones, and definitely no luxury hotels to escape to. Paris and Nicole characterize the fish-out-of-water experience with their remarkable inability to live The Simple Life every Thursday at 9:30 p.m. only on etc.

On Mondays at 8 p.m., Meet My Folks defies the conventional courting ritual by skipping the comfortable world of dating and going straight into the dreaded moment: meeting your date’s parents!

One of etc’s most popular shows, Blind Date brings the awkwardness of your usual blind date – the first meting, the small talk, the frantic search for common ground – and magnifies it a hundred fold! Watch couples make the most out of their Blind Date every weeknight at 11 on etc.