The clash of the divas

Dorina Pineda and Lavinia Arguelles were mere names in a komiks serial, but they became iconic big screen characters given unforgettable portrayals by Sharon Cuneta and Cherie Gil, respectively, in the memorable film, Bituing Walang Ningning.

Who can forget the classic line, "You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard copycat," which became famous even after a generation that the film had been shown?

Bituing Walang Ningning, which was immortalized by its theme of the same title (originally recorded by Sharon Cuneta, too), became a mini-series on ABS-CBN last May. Sarah Geronimo, touted as the Sharon Cuneta of her generation, was tapped to play Dorina, lending the series her acting talent and her innate vocal prowess that made her a singing champion.

Sarah as Dorina meets her idol-turned-arch-nemesis in Angelika de la Cruz as Lavinia Arguelles, the person who will torment her until the end.

The series gets major support from top-notch actors. Zsa Zsa Padilla plays Dorina’s mom, Rosamia Suarez, while Ai-Ai de las Alas plays the adoptive mother Adora. Tonton Gutierrez is Dorina’s dad, Emilio. Amy Austria is Lavinia’s stage mom, Barbara.

John Prats is Gary, the musician friend of Dorina. Carlo Aquino is Dorina’s childhood friend Oman. Ryan Agoncillo is Nico, the record producer who discovers Dorina and turns her into a singing superstar.

Dominic Ochoa is Larry Calma, the recording scion who puts his stakes on Lavinia. Miko Palanca is Zossimo, Nico’s best friend and business partner. Carla Humphries is Rita, the rebel younger sister of Lavinia.

Tuesday Vargas is Libby, Larry’s executive assistant and Lavinia’s ally. Litte Big Star discovery Mica Roi Torre is precocious Bencho, Dorina’s adoptive sister. Others in the cast are Chinggoy Alonzo, Chris Cayzer, Jay Perillo and Janus del Prado.

For several months, primetime viewers were glued to the boob tube to follow the plot of Bituing Walang Ningning – the journey of a young girl pursuing her dream of becoming a singing superstar only to find out that her family is more important than fame and fortune.

Viewers anticipated every new development in the inspiring family drama – the interesting twists and turns in the story, the secrets exposed in the lives of their favorite characters. They cried at every heartache and pain of the lead characters. They were kept on the edge of their seats with every cliffhanger.

They cheered and rejoiced at the triumph of Dorina, while loathing Lavinia’s scheming ways. They sympathized with Adora’s courageous battle with cancer and shed tears for Rosamia’s search for her missing daughter as well as their tearful reunion. They laughed at Bencho’s antics. They took to heart the poignant music performed in the series.

This week, the Clash of the Divas grand showdown happens in Bituing Walang Ningning, as Dorina and Lavinia belt it out on stage in their respective grand production numbers.

Dorina and Lavinia saunter on stage in the opening salvo, Crazy in Love. Then, they do their respective solo numbers of dance ditties and ballads – Dorina with I’m a Survivor, One Moment in Time and Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan; Lavinia with Lose My Breath, Reflection and Dito Ba.

They duet in vocally challenging pieces like Enough is Enough and I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing. Zsa Zsa Padilla as Rosamia gets her moment on stage as she duets with Dorina in Bituing Walang Ningning. The song, of course, was finished by Lavinia, with the memorable sampaguita lei given to her by her long-time fan, Dorina

In the showdown taped at the Araneta Coliseum, the TV series captured the luster and poignant ending where Dorina gives up fame and fortune to be with her family and leaves the stage to her idol Lavinia.

Sarah, as we all know, is a product of a singing competition and is therefore regarded as a good performer. But in the showdown at Araneta, Angelika proves she also got what it takes to pit singing talents with a singing champion.

Watch the Clash of the Divas showdown in Bituing Walang Ningning tonight and tomorrow night on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida. Jollibee and ABS-CBN, meanwhile, will air on Oct. 15, the Pasasalamat concert which was taped after the showdown at Araneta Coliseum.