Ally Gonzales: New singer to watch out for  

Ally Gonzales is determined to make an impressive debut as a potential hit-maker under the wings of prolific songwriter, and her manager, Vehnee Saturno.

She is the daughter of the late former sexy actor Allyson 7, who used to be managed by award-winning director Maryo J. Delos Reyes.

At her press conference held at Pandan Asian Café last Wednesday, the 18-year-old said her parents are very supportive of her dream to become a singer.

She became quite emotional when asked to reminisce about her father. “My dad and I are very close. We are always together thru thick and thin. I miss him so much,” said Ally, adding that he gave her the thumbs up sign when she told him that she wanted to pursue a singing career.

She joined the training school for singers of Saturno who eventually took her under his wing. He also composed for her the song “Ating Kabanata” for which Ally shot a music video.

She admitted being nervous when shooting the music video since it was her first time to act. But she is open to the idea of eventually pursuing acting. Given the chance to act, Ally wants to portray either strong-willed or sweet characters.

Ally, who speaks English fluently, idolizes Sarah Geronimo, Lea Salonga and Janella Salvador.

Even if she just turned 18, entertaining suitors is farthest from her mind. What she hopes to accomplish is to make a good impression as a singer to make her parents proud, most especially her dad who is watching from heaven.

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Musician Eduard Banez (a member of Star Magic Batch 15) decided to pursue a musical career after his rendition of Sharon Cuneta’s “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”, composed by Rey Valera, got over 120,000 views on YouTube.

A former newscaster, he worked with NET 24 and co-anchored a tele-radio show with singer-comedian Arnell Ignacio on Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM. In 2015, he joined his family in migrating to the U.S.

Eduard worked on the US West Coast, and after some time in California, he had a chance to work with Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber in the music video “I Don’t Care.” He was also privileged to work with Sia and her team in the music video “Chandelier.”

He is honored to have worked with Sia and is planning to bring the artist to perform in Manila and to release a single for her. He hopes to do the same thing for pop and soul singer-songwriter Cassie Ventura and other artists. He’s praying the pandemic will be over so he can proceed with this plan.

While working, Eduard still finds time to pursue his studies in Political Arts and Media History at the University of California in Los Angeles.

He did a comedy sitcom for Nickelodeon that has yet to be released. Once the pandemic is over, he wants to go back to the Philippines to pick up where he left off.

Eduard believes it’s not enough to just dream an idea. One has to plan to bring about something into creation. “One has to fuel his passion to make things happen,” he said.

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Kabayan Noli De Castro makes his TV comeback via “KBYN: Kaagapay ng Bayan” which premieres today (April 10), at 5 p.m. in all Kapamilya platforms.

Last October, Ka Noli resigned from TV Patrol as he planned to run for senator under the party of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. But after resigning, Ka Noli decided not to push through with his senate bid and opted to return to his first love which is broadcasting.      

Since he already bid goodbye to TV Patrol, he can no longer reclaim his original slot as one of the news anchors of ABS-CBN’s flagship news program. But he was given a radio show that can be viewed online in various ABS-CBN platforms.

Kabayan Noli is one of the pillars of the ABS-CBN news department and his return on TV will surely delight his many followers. What could be the format of “KBYN: Kaagapay ng Bayan” and how will it be different from the popular and multi-awarded “Magandang Gabi Bayan”?