Charo, Piolo make historic Filipino firsts in iEmmys

NEW YORK -- New York is home to some of the Philippines' best. From Broadway to Wall Street, the "galing ng Pilipino" or the innate greatness of the Filipino shines brightly in the Big Apple.

For instance, the “Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms” exhibit at Asia Society is a testament to the Filipino's greatness that dates back to the 10th century.

Two of the exhibit's recent visitors are making historic Filipino firsts in this year's International Emmy Awards in New York.

ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio will be the first Filipino to chair the 43rd International Emmys Awards Gala on Monday night, while award-winning Kapamilya star Piolo Pascual will be the first Filipino presenter at the iEmmys.

"I'm very very proud to represent my company ABS-CBN, and I'm very, very proud also that I am Filipino and I'm here to represent our country," Santos-Concio said.

"Pride, honor, you know being in the business I love and having this kind of gift is a reward," Pascual said.

At the HBO welcome cocktails Sunday, International Emmy Awards president Bruce Paisner said Santos-Concio's appointment as this year's chair was a clear-cut choice because the academy recognizes not only the excellent TV programs and actors from the Philippines but also the outstanding achievements of ABS-CBN under her watch.

"You have to be really somebody who is a person of importance in their country, in their organization as well. We think that Charo is wonderful chairman for us," Paisner said.

As chair, Santos-Concio will open the International Emmy Awards Gala at the New York Hilton with a welcome speech, while Pascual will present a telenovela award near the latter part of the awards show.

"Part of the mission of ABS-CBN is to make sure that we share stories of Filipino strength and resilience and I think it should go beyond the Philippines. Our content should reach the international shores. I hope to be able to bring that to the consciousness of the international community here at the iEmmys," Santos-Concio said.

Pascual is no stranger to the iEmmys: his teleserye "Lobo” (She Wolf: The Last Sentinel) with Angel Locsin, was nominated in the 37th International Emmys.

"I just hope it opens doors for other showbiz people to be able to penetrate the international scene," Pascual said.

Pascual will join other celebrity presenters such as Academy Award winner Michael Douglas and "Star Trek" veteran actor George Takei.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Isabelle Daza is now a Kapamilya

MANILA -- Actress-host Isabelle Daza is now officially a Kapamilya star.

On Monday afternoon, Daza signed a contract with ABS-CBN and was welcomed by the network's executives led by president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio.



"Napaka-excited ako and overwhelmed with this warm welcome. Coming here, everybody has been welcoming me at kinukuwento ko sa kanila na even the waiter was telling me 'Ma'am welcome to the Kapamilya.' Parang proud na proud siya. It makes me so honored to be part of this family," she said.

Asked why she decided to change networks, Daza replied: "I wanted a new challenge in my life and I want to try something that I haven't done. I want to to expand my horizons and take this journey as an actress naman."

The actress-host admitted it was a hard decision for her to leave the noontime show "Eat Bulaga."

"Nung Saturday last day ko na. It was very emotional lalo na kay Ryzza (Mae Dizon) because she's my little student but they were all very supportive and they all wished me luck and they are excited also to see what I have in store here sa ABS-CBN," she said.

Daza said she signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN for both TV and movies. "Bongga naman siya, 'yun muna," she said.

First project

In the interview, Daza revealed that her first project in her new home is the upcoming series "Nathaniel," with Gerald Anderson as her leading man.

"Yes, kasama ako sa cast ng 'Nathaniel.' I will be working with Gerald Anderson and Shaina (Magdayao), Pokwang and Coney Reyes and amazing cast. I'm so excited for that," said Daza, who will play the girlfriend of Anderson in the upcoming show.

"Ako ay isang lawyer and I work closely with his (Anderson's) mom, Coney Reyes. Kami yung laging magkaka-eksena," she aded.

Daza admitted it was her dream to work with Anderson.

"Si Gerald talaga ang gusto kong makatrabaho kasi nakita ko siya sa 'On The Job' and I saw kung gaano siya nag-grow as an actor and I was very impressed. So siya 'yung number one, that's why I'm so excited to work with him," she explained.

"Next, nakatrabaho ko na si John Lloyd (Cruz), pero marami kayong leading men here to choose from so it's like a buffet," she said.

Daza was part of the movie "It Takes A Man and A Woman" with Cruz and Sarah Geronimo.

Mom's words

Isabelle, the daughter of actress-beauty queen Gloria Diaz, also revealed that her mother singled out Magdayao among her co-stars.

"Ang sinasabi ng mom ko, siyempre 'Do your best, you are only as good as your last scene' at 'Shaina is a good actress, you have to learn from her.' Also she told me -- siyempre my mom is my number one fan -- 'you are magaling.' She always tells me that every day, so parang 'yun ang palagi kong naririnig sa kanya. But she said 'ABS-CBN is a different level and they really expect the best from you," Daza shared.

"She wants me to focus on being an actress also. Parang same lang naman kami," she added.

As part of her preparation for the series, Daza said she will undergo acting workshop.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Willie Revillame to end contract with TV5

MANILA – Television host Willie Revillame is reportedly not renewing his contract with the No. 3 network TV5 when it expires in October.

According to entertainment website Pep.ph, the TV host made the announcement during his noontime show “Wowowillie” on Tuesday.

“Alam ninyo, may mga personal na rason na hindi ko na sasabihin sa inyo. Ako muna’y magpapahinga ng ilang buwan, ng isang taon o anuman... Tatapusin ko na lang po ang kontrata ko sa TV5,” he said as quoted by the website.

“Ganyan talaga ang buhay. Kasi kailangan ko rin ng time. Malungkot lang ay hindi tayo magkikita araw-araw. Wala nang sigawan, walang umiiyak sa saya, walang nabibigyan ng pamasahe, walang nabibigyan ng ganito," he added.

With his contract set to expire on October 15, Revillame said: “Maybe October 12 will be the last show ng Wowowillie.”

Revillame said he made the declaration to finally put an end to speculations about his future plans. He also added he was the one who personally wrote a letter to TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

“Anyway, tingnan po natin, baka may pagkakataon ay magkita-kita pa rin tayo. Yun lang po para matapos na ang haka-haka. Ako ay sumulat na sa pamunuan ng TV5, ako po ay nagpaalam na—May 17. Actually po, sinagot na nila ako na I think tinatanggap nila 'yung aking pagpapaalam sa TV5. Para wala nang news, basta po tatapusin ko ang kontrata ko hanggang October," he said.

The controversial host, however, hinted that he will possibly appear on another show in the future.

“Kapag may nagsara na bintana, may magbubukas na pintuan. Basta mag-e-enjoy pa rin tayo,” he said.


Last month, ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Charo Santos-Concio denied rumors that Revillame will return to the Kapamilya network.

"That's not true. We're not in talks with Willie Revillame. We're very happy with the ratings of '[It's] Showtime.' We're very happy with 'Showtime,'" she said in a press conference.

Revillame left ABS-CBN in 2010.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com