Meg’s busy schedule
WHAT’S currently keeping Meg Imperial busy, aside from new TV5 soap “Bakit Manipis ang Ulap,” is her salon and spa named Timeless Beauty and Spa.
“Gusto ko kasing once a customer goes for a treatment, magkaroon sila ng feeling na timeless sila,” Meg beamed.
Timeless Beauty and Spa just recently opened its doors in her mom’s hometown, Naga City. Meg’s good friends Diane Medina and Bangs Garcia cut the ribbon.
“It was my mom’s decision to put up the business in Naga, since nandun nga naman karamihan sa mga relatives namin. Kahit papaano, makakatulong kami na magkaroon sila ng hanapbuhay,” Meg explained.
“Bakit Manipis ang Ulap,” directed by Joel Lamangan, is Meg’s second major series after starring in ABS-CBN’s afternoon soap, “Moon of Desire.” The primetime soap is one a brainchild of Viva big boss Vic del Rosario, who is TV5’s entertainment strategist.
New move for KATHNIEL
Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s next project together, after their well-reviewed soap, “Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” is a movie.
“Matured na raw ang roles namin ni DJ (for Daniel John, Daniel’s real name) dito,” revealed Kathryn. “Kaya raw we should really prepare for it.”
“Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” which ends today, has afforded the country’s “Teen King and Queen” the chance to work with such artists as Angelica Panganiban, Ian Veneracion, Jodi Sta. Maria, Mickey Ferriols, Bayani Agbayani, Diego Loyzaga and Tirso Cruz III.
“We’ll miss them,” said Daniel, “And, of course, the production staff and crew. And our directors, Rory Quintos and Dado Lumibao.”
The two were asked if they will finally have a kissing scene in their new project.
“Sana, huwag muna,” said Kathryn, who is turning 20 in March.
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Bangs works hard before wedding
Bangs Garcia reveals she plans to have a beach wedding with Fil-Brit Lloyd Birchmon next year.
While settling down excites her, she said she can’t simply pass up the TV offers coming her way.
“Magaganda na, challenging pa,” she described the projects. “With Lloyd’s permission, I’m currently doing two series simultaneously. Medyo taxing, but I love it.”
She is in “You’re My Home” on ABS-CBN and “Ang Panday” on TV5.
“You’re My Home” is a drama starring Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta, Lara Quigaman, Assunta de Rossi, plus teen stars Paul Salas and Mika de la Cruz. “Ang Panday,” topbilled by Richard Gutierrez, is an action-fantasy-romance. Bangs is one of the three leading ladies of Richard Gutierrez, who plays the new Panday.
The two others are Sam Pinto and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
“We three have equal roles,” Bangs stated. “Kaya, sabi ni Direk Mac Alejandro, we all have kissing scenes with Richard.”
Authored by “Komiks King” Carlo J. Caparas, “Ang Panday” is most identified with the late Fernando Poe, Jr., who played the iconic character in four hit movies. Senator Bong Revilla resurrected the role in “Ang Panday 2,” which topped the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2011.
In the current “Ang Panday,” Direk Carlo J. said he and Direk Mac have decided to give a new twist to the character of Flavio.
“It will be revealed that he is a foundling, who is gifted with supernatural powers,” said Direk Carlo said.
Flavio’s arch nemesis is still Lizardo, portrayed this time by Christopher de Leon. In the first Panday movies, the character was played by the late Max Alvarado.
Also in the cast of TV5’s “Ang Panday” are Alonzo Muhlach, Empoy, Carlos Agassi, CJ Caparas and Ara Mina. It starts airing on Feb. 29.
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Ara Mina works hard for her daughter
Ara Mina, who was a sexy star in her younger days, said she does not mind playing mother roles.
“Mother na naman talaga ako ngayon of one-year-old Amanda,” she admitted.
Ara and Amanda’s dad, Bulakan Mayor Patrick Meneses, are now estranged.
“Kaya kailangang kumayod,” she reasoned. “Although may allowance rin naman ang anak ko from her dad.”
In “Ang Panday,” she plays Richard’s mom, in the rom-com “Tasya Fantasya,” she is Mark Neumann’s mom. In the currently showing Viva movie, “Girlfriend for Hire,” she is also a mom.
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Anne’s new projects
Anne Curtis is very excited these days. She will soon be coming out with a book for children, titled “Anita, the Duckling Diva” and is set to release a music video before her birthday on February 17.
Tomorrow, Feb. 13, she will host a new talent search, “I Love OPM (Original Pilipino Music),” with former “Your Face Sounds Familiar” finalist Eric Nicolas. The show, a first in local showbiz as it will feature foreign contestants dishing out Tagalog songs, will feature Lani Misalucha, Toni Gonzaga and Martin Nievera as jurors. (E. Ramos,Malaya)