Serna: Stars visit Cebu

TOMORROW, Oct. 13, children from different local government units in Cebu Province will converge at the Cebu International Convention Center for the sixth “Halad sa Kabataan” grand finals, the annual showcase of their God-given musical talents, starting at 1 p.m.

They will vie for handsome cash prizes in the guitar duet, vocal solo and rondalla competitions. The rondallas will play four musical pieces, one of which is modern, something that is rarely done.

This is intended to make rondalla music appealing to the youth who, more often than not, think that rondalla music is only for the older generation.

The finalists for the guitar duet are Clark Resula and Loweh Jay Trazona (Cordova); Ian Mark Belocura and Allan Barcoma (Barili); Scott Wilson Divinagracia and Ailyn Casinto (Ginatilan); Carlo Marie, Gonzalez and Roland Vincent Sales (Minglanilla);

Joebert Ian Castro and Joseph Daniel Alvarez (Danao City); Rondoe Abonales and Rodger Costillas (Mandaue City); Kye Chavez and Churchill Bulak (Carcar City); Jun Aldrich Layague and Jethryl Fritz Alarde (San Remegio);

Alory Mae Arellano and Ma. Priscilla Aboyador (Bantayan); Jason Herebias and Jose Jacob Melliza (Toledo City); Charles Mendoza and Elora Dane Sanchez (Liloan); and Ciara Joy Calledo and Rhiza Marie Davide (Argao).

For the vocal solo, the finalists are Dionalyn Holganza (Balamban); Kriscia Isla Apuya (Borbon); Hanna Krister Reponte (Dalaguete); Genevieve Roche Flores (Mandaue City); Rhett James Malazarte (Aloguinsan); Brian Degamo (Cordova); Hannah Jocyl Maningo (Danao City); Khiem Shemmer Rustia (Madridejos); Eilden Mae Jorolan (Badian); Mariel Minglanilla (San Fernando); Stephanie Cañedo (Sibonga); and Marielle Montellano (Tabogon).

The Argao Rondalla, the Sisters of Mary - Girls Town Rondalla, and the Pooc National High School Rondalla are the finalists in the third category. Good luck, Cebuano children!

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Even before the Star Cinema treat, This Guy’s In Love With U, Mare!, was shown, the movie company had already announced its next offering, Suddenly It’s Magic, top-billed by hot Thai movie star Mario Maurer and one of the country’s hottest young stars, Erich Gonzales. Suddently It’s Magic will open on Oct. 31.

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Show biz personalities have been coming to Cebu for various reasons. Markki Stroem and Bela Padilla were Ms. Rosemarie Gaisano’s celebrity guests the other weekend for the grand draw of Gaisano Bogo’s Sakyanang Pang-Negosyo promo.

Bela also promoted her latest TV show, Magdalena, the next day along with the other members of the cast (Boodie Cruz, Prince Stefan, Vivo Ouano, Dion Ignacio and Pancho Magno).

Last weekend, former PBB Unlimited housemates, Tintin Patrimonio and Divine Smith went with Ms. Gaisano to the Balamban Town Center for the mall’s promo raffle.

Tintin was a little bit sad (but not impatient) that her show biz career is going nowhere. But her own father, basketball legend Alvin Patrimonio, told her to be patient.

She’s planning to join the Bb. Pilipinas next year though. Tintin is actually prettier in person, and stands at an imposing 5’7”—that’s tall for a Filipina.

We hope she’ll bring home another international crown for the country (the Miss World title, perhaps?). She’s currently unattached.

Divine Smith, on the other hand, is busy working on her first album, which will contain her own compositions whose music will be provided by a foreign artist. She said that the songs are mostly like those of Chris Brown’s.

Divine confirmed that her parents met at Lighthouse Country Mall where her mom used to work. While it was at the Country Mall branch where we shared a sumptuous lunch with Markki and Bela, it was at the restaurant’s Gen. Maxilom branch where we got to interview Divine and Tintin.

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Dingdong Dantes was also in town to promote his latest film Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles. He shared that at first he was so enthusiastic talking about the adventures of the hero, Tiktik, fighting against the forces of evil. But when he came to Cebu and was told that here the word takes on a different meaning, he honestly admitted feeling a little awkward when saying it on radio and in front of us.

Dingdong belied rumors that his relationship with Marian Rivera is on the rocks and that Isabelle Daza is the third party. As before, Dingdong was all smiles when interviewed.