Friday, October 19, 2007 Serna: Saranghe, Buena Mano debut By Roger Serna Sounds and images
WAS it timed by both parties or was it simple coincidence?
Some members (including the reluctant ones) of the E-group (those covering the entertainment beat) attended two press conferences scheduled one after the other by the regional divisions of the country’s two giant networks last Saturday.
ABS-CBN Cebu called a presscon for its new teleseries titled Saranghe, the Korean equivalent for “I love you.” The seriesevolves around a love triangle.
The event was held at the Fil Hangang Korean Restaurant owned by Seong Yong Moon and located at SM City Cebu.
Neophyte Choi Jin Wook (a.k.a. Keric) plays the Korean character Jim, who comes to Cebu to escape a tragic incident involving a former girlfriend.
Cueshe’s vocalist Jay Justiniani takes the role as Louie; and part-time local TV actress Gryka Barrientos (a Gretchen Barreto deadringer, a more beautiful one as a matter of fact) complete the triangle.
Members of the Korean community in Cebu showed excitement over this new development in Cebu’s television scene. Choi is a maritime student in Korea and he came to Cebu to study English some six months or so ago.
He has managed to add some Cebuano terms to his Korean vocabulary. He claims to love humba and danggit.
The teleseries started airing last Monday and can be seen from 3:45-4:15 p.m. not only in Cebu, but also in major cities and provinces of the Vis-Min area. The other members of the cast are Margie Visitacion, Katrina Cadampog, Ranny Uy, Suzette Estinoso, Rhys Lord Senoran and the alluring former Ms. Cebu runner-up Czarina Dampor.
It’s written by Jurey Mirafuentes and directed by Jose Rodriguez. ABS-CBN Cebu execs are optimistic that the series will further ignite public interest in local productions.
***
A couple of hours later we hopped to Port Seafood Restaurant for GMA 7 Cebu’s presscon for its new morning program, Buena Mano, topbilled by Allan Domingo, the charming former Ms. Cebu runner-up Cheryl Pelayo and Aljin Abaquita.
It’s a mix of news and public affairs stories as well as lifestyle and entertainment tidbits. Mystery host Choopeta crosses over to TV from dySS and dishes far-out ideas and opinions concerning various fields including fashion and beauty, thus adding more humor to those provided by the three hosts.
The identity is not fully revealed and only a part of the body is shown onscreen. Will the real identity be revealed in the near future? That’s for televiewers to keep track of.
In that same occasion, GMA 7’s public relations staff from Manila including come-backing Oliver Amoroso, Barbs Atienza and Ramir (oops, the family name escapes me) were also in attendance.
The network had its “Kapuso Day” the following day at SM City Cebu. The so-called network war rages on (if it still has not) in Cebu and the rest of the Vis-Min area.
***
Ms. Rosemarie Gaisano continues to bring to Cebu entertainment personalities from Manila for the month-long 14th anniversary celebration of Gaisano Country Mall. Last weekend, young actor Joross Gamboa and newcomer Valeen Montenegro entertained crowds in Balamban at mid-afternoon and at the mall later that night.
Tomorrow, actor-dancer Rayver Cruz and singer-actress Karel Marquez (she has Cebuano roots being the niece of Cebu Arts Council chair Petite Garcia) will make waves both at the Gaisano Main (6:30 p.m.); and at the mall (8:30 p.m.) in time with the holding of the “Tabo sa Mall” which runs starting tomorrow until Oct. 13.
On that day, a Halloween party for both the young and old alike will unfold at the mall—complete with magic stunts, puppet shows and costume contest, among others.
The event also marks the launch of the mall’s Christmas promo. Be part of the excitement then.
***
“Pinoy Dream Academy” runner-up Jay-R Siaboc together with Carlo Aquino, Anne Curtis and the Scrambled Egg will be rocking the mid-west town of Aloguinsan tomorrow in a full-length show.
It’s definitely a star-studded weekend. Being stars in your own right, you can make the audiences in the above-mentioned areas equally star-studded. Be counted then.
