On this peak week of the Lenten season, most of our local celebrities that are part of daily noontime variety shows have gotten out of their comfort zones, taking on heavy dramatic roles for Holy Week drama presentations.
The hosts of ABS-CBN’s Showtime have all finished working on their special episodes with heavyweights in the acting business. Anne Curtis is pitting talents with Nonie Buencamino. Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon plays daughter to A-lister Art Acuña. Billy Crawford shares the spotlight with Baron Geisler. Vice Ganda, Coleen Garcia, Vhong Navarro, Kim Atienza, and Ryan Bang all have their interesting Holy Week outings, too.
Over at the Eat Bulaga camp on GMA, Joey de Leon, Vic Sotto, Keempee de Leon, Ryan Agoncillo, Pia Guanio and Pauleen Luna all took the challenge of becoming dramatic actors for the Eat Bulaga Lenten drama special. Particularly interesting is the first dramatic team-up of Aiza Seguerra and Ryzza Mae Dizon in an episode titled Lukso ng Dugo.
CBN Asia continues its annual Good Friday drama special. This year, it features Glaiza de Castro and Anna Marin in a very heart-wrenching drama, titled Sa Isang Iglap, a story about how a mother and daughter cope with the sudden loss of the family man.
BOLTING TO GO SOLO?
Zayn Malik has announced that he is leaving the world-famous boy band One Direction to seek a more normal and peaceful existence. Malik apologized to his fans and explained that it was something his heart felt he should do.
The decision by Malik to quit came after he dropped out of the Philippine and Indonesian legs of the band’s Asian tour. As expected, his legion of fans were disappointed, sad, some even feeling betrayed.
“I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I’m leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight,” so read his statement on One Direction’s Facebook page.
The four remaining band members—Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson—will go on with the group’s 2015 world tour. One Direction, discovered and mentored by Simon Cowell, is also planning to release its new album before the year ends.
There are reports that Zayn might just make a comeback in the near future as a solo artist but it’s too early to tell.
On the local front, Filipino music group Side A announced that lead vocalist Joey Generoso has left the group to pursue a solo career. The official statement sent to us reads:
“Side A confirms that Joey Generoso has opted to pursue a solo career as he turned 53 years old this year. He leaves Side A after many great years and memories with the group, regarded as the premier band of the Philippines.
“Side A has garnered several awards and recognitions with Joey G. Its only fitting for him to create a new sound that he can regard as his very own. This opportunity affords him an exciting chapter in his career.
“Side A is abuzz with plans. It is motivated to rise up to the challenges presented by changes in the industry. Creating fresh and new material is in the offing. Please watch out for updates on Side A’s new journey.
“The [remaining] members count on the support of their friends, keep the ones they’ve earned through the years and capture the hearts of more. The band is committed to carry on with its signature sound. Its musical standards will remain uncompromised, and ‘Forevermore’ will live on with Side A.”
Side A will move forward with members Naldy Gonzalez on keyboard and vocals, Ernie Severino on drums and vocals, Leevon Cailao on lead guitar and vocals and Ned Esguerra on bass and vocals.
Well, everything is a decision. Some may opine that 53 is too old an age to go solo, but perhaps Generoso has his reasons. Let’s see where his music will take him.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Singapore-based Filipino-Indian teen Miguel Antonio flew into town recently to promote his new single “Every Day.”
Music honcho Narciso Chan of Crave Entertainment shared that his group is more than excited to introduce the Davao-born teen to the Filipino music market. “It is not often that we discover a gem like Miguel whose musicality is impressive. He not only sings but also accompanies himself on the piano. He is also exploring music composition at an early age.”
Since Miguel won David Foster’s Born To Sing Asia talent competition in 2011, he has set his sights on pursuing music as a career. In a major collaboration with Apl.de.ap’s BMBX (pronounced “boombox”) Entertainment artist-development company, Chan added that there are plans of introducing Miguel in other Asian countries, too.
Miguel told us that meeting Apl.de.ap in Singapore was a life-changing moment for him. “I can’t explain the feeling. It’s a blessing to have someone like him guide my upstart career. Hopefully we can collaborate soon, as he wants all of his artists to be featured in his new album.”