Philippine Showbiz Today 17
July 8 - 21 , 2017
Reigning Bb . Pilipinas- International Mariel de Leon ( right ) has said yes as the leading lady of Coco Martin ( far right ) in Panday which is one of the first four approved official entries in this December ’ s Metro Manila Film Festival ( MMFF ).
The movie will be directed by Coco ( his debut as director ) who is also producing it under CCM Creative Productions , his newly-formed company . He will be using his real name , Rodel Nacianceno .
A creation of Komiks King Carlo J . Caparas , Panday marks Mariel ’ s entry into showbiz , something which she initially said she feared venturing into . She was given the go-signal by her actor parents , Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong , as well as by the Bb . Pilipinas Charities , Inc . ( BPCI ) headed by Madame Stella Marquez- Araneta on the condition that CCM Productions will coordinate with BPCI for Mariel ’ s schedule . BPCI doesn ’ t usually allow its queens to join showbiz during their reigns .
Being eyed for Lizardo , the iconic villain originated by the late Max Alvarado in the four Panday movies , is
Arjo Atayde who was impressive as kontrabida in Coco ’ s K a p a m i l y a starrer FPJ ’ s Ang Probinsyano which has been extended to 2018 . The Lizardo character changes form and Jake Cuenca is being tapped as the character ’ s alter ego . Also in the cast is Gloria Romero .
According to the STAR informer , Coco has watched the four FPJ starrers as part
Philippine Showbiz Today 17
Mariel tapped as Coco ’ s leading lady in Panday
of his research .
“ Da King is my idol , my hero ,” Coco said in a previous interview . “ I owe so much to him , and to his widow , Tita Susan ( Roces , who is also in the cast of Ang Probinsyano ). ( R . Lo , PS ) ●
GMA Network continues to be the home of remarkable traditional drama that captures the hearts of viewers every time .
This time around , the network proudly unveils its newest Afternoon Prime spectacle , Haplos . It is a story that holds a message about genuine love for the family and how love always reigns more victorious .
The series is topbilled by GMA ’ s multi-talented and home-grown talents Sanya Lopez , Thea Tolentino , Pancho Magno , and Rocco Nacino which airs beginning July 10 in the US and Canada .
Sanya Lopez is Angela Alonzo , a physical therapy undergraduate whose goal in life is to find and love a man as amazing as her father . Thea Tolentino portrays Lucille Bermudez , Angela ’ s half-sister and a sexy promo girl who uses her looks to her advantage . Greedy and dubious , she dreams of being wealthy someday . Pancho Magno is Benedict Dizon , Angela ’ s admirer and an attractive fitness instructor who wishes to become a successful businessman with a trophy wife . Rocco Nacino brings life to Gerald Cortez , Angela ’ s boyfriend and a handsome , hardworking
Haplos adds passion and enchantment to GMA Pinoy TV beginning July
salesman . He is passionate in life and desires a complete family of his own .
Sanya gave a peek on what the show is about . “ Tungkol ito sa isang babae na may gift . And yung gift na yun , dun iikot yung story . Yung gift na yun gagamitin niya para sa kabutihan and yun yung dapat nila abangan ,” she says . Her on screen partner , Rocco , expressed his delight to be paired with Sanya again , “ I ’ m happy that I ’ m working with Sanya again . I ’ ve always told her that I ’ ll be behind her , para tulungan siya and it ’ s been a very fruitful learning process for her .”
Pancho , who also worked with the two in their previous show , is excited to reunite with them in this new series . “ Siyempre iba na , nae-excite kami to portray roles na very different from our previous characters in Encantadia . Ibang-ibang klase ng fantasy naman yung gagawin namin ,” he says . For Thea , she says she ’ s excited for the show ’ s fantasy element and fight scenes . “ Dun ako nae-excite , sa kakaiba na may powers .” On what viewers can expect from her character , she adds “ Abangan nila kung paano ko paiikutin ang pamilya ni Angela , at ng mga taong mahal niya na nakapaligid sa kanya .”
The series , which has a touch of enchantment and sensuality , revolves around the intertwined lives of Angela , Lucille , Benedict and Gerald .
In the story , Angela is a simple and beautiful girl who lives a quiet and peaceful life . She is in a relationship with Gerald but has many admirers , including Benedict . Unknown to her , she has a special gift wherein her touch has healing properties that can soothe emotions and even cure illnesses . But everything draws amok when
she meets her jealous halfsister , Lucille .
Unlike Angela , Lucille ’ s gift is dark and relates to black magic or pangungulam . She uses this to steal everything her sister has . She repeatedly jeopardizes Angela ’ s life , joy and success , resulting to a bitterly contemptuous rivalry . Thus , Angela is left with no choice but to harness her ability if she wants to get everything she once had back before it ’ s too late .
Completing the cast are Patricia Javier as Minda Alonzo , Angela ’ s protective and loving mother ; Emilio
Garcia as Renato Alonzo , the father of Angela and Lucille ; Francine Prieto as Mercedes Bermudez , the outspoken mother of Lucille ; Diva Montelaba as Wendy Reyes , Angela ’ s best friend ; and Ms . Celia Rodriguez as Lola Biring , the grandmother of Angela and Lucille whom they inherited their powers from .
Under the helm of director Gil Tejada Jr ., follow the passionate , intriguing , and enchanting journey in Haplos beginning July 10 only on GMA Network ’ s flagship international channel , GMA Pinoy TV . ●