GMA Network kicks off 2018 with GMA ONE Online Exclusives

Millennials are in for a wonderful surprise this 2018 as GMA Network unveils three online exclusive shows bannered by Atom Araullo, Gabbi Garcia, and Joseph Morong.

Beginning January 1, netizens will be able to watch GMA ONE Online Exclusives on GMA’s Youtube channel (www.youtube.com/gmanetwork) featuring not just one, but three shows: “Adulting with Atom Araullo”, “#Goals with Gabbi Garcia”, and “Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong”.

In “Adulting with Atom Araullo”, the new GMA Public Affairs host joins millennials in their journey towards adulthood. Atom gives netizens a peek at his everyday struggles as he faces the responsibilities of being on his own, and living on a budget. And yes, Atom also shares tips on love: how does one go through courtship and online dating?

“We hope to talk about the different challenges we face as we enter the adult world,” says Atom in an interview. “Nobody teaches us these kinds of things. Sometimes we're lucky to have friends or family to help us get into it painlessly but for the most part, nangangapa tayo sa ganiyan. Everything from finding your own place, budgeting your money, making career decisions, personal relationships, or taxes, things like these. I feel like a lot of people can relate to these challenges,” he added. 

Meanwhile, get inspired by Millennial It Girl Gabbi Garcia’s videos as she shares her personal objectives in “#Goals with Gabbi Garcia”. A show that will definitely tickle the fancy of the kikays out there, “#Goals with Gabbi Garcia” sees Gabbi exploring her goals in beauty, style, makeup, travel, and music.

“We're in a new age now where millennials appreciate digital content, they're really into social media,” says Gabbi. “The show is very relatable to the youth because in #Goals, we will talk about makeup tutorials, new trends, how a typical teenager lives her life”.

Kapuso reporter Joseph Morong, on the other hand, debunks false news items in “Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong”. As more news sources are available online, Joseph will try to help millennials spot fake news.

“Fact or Fake’ goes back to one of the tenets of journalism which is fact-checking,” Joseph explains. “In the program, we’re going to define what fake news is as opposed to mistakes, misinformation, and disinformation. Bottom line is, we want to emphasize that in our society where there’s an overflow of information, it is important to be discerning.”

Don’t miss GMA ONE Online Exclusives: “Adulting with Atom Araullo”, “#Goals with Gabbi Garcia”, and “Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong” starting January 1, via GMA Network's official YouTube account (www.youtube.com/gmanetwork) with new episodes uploaded every Monday at 5 p.m.(30)

Theater Review: A Christmas Carol

Christmas is a a timeless celebration celebrated by most people around the world, even those who do not believe in Jesus Christ or the existence of a God. The joy it brings is just infectious, with the warmth of gift-giving, greetings of people important to us in our social media accounts or through our mobile phones, and the spirit of generosity.

The tilted textured set pieces designed by Ed Lacson Jr. sets the tone for an undercurrent of misery ever-present in Christmas: not all can celebrate equally. In a town of simple folks, there lives Ebenezer Scrooge (Miguel Faustmann) who made a lot of money over the years but who does not live to enjoy it, his every thought preoccupied on how to save every penny and even multiply it. In the same town lives his employee Bob Cratchit, the father of Tiny Tim who wants nothing more but to provide a simple turkey dinner for his chronically ill son and family. But alas, his money can only afford them a small chicken.

The musical starts with Scrooge portrayed as an old man living alone save for a made, who hates Christmas so much that he doesn't even want to go to the annual reunion of his relatives. Fred Anderson (Arman Ferrer), his nephew and the son of his later sister Fran, is relentless in inviting him yearly but he would have none of it. Scrooge's disbelief in the spirit of Christmas is further explored in the scene which shows three townsfolks who ask for donations. Of course, Scrooge does not give anything at all and shoos them away, just like he does with a blind female beggar, even knocking her down remorselessly.

The direction is evenly paced and Scrooge's transformation is better felt this time around, compared to last years staging by the same theater company, Nineworks Theatrical. A notable difference aside from the set design is Jacob Marley's part. Aside from having a different actor for that role (Noel Rayos instead of Ariel Reonal), the creatures with him now look like Maddie Ziegler, the girl with the blonde wig from Sia's music videos. I find the total revamp of the production numbers involving Scrooge's visitors totally refreshing especially for those who have watched last year's production. Something new which is creepy yet amusing is the head of one "Sia" creature being tossed around.

This is also Franco Laurel's comeback as a performer after some years of hiatus and he is totally unrecognizable as The Ghost of Christmas Past. His antics and prancing around bordering on flirtatious issuch a delight to watch, even as he is showing painful memories of Scrooge losing his loved ones which clearly illustrate the old man's disdain for Yuletide.

 Nico Dans, looking imposing at first and reminiscent of Demigod Maui from Moana, shows Scrooge what he has failed to see because all he does is count money and worry about it. The image of the socioeconomic gap was burned into his mind, with Tiny Tim an apparition he can't get out of his mind. Like a snow slowly melting from the warmth of summer brought about by the sun's embrace, the change in Scrooge was obvious as he witnessed the happy Cratchit family who are trying to make the most of what they have and the boy's simple wishes. 

Rissey Reyes, who played the Ghost of the Christmas Future, is a very fantastic dancer and has a strong stage present even though her role didn't have any lines. She convincingly drove the final nail which would be the ultimate catalyst for change for Scrooge as she spun and spun while showing him what grimness the future holds for him and Tiny Tim if he doesn't change his ways.

The choreography by PJ Rebullida was fantastic as usual and it's interesting to actually make a bet on who could jump the highest or spin the fastest, since all of them does these things flawlessly and in perfect unison when needed. The catch is that most of the cast are not really trained dancers so it is a wonder to see them perform like this. Another brilliant decision of Robbie Guevara as a director is to actually have them all stay in the proscenium space instead of having blockings that are semi-thrust. The running time is actually shorter, the story is more compact and engaging, and the climax is more compelling.

Catch A Christmas Carol on its remaining shows from 26-27 at 8pm and 25 at 7pm. For tickets, contact Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Anggun's Newest Album 8 Available Since Dec. 8

Born in 1974, Anggun is without any doubt the world's most famous Indonesian-born recording artist, and one of the few Asian entertainers who have earned international acclaim. Starting her career as a child star in Indonesia, she set herself for an international career when she moved to France to pursue her music debut in Europe, at the age of 20.

In the late 90's, her single Snow on the Sahara experienced a massive breakthrough in the French music industry. This soon brought Anggun to the broader international market with the release of her debut international album in 33 countries, which sold over 2 million units worldwide including Triple Platinum in Italy and Indonesia, Platinum in France and Malaysia, Gold in Switzerland, Finland, Philippines and Singapore, etc. The album reached Billboard's Top 20 Heatseekers Album Charts, while the hit single Snow on the Sahara reached Top 15 in the Billboard Dance charts and Top 20 in the Billboard Pop Songs Charts.

A few years later, Anggun penned the main theme song for the movie The Transporter II, becoming the first Asian-born artist to have performed the main theme song of a #1 US box office film. In 2014, she received a legendary World Music Award in Monaco as World's Best-Selling Asian artist and last year, the artist premiered her wax figure at the prestigious Madame Tussauds museum. She also became part of the Judges panel of Asia's Got Talent, the biggest talent TV show on earth, with legendary music producer David Foster.

Besides her musical achievements, Anggun is known as a humanitarian activist, representing the UN Food and Agriculture Organization as a Goodwill Ambassador.

Her brand new single What We Remember is an addictive pop-electro single, which entered directly the Top 10 best-selling iTunes songs across Eastern Asia the week of its release (source: AsiaPop40.com). It is the first excerpt from her much-awaited brand new album entitled 8 which was released last Dec. 8

For purchase and more information on the album, visit this link: https://lnk.to/Anggun8

Allen Dizon, Willing Magbihis Babae para sa Latay; BG Productions, Aarangkada Ulit Ngayong 2018

Ang Aguman Sanduk festival ng Minalin, Pampanga ay isang tradisyon ng lugar kung saan ang mga kalalakihan ay nagbibihis-babae o yung tinatawag nilang crossdressing. Averse si Allen Dizon sa kahit anong role na kailangan niyang isuot ang damit ng opposite gender kahit na okay lang sa kanya gumanap na bading. Ngunit dahil sa importante ang eksena sa pelikulang Latay kung saan gaganap siya ng challenging role bilang isang battered husband, nagdesisyon siyang i-overcome ang limitation niya at magmistulang isang drag queen para sa eksenang iyon na isa sa magiging highlight ng pelikula.

Sa ngayon ay sikreto pa muna ang role ni Allen, na sobrang thankful kay ms. Baby Go dahil sa dami na niyang nagawang proyekto under BG Productions International na umani ng recognitions sa de-kalidad ng afilm festivals abroad tulad ng Area, Lauriana, at Iadya mo Kami. Direktor niya dito si Ralston Jover, ang nagdirehe rin ng pelikulang Bomba na nagbigay sa kanila ng kaperahang si Angellie Nichole Sanoy ng Special Jury Award sa 33rd Warsaw International Film Festival, isang A-List Filmfest.

"It will focus more on the sexual politics of the relationship," ani ng direktor.

Ang Almost A Love Story naman ang isa pang aabangan sa BG dahil ito ang unang pelikula ng maindie queen na si Madam Baby Go sa mainstream. Matutunghayan dito ang tambalang DerBie - Derrick Monasterio at Barbie Forteza - pati na rin ang veteran supporting cast na kabilang sina Ana Capri at Lotlot De Leon.

Inamin ni Barbie Forteza na nauna ang commitment niya dito sa pelikula bago pa man iaannounce ang show na pagsasamahan nila ng binata. Matatandaan na umamin si Derrick a few months ago na niligawan niya si Barbie years ago. Sa ngayon, very supportive siya sa dalagang naging isang malapit na ring kaibigan. "For me, it's always a surprise working with Barbie kasi sa lahat po ng roles na ginagampanan niya, laging bagong Barbie ang nakikita ko."

Ang pelikulang nabanggit sa itaas ay idederehe ni Louie Ignacio at kukunan sa Italy pagpasok agad ng taon.

Christmas Lighting Ceremony turns on the Holiday Cheer at Theater Mall and Promenade

The Christmas lighting ceremony is a much-awaited annual tradition at the Promenade and Theater Mall that officially kicks off Christmas in this part of Greenhills.

Enlivened by the presence of stars and entertainment personalities, the tradition began in 2008, the 20^th year of the Music Museum, when German “Kuya Germs” Moreno invited stars like Gloria Romero to join him in providing Christmas cheer and dazzle at the ceremony. Through the years, young stars like Barbie Forteza, Bea Binene, Jake Vargas, Hero Angeles, and Ken Chan joined Kuya Germs in spreading Christmas cheer to shoppers and mall goers at the Promenade.

Every year, the celebrities assemble at the site of the Christmas Switch, put their hands together and press the switch. Immediately, the bright lights of Christmas start to shine all over the place -- as if the stars of the entertainment world lend their sparkle to the Holiday look.

This year, stars of GMA’s hit television show Meant To Be Ken Chan, Jak Roberto and Barbie Forteza, including Mark Manicad and John Nite carried on the tradition begun by Kuya Germs. At the flick of the switch, the Christmas lights inside and outside the mall and on the Christmas tree came alive in a blaze of big and little lights, punctuated by transparent Pinoy parols deftly put together by resident artist Francis Dano-og.

“I’m so happy to be doing this again. I love the symbolism of the lights going on at the same time to start the Christmas festivities here” said Barbie Forteza, who first became part of the Greenhills tradition when she was just 13 years old.

The Christmas Lighting ceremony was led by Music Museum Group President Precy M. Florentino and other MMG officials. The event touched off engaging Christmas activities at the mall highlighted by a Christmas Bazaar at the Missouri area that will go on till December 31.

Miss Florentino recalled how Christmas lights are a traditional part of the Christmas celebration and how parols – the traditional Filipino symbols of Christmas – lit the way for country folk on their way to Simbang Gabi. “We want to show that the Christmas spirit is forever alive in us. We want these Christmas lights to provide hope and cheer to our surroundings. Pinoy Christmases are always bright,” she added.

The dining, shopping and entertainment enclave is best known for its popular performance venues, the Music Museum and Teatrino, its state of the art Greenhills Cinemas that pioneered the Dolby Atmos Sound Technology, and its lively mix of shops and restaurants.

For more information about activities, movies, dining places, shops, stores and more at the Promenade and Theater Mall, go to www.musicmuseum.com.ph.