Glaiza de Castro gets big break in ‘Kaputol ng Isang Awit’

In the story, she plays Sarah, a poor mousy-looking girl with a great voice but with no self-confidence as her abusive grandpa (Leo Martinez) forbids her to sing. She secretly works as a back up singer to the ambitious Joanna Ambrosio (Lovi Poe), daughter of a rich businessman, Julio (Gary Estrada), who envies his own sister, Charmaine (Jennylyn Mercado), who’s more popular than her. Joanna maltreats Sarah, who later becomes her hottest rival. Later on, it will be revealed that there’s a secret that connects them intimately with each other.

"This is my biggest break and I’m grateful to GMA-7 sa tiwala nila sa’kin," adds Glaiza. "Pero grabe rin ang pressure as I’m playing a role originally played by Sharon Cuneta, so this is a big challenge for me. Grabe rin ang titindi ng dramatic scenes, plus may singing and dancing pa and even stunts dahil ilang beses akong tinulak at nahulog dito."

Glaiza is overwhelmed. She adds, "I’m giving it my all and I’m sure viewers will enjoy ‘Kaputol ng Isang Awit’ that will replace ‘My Only Love’ on GMA-7’s ‘Dramarama sa Hapon’ starting Monday."

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It appears that the public reaction to the Regine Velasquez brouhaha involving her aborted move from GMA to ABS CBN is alarmingly negative for her.

One former fan says: "Para siyang si Angel Locsin. She keeps on saying jobless siya. E, bakit siya umalis sa ‘SOP’? Hindi naman pala siya pinaaalis, siya itong nagpaalam, ‘di naging jobless nga siya? GMA should have let her go."

"Pinaasa lang pala niya ang ABS," another viewer says. "Kahit i-deny pa niya, the fact remains na nagamit niya pa rin ito, consciously or otherwise, para mas makapagpapresyo siya sa counter offer ng GMA. Dapat, hindi na siya nagpapigil sa GMA at tinuluyan na niyang gawin ang ‘Betty La Fea’ sa ABS. Tingnan lang natin kung magre-rate ‘yan. Maski nga ‘yong soap opera niya noon sa GMA, hindi naman nag-rate. Yung guesting niya sa ‘Maalaala Mo Kaya,’ 13% lang. ‘Yong sa ‘The Buzz,’ mababa rin at hindi nakatulong para pataubin ang ‘Showbiz Central.’ At iyong movie niya with Piolo Pascual, naging blockbuster ba? Hindi naman ah."

"Kung anuman ang kadramahan ni Regine na pag-iyak-iyak niya sa ‘S.O.P.’ dahil aalis na raw siya, it surely backfired on her," says another viewer. "It definitely lessened her credibility."

Regine’s camp now should do some damage control as her move has no doubt unwittingly tarnished her image.

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Our condolences to the family of colleagues Ethel and Chit Ramos, and Len Llanes, for the passing away of their mom, Mrs. Amaparo A. Ramos, on February 25, whose remains are now in Sta. Maria Della Strada, the same chapel where the wake of our beloved wife, Dr. Victoria A. Bautista, was also held.

On its first night, we saw Gretchen Barretto and asked her about her walkout at "Entertainment Live" last Saturday. "Hindi naman kasi maganda ang ginawa nila sa akin," she says. "I was there to promote my album, ‘Unexpected,’ and I already told ayokong makarinig ng negative things about me as I don’t want to be upset dahil may mall tour pa ako after guesting in their show. Nang nakaupo na ako with their host, biglang pinakita iyong VTR about her (Nadia Montenegro) saying negative things about me. I covered my ears so I won’t hear them at nang hindi ko na ma-stand, I walked out. Kung ipasasagot pa nila sa’kin ‘yon, I can’t do it kasi I was just there to promote my album. Earlier, I had a phone interview sa ‘Startalk’ and, in all fairness to them, they respected when they were about to ask me about the issues about me and I said huwag na lang kasi I’d only be affected by it. They just allowed me to sing live for them over the phone. After I walked out nga, gusto kong dumiretso sa ‘Startalk’ sana to air my side, but then, patapos na ang show nila."

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Star Magic’s Rikka Dylim hosted their birthday presscon for talents born in February and one of the celebrants is Raphael "RJ" Martinez, who turned 18 on February 13. RJ is now concentrating on his studies at ABS-CBN Distance Learning Center but given a chance to do another soap opera, he will definitely grab the chance to be back on TV. It has been a while since his last TV appearance, playing the brother of Piolo Pascual in "Sa Piling Mo." Once in a while, he appears on "ASAP ‘08." Raphael admits that he misses working but he knows that there will be a good project in store for him. He just keeps himself busy with school.

Alwyn Uytingco turned 20 on February 11 but he remains looking like a teenager. Unlike Joseph Bitangcol who didn’t renew his contract with ABS-CBN, Alwyn renewed his and is now co-managed by Star Magic and Manny Valera. "Child actor pa ako, nasa ABS na ako so I just couldn’t severe my ties with them," he says. "Heto nga, I just guested in the recent ‘Maalaala Mo Kaya’ episode with Regine Velasquez."

Alwyn is also busy doing a movie with director Quark Henares, "Rakenrol." "This is about a rock band. I’m the drummer, si Glaiza de Castro ang vocalist, si Jason Abalos ang composer, si Ketchup Eusebio ang guitarist, with Matet de Leon as our manager and Diether Ocampo as the rock star na idol namin."

He’s admits going steady with Princess Ryan, youngest member of the Koolchx. "More than one year na kami. She’s the girl of my dreams," says Alwyn.

More than his previous ex, Jill Yulo, with whom he was paired in "Flor de Luna"? Instead of answering, he just smiled. How did he feel when Princess posed sexy with Maxim?

He says, "She told me about it and okay lang. But she doesn’t really need to ask for my permission as she can make her own decisions about her career."

But will he impose any limitations? "None, as long as it’s not degrading or mababastos siya," Alwyn says.

As part of Boyz.Com, he’ll have a concert this Saturday at Zirkoh Greenhills with singer-comedienne Rubirubi. "This will be our sexiest performance so far. Magugulat ang audience sa gagawin namin."

So who’s the better boyband, Boyz.Com or Studs? "We used to say kami, but our manager, Manny Valera, told us it’s the people who should pass judgment kung sino ang mas magaling. Pagbutihan na lang daw namin lagi. Also, good friend ko ang isang member nila, si Felix Roco, kaya wala kaming away with them."

You can get tickets for "Rubirubi @Boyz.com" at Zirkoh or call DMV Entertainment at 415-0373, 374-1361.

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Megan Young turned 18 yesterday, February 27 but she didn’t have a grand debut. "I wanted it to be more intimate," she says. "With only my family and closest friends. Sa debut kasi, ang dami-daming guests na hindi mo naman lahat maasikaso."

When she was with "PBB Celebrity Edition," she came across as someone pa-sosyal and senyorita.

"I know. Kasi I don’t know how to eat streetfood like isaw. My parents kasi are really protective at ayaw kaming pakanin ng ganoong food. Also, I’m used to having maids sa bahay kaya hindi ako marunong ng household chores," she admits. "But I tried to cope naman inside Kuya’s house. Kumain din ako ng street food and to show hindi ako tamad, I helped my housemates in cleaning the house, dishwashing, and other chores. But my stint in Kuya’s house helped me realize that I’m so dependent pala talaga on people around me."

What’s the first thing she did after she came out of "PBB"? "I slept and slept then I asked my mom to buy me cakes and chocolates and I indulged myself," says Megan.

She’s now paired with Enchong Dee in "Astigs Ab Lyf and Luv" every Saturday morning and is glad to be chosen as Piolo Pascual’s leading lady in his music video. She also plans to go back to school in June. She used to take up communication arts at Trinity College. But she says, "I want to transfer sana to a school who’ll be more lenient with my schedules."

(mmhannah143@yahoo.com)