Philippine show business has never been more alive these days with various locally-produced stage productions in Metro Manila. Foreign idols also come and go either for movie promotions or concerts. Over the weekend, at least three major events happened simultaneously on the 5th of July.
First was the Big Night of the very first celebrity collab from both Kapamilya and Kapuso networks for the famed reality show “Pinoy Big Brother.” Four Sparkle talents made it to the big four: Mika Salamanca, Charlie Fleming, AZ Martinez, and Will Ashley, together with their Star Magic talents-counterparts Brent Manalo, Esnyr Ranollo, River Joseph, and Ralph De Leon.
The finale show came with free entrance to the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City with devoted fans and supporters lining up and braving the heavy rains first thing in the morning that day to secure their tickets.
Of course, the bigwigs from both networks were there, too, plus the collab hosts and talents led by Michelle Dee, herself a house guest, joining the non-winning housemates in a lively dance number.
As fate – and online e-wallet votes – would have it, Team Breka (Brent and Mika) was proclaimed grand winner followed by RaWi (Ralph and Will, CharEs (Charlie and Esnyr), and AzVer (AZ and River) as 2nd, 3rd, and 4th duo winners.
And as netizens always say, “Ang tunay na laban ay nasa labas ng bahay,” expect in the weeks and months to come how each team, and even the non-winning housemates, outdo each other in terms of TV/events guesting, endorsements, and movie/TV projects.
Congratulations and good luck to all of you housemates!
Big events
After the PBB Big Night, the next big event which happened just an hour’s drive from Manila was the OPM Con 2025 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Concert enthusiasts, music lovers, and devoted fans are one is saying that the event was more than a concert but a powerful testimony that Original Pilipino Music is alive, unstoppable, and world-class!
After all, it featured P-pop Kings and Queens — SB19 and BINI — along with KAIA, G22, SunKissed Lola, Flow G, and Skusta Clee with the special participation of James Reid, Mayonnaise, Yeng Constantino, and Rico Blanco!
Over 30,000 attendees from all over the country and abroad flocked to the sold-out event which has become not only the major musical event of the year but a cultural celebration and a milestone moment for Filipino music. Imagine Rico Blanco dancing and singing with SB19 with their famed “Dungka” hit, Stell Ajero gyrating with BINI, and James Reid crooning with BINI.
New power couple, retail exec Vincent Co and Bea Alonzo, whose relationship still has to be confirmed, also attended the momentous event.
Meanwhile, over at the Music Museum at Greenhills, Jed Madela was holding his Superhero concert, an intimate annual birthday concert. The first Pinoy champ in the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in 2005, Jed said the concert’s sole purpose is “giving back to the people who just wanted to hear me sing and watch me perform.”
In his FB post, he gave thanks to his Star Magic family, especially to director Lauren Dyogi “who dropped by my run through because he couldn’t make the actual show as it was also the big night for PBB.”
“In a world where all you need is someone that you can rely on whenever you pick up your phone and isolate yourself from this very difficult and challenging journey called life, there will always be a “Jed Madela” ready to save your gloomy day, ease your worries for a while, to put on full blast wherever you may be,” Madela said in his lengthy post.
Mentor actor holds apprentice back
Whispers are getting louder among showbiz Marites about a certain young actor, known for his appealing and wholesome image, and his unusually close ties to the industry’s leading ladies. Sources say a seasoned star has taken the younger talent firmly under his wing, offering unparalleled guidance and opportunities that have left many in the industry wondering about the true nature of this intense mentorship. This apprenticeship is said to have made the talent be associated with the hitmakers and industry bigwigs.
Is it purely a professional master-and-apprentice dynamic, leading to the younger star’s biggest break yet? Or does the deep bond extend beyond the set, as some suggest, hinting at a more complex, perhaps personal, reason behind the frequent sightings of the young actor in many showbiz events with the veteran either in tow or simply just behind?
The surprise leading man’s journey was slow in the industry where good looks were not enough but connections and compromises could spell the difference. With his career a bit brighter than ever, whispers say he is itching to break free. But leaving might mean risking everything for his mentor allegedly holds enough skeletons to bury his blossoming career.
Will he dare to leave? Or choose to stay to protect his image as well as his mentor’s? Whispers also said that the talent can be a a loyal dude, for as long as his coach stays to be the only guy in his life.
