Maniolas

In theater, there are artists who are called “triple threats” because they can sing, they can dance and they can act. By those standards, Tippy Dos Santos could be even more because not only can she do all those things, she can do others — like host — just as well. Tippy, who people might remember from her starring role opposite Sam Concepcion in the movie musical Idobidoobidoo, recently turned 21. She has been in showbiz for a number of years, but was only a toddler when she realized that she had the talent for performing. That talent drove her dream as she grew up. “I have always loved singing,” says Tippy, who would sing at family gatherings where there was always a karaoke or videoke machine nearby. “I remember singing ever since I was three or four years old. It was always entertainment for everyone whenever they’d watch a small little blonde girl singing her heart out to Aegis songs or Tootsie Guevarra,” she says with a laugh. “My love for singing has gotten me in the business and I am happy to be in it.” But Tippy’s first formal showbiz break came only about four or five years ago. “I joined Star Magic and did this show called Idol. It was the musical teleserye of Coco Martin, Sam Milby and Sarah Geronimo.” And yet, after that big break, things didn’t immediately snowball. She appeared in musicals (among them, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, Children’s Letters to God, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan Read More …

Home Foodie host Drew Arellano with chefs Llena Tan-Arcenas, RJ Garcia and Rene Ruz MANILA, Philippines – Drew Arellano is everywhere, at least in the Kapuso Network shows. He and his co-hosts jumpstart viewers’ days in Unang Hirit. He urges them to go see the Philippines in Byahe ni Drew.   He smiles at EDSA motorists who crawl past his billboard at the height of rush-hour traffic. As if that’s not enough, Drew shows another side of him in San Miguel Pure Foods’ Home Foodie, that airs weekdays after Unang Hirit. Starting tomorrow, Aug. 15, it will also air within GMA News TV’s Balitanghali on Saturdays and Sundays. You’d think Drew the cooking show host is a kitchen whiz. Actually, the guy admits, he’s average in the kitchen. True, he used to cook when he was living solo, or before he married Iya Villania. But that was out of necessity, not out of passion. That’s why Drew believes men who are not exactly kitchen kings can learn a lot from his new show. They’re foodies like him.  Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 And like Drew, this doesn’t stop them from becoming more than food consumers. They can — lack of experience notwithstanding — be creators of yummy dishes. Drew plans to show them how to do it by whipping up dishes that are “masarap, masustansiya at kayang-kaya” every single morning, on air. After he tucks away his apron somewhere in the studio,  Drew plans to rush straight Read More …

At the Harana sa Dapit-Hapon last March 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the numbers of the Kabayao Family Quartet elicited a prolonged standing ovation. Gilopez Kabayao and his daughters Sicilienne and Farida, played the violin, while his wife Corazon was on the piano. The overflow audience congratulated the “National Artist” and his family, but your columnist corrected them, “Gilopez is not a National Artist… at least not yet.” Gilopez has been honored worldwide for his violin virtuosity and using his and his family’s musical gifts to touch the lives of people. His many recognitions include the Magsaysay Award, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize. But paradoxically, he has yet to be named National Artist which he, needless to say, richly deserves. It’s a long-delayed recognition. Listen to what media said: Standing alone on stage, Gilopez Kabayao seemed to hold the large Carnegie Hall audience in the palm of his hand from beginning to end. — New York Times Entertainment ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Renowned violinist Gilopez Kabayao, his gifted wife Corazon, and their children create a distinctive expression of life. They are a full-blown concerto of art and insight. — The Philippine STAR The Kabayaos must be the most outstanding musical family the Philippines has ever produced. — Manila Bulletin The Kabayao Family’s greatest achievement is in having spread the Word of God through humble presentation of their talents. They gave deeper meaning to the saying, “God above everything else.” — Health Read More …

TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (left) with TV5 chief entertainment content officer Wilma Galvante on the set of Wattpad Presents: The Magic In You at Hong Kong Disneyland When TV5, the Happy Network, was invited to shoot inside the “happiest place on Earth, Disneyland,” we knew that it was an engagement that was wrapped in magic. The more than one-week sojourn in Hong Kong Disneyland has been a memorable, and to say the least, magical, experience for the TV5 staff and production people as they shot the special rom-com episode of Wattpad Presents last month. The Magic in You, which is based on the Wattpad novel originally written by marielicious, ushers in the much-anticipated return of the sought-after love team of Artista Academy alumni Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae as they give life to the well-loved characters of Basti Rivera and Princess Anne Dimla. This special Wattpad Presents episode tells the story of Princess (Shaira Mae) who, like every girl, grew up with a certain fondness for Disney characters. Like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella and Mulan, she, too, believes in the magic of love that comes to all the princesses. As if the universe granted her heart’s desire, Princess finally gets her wish when she gets to fly to the happiest place on earth, Hong Kong Disneyland. Her adventure through the world-class entertainment-cum-resort is virtually a personal tour of Disneyland’s major attractions and the warmth and creativity of its creators. What made the TV5 crew’s experience in this outing Read More …