Ai Ai and son Sancho Delas Alas together in GMA 7's 'Let The Love Begin'

I’m not really into celebrities but because of my job as part of the editorial team of an entertainment portal, Philippine Showbiz Republic (PSR), I was given the opportunity to attend press conferences, blog conferences, and basically get to know more about different showbiz personalities. I recently had the chance to get to know the Philippine comedy queen, Ms. Ai Ai Delas Alas up close and personal. I grew up watching her movies and it’s nice to get to know someone from showbiz who isn’t so full of herself. Despite of all the box office films and achievements she has amassed all these years, Ms. Ai Ai’s really very down-to-earth and easy to talk to. She had just made that ‘big leap’ to GMA 7, but this early, her fans will be happy to know that there are a lot of projects already lined up for her. Starting off with Ms. Ai Ai’s first project under the Kapuso network, the primetime romantic-drama series ‘Let The Love Begin’ which will have its initial telecast on Monday, May 4, after ‘Pari Ko’y’ on GMA 7.

Ms. Ai Ai hams it up before the camera with co-star Gardo Verzosa.

ANNAKARENINA REMAKE BEGINS ON JUNE 3 AT GMA 7

AnnaKareNina stars Krystal Reyes, Barbie Forteza and Joyce Ching

Beginning June 3, GMA 7 recreates another well-loved classic teledrama via the remake of RJ Nueva’s Anna KareNina. The original series ran for about six years in the 90’s and had a really strong following, which eventually paved the way for the rise to stardom of former teen sensations Antoinette Taus, Sunshine Dizon and Kim delos Santos.  

In the latest incarnation of the said drama series, GMA 7’s homegrown talents Barbie Forteza, Joyce Ching and Krystal Reyes breathes a new life into the roles popularized by Antoinette, Sunshine and Kim. 

Barbie explains her role while Joyce Ching smiles.

 Barbie Forteza showed her acting ability when she reprised the role of the young Jodi in the Filipino adaptation of the Korean tearjerker Stairway to Heaven. She has also topbilled other Kapuso programs such as First Love, Tween Hearts, Pilyang Kerubin, Nita Negrita, Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin, Luna Blanca Book 2 and Paroa: Ang Kwento ni Mariposa.

Joyce Ching was able to make her mark in showbusiness when she portrayed the role of the young Shirley in Endless Love. She recently received accolades for a notable performance in Pakawalang Anghel: The Michelle Reyes Story in an episode of GMA 7’s Magpakailanman.

 Krystal Reyes, on the other hand, gained respect and attention from the public from her sterling performance in Bakekang. This young thespian has continued to shine in her own way in the drama genre and has made her own starring roles via Princess Charming and the TV remake of Mga Mata ni Anghelita. She had also excelled in hosting the now defunct award-winning children’s art show Art Angel.

The bloggers had lunch with the stars.

The author of Purple Plum Fairy in pink with Krystal Reyes.

During the bloggers’ lunch with the three young ladies, they had revealed how excited they all are for Anna KareNina. “We’re really very excited for this project but at the same time feeling somewhat nervous,” 16-year-old Krystal divulges. The three young lass feel the pressure that surrounds them knowing fully well how big this Anna KareNina project is. And the fact that it airs after GMA 7’s flagship news program 24 Oras, they will be the first ones viewers can watch during the so-called GMA Telebabad timeslots. “But the three of us are blessed to be given this opportunity to showcase our acting talents among all the many talents at GMA. I am so honored and flattered,” adds Krystal. 

There will be a lot of firsts for Anna KareNina. Barbie Forteza will be portraying a role far from her usual ‘weak’ role in her past television drama/fantasy roles.  Barbie will be playing the role of Karen (originally played by Sunshine Dizon) who’s kikay but has a mean streak and can be unstoppable when provoked. “I’m very happy to portray a different role this time. It’s something that’s totally far from my usual roles of being the ‘underdog’ so things have become more challenging for me,” adds Barbie.

 “The original story had also been tweaked. There have been quite a lot of changes and other exciting stuff, like this time around, even us, we don’t really know who’s the real granddaughter of Donya Carmela in the story,” volunteers Krystal.

The three misses did not watch any of the past episodes of the original Anna KareNina so people can expect a fresh approach when it comes to acting from the three lead actresses. “We were actually advised by Direk Gina (Alajar) to watch snippets of the said soap to get some tips because most of us weren’t born yet when it was aired,” relates Joyce. “But we couldn’t find any, not even on youtube. So it may just be not meant for us to see,” says Barbie.

Anna KareNina is about Donya Carmela who will post a 10 million reward for whoever finds her granddaughter Anna Karenina Monteclaro. Hundred of 15-year-old girls will all claim the identity of Anna Karenina but most of them are fake; except for the three girls who showed authentic birth certificates and other proofs—all three girls bear the same name, yet they have different motives.

 Joining the three lead stars of Anna KareNina are Sandy Andolong (as Donya Carmela), Yul Servo, Derrick Monasterio, Julian Trono, Hiro Peralta, Neil Ryan Sese, Juan Rodrigo, Valerie Concepcion, Allan Paule, Ana Roces, Maureen Larrazabal, Maybelyn Dela Cruz, Alicia Meyer, Kathleen Hermosa, Joanna Marie Tan, and with the special participation of comebacking actress Yasmien Kurdi as the young mom of Anna KareNina.

Don’t fail to watch Anna KareNina beginning June 3 after 24 Oras on GMA 7!

Special thanks to MC Richard for the invites.

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are my own.