There are a select few, like superstar Nora Aunor, who are fated to be in showbiz.
Is a star born or made?
This was a question asked during the press con of Viva Entertainment’s reality singing competition, “Born to Be a Star.”
Cited as phenomenal is superstar Nora Aunor. No one can question the popularity and success the singer-actress, popularly known as Guy, has attained from her start in the 1960s up to now.
And yes, it was mentioned that she is the original girl from the riles who made good. Guy, who is originally from Iriga, sold water along the train tracks. Another Bicolana from the riles is young star Barbie Imperial, who lived along the train tracks with her mother and brother.
“Ang pagkakaiba nila,” said someone who has closely followed Guy’s career, “aksidente lang ang pagsali ni Guy sa ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan,’ hosted by Lopito and the late Patsy Pachochay.
“And she was gifted with a golden voice, trained by her auntie (Mamay Belen, the younger sister of her mother, Mamay Tunying). Luckily for Guy, the late Dr. Jose Perez of Sampaguita Pictures saw her performance in ‘Tawag.’”
Legendary starmaker Dr. Perez knew a talent when he sees one. He requested a meeting with Guy and the rest is history.
Barbie, meanwhile, was a housemate in the current popular talent search, “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen” (2018).
***
“Born to Be a Star,” hosted by Viva talents Matteo Guidicelli and Kim Molina, is a popular reality singing competition produced by Viva Entertainment. It gives talented individuals a shot at stardom.
One of these talents now doing good in show business is singer Janine Teñoso, who is now one of the judges in “Born to Be a Star.”
Guess how much the winner in “Born to Be a Star” will bring home?
A cool one million pesos, plus a Viva recording management contract.
“Born to Be a Star” will premiere on January 30, 7 p.m. on TV5.
The other judges are Teacher Georcelle Sy, Andrew E., Sam Concepcion and “Suklay Diva” Katrina Velarde.
***
Actress Ai Ai de las Alas doubts if she will be bored while on lock in taping for 55 days for the GMA series, “Owe My Love.”
“Maganda ang kuwento ng series. And I have good actors and actresses with me,” she replied. “At lalong hindi ko mami-miss si Gerald [Sibayan, her husband], since he will be with me the whole time. Siya ang magda-drive at magtsa-chaperone sa akin. He also volunteered to take care of my meals, as I have a menu made exclusively for me by my nutritionist, with the approval of my doctor.
“I need to take care of my health, lalo I have to maintain my beautiful body. And let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger,” Ai Ai added with a smile.
She is 56, nearly 30 years older than Gerald.
***
Can you guess who is eager to stage a showbiz comeback?
Roderick Paulate, that’s who!
Dick was away from showbiz because he was in politics as a Quezon City councilor. He ran for vice mayor of Quezon City during the last elections. He lost to Gian Sotto, the only son of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto and actress Helen Gamboa.
Dick says he will not mind playing gay roles, having had a successful career playing such roles in the 1980s and 1990s.
Roderick’s comeback film, if ever, will reportedly be produced by T-Rex Productions and will have Julius Alfonso at the helm.
Wonder if he will be able to convince good friend Vilma Santos-Recto, now Lipa congresswoman, to appear in a guest role. How about Gina Alajar? Gina was once a child star like Roderick and Vilma. Gina and Roderick appeared in films under Lea Productions.
***
Alessandra de Rossi admits she misses her niece, Fiore, the daughter of her Ate Assunta and husband Jules Ledesma.
Fiore just turned three months old. Jules has two teen kids with his late first wife. Assunta and the kids have grown very close, Assunta and Jules waited for eighteen years before Fiore arrived.
The Ledesmas are currently in Iloilo.
“Because of the pandemic,” said Alessandra. “That’s why gustuhin ko mang pumunta sa Negros, takot din ako sa Covid-19.”
