Pop Viewer's Choice Awards 2010 on ASAP XV

Get ready for one pop-tastic and pop-bulous celebration this sunday as ASAP XV unveils the Grand Winners of the ASAP POP VIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS 2010!

Now on its 6th unprecedented year, the ASAP POP VIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS is considered the ultimate fan-based text voting awards in Philippine Television where the fans vote and decide for the winners. This year’s POP AWARDS are divided into 5 major categories namely Pop Music, Pop Music Video, Pop Kapamilya TV, Pop Astig and Pop Movies! Nominees for this year include favorites Sarah Geronimo, Anne Curtis, Angel Locsin, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson and Piolo Pascual.

Catch the star-studded event with the best and the brightest Kapamilya stars. Gracing the POP AWARDS are favorite Kapamilya characters from NOAH, JUANITA BANANA, MARA CLARA, KOKEY AT AKO and IMORTAL as presenters.

Tune in this Sunday and find out who makes it to the top of the pops.

MORE POP-TASTIC CELEBRATIONS!

More poptastic celebrations await as ASAPXV rolls the red carpet to world-class Filipino talents. Hold on to your seats as two Pinoy Icons Arnel Pineda and Lea Salonga take Pinoy pride to another level. It’s a vocal showdown like no other as the outstanding voices of Lea and Arnel’s fill the ASAP centerstage.

Our favorite ASAP Sessionistas go sentimental as they put their own distinct sessionista flavor this time jamming all-time favorite jukebox hits. Don’t miss this all-star jamming only from the ASAP Sessionistas.

It’s STARPOWER at its finest! STARPOWER 15 come face to face with premiere ABS-CBN leading men Jericho Rosales, Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual in a very special performance that will surely showcase STARPOWER to the extreme.

Box-Office King John Lloyd Cruz and Romantic Comedy Queen Toni Gonzaga team up for the first time in the all-out “Kilig Movie of the Year” – MY AMNESIA GIRL! Catch the super kilig grand launch this sunday.

Precious Hearts Romances “ALYNA” herself Shaina Magdayao celebrates her very special birthday bash.

It’s a grand dance revolution as the one and only Billy Crawford together with the SUPAHDANCE ALL STARS gear up and take the all time favorite hits of the 80’S, 90’S and 2000. Plus back back to back dance showdown from the ASAP GIRLS, Cristine Reyes and the country’s best pinoy dance crews.

CHRISTMAS CHEERS!

Pinoy Christmas is definitely in the air with holiday cheers and surprises from the ASAP CHAMPIONS, PBB Love Teams and The ASAP GIRLS. Plus back to back surprises from vocal royalties Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sarah Geronimo, Jed Madela and Gary Valenciano.

It’s gonna be one mega-party with only the biggest stars this sunday. ASAPXV November 21, 12:15 high noon!

Erich Gonzales and Xian Lim Reunites Via Wansapanataym's Bandanang Itim

Stars of the now defunct hit primetime series, ‘Katorse,’ Erich Gonzales and Xian Lim, reunite in the upcoming ‘Wansapanataym’ episode this Saturday that features the story of Rod Santiago’s Bandanang Itim.

“Masaya ako ulit na maka-trabaho si Xian pero this time sa isang light story naman. Yung Katorse kasi medyo heavy yung issues na tinatackle, kaya this time, mas masaya at mas magaan lang,” Erich shared.

Xian expressed how nostalgic he felt when he was taping the mentioned ‘Wansapantaym’ episode, “Nung magka-eksena kami ni Erich, ang nostalgic ng feeling because the last time we had a scene together was in Katorse. It was a good experience.”

Erich will be giving life to a lady whose looks does not justify her inner beauty. With the magic of a black scarf, physical beauty is at hand. Xian, on the other hand, will fall in love with Erich’s good looks. How will Xian learn about the magic of the black scarf? Will he still love her despite the truth he’s about to discover?

Find out as Erich and Xian ablaze their cut-short romance in ‘Katorse’ via ‘Wansapanataym’s Bandanang Itim’ on ABS-CBN this Saturday after TV Patrol.

Kuya Kim Returns to Showtime!

After being sidelined by heart disease, TV host and weather man Kim Atienza returned to the noontime program "Showtime" on Friday.

The 43-year-old host took a 2-week leave for his transesophagial echo operation to enclose the hole in his heart.

The "Matanglawin" host earlier said on micro-blogging site Twitter that his surgery was a success.

With his male co-hosts beside him, an energetic and happy Atienza stood before the 'madlang people' and thanked those who helped and prayed for him.

"Nais kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng nagdasal para sa akin. Sa lahat ng mga ka-Twitter ko, sa lahat ng doktor na tumulong sa akin, I love you," he said.

The politician-turned-celebrity also expressed gratitude for his Creator for giving him another chance to live.

"Sa Diyos, Lord, thank you very much for this other chance to live and to be the best Kuya Kim that I can be," he ended

Ces Oreña-Drilon, Julius Babao and Karen Davila to Raise All-New "Bandila"

Here is the official statement from the ABS-CBN Corporate Communications regarding Julius Babao and Karen Davila's decision to join Bandila:

ABS-CBN bolsters its late night newscast "Bandila" by bringing together multi-awarded broadcast journalists Ces Oreña Drilon, Julius Babao, and Karen Davila to deliver the nation's biggest news and stories beginning Monday (Nov 22).

Babao and Davila's addition to the program also marks the dawn of a new and more interactive "Bandila," wherein viewers are given a chance to air their reactions to every news item.

Through the official pages of "Bandila" on Facebook and Twitter, and the three anchors' personal accounts, people may send in their comments while the newscast is going on. After each report, Drilon, Babao, and Davila will read some of the entries live on air.

"Bandila" executive producer Paul Henson said this is another way to empower Filipinos, aside from encouraging them to report to the award-winning "Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula" citizen journalism campaign.

"We want our viewers to have a platform where they can immediately express themselves, where they feel empowered to take part not just in the discussion but in finding solutions to the issue at hand," he said.

Known as "working journalists," Drilon, Babao, and Davila have established their credibility in the industry with news reports and stories they themselves have pursued, written, and produced.

Drilon has long juggled anchoring and reporting duties from her stint in "The World Tonight" in the early nineties up to the present day as one of the original anchors of "Bandila." People turned to her for information in critical news events such as the Manila Peninsula Siege in 2007, where she was among the few journalists whose lives were put in danger. Drilon is also the anchor of current affairs gems like "Pipol," "The Correspondents," and "I Survived."

Like Ces, Davila is a former anchor of "The Correspondents," the news documentary program that has won her awards from UNICEF Child Rights Awards (2005), Asian TV Awards (2006), and New York TV and Film Festivals (2004 and 2007). Davila was also named Broadcast Journalist of the Year by the Rotary Club of Manila in 2004 and one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 2008.

Davila also won Best Female TV Newscaster in the recent 2010 PMPC Star Awards, while Babao took home the trophy in the male category for the third straight year. Babao also anchors a radio program in DZMM and the investigative program "XXX," where he personally joins authorities in surveillance and raids to show his commitment to the resolution of the problems raised to them.

"Bandila" itself has gained numerous recognitions and/or nominations from award-giving bodies like Golden Dove Awards, Star Awards, Asian TV Awards, and the International Emmys.

With decades of experience and a bundle of awards among them, Drilon, Babao, and Davila are expected to bring depth and savvy to "Bandila" and also increase viewer participation through their use of social media within the program.

Be part of history as it unfolds. Join Ces Oreña Drilon, Julius Babao, and Karen Davila from Monday to Friday, after "SNN" on "Bandila." Take part in the newscast by sending your comments and reactions to the official Facebook and Twitter pages of "Bandila" and official accounts of the three anchors.

Karen Davila and Julius Babao Join Ces Drilon in Bandila

Multi-awarded broadcast journalists Karen Davila and Julius Babao are set to join Ces Oreña Drilon as anchors of ABS-CBN's late night newscast Bandila starting Monday.

ABS-CBN Corp., in a statement, announced the anchor shuffle on Friday. (The full press release is below.)

"ABS-CBN bolsters its late night newscast 'Bandila' by bringing together multi-awarded broadcast journalists Ces Oreña Drilon, Julius Babao, and Karen Davila to deliver the nation's biggest news and stories beginning Monday (Nov 22)," the statement said.

"Babao and Davila’s addition to the program also marks the dawn of a new and more interactive 'Bandila,' wherein viewers are given a chance to air their reactions to every news item," it said.

"We want our viewers to have a platform where they can immediately express themselves, where they feel empowered to take part not just in the discussion but in finding solutions to the issue at hand," Bandila's executive producer Paul Henson said.

"Known as 'working journalists,' Drilon, Babao, and Davila have established their credibility in the industry with news reports and stories they themselves have pursued, written, and produced," ABS-CBN said.

Davila is a former anchor of "The Correspondents," the news documentary program that won her awards from UNICEF Child Rights Awards (2005), Asian TV Awards (2006), and New York TV and Film Festivals (2004 and 2007).

Babao, meanwhile, anchors a radio program in DZMM and the investigative program “XXX,” where he personally joins authorities in surveillance and raids to show his commitment to the resolution of the problems raised to them.

Davila was also named Broadcast Journalist of the Year by the Rotary Club of Manila in 2004 and one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in 2008.

Davila also won Best Female TV Newscaster in the recent 2010 PMPC Star Awards, while Babao took home the trophy in the male category for the third straight year.

The change in the anchor lineup of the network's late-night newscast comes weeks after a similar reformatting of the primetime newscast TV Patrol.

Noli de Castro and Korina Sanchez returned to the newscast last November 8, joining Ted Failon. Babao and Davila formerly co-anchored TV Patrol, along with Failon

Derek Ramsay Wants to be Paired With Angel Locsin

After Magkaribal, Derek Ramsay continues his busy working schedule shooting for his upcoming movie Corazon as well as going abroad for city tours until the first week of December. For his next TV project, the actor admits he would be interested to be paired with a new leading lady. “I’d really love to work with Angel Locsin. I worked with her sa Century Tuna campaign but I’ve never done a teleserye or movie with her so I’d love to do that,” he shares.

The talented actor-athlete admits that Angel is one of the nicest people he has ever met in the industry. “My first impression of her when I was met her was that she was maalaga, like a mommy (laughs). Mabait siya, sobra. And she’s a good actress so I’d love to be paired with her. Sayang nga eh. I had the chance to work with her sana on MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya) but unfortunately schedules didn’t permit us to work together. Hindi natuloy. Pero I’d love to be partnered with her in the future,” he divulges.

Derek also expressed interest in being part of the fantaserye Imortal, even if only in a bit role. “I really would’ve loved to be part of Imortal, like in a cameo or just a guest role. I’d like to play a vampire. I just think it’s so bad-ass,” he says. Derek, admits he is a fan of Angel’s hit show. When I saw the pilot and the teasers of Imortal, it just looked so cool,” he adds. Of all the characters, Derek admits that Magnus Imperial strikes him as the most intriguing. “I want to see if I can play those kinds of characters. I want to be a salbahe vampire like Jake Roxas. I think his role is pretty cool. Para maiba naman. I want to play something like that,” he shares. Being a fan of war flicks, Derek also expressed interest in doing a war movie where he can play the role of a soldier. “I enjoy watching those kinds of movies like Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, I want to play a soldier in the line of fire,” he says.

The Fil-Brit actor feels very thankful for all the blessing he received in 2010. “I’m feeling good. There were a lot of great experiences this year. And I’m very excited for Christmas because we’re going to go travel with family and Angel. And this year of course was our great South Africa trip. Finally, all the plans and preparations for that, it all happened. Then, Magkaribal was a success. I’m currently shooting a movie that I really, really like. We’re going to be finishing that soon so sana that comes out before the year ends. So yeah, it’s been a really good ride for me, 2009, and 2010. Habang May Buhay also did well. Ang dami kong blessings na natatanggap. I haven’t had a moment where I had no work so 2010 is good for me,” he relates.

Iya Villania Remains a Kapamilya!

Iya Villania will remain a Kapamilya. Iya Villania renews her contract with ABS-CBN. Iya Villania ends the speculation that she will leave the Kapamilya Network, ABS-CBN, for GMA Kapuso Network and join fellow Viva stars Rachelle Anne Go and Mark Bautista in GMA (and Party Pilipinas). Iya Villania is regularly seen on ABS-CBN’s top-rating Sunday variety show, ASAP XV. Iya’s in a long-term relationship with another celeb from GMA-7, Drew Arellano.

Kim Chiu on Your Song

Kim Chiu was excited to talk after her pictorial and promo shoot about her newest TV project, a mini-drama anthology on Your Song Presents. “Na miss ko na rin mag-taping, ‘yung mapanood sa TV.�Napakasaya ko kasi may drama ulit ako. Ngayon naman iba ibang characters ang gagampanan ko every week dito sa Your Song. Mas makakapag explore kami ng iba’t ibang story.”

It was also in Your Song Presents, a chapter entitled Maling Akala, where Kim was last seen acting on TV. After that she became busy shooting the movie Till My Heartaches End with perennial onscreen partner Gerald Anderson. Kim is very happy to be doing a drama anthology, a project usually reserved for stars that have proven their acting versatility. “Nakakahiya! Ha ha ha! Excuse naman sa akin,” she said feeling embarrassed by the compliment.

The only thing that’s on Kim’s mind right now is the overwhelming gratitude she feels for her home network ABS-CBN. “Basta nagpapasalamat ako sa ABS-CBN kasi pinagkatiwalaan nila ako ng ganitong project, na makaarte uli sa TV at solo ko pa. Mamahalin ko ito nang buong puso.”

In one of the layouts for the pictorial, Kim was made up to look like a ‘taong grasa.’ She said that she finds this upcoming episode of Your Song Presents to be the most challenging so far. “Ilang stories pa lang ‘yung nasasabi sa akin. Isa dun ‘yung gaganap ako na taong grasa. Napaka challenging talaga kung iisipin mo pa lang. Hindi pa ako nakaka play na ganun. Usually ang roles ko e regular akong tao, like anak sa isang Chinese family, masayahing teenager.” She added that she has no qualms with looking filthy and acting like a fool in front of the camera.

When asked if there’s a particular character that she hopes she could play in a future episode of Your Song Presents, the 20-year-old actress said she would love to become a mermaid. “Naikwento ko nga kasi may ginawa akong episode ng Wansapanataym. Super hero ako dun na nagtatrabaho din sa perya, nagpapanggap na mermaid. Naisip ko tuloy na parang ang sarap mag portray na sirena. Nagustuhan naman ng mga producers ng Your Song. Hintayin natin kung matutuloy akong gumanap na mermaid.”