The real Annabelle Rama unveiled

She may be notorious for speaking her mind regardless of the consequences, but Annabelle Rama is a loyal friend. Be good to her and she will always stand by you no matter what. And she is generous to boot.

I’ve known Annabelle for a long time (I would always visit her whenever I went to California back when they were still based there). I can vouch for her being a hardworking and protective mother. She is also a very loving wife.

I know she and Eddie Gutierrez went through a lot in their married life, but Annabelle’s love never faltered, even when Eddie’s eyes would wander.

All of the Gutierrezes, including, Eddie, Annabelle, Ruffa, twins Richard and Raymond, Rocky, Elvis and Richie Paul, will be featured in the reality show, “It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez” on E! Channel no less.

“I’m so happy, I’m so proud. Hindi ko in-expect na mapapansin ang beauty ko sa international channel na E! Dreams really come true,” Annabelle said during a recent chat.

She added, “I’m so proud of my children, and especially my husband, they all speak English. Ako Taglish na lang. I’m sure na first time sa isang reality show na may subtitles. Sabi ni Ruffa, ‘Ma, speak in English;’ she gets mad at me all the time. Sabi ko, ‘Kaya nga reality show, kayo magaling kayo mag-English. Hayaan mo na lang ako sa Taglish.’”

Richard said, “The show is the first in Asia. It’s such an honor for the whole family. And it’s going to be one great adventure na dapat ninyong abangan…”

From Raymond, “We are all very excited. We’ve been offered to do reality shows long before but we can’t because some of us have contracts. But now that we are freelance artists, we can actually do something like this. Thank God, after months of negotiations and secret meetings we can finally announce the project. Being active on social media, I’ve been dying to announce it. It was so hard for me to contain the excitement…”

He added: “We all grew up watching E! Channel in the States and when we learned we’re going to have E! here in Asia and in the Philippines, parang bumalik ’yung childhood ko, when we were still in LA. Just to be part of the network is already an honor. And to be the first to do it made us really very happy…”

On her part, Ruffa shared, “A lot has been said about the Gutierrez family, but at the end of the day, we are a happy family. It’s just that we are all in show business so people say a lot of things about us. This program will show who we really are and you’ll get to know us better. Ang maganda kasi dito, we are part of the creative team, so we are not only starring in it, we are also producing it as well. Whatever you see is what you get and that we will be real at all times, because that is what a reality show is all about…”

“It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez,” produced by One Mega Group’s TV100 and directed by Michael Carandang, will be aired on E! SkyCable ch. 57, Cignal ch. 25 and Cablelink ch. 33.



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House Of Acting Opens

Talent manager and producer Manny Valera now has his own school of acting called the DMV House of Acting & Performing Arts (DMV HAPA).

It was inaugurated last March 2, with award-winning actress Alessandra de Rossi, Janella Salvador and Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

Other guests were Polo Ravales, Jennica Garcia, Alex Medina, Neri Naig, Chito Miranda, Kerbie Zamora, Ced Torrecarion, Althea Vega, Nap Gutierrez, directors Ricky Davao, Gil Portes and Mel Chionglo, among many others.

“This is a dream project come true for me,” Manny said. “I feel blessed that DMV House of Acting & Performing Arts is finally open for enrollment. I look forward with excitement to incoming enrollees, young and old. Surely, they will discover and develop their talents in acting, dancing, singing, painting and many more. Thank you all for supporting and encouraging my passion. Mabuhay!”

The DMV HAPA studio is located at No. 5 Sct. Magbanua corner Roces Ave., Quezon City (near Amoranto Stadium).

DMV HAPA will formally open on April 2. It offers classes in acting, film production, modern dance (juniors and adults), Zumba (kids and adults), hip hop (kids and adults), ballroom, ballet, piano, voice, painting, taekwondo, guitar and violin.

DMV HAPA’s faculty of teachers include film directors Lore Reyes and Joel Lamangan, Queen of Dance Geleen Eugenio, Lyn Tamayo, actor-painter Mike Austria and more.

For inquiries, email dmv_hapa@yahoo.com.ph.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 14, go to Louie Reyes, Paolo Contis, Dindi Gallardo, Remy Aquino, Marilen Nolasco-Espiritu, Linda Buenviaje, Carmelita Salvador, Elenita Bolipata, Jhing de Leon, Pinky Amador, Angela Medina, Louie Checa Montemar, Javi Cojuangco, Jomer Ramos, Angelo Gabriel “Gabe” M. Pizarro, and Percy Lapid… Happy wedding anniversary to Lito and Ligaya Fernandez and Carlo and Mina Martinez of GMA, Cavite…

TOYM awardee advances PLDT Gabay Guro advocacy

June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla, Chaye to friends and associates, PLDT’s comptroller and first Vice President, has won the TOYM award under the Community Service category for leading PLDT’s Gabay Guro.

Chaye and her team of volunteers want to make sure that the teachers are looked after, believing that education is key to poverty alleviation and national development. “We have been doing PLDT Gabay Guro to try and give back by changing the lives of those who changed ours in God’s grace,” Chaye said.

Apart from providing scholarships and training, PLDT Gabay Guro’s thrust now includes providing livelihood, broadbanding/computerization and housing/education facilities.

They paid tribute to teachers recently at the Mall of Asia Arena via “Pahalipay,” inviting such stars as Cesar Montano, Robin Padilla, Derek Ramsay and Anne Curtis, to cheer up the teachers, particularly those affected by super-typhoon “Yolanda.”

The group also turned over classrooms in Tagbilaran, Loay and Cortes, less than two months after the calamities. “They were all ready for use – complete with blackboards, chairs, electric fans and classroom supplies,” Chaye said. “These were built to withstand 250 kph storms and 7-scale earthquakes. The classrooms we built in Cebu were to withstand the earthquake in October 2013 and the winds of ‘Yolanda’ in November 2013.”

Chaye is taking cue from PLDT’s top honcho, Manny V. Pangilinan. “The weekend after the Bohol earthquake, MVP texted us to do more than just provide relief goods; he wanted us to help rebuild devastated areas in Bohol,” Chaye revealed.

She underscored the importance of teachers in times of tragedies, saying, “They are key to disaster control and recovery. When schools are used as evacuation centers, they are expected to help out in the shepherding of evacuees.”

That the teachers do all these things and yet largely remain unsung heroes moves Chaye.

Asked to paint a picture of the Pinoy teacher, she related, “A happy and fulfilled Pinoy teacher inspires all students to wake up every day excited to go to school and learn. Teaching is more than just imparting technical knowledge; it’s enabling and producing competent and moral students who will become wholistic and passionate Filipinos who will catapult our country to excellence in the future…”



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DZBB’s New Programs

Here’s interesting news for radio buffs: Super Radyo DZBB 594 kHz, the flagship AM radio station of GMA Network, has further strengthened its programming with the simultaneous launch of three new programs.

The tandem of Arnold “Igan” Clavio and Ali Sotto is back via “Dobol A Sa Dobol B” every Monday to Friday at 10-11 a.m.

“It is essentially political satire,” explains Ali. “You will see the humor in the situation, which is what the Filipinos are all about – we see the humor, however dire the situation is. It is how we survive.”

The program starts with a funny yet substantive satire segment called “Jeng Jeng,” a musical commentary on the day’s issues with original lyrics written and performed by Clavio, Sotto and Mike Enriquez to the tune of well-known songs.

“Mahilig ako sa political satire. Ayoko ng diretsong banat, gusto ko dinadaan sa jokes. And Ali is a singer so I wanted to maximize that talent,” says Arnold of the segment. “Nag-click siya sa morning, pang-gising sa mga taong nata-traffic. Ang maganda sa ‘Jeng Jeng,’ pati ’yung mga tinitira mo natutuwa.”

Another is “Easy Easy Lang,” which will air from 11-12 noon, Mondays to Friday, as hosted by Susan Enriquez and Lala Roque. It will tackle a variety of health, wellness, and social issues.

“Listeners can expect a wholesome, informative and entertaining show. Lilihis tayo sa mga isyu na nakakabigat sa puso natin. Nakikinig ka at natututo ka, at the same time, nag-e-enjoy ka,” says Susan.

“’Di ba sa panahon ngayon puro bad news, kami naman ’yung good news. Kasi kailangan din natin ng positivity sa pang araw-araw na buhay. Simpleng bagay kaya nating pagusapan ng malaliman. ’Yun ang maaasahan nila sa programa namin,” adds Lala.

“The Long Tall Howard Show” is hosted by pioneering radio personality Howard Medina who will treat listeners with hits from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s every Monday to Friday from 1-2:30 p.m.

In a statement issued by GMA, DZBB News Operations Manager Norie Temblor said, “The launch of our new programs is just the beginning. There will be more in the next few months. Exciting times indeed for DZBB and for Philippine Radio.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 13, go to former Makati Councilor Bong Daza, Kathy Limjoco, Keren Pascual, Erlinda de Castro, Sherwin T. Macandog, Jerome Ruiz Berja, Deng Latayan Lado-ing, Tynes Tolentino of Puregold Imus, Cavite, Connie O. Genilo of Tarlac, Tarlac, Irish Sta. Maria and Atty. Amelia C. Tansinsin… March 14: Louie Reyes, Paolo Contis, Dindi Gallardo, Remy Aquino, Marilen Nolasco-Espiritu, Linda Buenviaje, Carmelita Salvador, Elenita Bolipata, Jhing de Leon, Pinky Amador, Angela Medina, Louie Checa Montemar, Javi Cojuangco, Jomer Ramos, Angelo Gabriel “Gabe” M. Pizarro, and Percy Lapid… Happy wedding anniversary to Lito and Ligaya Fernandez and Carlo and Mina Martinez of GMA, Cavite… Belated b-day greetings to Kagawad Mario Cequena (March 9) and Culita M. Pangan (March 6)… Condolence to the family of Miguel J. Lagman, who passed away last March 9 at the age of 88. Interment will be held at the Manila Memorial Park, Novaliches, Quezon City.