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Lea Salonga's concert makes it to Billboard’s Classical Crossover Album chart

LEA SALONGA MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Lea Salonga could not hide her excitement as she made it to Billboard’s Classical Crossover Album chart.

Salonga’s 2019 concert at the Sydney Opera House in Australia ranked seventh following "10" by Piano Guys, "Picture This" and "Merry Little Christmas" both by Mat & Savanna Shaw, "S&M2" by Metallica and San Francisco Symphony, "Classic Diamonds" by Neil Diamond and the London Symphone Orhestra at the 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd spots, respectively.

Topping the list is "Believe" by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

“OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m on a Billboard chart,” exclaimed Salonga on Twitter after posting a screenshot of the list.

The same concert of Salonga was shown in the United States last month as part of the "Broadway's Best" lineup of PBS.

The Tony Award winner performed her signature songs from "Miss Saigon," "Les Misérables," "Aladdin," and "Mulan" in the Sydney concert.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Salonga has rescheduled her North American tour to 2021.

Nonetheless, the "Voice of the Philippines" coach has been busy with virtual gigs during the quarantine, such as her Facebook live concert that raised P1 million in just one hour for vulnerable sectors amid the COVID-19 crisis.

She also joined the likes of Meryl Streep, Neil Patrick Harris, and Lin-Manuel Miranda in an online concert and fundraiser last April.

The show honored Stephen Sondheim, considered one of the most important fi gures of 20th-century musical theater. His works as a composer and lyricist include "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," "Into the Woods," and "West Side Story." (MNS)

Joshua Garcia buffi ng up for role in ‘Keys to the Heart’

Joshua Garcia is looking forward for shooting to start on the Filipino adaptation of the South Korean drama film “Keys to the Heart” this coming year.

Garcia said he has been busy training for the movie so he may play his role eff ectively.

“Sobrang excited akong gawin itong fi lm. Ang tagal na, hindi pa rin namin nagagawa. Naghahanda lang kami. Ngayon nagte-training ako kasi 'yung character ko dito, medyo ma-muscle na. Ibang level na 'yung gagawin ko next year,” he said.

In an announcement last October, ABS-CBN Films managing director Olivia Lamasan said the local version will star Garcia, Zaijan Jaranilla, and Charo Santos-Concio.

Also part of the cast is showbiz newcomer Daniela Stranner, with Dan Villegas as director.

“Siyempre challenging dahil bagong character ito. Excited akong makatrabaho si Zaijan, Ma’am Charo and si Daniella,” Garcia said.

According to Garcia, he wants to be at his best when they begin fi lming because he does not want to disappoint anyone, especially Santos-Concio.

“Hindi ko pa siya nakakatrabaho pero excited akong makatrabaho siya. Gusto ko makita 'yung kalalabasan ng mga eksena. Nai-imagine ko na. Sana hindi ako maging sakit ng ulo sa set namin kasi nakakahiya naman kay Ma’am Charo. Sobrang excited lang ako. Pati si Zaijan, grabe. Dalawa silang magaling,” he said.

Released in 2018, South Korea’s “Keys to the Heart” centers on a former boxing titlist who reconnects with his estranged brother, a piano prodigy with savant syndrome.

In ABS-CBN Films’ remake, Garcia will

JOSHUA GARCIA

portray the boxer, while Jaranilla will play the younger brother with autism, according to Lamasan.

A target release for “Keys to the Heart” has yet to be announced. (MNS)

Arjo Atayde hopes to work with girlfriend Maine Mendoza

MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Arjo Atayde said he hopes to get the chance to work with his girlfriend, Maine Mendoza, in the future.

The Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor made the statement during a virtual briefi ng with the media on Tuesday, when asked about the male and female personalities he hopes to have a showbiz project with. "Anything, just something different," he said when prodded about his preferred genre should ARJO & MAINE he get the chance to work with Mendoza. "Kahit ano po, basta makatrabaho ko siya and something that we would both enjoy and present something new," he added.

Mendoza recently took to social media to congratulate Atayde for his big win at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, saying she is her boyfriend's "biggest fan."

Pressed for comment, Atayde said he dedicates his award not just to her, but also to his family and everyone who believed in him and his craft. "I'm very happy, of course. I'm very happy and blessed, and she knows naman what I have to say. And I just dedicate this to her. She's an inspiration to me. She's my core," he said. "Basta we celebrated na lang on our own and, of course, I'm very happy that she messaged me. With or without the post, she congratulated me na so it's more than enough," he added. "I don't need to be posted but I really appreciate it when she does." "I'm very happy, I appreciate her in every single way." Aside from Mendoza, Atayde said he wishes to have the opportunity to work with John Lloyd Cruz. His wish list for Hollywood personalities include Denzel Washington, Robert de Niro, Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Eddie Redmayne, Miles Teller, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Kevin Hart, Will Ferrell, Meryl Streep, and Halle Berry. "Mostly also a lot of senior actors that we have in the Philippines, not only Hollywood. Ang dami ko pa pong pangarap na makatrabaho na senior actors natin dito sa Pilipinas," he said. (MNS)

Paolo Contis teases new lm 'A Faroe Way Land' with Yen Santos

MAniLA (Mabuhay) —

After the success of "Through Night and Day," Paolo Contis has a new movie set in the far north!

On Instagram, the actor posted a photo with his co-star Yen Santos, sharing the names of their characters and the title of the fi lm. "Meet Mahjoy and Nico... This is their story from #AFaroeWayLand," he said.

The film is set in the Danish territory Faroe Islands, located somewhere southeast of Iceland—the setting of "Through Night and Day."

Yen also posted photos of her and Paolo looking cozy in winter clothes.

Of course, both actors couldn't resist sharing some snaps of the majestic views in the Faroe Islands. "Ayoko na umuwi," Yen said in another IG post.

Meanwhile, Mavx Productions posted a teaser and behind-the-scenes video on YouTube showing various sights on the fi lm location.

Mavx Productions is also the team behind "Through Night and Day."

(MNS)

‘I do understand,’ Jane de Leon tells skeptics of her ‘Darna’ casting

Jane de Leon will be the first to acknowledge she is relatively inexperienced compared to past Darna actresses, saying she understands the skepticism over her casting as the komiks icon.

De Leon, 22, spoke at length about her part in the ABS-CBN adaptation shortly after she signed a contract with the network, and the announcement of the 2021 release of “Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series.”

“Grabe ‘yung pasasalamat ko sa mga boss. Until now, nandoon pa rin ‘yung tiwala nila sa akin na ibigay ‘yung bato,” de Leon said of ABS-CBN executives, referencing the white stone that transforms Narda into Darna in the comics.

The development of the series came after ABS-CBN indefinitely postponed its original movie production, also starring de Leon, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Akala ko, hindi na matutuloy,” de Leon recalled. “Ayoko mag-expect. Iyon ‘yung prinamis ko kay Lord, na ayoko mag-expect ng kahit na ano, kasi I know naman na may mga darating na blessings.”

The blessing, it now appears, is her long-awaited flight as Darna within months, after several roadblocks the project had encountered over the years.

ABS-CBN obtained the rights to Darna in 2013, when it signed a partnership with the Ravelo estate that included 12 more titles or characters created by the komiks master.

Development of the Darna movie started shortly, with the announcement of Angel Locsin as the lead actress in June 2014.

The film, however, was delayed numerous times with the exit of Locsin, and then Liza Soberano, due to respective medical reasons. Original director Erik Matti also left the project because of “creative differences” with ABS-CBN Films.

De Leon was introduced as the new Darna in July 2019, after an open audition that drew 300 aspirants, including established actresses and fresh talents.

At the time, de Leon’s casting as Darna, by her own admission, raised a few eyebrows, due to her being a relative newcomer compared to Locsin and Soberano.

De Leon expects that the same skepticism, questioning her capability to lend justice to the iconic character, will resurface as cameras start rolling for the new adaptation.

“I think it’s very normal to feel down if it’s a negative comment,” she said. “Kailangan lang talaga matuto ako kung paano mag-manage noon, kasi it’s normal sa showbiz.” “I do understand. Kasi nga, wala pa naman,” de Leon pointed out, referring to zero footage of her in the role being released since her casting. “Sino ba ako? Totoo naman. Baguhan ‘to. Saan nanggaling ‘to? Bakit siya? Iyon ‘yung mga tanong ng netizens. Even me. Huwag kayo mag-alala, kahit ako, tanong ko ‘yun sa sarili ko: Bakit ba ako ‘yung napili?” The answers to those questions came as early as July 2019, after de Leon clinched JANE DE LEON the role. Director Jerrold Tarog, who was attached to helm the film version, said at the time that de Leon was a “unanimous choice,” as she displayed talent and presence that proved she could “carry the role.”

De Leon recognizes that while there are naysayers, there are many fans, too, who are looking forward to seeing her in action as Darna. Their support, she said, has been a source of motivation in the face of pressures and challenges that come with the coveted role.

“Maraming salamat po sa pagtitiwala niyo,” she said.

“Kahit na hindi pa po natin ipinapakita, pero ‘yung suporta na pinapakita niyo sa akin, hindi po kayo nag-gi-give up. You’re still pushing me to do it. Salamat din sa pagbibigay sa akin ng positivity. Maraming salamat po.” (MNS)

Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards bag FAMAS acting nominations

KATHRYN BERNARDO ALDEN RICHARDS MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Kapamilya star Kathryn Bernardo is nominated for best actress for her performance as a Hong Kong OFW in Star Cinema's blockbuster movie "Hello, Love, Goodbye" while her leading man in the film, Alden Richards, is up for best actor.

Bernardo will be competing with Angela Cortez ("Jino To Marie"), Janine Gutierrez ("Babae at Baril"), Jean Garcia ("Watch Me Kill"), Nadine Lustre ("Ulan") and Bella Padilla ("Mañanita") for best actress.

Richards is up against Elijah Canlas ("Kalel 15"), Jansen Magpusao ("John Denver Trending"), Nar Cabico ("Akin Ang Korona"), Kristoffer King ("Verdict"), and Gold Azeron ("Metamorphosis") for best actor.

The films nominated for for Best Picture are "The Cleaners," "Aswang," "Babae At Baril," "John Denver Trending," "Kalel 15," and "Verdict."

Famas will also give out special awards this year. Angel Locsin will be given the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award, while Pokwang will received the Dolphy King of Comedy Award.

Liza Soberano and Matteo Guidicelli will receive the German Moreno Youth Achievement Award, while Boy Abunda will receive the Dr. Jose Vera Perez Award.

The FAMAS Digital 2020 awards night is set on December 20, 2020.

(MNS)

Isabelle Daza pregnant with second child

MAniLA (Mabuhay) —

Actress Isabelle Daza revealed that she is pregnant with her second child with husband Andrien Semblat.

On Instagram, Daza shared the good news as she promoted her line of activewear and life-intervention-wear. "btw 21 weeks today," Daza wrote in the caption.

Following her announcement, the actress' fans and friends flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages. "Yaaaaaaaaay!!! More babies!!!! Congratulations," Mariel Rodrigues Padilla wrote. "Congratulations! Or are you just busog?," Ryan Agoncillo wrote. "Can’t wait to meet baby semblat number 2!!!!!!" Raymond Gutierrez wrote.

Daza and Semblat got married in Italy in September 2016. She gave birth to their first child in 2018. (MNS)

Heaven Peralejo’s tip to new ‘PBB’ housemates: ‘Don’t let others define you’

MAniLA (Mabuhay) — Rising leading lady COVID-19 pandemic. She has remained Heaven Peralejo was away from her fam- loyal to the network despite other offers. ily, in a lock-in taping for her ABS-CBN The actress is also completing her online series “Bagong Umaga” when she celebrat- business course at the Southville Intered her 21st birthday last November 25. national School Affiliated with Foreign

She had to console herself with the Universities (SISFU). surprise gifts sent to her by her mother, Then and now, through all the ups and Luanne. downs of showbiz and attendant contro-

Their family bonding time came when versies, Peralejo has lived by her original they set up their Christmas tree as soon motto in the Big Brother house. as she returned home. “Living your life under

Peralejo proudly said the camera 24/7 is tough. how they upcycled their May times na you get so old decor to come up with self-aware na pinapanood red, peach, gold and beige bawat kilos mo, so minsan Christmas tree. you second-guess na your

“Every year we have words or action," Peralejo a color theme but since said, articulating her meshindi tayo makalabas sage to the new batch of ngayong pandemic, we "PBB" housemates. decided to mix and match “What I learned from our collection. Maganda my stay is that you need naman ang kinalabasan," to not let others define she said. you, because you know

It also symbolizes Per- yourself more than analejo’s gratitude for the yone else. That’s why good breaks that came when things get hard, it’s her way despite the cur rent situation. HEAVEN PERALEJO very important that you don’t lose the reason kung

Patience has also paid off for the star, bakit kayo pumasok sa bahay ni Kuya. who is one of the most memorable alumna At the end, I can say that being a 'PBB' of the "Pinoy Big Brother" in 2016. housemate is worth it. Kaya to all the new

Aside from "Bagong Umaga," she also housemates, I hope you all have a wonfulfilled her dream to become a recording derful time," she said. artist under Star Music. Peralejo reminded them to just stay

Peralejo’s main objective when she true to themselves and be open to make joined PBB was to be a singer. One of her room for growth. love songs, "Ikaw Pala," in fact, is now one "Yung learnings and experience niyo of the theme songs of "Bagong Umaga." inside the house madadala niyo yan

Peralejo signed a three-year contract paglabas. Good luck to everyone," she with ABS-CBN before shortly before the said. (MNS)