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The boys, according to Billy Joe, is the local version of the world-famous international boy group simply known as the “Kanto Boys”.

Piolo has been very open in saying that Manila is “inspired” by Ishmael Bernal’s 1980 movie Manila By Night and Lino Brocka’s 1979 masterpiece Jaguar (slang for guwardiya or security guard).

Manila By Night was written and directed by the late Ishmael Bernal, with input from Ricky Lee and other screenwriters. Jaguar, on the other hand, is credited to both Ricky Lee and Pete Lacaba.

Piolo is still positive that the issue about his indie movie would be settled soon. “Tapos na kameng mag-shoot and nasa post-production na, I’m gonna see the rough cut tonight. I hope they’ll be able to iron things out with Mr. Ricky Lee and Mr. Pete Lacaba.”

When asked for his comment about it, Piolo was honest enough to say, “I’d rather not comment about it because I only found out about it yesterday. So, I haven’t really discussed it with my director. I’m meeting up with him tonight, si Direk Adolf Alix Jr. But I’m praying na maayos naman.”

In the end, he is still positive about Manila. “I’m also excited about the project, it’s the first time I produce. I hope it turns out well.”

Piolo will be portraying two roles in the movie: William, a drug addict who is trying to restore his self-worth by reestablishing his relationship with the people around him; and Philip, a bodyguard employed to look over a mayor’s son, only to be disillusioned in the end after a series of unfortunate events lead him to discover the underworld.

The 24-year-old singer-actor blamed his fear of performing solo in front of the public for feeling “extremely nervous” about his The Rockoustic Heartthrob concert on October 25 at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

“Kasi ako ‘yong type na may stage fright,” Sam told the press in an interview during the launching og Star Magic’s 2009 Catalogue yesterday, September 28, at the lobby of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

Sam added that he’s not used to having a performing solo on stage. In fact, his past major concerts were with fellow “heartthrob” Piolo Pascual.

“Nasanay na ako, mas kumportable ako kung may kasama ako sa stage. Pero ano, siyempre ito ‘yong first major solo concert ko so… Malaki ‘yong venue, maraming tao, ‘tapos ako lang ‘yong sa stage at ang daming mga kanta.”

Despite this, Sam still tries not to feel uneasy by thinking about the songs that he will be performing during the concert.

“Excited naman ako kasi maganda ‘yong line-up ng songs, so nag-aaral ako. May mga rock songs, mga songs na galing childhood ko, parang ganyan. May mga acoustic, may mga rock.“

So, has Sam started rehearsing for the big concert?

“Wala pa!” exclaimed Sam. “Wala pa nga, e, kasi wala pa akong time kasi ‘yong Dyosa, at saka tinapos ko na ‘yong indie film ko na Cul de Sac. Sobrang busy ako sa indie film at saka Dyosa at saka may iba-ibang raket din.“

Sam knows the he only has less than three weeks to prepare for his first solo concert. This may be the reason he blurted out during the interview, “Sana mag-start na ‘yong rehearsals kasi kailangan ko ng maraming-maraming rehearsal.“

Sam also admitted that he never imagined himself performing in such concert event when he was still starting out in show business.

“Feeling ko hindi ko kaya. Feeling ko, hindi pa ako handa,” said Sam. “Pero ngayon, I need to get used to it kasi stage fright talaga ako. So, kailangan kong masanay na nasa harap ako ng tao.”

Buhay na buhay ang lobby ng EDSA Shangri-La Hotel kahapon, September 28, sa pagdagsa ng napakaraming artista na mga miyembro ng Star Magic. Ang Star Magic ay ang talent development center ng ABS-CBN na pinamumunuan ni Mr. Johnny M. Manahan na kilala bilang si Mr. M at ang kanyang kanang-kamay na si Ms. Rikka Dylim.

Dahil sa dami ng nandoon, para magkakilalanan kung sino ang artista, sino ang mga handlers/road managers at sino ang bisita, tila pinagkasunduan na ang mga artista ay darating in all white samantalang ang mga staff naman ng Star Magic ay in “all the colors of the rainbow.”

Sabayan ang launching ng Star Magic catalogue sa EDSA Shangri-La para sa mga VIP at sa SM Megamall naman para sa mga fans na gustong makabili at makita ang kanilang mga paborito nilang artista na dadaan muna doon bago tumuloy sa hotel.

Kung ang 2008 catalogue ay hinati-hati sa kategorya (”Leading Ladies,” “Torchbearers,” etc), iniba na ito para sa 2009 edition.

Mas marami ang artistang nasa 2009 catalogue kesa sa 2008 edition. 191 lamang ang artista sa 2008 issue samantalang may 226 na headshots naman ang nasa 2009. Kasama na kasi sa bagong catalogue ang mga nanalo sa unang Pinoy Dream Academy, Be Bench, Pinoy Big Brother Season 2, at PBB Teen Edition 2 at pati na rin ang Star Magic Batch 16.

Walo na lang ang nasa cover ng 2009 kumpara sa labindalawa noong 2008. Sina Angelica Panganiban, Diether Ocampo, Kristine Hermosa, Sam Milby, Bea Alonzo, Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto, at John Lloyd Cruz ang nasa pabalat para sa 2009 catalogue na nasa 2008 din. Ang mga nawala ay sina Shaina Magdayao, Roxanne Guinoo, Rafael Rosell, at Zanjoe Marudo.

Head shots ang tipo ng litrato ng mga artista sa 2009 catalogue ngunit ang Top 24 ay may one or two-page fashion shot.

Una pa rin sa listahan si Claudine Barretto (”The Ultimate Star”) na bago ma-release ang catalogue ay balitang baka hindi na sumali para sa 2009 edition. Sumunod sa kanya ang top actor ng Star Magic na si Piolo Pascual “The Classic”).

Ang next 22 main stars ayon sa pagkakasunod ay sina Bea Alonzo (”Stunning Swan”), John Lloyd Cruz (”The Actor’s Actor”), Kristine Hermosa (”The Reluctant Star”), Diether Ocampo (”The Activist”), Rica Peralejo (”Educating Rica”), Sam Milby (”Certified A-Lister”), Kim Chiu (”Everybody’s Princess”), Gerald Anderson (”Boy Wonder”), Roxanne Guinoo (”Child Woman”), Jake Cuenca (”The Good Bad Boy”), Angelica Panganiban (”The Real Deal”), Zanjoe Marudo (”Man of the Moment”), Shaina Magdayao (”The Sweetheart”), Jon Avila (”Heroic Hunk”), Rafael Rosell (”Independent Spirit”), Maja Salvador (”Rising Thespian”), Jay-R Siaboc (”Wild Card”), Yeng Constantino (”Music Heartthrob”), Erich Gonzales (”The Good Girl”), Nikki Gil (”The Natural”), Pokwang (”Funny Lady”), at Vina Morales (”The Dynamo”).

The rest, naka-lump sum sa “The Next Wave,” kung saan bawa’t pahina ay may tatlo hanggang apat na litrato; maliban kina Richard Poon, Jed Madela, Sheryn Regis, Megan Young, Thou Reyes, Mariana del Rio, Priscilla Meirelles, John “Sweet” Lapus, at ang Fil-Brit na si Charlie Green na may solo page.

Katulad last year—kung saan pinapunta na sina Carlo Guevara, John Uy, at Ron Morales kahit wala pa sila sa 2008 catalogue—may ibang artista na ring dumating na wala pa sa 2009 catalogue.

Kung maraming nadagdag sa 2009 catalogue, kapansin-pansin din na may nawawala mula sa 2008 catalogue. Una na rito sina Denise Laurel (na dating pangangalaga ni Eric Raymundo na manager din ni Sam), Michelle Madrigal (na nasa pangagalaga na ni Annabelle Rama), Joross Gamboa (na nasa pangangalaga na ni Becky Aguila), Gabb Drilon (na solo managed na ni Manny Valera), at ang mga babae ng unang Pinoy Big Brother na sina Say Alonzo at Chx Alcala.

Nakakagulat namang wala sa listahan si Charice Pempengco na galing sa Little Big Star samantalang nandoon si Charlie Green from Britain’s Got Talent.

Ang isa pa sa mga sorpresang nagbabalik Star Magic bukod kay Vina ay ang Korean young actress na si Sandara Park.

Kris, on her text messages to Jo-Ann Maglipon, Yes! Editor-in-Chief, mentioned where the big portion of her talent fees from her endorsements actually go.

“The bulk of my advertising this year went to Baby James’s educational fund (pre-paid lump sum from Grade 1 to 4th year college), his wealth-managed trust fund which we’ll receive after college graduation and Josh’s wealth-managed fund as well,” said Kris.

“Josh will always need special care,” Kris continued, “so I promised my mom [former President Corazon Aquino] to make sure that he’ll always be ok financially. He is always her top worry.”

The former Philippine president was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year and Kris told Ms. Maglipon that she also helps in the medical expenses.

“I take care of some of my mom’s medical expenses because it makes me feel good but she’s forever wanting to pay me back,” she said.

Although Kris did not mention exactly where the money came from, she said that, “James has fulfilled his promise to his family to build a bigger home in their province.

“Thank you for this recognition,” she told Ms. Maglipon.

Kris emerged on top of the YES! list because she is “without a doubt the queen of product endorsements, with 21 products to her name.”

According to YES!, Kris is a favorite of advertisers because “she is very easy to work with, and is very professional, arriving for a shoot prepared, with her lines memorized.”

But Kris’s best asset is that “she connects well with consumers, whatever bracket of society they belong to.“