When it rains…

ANDERSON. Topbills “On the Job” and “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin.”

MANILA, Philippines – Quite a number of actors are tweedling their thumbs and tightening their belts these days, but Gerald Anderson sure isn’t one of them. Right after the successful opening of his latest big-screen starrer, “On the Job,” his new teleserye, “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin,” started telecasting last Monday.

The show’s first telecast focused on his character’s childhood years, showing how his father, played by Gabby Concepcion, was falsely accused of a heinous crime and thrown into prison, where he was summarily silenced—for keeps.

Dawn Zulueta is cast as Gerald’s mother, and we’ve learned that Gerald himself will also be charged with a crime he didn’t commit (history repeats itself all too frequently in teleserye plots)! So, we know that her character will undergo many emotional upheavals as the series unreels—not the least of which is the unrelieved pang-aapi dished out by her main nemesis, seethingly portrayed by Dina Bonnevie.

Therefore, aside from Gerald’s action-drama star turn, we can expect Dawn and Dina to score big thespic points with their “iconic” onscreen rivalry in their new series.

More assignments

DOMINGO. Shaping up as this season’s busiest film star. Photo from elysplanet.com

Ogie Alcasid is another talent who has more new assignments than he can handle at his new home, TV5. For starters, he’s in a new drama series, “The Gift,” with Nadine Samonte, plus a gag show and a musical co-starrer with another big TV5 contract star, Sharon Cuneta.

Fact is, TV5 is coming on really strong this quarter, with Aga Muhlach unveiling the new season of his “Pinoy Explorer” travel and adventure show, Sharon playing a barangay chair in her new sitcom, and Rufa Mae Quinto going dramatic in another new series.

For their part, Rocco Nacino and Lovi Poe are costarring in a new GMA teleserye, “Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas.” Lovi and Rocco have separately headlined prestigious drama series on GMA (“Titser” and “Bayan Ko,” respectively), so it’s a logical move to put them together in one show—and, watch the thespic fireworks soar!

The best thing about “Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas” is that it’s being directed by the Laurice Guillen—and Gloria Romero is also in the stellar cast. Lauice directing Gloria, Rocco and Lovi? Sounds like a big winner in our book!

2 films for Sam

What about Sam Milby? After his recently concluded teleserye, “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala,” he’s cast in two films, “The Gifted,” with Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes, and a “Kimmy Dora” sequel intended for the Metro Manila Film Festival this December, with an all-star cast led by Eugene Domingo.

Viewers are most interested in “The Gifted,” because Anne and Cristine were in the big hit, “No Other Woman,” in which they fought over Derek Ramsay—so, they want to see if Sam does as well or even better than Derek as the ladies’ macho bone of contention in their new film!

Finally, speaking of Eugene Domingo, she’s shaping up as this season’s busiest film star, with major roles in other flicks like “Instant Mommy” and “Momzillas.” —That’s three new films just for the final quarter of the film year! —How busy (we hope, not overexposed) can you get?!