Entrances and exits

From time to time, to prop up its sagging storytelling, “Eat Bulaga’s” AlDub kalyeserye brings in new characters, like the Russian interloper Cindy, Alden Richards’ Lola Babah and Maine Mendoza’s “possible” other suitor, Jake Ejercito.

It was the turn of Lola Nidora’s long-lost love, Anselmo, to finally make his appearance, many decades after the fact—as portrayed by Eddie Gutierrez.

Nidora (Wally Bayola) and Anselmo had a heartfelt reunion, but he couldn’t linger, since he was scheduled to fly back to the United States to settle some matters. But, they hoped to meet again “sa tamang panahon,” to reclaim the love they had “put on hold,” and figure out where it would finally take them.

This may not yet be a definitive happy ending for the long-estranged couple, but it did provide Nidora with some sort of “closure”—until their next reunion.

Other recent entrances on the local TV screen include the addition to “Princess in the Palace” of a new regular cast member, Christian Vasquez, as the series’ prexy’s new chief of security—and potential love interest.

Christian previously made a good impression on “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita?,” where he played the “confused” romantic consort of the popular drama series’ two leading ladies, Vina Morales and Denise
Laurel.

In his current daytime series, he’s fully focused on protecting and making life “lovelier” for its lonely and problem-laden resident female president (Eula Valdez).

Vasquez’s inclusion boosts the show’s thespic level and his scenes with Valdez are more believable than when her character was involved with a younger officer, which didn’t pan out.

Another welcome development on the local TV series front is the improvement evident in Sam Milby’s performance in “Doble Kara.”

Sam Milby

Like Vasquez, Milby was added to the series’ cast in midstream and was initially weighed down by his lingering difficulty in speaking dialogue in
Filipino.

Happily, however, in recent weeks, the Fil-Am actor has gained greater confidence and is thus being given longer lines to speak—and he’s sounding more natural and comfortable all the while.

This is cause for celebration—and emulation, since we have many other show biz stars and starlets who are “Filipino-challenged.” It’s taken too long a time, but if Sam can do it, so can they!

As for exits on TV, we wonder why Giselle Sanchez and Shamcey Supsup are no longer Christine Jacob-Sandejas’ cohosts on CNN Philippines’ “Real Talk” magazine show and have been replaced by Rachel Alejandro.

The original troika of Christine, Giselle and Shamcey offered a good and varied mix of looks and points of view.

On the other hand, Christine and Rachel are sort of the same age, and “project” in similar ways, so the show’s “variety factor” is diminished.

Finally, on point of leavetakings in show biz and the arts, February was a month of farewells and adieus, with tributes honoring the careers and contributions of actor Patrick MacNee (“The Avengers”), authors Umberto Eco (“The Name of the Rose”) and Harper Lee (“To Kill a Mockingbird”), Polish filmmaker Andrzej Zulawski, and country music Hall of Fame honoree Sonny James. Thanks for the artistry!