MUSIC LYF: Barbie Forteza BlogCon

We all know Barbie Forteza as one of GMA Networks teen star who is loved by many fans and have starred in many shows. Now she ventures on another talent which appeals to her generation and also shows her versatility as an artist.

She is launching her self titled album under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) with both covers and original tracks that is a perfect mix of sounds that everyone can enjoy. In the recent BlogCon with her, she was very bubbly and shared what is doing right now which is shooting for her new soap "Anna Karen Nina" where she plays the role of Karen , previously played by Sunshine Dizon. 

She also done a little rap for the group which is something that she does not do usually but impressive I could say. Regarding  the "rivalry" between her and Bea Binene, who have also launched her album with a different record label, is not a big deal for her since she and Bea are friends.

GMA Network’s prime talents bag honors at the 10th Golden Screen Awards for Movies

Top Kapuso artists scored another award-winning feat after being recognized in the recently concluded 2013 Golden Screen Awards for Movies held last April 27 at the Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan.

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid was one of the night’s biggest winners as she went home with the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Award for Comedy in her 2012 film Of All The Things produced by GMA Films and Viva Films.

GMA Network releases another breathtaking ‘Lupang Hinirang’ video in HD

After the release of its highly praised cinematic version of the Philippine national anthem in 2010, broadcast media giant GMA Network is set to launch another theatrical rendition of “Lupang Hinirang,” and it is expected to capture the attention of TV audience and moviegoers alike as it hits TV screens and movie theaters soon.

The 2013 version pays tribute to the heroes of today by drawing inspiration from the heroes of yesteryears. It opens with an artist sketching a portrait of Lapu Lapu, which seamlessly transforms into a colorful animation of the events that shaped Philippine history from the Battle of Mactan, which saw the defeat of the Spanish conquistadors in the hands of the natives, to the Cry of Pugad Lawin and the martyrdom of our national hero, Jose Rizal. 

Beat the Summer Heat with the Kapuso Network this March

The Kapuso Network kicks off the summer season with its first batch of offerings that are sure to beat the summer heat in more ways than one.

In the first of many Summer sa Mundo ng Kapuso on-air plugs, Kapuso personalities get their hands on the cup stacking craze that has become so popular among the youth these days - proving how fun and exciting summer can be when spent watching the Network’s March launches.

These are the Saturday night sitcom Vampire Ang Daddy Ko, the new primetime drama Mundo Mo’y Akin, and the TV airing of the hugely successful Foursome concert.

Heart Evangelista renews exclusive contract with GMA Network

Award-winning actress Heart Evangelista remains a Kapuso after she renewed her ties with GMA Network. The contract signing was held today at the GMA Network Center and attended by top Kapuso officers.

Present were GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar, GMA Entertainment TV's OIC Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Vice President for Entertainment TV Marivin T. Arayata, Assistant Vice President for Drama Redgie Acuña Magno, Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Program Manager Hazel F. Abonita, and Cecile Ongpauco (Heart's mom and manager).

During the contract signing, Heart reveals that she is very happy with the way GMA is handling her career all these years, "It's a blessing to be here. Hindi ka nawawalan ng trabaho. They appreciate your hard work. I can say that I'm content with what I have here."

Pinoy YouTube star Mikey Bustos holds concert on Feb. 24

This is it, pancit.  Our “Pinoy Boy” and YouTube star Mikey Bustos is holding his first solo concert on February 24, 2013 (Sunday) at the Metro Bar in West Avenue, Quezon City.

The concert entitled, “Surviving Manila” will showcase Mikey’s wit and singing talent plus the powerful performances of his special guests “La Diva” member Jonalyn Viray and Protégé finalist Lovely Embuscado.

“The concert is going to be like my [YouTube] tutorials except that it’s live and on-stage and, of course, with a lot of singing,” said Mikey.

Alden Richards joins Universal Records

Young star Alden Richards has proven mettle as an actor in various TV projects, making him one of the fastest rising stars of GMA 7. Now, he is embarking on a new journey as a recording artist as he recently signed up with Universal Records.

Alden joins the elite roster of local artists of Universal Records like Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, Jaya, Noel Cabangon, JayR, Richard Poon, Gloc-9, premiere bands like Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Calla Lily, Sponge Cola, and young performers Sam Concepcion, Kimpoy Feliciano, Emmanuelle, among others.

GMA Network on The Sarah Lahbati Issue [UPDATED]

UPDATED: seems that the Sarah Lahbati contract issue continues as GMA Network releases a new statement about the issue. Sarah Lahbati today has released her statement from her tweets in twitter and can be seen the compiled version below the GMA Network statement.

Sarah Lahbati clearly violated her contract with GMA Network

Sarah Lahbati’s Artist Management Contract with GMA Network is effective until February 21, 2015.  There is no provision for leave of absence in said contract.  Any leave is subject to prior agreement between the Network and Sarah.  Therefore, Sarah’s unilateral decision to go on leave, despite its earlier disapproval by the Network, is a violation of her contract with the Network.  Further, her declared trip to Switzerland for an indefinite period, without the prior consent and approval of the Network, will be an additional violation of her contract.

Sarah, who is exclusively managed by the Network, earlier signed a co-management contract with Royal Era Entertainment & Artist Management, the talent management company of Annabelle Rama, the mother of Sarah’s current boyfriend, Richard Gutierrez.  Such act violated the terms of her contract with the Network.  The Network would have had no choice but to sue Sarah and Royal Era Entertainment for the said breach if they refused to rescind said co-management contract.

Mikael Daez one of the Peace Ambassadors for the "I AM FOR PEACE" campaign

September 14, 2012, one of GMA's leading men Mikael Daez was formally introduced by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPA) as one of the "I am for Peace" national ambassadors at the Malacañang Palace.

The "I AM FOR PEACE" campaign seeks to mobilize public support for peace through the involvement and engagement of the general public. It aims to broaden the peace constituency by harnessing and empowering basic sectors such as youth, women, labor, civil society organizations, and media as advocates for peace and development. 

Mikael shares that being chosen as one of the peace ambassadors in the country is a humbling experience. "I am much honored to be a national peace ambassador. I am looking forward in making the most of this opportunity to reach out to the nation and promote something I firmly believe in. At the same time, this gives me another way to reach out to people beyond my acting and television shows." 

Meanwhile, Mikael portrays the role of Carlos Miguel in GMA's AfternoonPrime Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga which airs from Monday to Friday after Hindi Ka na Mag-iisa.

Benjamin Alves says uncle Piolo Pascual knew he was entering showbiz

GMA Network officially launched Benjamin Alves as its newest star last Sunday, June 24, in the musical variety show Party Pilipinas.  Although Benjamin had signed up with the Kapuso Network much earlier, he decided to finish his studies first, and finish he did – with flying colors!  He recently just graduated summa cum laude in AB English in a university in Guam.

In an interview with the entertainment press on Tuesday, June 26, Benjamin said that he did not find it hard to decide to become a Kapuso.

“I felt at home here and I like yung atmosphere po dito, the people really put their hearts into what they are doing,” he said. 

One of the interesting things about Benjamin is the showbiz blood that runs in his blood: he is the nephew of actor Piolo Pascual.  Benjamin said that he told his uncle about his intention of entering show business beforehand. 

New Kapuso hunk Benjamin Alves nervous on first kissing scene

Benjamin Alves, the latest addition to GMA Network’s roster of stars, was presented to some members of the entertainment press today after he was officially welcomed to the Kapuso network on Sunday, June 24, in the afternoon musical variety program Party Pilipinas.

During the interview, Benjamin talked about his on-going movie project “Guni Guni,” a production of Regal Films slated to hit theatres this August.  He stars in the film alongside the beautiful and talented Kapuso actress Lovi Poe.

Asked about how it was working with Lovi, Benjamin was all-praises for the actress.

"Lovi is such a nice person.  I'm so lucky to have such a big [project] and to have Lovi as my leading lady.  She keeps me at ease.  The biggest adjustment for me was that I can't relax as normally as I can.  Seeing Lovi being relaxed, being down to earth and being someone that I can talk to, nakakagaan talaga ng loob," he said.