WATCH: 1st Encantadia 2016 Teaser features Pirena!

Direk Mark, Encantadia's director since its original version, has been teasing his IG followers about the new installment of Encantadia. While he's doing that, GMA Network has released just today the very first teaser for the show.

Watch This Scene to Convince You That Megan Young is Fit to be Marimar!

Just before this Monday's pilot episode of Marimar (2015), watch this video so that you get convinced that Megan Young can give a different taste to the role... and a good one at that!

It's Doble Kara versus Marimar on August 24

On the red corner, it's one of this generation's finest actors... Julia Montes for Doble Kara!

VS.

On the blue corner, it's Ms. World 2013 and Starstruck alumnus... Megan Young for Marimar!

Who will prevail to be the winner?

Let's heat up the competition even more and it seems like with this part of the battle, the blue corner has an obvious advantage...

The leading men.

Anjo Damiles and...

Edgar Allan Guzman for Doble Kara.

The prime leading man of GMA Network...

Tom Rodriguez for Marimar.

The battle begins this August 24!

Beautiful Strangers, On The Wings of Love & My Faithful Husband: Which One Prevailed?

This is not a Kapamilya versus Kapuso post. This is just simple truth that leaves you reasons to make a choice.

For On the Wings of Love, Beautiful Strangers, and My Faithful Husband, no soap opera is better than the other. The reason why we’re putting these three shows in one pedestal because they all had its pilot at the same night. Usual response from the viewers is to compare them. But last Monday was different. They are incomparable to each other.

Why can’t we compare the three?

Beautiful Strangers is not after viewers going ‘gaga’ over ‘kilig’ scenes. The show is after viewers who are looking for intense storylines with characters having to compete among one another. The likes of Amor Powers vs. Claudia in the remake of Pangako Sa Yo. Given a consistently good scriptwriting and well-crafted lines between the characters of Dina Bonnevie and Ayen Laurel and of Heart Evangelista-Escudero and Lovi Poe, this soap opera will be a masterpiece to the viewers’ hearts for sure.

GMA Telebabad was able to do that during the time of Legacy which starred the same tandem as well of Lovi and Heart. But that soap didn’t get as much hype as it deserved because it was pitted against an already strong force Magkaribal with Bea Alonzo, Gretchen Barretto and Derek Ramsay. Hopefully this time, the competition between the characters will be more talked about.

On the Wings of Love is the soap that goes after viewers who are in for a romantic ride. James Reid and Nadine Lustre are more than ready to deliver after consecutive blockbuster romantic movies under VIVA Films. With naturally good portrayals from the first few episodes, this soap opera will surely steal the hearts of the viewers who are after a light drama series late at night. Indeed, ABS-CBN was right in labeling this one as 2015’s most romantic teleserye. It really is!

This is also for people who would like to watch scenes from the United States of America. The way they did it is awesome. First time on Philippine TV to have a soap opera shot in US that looks legit. The last time was with Marvin and Jolina that didn't showcase most of the location.

My Faithful Husband is not after only one type of viewer. This masterpiece by Suzette Doctolero (headwriter) and Bb. Joyce Bernal (director) is something for all viewers. Talk about ‘kilig’ scenes, the characters of Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado have that in the early part of the story. But these scenes are about to end so better back-watch already before it takes a wild turn.

Talk about ‘tagos sa puso’ scenes like when Jen’s character was questions the character of Dennis why a man like him would like a woman like her. Talk about intense scenes when the role of Snooky Serna would confront the wife of her son.

My Faithful Husband is so far the best that viewers can have this year. It’s new. To date, these are the best TV roles given to Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado. Something real. Something more relevant to viewers. Something well-written. The good thing about it is the roles were given to them at just a perfect time when Jennylyn has proven her worth already in the acting department. And when Dennis Trillo started getting tired of the roles he has gotten, this one is a breather, something with depth.

Again, we repeat, the three shows can not be compared to each other. But The Outsider says that if you were to single out one soap for lack of time every night to watch of for not having the luxury of time to watch online for its replay, faithfully pick My Faithful Husband because it will deliver almost everything you will ask for. We just can’t wait to witness the martyrdom of Trillo’s role in this soap and the dilemmas the role of Mercado will face when the character of Mikael Daez comes into the picture.

But if you’re just after a lighter one, make sure to pick On The Wings of Love. Occasionally if you want some acting showdown, watch Beautiful Strangers.

If only these TV shows run just weekly but for an hour or an hour and a half per episode. It would be better at least we can watch all of them.

Will To The Top tap into Viewers' Hearts?

GMA Network may be applying wisdom when they decided to postpone Starstruck to September and have a sudden project that can better compete with PBB737. With 'Kuya's' decision to bring in heartthrob-looking faces and have them live inside the house, GMA had to come up with something that would also cater to the hormones of the market. And TO THE TOP it is... a boyband search.

A multi-platform boyband search, To The Top has started exposing the contenders via its online videos. Soon also, the show will land on the silver screen possibly taking the supposed timeslot for Starstruck.

The contenders will go through a training camp while they're being covered on cam by GMA News & Public Affairs crew. Now that's a good news because this department is historically better than the network's Entertainment department.

So like PBB, viewers will also have the chance to watch their lives unfold in the journey of becoming a boyband.

Will this be enough to at least grab the attention of viewers over the cameras of PBB?

Are the looks of the contenders way more interesting than the PBB housemates?

For one, some of their guys come from high-profile backgrounds. Some came from Kundirana, a prominent high school band from La Salle Greenhills.

Check out for yourselves and tell us.

Why Regine Velasquez is Better Off without Marian & Ai-Ai

Rumor has it that the supposed talk show to feature the trio Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Marian Rivera-Dantes, and Ai-Ai delas Alas will not anymore include Asia's Songbird. That the project is still pushing through despite it. The Outsider thinks that this is better. Regine is already established with Sarap Diva and she is better off in that show.

But really, Asia's Songbird deserves a show of her own. With the years she has spent in showbiz and the name that she is, she deserves to be retained in her Saturday talk show.

Not saying that Marian Rivera and Ai-Ai delas Alas are unworthy teammates. Just that the two are already strong a force for a talkshow. And that Regine currently doing her own show is just reason enough to exclude her. Take note, Marian and Ai-Ai will make good talk show hosts. So this is not a hater post but rather to show respect to what Regine deserves to have.

Try giving it a watch today as she guests Rovilson & Marc Nelson.

Sarah Lahbati inks deal with VIVA

Photo by @nitzcape

VIVA is about to make the name SARAH big. This time, in the name of Sarah Lahbati.

After coming back to GMA Network since the conflict, Sarah Lahbati has decided to transfer to a new management from GMA Artist Center to VIVA.

Last night she was very excited for it.

Just what does it mean for her to be with the established management company now?

1. Movies. Not just movies but blockbuster hits.

2. Roles that will hit the households for sure on TV. Whether GMA or ABS-CBN, Sarah is sure to land roles that will be big. Look at Bela Padilla who is now paired with Coco Martin.

It might be better strategy though to make her stay in GMA Network since there are many slots to fill for full reign. But VIVA knows better.

3. Albums that sell. She has a singing voice and an image that can make it sell. So there you have it.

So Philippines, now that she's with VIVA...

Prepare for Sarah Lahbati!

Ryzza Mae Dizon is The First Daughter

Tapos na po ang story conference namin ❤️ abangan niyo po. Malapit niyo na po itong mapanood #thefirstdaughter

A photo posted by The Ryzza Mae Show (@theryzzamaeshow) on Jun 16, 2015 at 1:21am PDT

TAPE Inc. is back in producing hit soap operas. Here is Eat Bulaga's production outfit trying to make it big again in the TV series department through The First Daughter.

Starring Ryzza Mae Dizon, TAPE Inc. will be able to test her charisma in acting as she moves forward from being a daily talk show host to being a daily actress on TV. Along with her will be Gawad Urian's recent Best Actress Eula Valdez and the every loyal Aizza Seguerra.

This is GMA Network's nth time attempt to 'create a hammock' against a more solidified Kapamilya pre-noontime slot thanks to Be Careful With My Heart. But this time with the help of TAPE which also helped the network big time to gain momentum in their afternoon block. Let's see though if this will fly. If it does, then the network should really consider being mentored by TAPE. (haha for that)

Check out some of the cast members in these photos.

Most of the cast of @gmanetwork 's "The First Daughter" 🎬🎭🎥 #thefirstdaughter with @direkmike

A photo posted by marc_abaya (@marc_abaya) on Jun 16, 2015 at 12:02am PDT

Excited na si @miggyjimenez para sa kaniyang bagong project! Kilalanin si Miggy bilang Joaquin sa The First Daughter! 👍 #TheFirstDaughter #MiggyJimenez #actor #endorser #host #awardwinner #GMA7 #kapuso #APT #TAPE

A photo posted by GMA Artist Center (@artistcenter) on Jun 16, 2015 at 8:16pm PDT

Extra comment: can someone from GMA Artist Center explain why this guy is getting shows here and there? We don't want to offend anyone but come on, some other guys deserve better breaks than him. He's not tall. He's just white period.

Anyway, we wish Ryzza Mae Dizon well. They better utilize her before she grows up really fast.

How Gabby Eigenmann's Changing Sunday afternoon viewing

Gabby Eigenmann is at the peak of his career. After bagging acting awards these past years, his home network has entrusted a much bigger break to him lately which allows him to change landscapes and not just earn bucks.

His latest feat: playing lead role in a weekend series InstaDad. He plays young father to three teenage triplets. Add to that, women triplets.

So we thought this was another teenage show you can forego. After all, there hasn't been a teenage show worthy of much attention after TGIS and Tabing Ilog days. But after watching a few episodes, we realized that this was more than just a teenage series. This is, more than anything, a project to showcase the versatility og Gabby Eigenmann himself.

To prove that, watch this clip from last Sunday's episode when he discovered that one of the triplets who just turned 16 is pregnant.

So InstaDad is not just another Sunday afternoon series. It's something that deserves attention especially among this generation's teenagers.

The good thing about highlighting in the father role of Gabby is it allows the show to showcase depth in both the story and the acting execution from the actor.

Pia Guanio Puts Family First over Chika Minute

Yes, rumors about Pia Guanio getting replaced for 24 Oras' Chika Minute segment have now become official. But it's not because she's not anymore the best person for the job. She resigned because this season she wants to focus on being a mother. She values her family first more than anything.

Here's a statement from KapusoPRgirl:

Pia Guanio is etched in Philippines' Pop Culture

When people talk about showbiz stuff, they would usually say the phrase Chika Minute sounding like Guanio. That's an obvious sign that she has gotten part of the popular culture. Successful!

To Pia Guanio, you have served television well! We look forward to seeing you again. Perhaps in a talk show for moms?

As to who will replace her? Sources said that auditions have taken place and most Kapuso artists auditioned for that.

Why Alamat Should Be More Than Just a Special Series

GMA News and Public Affairs is making a TV milestone once again by producing an animated TV series which will tackle Filipino 'alamat' stories.

Watch the teaser:

The teaser seems high-budgeted. To tell you the truth, it is. News has it that the news department of GMA Network hired the best ones from the local industry and even imported renowned people for this specific show alone. That's something!

Another fact there is for this special TV series is that they're getting Kapuso celebrities to dub for the characters.

This is really something to look forward to. Just one question though: why is it just a special TV series? The sound of a special is not good because it would mean that the show will only run for a few weeks. A few weeks.

Come on! Filipino kids today need such show. Something entertaining bu veey educational.

So here's a challenge to the network. How about making this land on the primary GMA Telebabad slot right after 24 Oras? For a change!

GMA Network's Recent Decision is to Let The Losing Begin

This entry is for two things: to weigh in the decision of the network to launch a new soap opera tonight and to revisit the delay of Starstruck's return via its 6th season.

GMA Network makes a hugely wrong move yet again. With Forevermore approaching its last three weeks starting tonight, a new soap opera will not capture a good amount of viewership since the phenomenon is still on.

Maybe the big bulls from GMA Entertainment department are thinking that Let The Love Begin can gain momentum already in preparation for the end of Forevermore in three weeks. They better think again. Because in three weeks time, a more highly anticipated soap opera is launching to take most of the teenagers and the working professionals from viewership. We can promise you that Pangako Sayo remake featuring the country's hottest tandem KathNiel will rule their primetime airwaves.

As one blogger wrote:

With everything set, expect a smooth transition from the unexpectedly successful LizQuen pairing to the well-established KathNiel duo. Three weeks from now, a changing of the guard is in order on Primetime Bida’s third slot.

So it's basically a pit. To make Let The Love Begin start tonight is like letting the losing begin. And the Kapuso network is about to see a bad result of a very bad decision. We are about to see them fall into one of their deepest pits.

Why not Starstruck???
That's the bigger question. Why launch Let The Love Begin with two of the network's most promising stars when you know that they'll be overtaken surely by a stable tandem? Isn't that a waste of time and money for developing the image of GabRu?

Why not Starstruck when millions of Filipinos have been excitedly waiting for this one? Add the fact that it's Rico Gutierrez who's directing the live episode, this one will certainly become phenomenal like the first season which crowned Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado with instant stardom.

Why not Starstruck?


Good luck to GMA Network tonight as they launch Let the Love Begin. Just be prepared to face brutal facts in the coming days.

Kiko Estrada and Kim Rodriguez to star in Family Secrets

Fans of Kiko Estrada and Kim Rodriguez don't have to wait any longer. GMA Network has decided to give them a new project. And according to reports, this one will be on primetime which will be a bit impossible because many shows are lined up.

Anyway, at least fans know they have a show to watch out for. To co-star with them is Gwen Zamora among many others. For one, Kiko Estrada has impressed critics and viewers through his roles in two episodes of Magpakailanman. It's Kim Rodriguez who has to be packaged well for this one. Packaged as a lead star.

Here are some photos.