3 on the way to stardom

Curtain-raisers:

* Of the many songs she has recorded for her album By Heart, Lea Salonga picks out Say That You Love Me as her favorite. Why? Does it mean anything between Lea and maybe somebody special? Oh, yes, it does. That "somebody special" happens to be her own brother Gerard who did the arrangement for the song. By Heart is released by BMG Records Pilipinas.

* From Joli of New Jersey, USA: I enjoy reading your article about Lou Diamond Phillips, the most successful Filipino actor in Hollywood. I want to inform you that another Filipino artist is doing well. Her name is Nia Peeples. She was in the TV series Fame and with Chuck Norris in another TV show, Walker, Texas Ranger. She was an MTV veejay in the late '80s.

* From Liz (no address given): I read your article regarding Paolo Bediones asking readers if we have a copy of his childhood favorite book, titled Fly Me to the Moon I am a book lover myself and I tried to source it for him. I have found a book titled Fly Me to the Moon... the Mercury generation by Brian Ethier. Is this the one he's looking for? Please advise if I can be of any further assistance.

After the threesome of Rico Yan, Marvin Agustin and Diether Ocampo, who will Star Cinema/ABS-CBN's Talent Center groom for stardom?

Yes: Leandro Muñoz, Jericho Rosales and Piolo Pascual.

Good choices, aren't they?

The three have the looks, the talent (as they've shown in various ABS-CBN shows), the public appeal and all the other requirements/qualifications for stardom.

Leandro is the least "veteran" among the three, having started a bit late. But in barely one year, he has proven his worth both as a comedian and as a drama actor (he was named New Male Star of the Year by the PMPC Star Awards for Television late last year for his absorbing performance as an abortionist's son in the Forcep episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya). His first movie, Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko, was topbilled by the FPJ Da King himself and Judy Ann Santos and his next (to be shown maybe in March) is the Vilma Santos starrer Anak.

"I couldn't have been luckier," said Leandro who's a regular on two ABS-CBN shows, Saan Ka Man Naroroon (extended for one more year) and Tabing-Ilog.

It might be a good idea if Star Cinema casts Leandro again in the FPJ-Judy Ann return team-up, Magsabi Ka Muna sa Tatay Ko, because his team-up with Judy Ann in Isusumbong was such a hit that the public will, of course, look forward to seeing them together again in the follow-up. (Paging Charo Santos!)

After winning as 1998 Star Awards' Best New TV Personality and the Best Actor in a Single Performance, Jericho has become the excellent example of a matinee idol turned young dramatic actor. Versatility and depth are associated with the name Jericho Rosales and this he never fails to prove in his shows and guestings. One can never seem to tire watching Jericho on screen. His brand of acting evokes empathy from those who turn their eyes on him. Jericho also gets to slowly lead his contemporaries in the film industry with two movies under Star Cinema, Flames, The Movie 2 and Tanging Yaman.

With his sterling performances in ABS-CBN's top-rating shows, Jericho will definitely stay on the business for a long, long time.

With one brilliant performance in one hit show after another, Piolo has become a household name in less than a year. Possessing god-like features and stance, and the ability to shift into different characters, Piolo is the perfect leading man, even the kontrabida, in every story. The characters he plays are all an enigma -- Raffy of Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako, Bryan of Esperanza and now, Paolo of Marinella have added a different enticing flavor to all these said shows. But it all boils down to one artist, Piolo Pascual who has made soap operas and drama shows such a good-looking mystery.

Piolo, aside from being one of the most-sought-after TV actors nowadays is also in-demand in movies. He was in the cast of Star Cinema's entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival Esperanza, The Movie and will soon be launched in the movie Lagarista.