Mike Enriquez quitting GMA 7 for ABC 5?

Three days ago in my annual Mga Halu-Halong Hula-Hula, I predicted that "a GMA TV host will jump ober da bakod to ABS-CBN."

I have a "scoop" for you: A GMA TV host is, indeed, contemplating on "bolting" GMA but I misread my "crystal ball" (sorry po for that) and thought where he’s moving to is ABS-CBN. Actually, it’s ABC 5.

The TV host is none other than heavyweight Mike Enriquez (host of Saksi and Imbestigador) who, according to my "boobtube" DPA, is having serious talks with the management of ABC 5 which has changed hands from the Edward Tan group to that of Tonyboy Cojuangco.

If and when Mike does move to ABC 5, presumably in its News and Public Affairs Department, he’ll be a big asset. A prize catch, indeed!

It will be a major casting coup for ABC 5 which has already announced that its News and Public Affairs Department will be one of the first departments the station will concentrate on strengthening. For sure, GMA will feel "orphaned," Mike being one of its valuable (as in "hot, very hot") properties.

Saksi and Imbestigador, as well as his DZBB Monday-through-Friday morning program, enjoy high ratings and are big earners. Mike will be an irreplaceable loss.

The multi-awarded Mike is also a senior executive in GMA; he’s the head of the company’s radio operations nationwide.

As you must have noticed, today’s headline ends with a question mark. But the Funfare DPA said that the negotiations between Mike and ABC 5 is almost "a done deal."

There you go!

Mike’s move will generate a domino effect, I’m sure!

What I’m sure of at this point is that Mike and his wife just came back from a well-deserved five-day holiday in Hong Kong (where he did some, uh, "soul searching"?)

Paging Mike! We’re tuning in on your DZBB radio program this morning so please answer the question once and for all: Will you or will you not?

A ‘million’ controversy

The recently-concluded Star in a Million search of ABS-CBN has spawned a controversy – nay, widespread protest – among the show’s followers not only on the home front but also those abroad (where The Filipino Channel is beamed).

The contest was won by Erik Santos who edged out the second placer, Sheryn Regis, by a mere .16 (according to grapevine sources).

The Funfare e-mail is clogged with letters, most of which are protesting Erik’s victory, with the letter-writers claiming that Sheryn was very obviously the better singer. Put on the spot, I won’t say who the "deserving" winner is. Suffice it to say that when you join a contest, whatever contest, you submit yourself to the verdict of the judges even if you and other people don’t agree. Always, the judges’ nod is final and irrevocable.

I’m sure that Sheryn, who’s a terrific belter, feels like the winner just like the rest of the contestants who were all talented. Maybe Sheryn should console herself with the thought that just because she ended up only second placer doesn’t mean that she won’t make it as a professional singer. Many "losers" eventually beat the winners in the long run and even finish as topnotchers in the wider, bigger and more challenging stage which is the professional field. Her loss should challenge Sheryn to do even better and, let’s see, prove the Star in a Million judges "wrong."

The judges’ credentials are beyond question. The board included such formidable names as Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Valenciano, Cherie Gil, Nanette Inventor, and ABS-CBN executives Cory Vidanes and Enrico Santos, and musical director Mel Villena.

One reader, Daisy Lee, suggested (and I agree) and the search should have declared a tie and pronounce both Erik and Sheryn as winners, just like what the popular US talent show Star Search sometimes does.

Erik, 21, took home a staggering P1 million wit his rendition of This is the Moment (from Jekyll and Hyde). He first came to public attention in the September edition of Star in a Million monthly finals held on ASAP Mania (the segment later spun off into a show by itself). He originally lost in the monthly finals to fellow finalist Johann Escanan but was given another chance in the spinoff’s finals. His other prizes included a house and lot and a contract with Star Records.

Another sign that Erik is becoming a controversial newcomer are unsavory write-ups about his personal life – you know, that he has a "special friend" from an exclusive boys’ school.

Oh, well, that’s another story altogether and has nothing to do at all with Erik’s singing talent. Even Sheryn isn’t spared from nasty intrusion into her private life – that she’s married and has a child. Nothing wrong with it, ’no? Lani Misalucha was married long before she became the Lani Misalucha and look what heights she has scaled!

Go ahead, Erik and Sheryn, do your best. Don’t mind the tsismis and just do what you know well and you do best.

What’s up?

• From reader Alexander Ancelotti: There were other stars who passed away in 2003, including Zaldy Zshornack, Eddie Arenas, Tony Carreon and Danny Holmsen. Also, movie writers Julie Fe Navarro and Hermie Francisco.

• From reader MCLeyv: On our way to Las Vegas, we are proud to see Golden Nuggets’ big billboards along the highway with Martin Nievera’s picture on it. You can see Martin’s face on the road to Las Vegas along with the other performers like Celine Dion, Tony Bennet and others performing in other hotels in Las Vegas. At Golden Nuggets you will see a bigger billboard announcing his concert and you’ll feel proud of him. (The latest word has it that Martin’s shows are sold out.)

• From readers La Curacha, Ed Sicam, Bing Miranda, Jun Valenzuela and Denise Virginia Amparo: There was no need to make an erratum. Both titles Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are correct. The former was used when the film was released in the US and the latter, in the United Kingdom.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])