Backroom artists bring Yuletide cheers

MANILA, Philippines - Backroom artists celebrate the holidays by bringing cheers to everyone. Ai-Ai delas Alas plays Jolo Revilla’s mother in ABS-CBN’s Agimat Presents… Pepeng Agimat. She will start taping a new show on ABS-CBN. Ai-Ai is a guest in Lea Salonga’s concert titled Lea… Your Songs on Dec. 11 and 12 at PICC. She will fly to Dubai on Dec. 18 and 19. Ai-Ai endorses Maggi Magic Sarap, Smart, 555 Carne Norte, 555 Beef Loaf and Calayan Surgi Center.

Erik Santos is seen on A.S.A.P. ‘09. Aside from corporate shows, he is busy on his latest album titled Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Song Book under Star Records. He recently arrived from Singapore where he launched his album. He will perform today (at Regine Velasquez’s show at San Agustine University in Iloilo City) and on Dec. 18 (Toni Gonzaga concert at University of Mindanao in Davao). Erik endorses BPI and Calayan Surgi Center.

Aside from hosting corporate shows, Mariel Rodriguez is a regular fixture on television. She entertains audiences with her lively hosting on Wowowee, Entertainment Live, PBB and PBB Uber. Mariel endorses Vitress, Calayan Surgi Center and Meg*.

Bianca Gonzalez is one of the most sought-after young female hosts. Aside from corporate shows, she hosts Studio 23’s youth-oriented debate show Y Speak; ABS-CBN’s shows Entertainment Live, PBB and PBB Uplate; Cinema One’s Cinema News Alert: Weekend Edition; and The Filipino Channel’s TFC Connect. Bianca endorses Meg* and Calayan Surgi Center.

Sitti is busy with corporate shows and A.S.A.P. ‘09. She will serenade audiences with her gentle and soothing voice today (Casino Pagcor Heritage Hotel) and on Dec. 10 (Pan Pacific Hotel in Subic).

Aside from hosting corporate shows, Pooh entertains audiences with his side-splitting punch lines and riotous performance in Banana Split.

K Brosas plays KC Concepcion’s best friend in Lovers in Paris. She was also cast in Ang Tanging Pamilya with Ai-Ai and former President Joseph Estrada. K will have a show on Dec. 12 (Pagcor Casino Heritage).

Aside from doing corporate shows, Rufa Mae Quinto is a mainstay of GMA 7’s Bubble Gang, Showbiz Central and Darna. She plays Manny Pacquiao’s wife in Wapakman which is an MMFF entry.

Gelli de Belen hosts GMA 7’s SIS with sister Janice de Belen and Carmina Villaroel. She endorses Alaska, PLDT, Swift Hotdog, Knorr, Caltrate and Asia Yaw Sho (a Japanese convenient store in Japan). She is also busy with corporate hostings.

Drew Arellano has evolved into a multifaceted host. He hosts corporate and TV shows like GMA 7’s Unang Hirit and Q-11’s Balikbayan. He endorses MSE Apparel.

Aside from doing corporate shows, Amy Perez hosts ABS-CBN’s Kabuhayang Swak na Swak and DZMM’s About Me and You (12:30 to 2 a.m., Tuesdays to Saturdays) where she’s psychologist, adviser, friend and love expert. She is part of the new ABS-CBN show Show Time.

Dominic Ochoa continues to hone his craft as an actor while being busy as an entrepreneur with his ice-cream business called Thumbs-Up. Aside from corporate shows, he is a mainstay on ABS-CBN’s May Bukas Pa where he plays Father Jose.

Ariel Rivera has released his Christmas album under Sony BMG. Included in the album are the songs he recorded with wife Gelli and his kids. Ariel also juggles his time doing corporate shows.

Dawn Zulueta is busy with producing her compilation of poetry reading in DVD. She endorses Robinsons Department Store, Just Jewels, Marie France and Facial Care.

Gretchen Barretto returns as an actress after promoting her two successful albums Unexpected and Complicated. She is preparing for her new ABS-CBN teleserye.

Tintin Bersola-Babao will soon give birth to a boy. After that, she will shoot a commercial for a baby product.

Ina Feleo is part of the top-rating Dahil May Isang Ikaw and Judy Ann Santos’ upcoming series Habang May Buhay on ABS-CBN

Arnold Reyes, 2009 Cinemalaya’s Best Supporting Actor, is shooting an indie film. He is seen in Lovers in Paris. He will start taping for ABS-CBN’s Precious Hearts Romances.

Lloyd Zaragoza is in PAGCOR’s world-class theatrical production, Flow.

Keanna Reeves is back on the big screen with two MMFF official entries, Juan and Wapakman. She plays Dolphy’s househelp in Juan while she is a seamstress who creates Manny’s superhero costume in Wapakman.

Laurice Guillen directs the Star Cinema film I Love You Goodbye starring Kim Chiu, Angelica Panganiban, Derek Ramsay and Gabby Concepcion. For Atlantis Productions’ 2010 Season, director Bobby Garcia is preparing for the repeat of Avenue Q and the musicals Legally Blonde and Xanadu. Direk GB Sampedro, 2009 Cinemalaya’s Best Director, has Samsung Concert (Dec. 7, Araneta Coliseum), Grand Finals Crisaa (Dec.12, Mall of Asia), UST Quadricentennial Kick-off (Dec. 18, UST), ’09 Metro Manila Film Festival Parade (Dec. 24), ’09 Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night (Dec. 28) and Precious Hearts Romance — Impostor (2010).

The CompanY and Vernie Varga are busy with corporate shows.

For details, call 435-1108 or 435-1120 or e-mail at [email protected].