While Coco Martin is proud to have been chosen to play Tonyong Bayawak, he admitted that he is also nervous since Gerald Anderson and Jolo Revilla were so successful in their respective chapters of Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Sr. “Ako medyo nagwo-worry ako kasi after ni Gerald, successful ‘yung Tiagong Akyat, then si Jolo, Pepeng Agimat, eh ako yung susunod. Sana tangkilikin din siya ng mga tao. Ako naman gusto ko kahit papaano hindi man sila (Tiagong Akyat and Pepeng Agimat) mapantayan, huwag lang sobrang baba kasi nahihiya naman ako sa management ‘pag hindi siya pumick up,” said Coco.

The Prince of Indie films said that he enjoys the new challenge Tonyong Bayawak gives him, but that he feels the pressure to meet the expectations of fans, management, and his director. “Mahirap kasi si Direk Don-Don (Santos) mabusising director and ‘yung requirements niya sobrang taas. Kasi ito bago sakin, action na fantaserye. Sanay ako sa mundo na drama lalo na sa atake ng pag-arte pero si Direk, hindi naman niya ako pinapabayaan. Meron din naman akong mga training na hands-on kay Direk, sinu-supervise niya talaga lahat ng ginagawa namin. Lahat talaga pinaghandaan eh, matindi yung preparations, sa prosthetics and make-up, maganda at nakakabilib talaga.”

Describing his character in one word, Coco replied, “Hero. Siguro sabi nga nila sa aming apat sa akin yung pinakamalalim yung storya kasi kasi may part na revenge. Malalim siya in a sense na realistic, hindi siya basta lang adventure. Ito yung mga pelikula ni Ramon Revilla na talagang makatotohanan ang storya then nagkataon na nagkaroon siya ng powers at ‘yun ‘yung ginamit niya para makapagligtas kahit gusto niya makaganti ‘yung power niya nagamit niya rin sa kabutihan.”

After playing the sidekick of Coco Martin in Tayong Dalawa, Ping Medina is now busy taping for his new role as the arch-nemesis of Jolo Revilla in the upcoming action series Ang Alamat Ni Ramon Revilla Presents: Pepeng Agimat. “Ako dito si Lucio, isa siyang aswang na brother ni Melissa (Ricks). Ang mother namin ay si Ms. Shamaine (Buencamino). Bale pamilya kami ng mga aswang. May-ari kami ng isang resort na may power sa lugar nila,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN.com.

The 26-year-old actor is looking forward to his fight scenes with Jolo who shed 30 pounds for this project. “Reading-ready na ako for the fight scenes. Tsaka gusto ko yung role kasi aswang na nagtatago amidst human beings. Sobrang naeenjoy ko ngayon yung ganong roles, powerful at the same time medyo twisted yung pag-uutak. Kasi usually ang mga roles na binibigay sa akin brooding or paawa effect. So medyo nagsawa na ako sa ganon. Gusto ko ng change at sakto dumating naman.”

Playing Nico Valencia in Tayong Dalawa was actually his first major kontrabida role and he was glad that it turned out to be an enjoyable experience. “Nung umpisa parang small role lang siya. Akala balisong-balisong gang lang ako dun. Okay lang sa akin. Inenjoy ko lang yung time sa set at pinaglaruan ko lang yung character, sinubukan ko lang palalimin. Eventually, swinerte naman at nagustuhan din naman ng mga tao,” he fondly recalled.

As one of the most versatile character-actors of his generation, ABS-CBN.com asked for Ping’s opinion regarding Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson’s dramatic portrayals in Tayong Dalawa. He agreed that the two improved a lot while doing the much-celebrated primetime soap. “‘Yan si Kim magaling na ‘yan e. Si Gerald he's getting there. But I really admire the dedication of Gerald. Alam nating lahat sa Tayong Dalawa, he had his moments. When he had to deliver, he delivered. I’m very happy for him kasi now, he's not just a pretty face. He has shown that he can do something with his acting. I’m looking forward to see how they would progress in their future projects.”

The whole cast of Tayong Dalawa was challenged to give their best shot in every scene that they do out of respect for each other’s talent. “Oo lahat e. Kasi grabe kapag pumunta ka sa set, from the director to the producer, lahat talaga sila patalbugan. Grabe yung energy e. Manhid ka na lang kung hindi ka mahawa sa energy nila. Napapasabay ka. So naghihilahan kaming lahat like sina Coco, sila Alessandra de Rossi na mas palagi kong kasama sa mga eksena,” Ping shared.

Watch out for Ping Medina in Pepeng Agimat very soon on ABS-CBN.

Although Tayong Dalawa ended last month, actor Jake Cuenca admits that until now, followers of the show melt his heart every time they come up to him to say how much they loved the show.” Sobra nami -miss ko talaga ang Tayong Dalawa but at the same time I'm still sobrang appreciative kasi tuwing nagma -mall show kami at nagto -tour kami, parang until now nagra -rave pa rin 'yung mga tao about the show and we're all very, very proud of everything that Tayong Dalawa accomplished. We even won an award sa Catholic Mass Media Awards so kung baga fresh pa rin si Dave (his role in the show) and ' yung Tayong Dalawasa mga tao."

When he was asked if he wants to have a second season for the show, he said," Sana. Let's see in the future. Definitely ako, I'd love to work again with Gerald and Kim and Ms. Cherry Pie Picache, Ms. Agot Isidro but for me tama lang na we'll be doing other things muna for now then maybe in the future, let's see."

Meanwhile, there are rumors that he will be teamed-up again with his ex-girlfriend Roxanne Guinoo. ABS-CBN.com asked Jake is he is still willing to work with her again. "No problem, sa akin naman I'm always open to working with Roxanne, hopefully it happens in the future." Jake is currently taping for Rubi, with Angelica Panganiban and Diether Ocampo. Jake said that his role in Rubi is very different from his role in Tayong Dalawa.

On the other hand, Jake will be participating in Star Magic’s concert at the Araneta Coliseum this coming November which will benefit the victims of Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. "This is another charity event by Star Magic para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo. Talagang nakaka -touch and napaka -caring ng Abs-cbn. This is a TV network pero alam mo yung grabe 'yung effort na ginagawa nila para sa mga tao. Ako, sobrang naa -appreciate ko talaga 'yung ginagawa ng Abs-cbn tsaka alam mo yung medyo matagal na yung panahon na lumipas pagtapos ng Ondoy pero alam mo yung hanggang ngayon continuous pa rin 'yung pagtulong."

To help out in his own little way, Jake reveals he also donated a bag in Angel Locsin's shopandshare.ph charity auction. "I auctioned one of my bags that I used in Tayong Dalawa. It's a Gucci bag so hopefully makatulong talaga ako kahit sa maliit na paraan through the proceeds. Ang sa akin naman it's really for a good cause so kung kaya ko tumulong tutulong talaga ako. I wanted to donate something big at least medyo malaking pera babalik sa kanila. Sana maraming mag- bid ."

Perfect choice si Gerald Anderson para gumanap sa isang mapaghamong role sa isang espesyal na episode ng Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) sa ABS-CBN. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay gagampanan ni Gerald ang role ng isang may Tourette Syndrome (TS) sa una niyang paglabas sa longest and most awarded drama anthology on television. “Nung sinabi pa lang sa akin, na-excite na ako. Tapos nung binasa ko ‘yung script lalo ako’ng kinabahan. Pero alam mo sana lang magawa ko ito ng maayos at sana magustuhan ni Jerome (Concepcion, letter sender sa MMK na may (TS) ang gagawin ko’ng pagganap sa kanya at makapagbigay inspirasyon lalo na sa mga taong may TS,” bungad ni Gerald.

Personal na na-meet ni Gerald si Jerome sa isinagawang briefing ng staff ng “Maalaala Mo Kaya” na ginanap sa Bagoong Republic last Friday, Oktubre 16. Present doon ang direktor ng episode na si Ruel Bayani, scriptwriters ng MMK, si Jerome at ang kanyang ina na si Criselda Concepcion. Nandun din ang President ng Philippine Tourette Syndrome Association (PTSA) president na si Rowena Victorino at ang vice-president na si Marlon Barnuevo. Member ng bandang 3rd Avenue si Marlon na meron ding TS.

Para sa kaalaman ng iba, ang TS ay isang hereditary na sakit na may kombinasyon ng ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsiveness, at neuro-behavorial complex. Sa murang edad ay nagmamanifest agad ito sa pamamagitan ng tics (involuntary sounds or movements such as eye-poking, coughing, head-banging etc.) na mas lalong nagiging kapansin-pansin kung ang pasyente ay under stress. Ngunit kadalasan ay namimisinterpret lang ito na simpleng kakulitan ng bata kaya hindi agad nada-diagnose na TS.

“Nu’ng una, alam mo ‘yung…parang nakakakawa. Pero kapag nakita mo, kapag nakausap mo siya (Jerome), confident siya. Kumbaga, hindi naging sagabal ‘yung sakit niya sa kanya. Ganun si Jerome,” kwento ni Gerald. Ano ang na-feel niya nung nalaman niya na siya ang napili para gumanap sa katauhan ni Jerome sa MMK? “Iba,” diin ni Gerald. “Sobrang nakakataba pa rin ng puso. Nakaka-inspire dahil yun nga sa dinami-dami (ng artista) ako ang pinili. Ipagdadasal ko na lang na magawa ko ito ng mabuti.”

Very challenging kay Gerald ang character na gagampanan niya kaya talagang pag-aaralan daw niya ito ng maigi. “Sa internet papanoorin ko lang tapos sasabihin nila kung ano ang mga symptoms at kung bakit nangyayari ito. And yun nga, minsan nangyayari ‘yan umpisa pa lang sa bata. Pagdating mo ng 18 years old lumalala.” Sa initial na pagkikita pa lang ba nila ni Jerome naisip na ba niya kung paano niya aatakihin ang role? “Sampol? Hahaha! Naku, huwag muna sampol. Biglaan naman,” nakangiting sabi ni Gerald. “Basta alam ko ibang klaseng experience ito. Sobrang malaking tulong talaga sa akin na nakita ko siya ngayon ng personal, kung paano siyia gumagalaw, kung paano siya nagsasalita, kung paano siya nag-iisip, ‘yung mga sinasabi niya.”

Kahit na noon lang niya nakilala si Jerome at ang ina nito ay naramdaman daw ni Gerald ang labis na paghihirap na pinagdadaanan ng kanilang pamilya. “Hindi biro ang pinagdadaanan nila dahil yung isa pang kapatid ni Jerome may TS din. Pero nakikita ko na very supportive ang mommy niya sa kanya. Tanggap (ni Mommy Criselda) yung kahinaan ng anak niya at kahit ano’ng mangyari nandu’n pa rin siya.”

Sa huli ay nagbigay na lang ng mensahe si Gerald sa mga avid viewers ng MMK. “Sana sa episode na ‘yun ma-inspire ko ang mga tao kahit yung walang TS na wag bibitiw sa kanilang mga pangarap kahit ano pang hadlang ang dumating sa kanilang buhay,” tapos ni Gerald.

The phenomenal success of Tayong Dalawa has solidified Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson’s tandem as the hottest love team in showbiz today. Kim and Gerald are already preparing for their movie to be shown in January 2010 with a guest appearance on Maalaala Mo Kaya very soon. But even with all the projects coming their way, they insist that they are not out to compete with the other prime artists of Star Magic. “Naku, nakakahiya, hindi naman. Lahat naman kami importante kay Mr. M. (Johnny Manahan) Lahat kami gini-groom niya ng pantay-pantay. Nagpapasalamat lang ako sa lahat ng patuloy sumusuporta sa akin. At sana by 2010 suportahan nila yung movie namin ni Gerald,” Kim said in an interview with ABS-CBN.com.

Gerald, on the other hand, was very happy that they have both been given opportunities to take their showbiz careers to the next level. “It’s overwhelming. Sobrang nakakainspire dahil siyempre kung ganon ang tiwala nila sa ’yo dapat gawin mo talaga lahat para abutin yung expectations nila. I’m just very happy dahil mas malalim na yung tiwala nila sa amin ni Kim.”

Since their film is going to be a romantic-comedy, there are already speculations as to whether they can surpass the box office team-up of John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo in You Change My Life. When asked if they are ready to take on that challenge, the young actor explained that he and Kim would rather focus on putting their best foot forward than think of such rivalry issues. “Salamat sa pressure ha,” Gerald laughed. “Hindi, sa amin naman ni Kim gusto lang namin gawin talaga yung lahat. Pag-aaralan namin ito. Ibibigay namin yung 100% namin. Wala namang rivalry with John Lloyd [or Sarah]. Basta may trabaho kami ni Kim, masaya na kami.”

Gerald further shared that their roles would be more mature than the ones they portrayed in the movie I’ve Fallen For You two years ago. But it still remains to be seen whether there would be a big screen follow-up of their love scene in Tayong Dalawa. “Hindi ko pa alam. Kung gagawa man kami ng love scene alangan namang tanggihan ko, siyempre gumawa na kami ng love scene sa soap. Pero kung gagawa man kami ulit, siyempre dapat mas maganda sa movie.”

Kim went on to assure their fans, “Sa ngayon hindi pa namin pwedeng idetalye kung ano yung roles namin ni Gerald. Basta ito ang maipapangako namin sa mga Kimerald, wala kaming love triangle kaya solong-solo naming dalawa ito. Sobrang nakakakilig, nakakatawa, at maiiyak ka sa storya. Lahat mararamdaman mo dito sa movie. Tapos nagworkshop kami kahapon, sobrang ganda, kaya excited na talaga kaming maihandog sa inyo ito.”

The 31st Catholic Mass Media Awards was held Wednesday night at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium in Makati City with ABS-CBN’s “May Bukas Pa” and “Tayong Dalawa” winning the Best Drama Series.

Here are the awards won by ABS-CBN and kapamilya celebrities:

Best Drama Series:
“May Bukas Pa” and “Tayong Dalawa”

Best Business News or Feature program:
ANC’s “Start Up”

Best TV Special:
“Kwento ng mga Peligrino”

Best Special Event Coverage:
“Kidnap”

Best News Magazine:
“Wonder Mom”

Best News Program:
TV Patrol Northern Luzon of ABS-CBN Baguio

Special Award for “May Bukas Pa” star:
Zaijian Jaranilla, who plays the main character “Santino”

CMMA Hall of Fame:
“Sports Unlimited”

Best Short Story:
Christine Bersola-Babao’s children’s storybook “Bakit Siya Meron, Bakit Ako Wala?”

Best Educational Program for Radio:
ABS-CBN Cebu’s “Sidewalk”

Best Album (Secular):
Kris Aquino’s “The Greatest Love” Album

dzMM, ABS-CBN’s AM radio station received the following recognitions:

1. Best Educational Program for radio – Sidewalk (Cebu)
2. Best Radio Ad for Public Service
3. Best Business News – Feature for Sikap Pinoy
4. Best Drama Program – Maalala Mo Kaya on Radio
5. Best News Program – Radio Patrol Balita Alas-Siete
6. Best News Commentary – Pasada Sais Trenta

On the other hand, the late President Corazon Aquino received the posthumous Serviam Award this year. Serviam is a special recognition based on the motto of the late Cardinal Sin which means “servant leadership.”

Source: STARMOMETER.com