Everybody’s looking forward to March 28 for the much-anticipated premiere of the newest musical variety show on TV, Party Pilipinas! But before the big weekly event officially begins, take a peek at the ten hottest things that the public should know about Party Pilipinas with its primer this Saturday.




Dubbed as Party Pilipinas, Your Exclusive Invite, the primer offers a very special sneak peek into the making of Party Pilipinas. Hosted by party jocks Bela Padilla, Gwen and Maria Dolonius, Party Pilipinas, Your Exclusive Invite unveils the hottest and hippest things that Party Pilipinas has in store for the Kapuso viewers, here and around the globe.

The primer will give the viewers an all-access backstage pass to the planning, preparations, rehearsals, photo shoots and even the creation of the newest party arena.

Furthermore, meet the world-class creative people behind Party Pilipinas including the show’s creative consultant and host Ogie Alcasid, the Japan-based DJ, composer, producer, and vocalist Kane Tominaga and Hollywood choreographer Fusion. DJ Kane produced the hip and upbeat Party Pilipinas theme song while Fusion has been rigorously training most of the Party Pilipinas artists on the latest dance routines.

Moreso, the primer will give viewers a glimpse on who are the biggest and the brightest Kapuso stars who will be joining the weekly shindig and will make every episode truly breathtaking.

Singer-comedian Ogie Alcasid will be very busy from the remaining days of March until the entire month of May.

PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the chance to interview Ogie recently at the taping of Bubble Gang inside GMA Network Center.



On top of Ogie's itinerary for May is an overseas tour with girlfriend Regine Velasquez. The couple will entertain our countrymen based in the United States and Canada. Ogie is likewise busy preparing for the launching of GMA-7's new Sunday concert variety show Party Pilipinas on March 28.

"Generally, it's going to be medyo hectic," said Ogie about his schedule. "But I'm trying to keep it at a pace that it won't kill me too much!"

Ogie also announced the founding of an organization composed of fellow local singers and performers. Dubbed Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), the group will conduct its first election of officers this Wednesday, March 24.

The idea to come up with an organization originated last year following the onslaught of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. Ogie together with friends and colleagues from the industry organized a fundraising concert titled Kaya Natin 'To to shore up financial assistance being given to calamity victims.

"I got tremendous response from all the singers and we did the concert which was very successful. We partnered with Gawad Kalinga and I was getting text messages from the singers asking, 'O, anong next project natin?'" said Ogie.

He added, "So, parang naengganyo sila, so I organized everybody... I think that's the key, I would really like to help but I'm just one person. Basically, I would like to have an organization that is united and willing to help. There's strength in numbers, e."

LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTY PILIPINAS. This coming Sunday, March 28, will be the start of Party Pilipinas--the revamped version of the now-defunct musical concert variety program SOP.

Much has been said about SOP's gradual decline in terms of viewership and how rival ASAP cornered majority of the Sunday audience, as clearly indicated in the rating figures. Even SOP regulars like Regine Velasquez and Jaya openly discussed the problems that plagued the 13-year-old show, which eventually closed shop last February 28.

Ogie, however, would rather not look back, saying "SOP is finished as far as I'm concerned."

He continued, "I think I would like to move on. It was a wonderful experience being with those people. I'd like to look at it as a wonderful memory, not something that was tragic."

The multi-talented Ogie looks forward optimistically rather than dwell on SOP's past shortcomings.

"I'm positive for this new show," said Ogie. "What went wrong, that's not important anymore. What's important are the things that we gained from the experience. What I gained is a new set of friends, a whole lot of experience as far as performing on television is concerned. I learned that GMA-7 is all out in supporting its artists. I learned that there are supporters who are there when you are up and when you're down."

Singer-comedian-songwriter-host Ogie Alcasid and actress-singer Lovi Poe yesterday signed exclusive contracts with GMA Network. Amidst talks of moving to another station, both artists sealed their commitment to still be part of the Kapuso network.



Present in the contract signing were from left: GMA Network Senior Vice President for Entertainment Wilma V. Galvante; Executive Vice- President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; Lovi Poe, Ogie Alcasid; President, Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon and Leo Dominguez, manager of Ogie and Lovi.

Now on its 15th year, "Bubble Gang," the longest running gag-show in town, has something new to offer. In an exclusive iGMA interview, we asked comedy giants Ogie Alcasid at Michael V. kung ano nga ba ang dapat abangan sa “Bubble Gang.” Text by Loretta G. Ramirez, Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio

Sa set ng Bubble Gang inabutan ng iGMA.tv sinaOgie Alcasid at Michael V. na naghahanda para sa isang segment ng show. Agad namin silang tinanong namin kung nakaapekto ba sa kanila ang pagkawala nina Francine Prieto and Diana Zubiri sa kanilang grupo and how did they feel about it.



"Nalungkot and at the same time we are happy for them kasi they both have their reasons kung bakit iniwan nila 'yung show eh, Hindi ko nga alam kung 100% gusto nilang iwanan, pero may mga pangyayari siguro sa buhay nila na nag-trigger nung decision na 'yun. So we respect that," ang seryosong sagot sa amin ni Bitoy na isa rin sa mga creative consultants ng show.

And when we asked how the replacements are doing, Bitoy expressed his high hopes for Jackie Rice, Princess Violago and LJ Reyes.

"I'm hoping nga na maging regular na sila Jackie at si LJ. Magagaling sila at saka nakakasabay sila sa mga kalokohan namin. Even si Princess Violago nandyan at nakikigulo sa amin. Kaya naman siya napasok, ang nakita [sa kanya] 'yung pagiging youthful niya. Parang nakaka-fresh dun sa show," Michael V continued.

At dahil sa hindi pa nga final if the three young stars will take the place of Francine and Diana, tinanong din namin kung ano sa tingin nila ang qualities na dapat meron ang isang female star para maging part ng hit gag show?

"Maraming names na lumalabas, pero top of mind syempre 'yung talent nila. Bukod sa kanilang physical assets, dapat may talent," ang sagot ni Ogie.

"Yung kakayahan na maki-jive; makigulo at maki-kulit," ang dagdag pa ni Bitoy.



But they quickly clarified na wala silang say kung sino ang kukunin na replacements sa mga Bubble girls na nawala.

"Kami naman ay abang taga sunod lamang. Kung ano ang sasabihin ng Network at kung ano ang sasabihin ng management, na gusto nilang i-pa-try sa amin, 'yun 'yung gagawin namin. We can make our recommendations pero hindi naman kami nag re-reject ng tao," ang pagtatapos na paliwanag ni Bitoy.

Abangan kung sino ba ang papalit kay Francine at Diana sa Bubble Gang. Sina Jackie, Princess at LJ na ba? Don't miss an episode of the longest running gag show in the country. Bubble Gang airs every Friday, right after Queen Seon Deok, only on GMA.

After thirteen years of entertaining you every Sunday, SOP takes its final bow this February 28 with an all-out production featuring the stars who was, and still are, a part of the concert program.

Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya and Janno Gibbs will lead the SOP stars for the last time this Sunday's opening number. Whatever you may be looking for in a number, look no further because this is it.



StarStruck V Ultimate Winners Sarah Lahbati and Steven Silva reprise their winning numbers from the Final Judgment in their first and last appearance in SOP after winning the StarStruck competition.

Rufa Mae Quinto takes the title of “Dancing Queen” as she makes a comeback on SOP's final show. And Glaiza de Castro shows that she knows what being a diva is about, when she joins Regine Velasquez, Mark Anthony Fernandez and TJ Trinidad in the grand launch of Diva!

SOP promises a happy ending this Sunday, as it brings back the Constellation of Stars featuring its best segments: Souled Out, Sugarpop, You've Got Male--and La Diva.

Of course, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs and Jaya will not be left behind as they return to roots with a Back to Back to Back presentation.

And reminisce as the gang of Mark Herras, Chynna Ortaleza, Ryza Cenon, Mart Escudero, LJ Reyes and Edgar Allan Guzman bring back the dance crazes that were launched in SOP.

This is one SOP you wouldn't want to miss; tune in this Sunday right after Zooperstars. But once the show is over, don't throw away your dancing shoes yet. Because we're getting ready to Party, Pilipinas!

"Both Ogie and I are of course staying in GMA-7."



Ito ang naging deklarasyon ng Asia's Songbird na si Regine Velasquez tungkol sa nabalitang paglipat diumano nila ng kasintahang si Ogie Alcasid sa bakuran ng TV5. Pero tinuldukan na nga ni Regine ang mga espekulasyong ito sa pagkumpirma na mananatili silang Kapuso ni Ogie.

Hindi man direktang inamin ni Regine na may malaking offer sa kanya ang TV5 ay sinabi niyang: "For some reason, may nakakaalam na kapag matatapos na yung kontrata ko, lilipat na ako agad. Pero hindi naman. We're happy naman here."

Nakausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at iba pang entertainment press si Regine sa grand launch ng upcoming primetime series niya sa GMA-7 na Diva kagabi, February 23, sa Studio 7 ng GMA Network. Sa March 1 na magsisimula ang Diva sa Telebabad block ng Kapuso network.

Sa June 2010 matatapos ang kontrata nina Regine at Ogie sa GMA-7, pero nag-renew ba sila ng kontrata?

"Parang wala kaming choice kasi ni-renew na, e!" natatawang sabi ni Regine. "Kasi nasa kanila yung option, e. So, kung ayaw naming mag-renew dapat magre-resign ka, parang six months before. Di ba, parang ganun 'yon?"

Two years daw tatagal ang bagong kontrata ni Regine bilang Kapuso, samantalang si Ogie naman daw ay "forever," biro ng Asia's Songbird.

Ayon kay Regine, binibigyan din daw siya ng pagkakataon ng GMA-7 na sabihin ang gusto niyang gawin, gaya na lamang dito sa Diva na siya ang may konsepto ng istorya.

"Siyempre, as artists, meron kang minamahal na isang show and you want to improve on that show. Like this Diva, 'eto ang ganda talaga ng pagkabigay sa akin nito dahil originally, actually iba ang istorya nito, e. Parang Bituin Walang Ningning. Sabi ko, 'Ayokong mag-drama. So, ganito na lang yung gawin natin,'" lahad niya.

THE END OF SOP. Dito na pumasok ang usapin tungkol sa pagwawakas ng musical-variety show na SOP ngayong Linggo, February 28. Si Regine ang isa sa main hosts dito, kasama sina Ogie, Janno Gibbs, at Jaya.

Naitanong kay Regine kung hindi ba nabibigyan ng importansiya ang mga idea niya sa SOP, hindi tulad ng mga konsepto niya sa mga ibang programa niya sa GMA-7, gaya nga sa Diva.

"Nabibigyan naman, pero... Kasi yun [SOP], hindi lang ako 'yung involved. Other artists are involved in the show. Siyempre, lahat naman kami binibigyan ng pagkakataon to voice out our ideas," saad niya.

Nalulungkot ba siya na mawawala na sa ere ang SOP?

"It's sad but at the same I'm also excited for the upcoming show," sabi ni Regine. "Kasi actually sa SOP no'n, hindi naman ako original na nandiyan. Mas nararamdaman ko yung lungkot ni Ogie at ni Janno kasi sila yung original diyan, e.

"Ako actually, originally I was asked for it but I didn't do it because I felt like I wasn't ready to do TV that time. So it was my sister [Cacai Velasquez] who did it. Then when she left, I took over. And I loved it! I had fun doing the show. And I still have fun doing it. I call it my day-off because it's my time to see my friends, to chika, to show off my clothes. That's all I do in SOP! Nothing really serious.

"So it's really sad na it's going to say goodbye already. But just like everything else, it also has to end sometime. Ganun lang yun, oo."

Unang emere ang SOP noong February 2, 1997. Ang original hosts nito ay sina Ogie, Janno, at Vina Morales; kasama sina Cacai, Gabby Eigenmann, Bernadette Allyson, at ang dating sexy star na si Amanda Page. Pumasok si Regine sa SOP noong 1998.

Biglaan ba yung naging desisyon na tapusin na ang SOP?

"I think matagal na nilang iniisip. Matagal nang iniisip ng mga tao sa taas na it's about time," banggit ni Regine.

But what made them decide to finally pull the plug on SOP?

"It wasn't really my decision to do that," diin ni Regine. "Kasi like I said, SOP really is a fun show to do. It's sad that I'm not really always there. Kasi nga bilang ang dami kong raket, pero..."

Late last year ay nag-reformat ang SOP pagkatapos "mag-resign" ng dati nitong executive producer na si Perry Lansigan at ginawang SOP Fully Charged ang title ng show. Sa palagay ba ni Regine ay nakaapekto ang pagre-reformat ng show nila sa pagbaba ng ratings nila?



"Actually nung time na nag-ano sila, hindi ako pumapasok nun, e. Kasi yun yung time na nagkakasakit ako nun, e. I don't really know what happened. But when I started to do SOP again, I just heard that they're gonna finish it na. So, sabi ko, 'A, okay, that's sad.' I don't know the whole story behind it. I've been hearing stories but..."

Pero nararamdaman ba ni Regine sa kanyang sarili na malaki na ang ipinagbago ng SOP, na parang hindi na siya nag-e-enjoy?

"May konting stress ng konti, hindi sa akin pero dun sa mga kasama ko, yung staff," pag-amin ng singer-actress. "Nararamdaman ko yung stress nila. Unlike before na it was just really fun, medyo nawala 'yon. So I guess okay na rin na mag-e-end siya for us to be able to start...bago na ulit. Para mawala na rin yung... May bad vibes na, e.

"'Tsaka yung para din sa staff. Kawawa sila kasi sobra na silang pressured. At least, pag nag-umpisa kami ng bagong show, huwag muna natin lakihan yung expectations sa atin. Ano lang muna, mag-enjoy muna tayo. When SOP started, it was just like that. Let's just do our thing. Let's not expect anything. Huwag muna tayong mag-expect na mataas na rating. Just do concert on TV. That was the theme of SOP."

PARTY PILIPINAS. Ayon kay Regine, ito ang gusto nilang ibalik sa papalit na show sa SOP, ang Party Pilipinas, na magsisimulang umere sa March 21. Sila pa rin daw nina Ogie, Janno, at Jaya ang main hosts ng Party Pilipinas, kasama ang ilan pa nilang mga kasamahan sa SOP gaya nina Kyla, Jay-R, at ang La Diva (Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos, and Maricris Garcia).

"Yun ang gusto naming ibalik sa Party Pilipinas: it's a concert TV," sambit ni Regine. "Dun naman kami pinapanood, e. Live yung kantahan, live band. Di ba? Feeling ko, yun talaga ang strength ng SOP."

Sinabi ng PEP kay Regine na hindi maiiwasan ang pagkukumpara sa SOP at sa katapat nilang programa.

"I have to say maganda talaga yung ASAP," simula ni Regine. "Mga production numbers, talagang pinag-iisipan... Not that hindi pinag-iisipan yung sa SOP kasi they work so hard just be able to create one production number. Katakot-takot na bloodshed ito! Katakot-takot na hirap talaga ang dinadanas ng production para lang makabuo ng isang production number. Minsan lang, meron yung hit and miss. Minsan naghi-hit, minsan nagmi-miss.

"You also have to admit that there was a time na it was us on top and they were... Di ba? Kami naman yung maraming hits. Ngayon, sila naman yung mas madaming hits, sila yung nasa taas. Okay lang yun. Kasi na-experience din naman namin yung sila yung No. 1, kami parang wala lang. Okay lang yun.

"You know, the one thing I think that we lost...hindi naman lost, but we forgot is to just have fun. Masyado kaming na-stress sa ratings kasi the network... Of course, hindi naman namin ma-blame, they were expecting so much from the program. But the program was getting tired! It was just really getting tired from too much pressure, from too much intrigues, and from too much whatever," saad niya.

Will the viewers see more of her in Party Pilipinas?

"They'd probably see me more in the new show kasi talagang ito parang kina-career talaga namin, e," sabi ni Regine.

What could the viewers expect in Party Pilipinas?

"May ibang look. Yung production people siguro maraming mababago. Maraming mababago sa show, pero alam kong napakalaki ng expectations ng sangkatauhan sa show na ito. Pero sa akin, mas gusto ko lang mag-enjoy kasi yun lang dapat yun, e. Kaya kami pinapanood dahil they see us enjoying and it came to a point na parang minsan hindi na masyadong enjoyable.

"So I hope that this new show, yun lang, have fun, let's just do our thing, not expect anything big yet, you know. I hope the viewers, the fans, the loyal fans—'cause we still have more loyal fans, you know, meron pa ring gano'n. We hope that our viewers will help us also... Kasi, siyempre, we're starting again, sana tulungan kami na makapag-umpisa ulit, mapasaya sila, maging proud sila ulit na nanood sila ng...well, now it's called Party Pilipinas."

Mula sa taping niya sa GMA-7 sitcom na Show Me Da Manny ay dumiretso ang singer-comedian na si Ogie Alcasid sa 10th anniversary party ng YES! magazine na ginanap sa NBC Tent sa Global City last night, February 23.



Hindi rin naman nagkait si Ogie ng ilang sandali na makausap siya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at ilang entertainment press na dumalo sa bonggang anniversary ng YES!. Siyempre pa, ang tungkol sa napapabalitang offer raw sa kanyang lumipat sa TV5 ang unang inusisa kay Ogie.

Kung sa huling interview ng PEP kay Ogie ay nagpahiwatig siya na mas malamang na manatili siyang Kapuso, kagabi ay may katiyakan na ang sagot niya.

Aniya, "Well, si Manny Pangilinan is very close to me. I'm very close to TV5 and to MVP [bansag sa top honcho ng TV5]. Pero siyempre, GMA is in my heart, always, di ba?"

Hindi naman itinanggi ni Ogie na nakipag-usap siyang talaga sa presidente ng TV5.

"Nakipag-usap ako. I just wanted to hear," sabi niya.

Ano ang naging deciding factor kung bakit pinili pa rin niyang maging isang Kapuso?

"Siyempre, nandyan pa rin ang Bubble Gang. Nandiyan ang bago naming show. Nandiyan ang Hole in the Wall [his game show with Michael V] and mahirap iwanan nang ganung basta-basta," paliwanag ni Ogie.

May balitang triple raw ang naging counteroffer ng GMA-7 sa offer ng TV5 huwag lang siyang lumipat? Totoo ba ito?

Nangiti si Ogie sabay sabing, "Wala namang kinalaman ang pera dun. It's just that kailangan ko rin ayusin ang SOP, di ba?"

Pero totoo bang may counteroffer ang GMA-7 sa kanya?

"Hindi counteroffer yun," paglilinaw niya. "At saka, hindi pera ang basehan. As of now, to be honest, wala pa akong pinipirmahan. Pero palagay ko naman, wala nang mababago."



Ang girlfriend ni Ogie na si Regine Velasquez ay isa rin sa napabalitang lilipat sa TV5. Pero tiyak na ring mananatiling Kapuso si Regine lalo na't magsisimula nang ipalabas sa March 1 ang bagong primetime series niya sa GMA-7, ang Diva.

Isa ba si Regine sa main consideration ni Ogie sa hindi pag-accept ng offer ng TV5?

"I can't speak for Regine kasi ako lang talaga ang kausap ng TV5. Hindi ko alam...wala naman din na ganun. Kahit na nasa Channel 37 ako, walang kinalaman yun. Ang nagbubuklod lang sa amin ay ang aming mga puso!" natatawa niyang sabi.

CURTAIN CALL FOR SOP. Mabilis at walang gatol naman na kinumpirma ni Ogie na totoo ang mga lumalabas na balita, at nasulat na rin sa PEP Alerts, na hanggang sa Linggo, February 28, ang SOP, ang kinabibilangan niyang Sunday musical-variety show sa GMA-7.

"Yes, it's true," pagkumpirma ni Ogie. "Magpapahinga na muna ang aming Sunday variety show after 14 years, 13 years... So, abangan n'yo na lang ang susunod na mangyayari."

May kapalit naman daw na show ang SOP at kasama pa rin siya dito, hindi lang bilang host kundi bilang isa ring consultant.

"Well, I will be part of it. Nagmi-meet-meet na kami. It took us six years before na mag-rate ng mataas. Ngayon, talo na kami," pag-amin ni Ogie.

Anong pakiramdam niya na nauwi rin sa ganito ang SOP?

"That's part of life and ganun ang buhay, di ba? It's a cycle. May mga panahon na kailangang mag-struggle ka. May panahon na nasa itaas ka. So ako, I'm excited. I'm very challenged. Ganun ang buhay, di ba? Everytime na may trials, panindigan mo yun, di ba?" saad niya.

"Secret," naman ang naging sagot ni Ogie kung may ideya ba siya kung kailan ieere ang papalit na show sa SOP. Pero napag-alaman ng PEP na sa March 21 magsisimula ang bago nilang show at Party Pilipinas ang magiging title nito.