POPULAR actor-director Coco Martin is set to return to primetime television via another adaptation of the late Fernando Poe Jr. classic, “Batang Quiapo.”
The original film, which was shown in 1986, starred the acknowledge King of Philippine movies with Diamond Star Maricel Soriano. In the film, Poe played the character of Baldo, a former pickpocket released from prison who is determined to start a new life. He encounters Maria, played by Soriano, a young pickpocket whom he helps to get set on the right path in life.
To be released in 2023, “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” is to be directed by Martin himself and Malu Sevilla.
The adaptation will also star Poe’s daughter Lovi Poe and MMK host Charo Santos-Concio. Lovi will play Coco’s love interest in the series, while Charo will play Coco’s grandmother.
According to PEP.ph, a caption published for the series from Dreamscape Entertainment reads: “Isang FPJ Classic ang muling bibigyang-buhay ni Coco Martin kasama ang anak ng nag-iisang Da King, Lovi Poe.”
Dreamscape also stated that the ABS-CBN adaptation of the popular movie is in commemoration of the late Poe’s 18th death anniversary.
Aside from Martin, Poe and Santos-Concio, joining the series are established actors/veterans in the industry Lito Lapid, Christopher de Leon, Susan Africa, John Estrada, Pen Medina, Cherry Pie Picache, Benzon Dalina, Mark Lapid, Ronwaldo Martin, Ping Medina, Mercedes Cabral, Alan Paule and Tommy Abuel.
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NET25, a Philippine television network owned by the Iglesia ni Cristo for-profit affiliate Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, is set to unveil its talent management arm called Net25 Star Center.
The center is headed by Caesar Vallejos and former GMA-7 executive Wilma Galvante, who is the network’s creative consultant. Heading the Net25 Star Center will be actor/director/producer Eric Quizon, one of the sons of the late King of Philippine Comedy Dolphy.
According to an article in PEP.ph, the network’s star center will start to groom new talents, and will produce a youth-oriented show that will showcase the network’s new stars who will be managed by Net25 Star Center and will be part of the network’s exclusive stable of stars.
According to Vallejos, the network is very happy and pleased to welcome Quizon to the NET25 family, as the head or the Star Center.
“This is part of the efforts of NET25 to develop its own talents. Isa po si Eric Quizon naman sa bumubuo ng Quizon CT,” Vallejos said.
“Quizon CT is really one of the most successful shows. It’s a travel gag show. It’s family-oriented. It’s very wholesome. They really showcase the situational and the formula of their father Sir Dolphy, the king of comedy,” he futher said.
“Kaya ito napakalakas sa ratings, at napakalakas din sa social media. So, with his experience there, and he’s also a great director, I’m sure he will be able to develop talents for NET25,” Vallejos added.
The network is intent on developing its stable of talents as it has plans to launch new programs for 2023. It won’t be a surprise if they launch a talent/reality show search as they search for new faces, similar to what Galvante did when she was with the Kapuso network.
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Filipino actress Coleen Garcia Crawford brought glory to the Philippines by bagging the Best Actress award at the El Grito International Fantastic Film Festival in Venezuela recently for her work in the movie “Kaluskos.” Coleen is the wife of recently-crowned Danse Avec Les Stars champion Billy Crawford.
In an Instagram post on Saturday, December 3, Garcia Crawford shared, “Yesterday I woke up to the exciting news that I won Best Actress at the El Grito International Fantastic Film Festival in Venezuela! Thank you so much to the jury for selecting me. I am so honored!”
She added: Thank yooouuu, Direk @manru and @viva_films, for the trust, and for giving me the opportunity to play Rebekah. Thank you, Lord, for carrying me through all of it. I learned a lot from this project, and working on it really reminded me why I love what I do! #KALUSKOS is NOW SHOWING in cinemas nationwide!”
The actress received congratulatory messages from husband Billy Crawford, Max Collins, Kim Atienza, Dominic Roque, Iza Calzado, Karen Davila and Christine Babbao, among many others.
According to an article in PEP.ph, “Kaluskos” follows the story of a mother named Rebekah, who is fighting for the sole custody of her young daughter Amaya, but she finds another “Amaya” under her bed amid the custody battle with her estranged husband Jay. Wanting to start a new life with the other version of her daughter, Rebekah seeks to set the other Amaya free, but she has to kill the impostor to do so.
The film, which is written by Enrique Villasis and directed by Roman Perez Jr., was one of the entries in the 2022 Cinemalaya Film Festival and Coleen’s only second film in 2022.
