Vina Morales

Vina Morales (born Sharon Garcia Magdayao 17 October 1975, Bogo, Cebu, Philippines) is a Filipina actress of maternal Spanish and paternal Cebuano descent. She played the title role in the film The Sarah Balabagan Story. She is the older sister of teen actress Shaina Magdayao.

Biography:

Even as a child growing up in Bogo, Cebu, Sharon Garcia Magdayao a.k.a. Vina Morales knew that she wanted to be a singer. It was nine-year-old Sharon's singing with her church choir that would lead to her big break. The local parish priest, Fr. Fritz Malinao, was also a songwriter. He recognized Sharon's talent and asked her to sing one of his compositions as an entry in the Cebu Pop Music Festival. The song, "Paglaum", ("hope" in Visayan), not only won the Grand Prize but also earned the "Best Interpreter" award for its young singer.

Sharon and her family were surprised to learn that representatives from Viva Films had seen her performance. They were so impressed with her talents that they immediately offered her a singing and acting contract. The Magdayao family was very supportive of their gifted daughter. They sold everything they had in Cebu and moved to Manila. The family entrusted ten-year-old Sharon's career to Mina del Rosario of Viva Films, who became like a second mother to Sharon. It was Mina who gave Sharon the name Vina, taken from her daughter's name Vina Vanesa. The only problem standing in the way of Vina's acting career was that she only spoke English and Cebuano. But now that she was living in Manila, her Tagalog improved rapidly and she soon made her first movie, Nakagapos na Puso, in which she played the niece of Tonton Gutierrez. The film also starred Vina's idol and namesake, Sharon Cuneta.

In her late teens Vina began taking on more mature and bold roles. She appeared with Robin Padilla in Utol Kong Hoodlum. She starred with Ariel Rivera in Anghel Na Walang Langit. This was a dual role in which Vina played two lookalike young women with very different personalities. One of Vina's most challenging and controversial roles was that of Sarah Balabagan, the young Muslim domestic helper from Mindanao who killed her employer in United Arab Emirates after he raped her. For a while it seemed like The Sarah Balabagan Story might never be shown publicly, after the UAR government objected to the way Muslim life was depicted in some scenes. It was finally allowed to be shown and earned Vina three Best Actress nominations.

While Vina's acting career flourished, she also kept up with her singing, continuing to record albums and perform in live concerts. Her latest album, released in March 2004, is a collection of love songs entitled Mamahalin Ka Niya. Vina co-wrote the lyrics of one song, "Paano Kaya Magtatagpo?", with good friend Piolo Pascual. Their busy schedules did not allow them to meet in person, so they wrote the lyrics through texting! The music was then composed by Arnel de Pano. Later Vina and Piolo recorded the song as a duet. Other songs on the album include "Yakapin Mo Ako", "Pangako" and "Saan Darating ang Umaga". Vina had first sung "Yakapin Mo Ako" when portraying singer Joey Albert on the biographical TV series Maalaala Mo Kaya. For the past couple of years Vina's career as an international concert artist has really taken off big-time. In 2002 she had a series of shows with Martin Nievera in the US and Canada. She had her own successful mult-city US tour, "Vina Revealed", in the summer of 2003 and is currently in the middle of another one called "Vina's Hot!"

Vina doesn't just sing, she also does several high-energy dance numbers at each show, and makes sure to keep physically fit so she can keep up with the demands of such an exhausting schedule. A special honor for Vina was being the first Filipino chosen to sing at the New York International Music Festival, which was held at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas in 2003. She performed five songs and got a long standing ovation.

In 2007, she starred in ABS-CBN's Maria Flordeluna, where she played her role as Elvira, the mother of Maria Flordeluna, played by Eliza Pineda.

On August 5, 2007, she won the right to represent the Philippines at the 2007 IKON Asean singing contest. She went on and bested contestants from Malaysia and Indonesia during the finals nights on August 12 and took home the solo title, while fellow Filipino band Kjwan took home the group title.

Ai-Ai De Las Alas

Aileen de las Alas (born 1964),popularly known as Ai-Ai de las Alas, is a Filipino comedienne and film actress. She is dubbed with many titles including "Comedy Concert Queen" and "Tanging Ina".

A single mother of three children, Ai Ai raised her kids on her own, making it a point to provide them with their basic needs -- a loving home, good education and plenty of food on the table.

In a recent interview, she declared that one of her biggest dreams is to come out with a hit album.

She released her first album with Star Records entitled Ang Tanging Ina Nyo, featuring six novelty tunes. Aside from the first hit single "Tanging Ina Nyo", the album includes the upbeat tracks "Volta", "Dance-phabet", "Tong Twalya", "Si Manloloko" and "Super Papa". All the songs in the album are infused with humor.

She previously wed Miguel Vera with 3 children.
In mid-2006, she was reported to have signed a contract with GMA 7 last August 10, 2007. However, in the August 18, 2007 edition of ABS-CBN talk show Entertainment Live, she declared that she did not sign a contract with GMA 7, and told that she is still a "Kapamilya" when one of the ABS-CBN news bureau chief interviewed her in Ireland. On August 12, 2007 finally Ai-Ai is now renewed her contract for 3 years with ABS-CBN and she is now still a Kapamilya.

On January 6, 2008, Delas Alas announced at The Buzz her decision to file lawsuit against a convenience store and its staff who allegedly "manhandled, verbally abused and detained" her 16-year-old son who was accused of shoplifting 2 tubes of candy. On January 8, 2008, Ai-Ai Delas Alas filed a criminal complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Melvin C. Buseta, employee of Mini Stop, P. Noval Street, Manila, and a security guard for illegal detention and grave threats regarding the December 8 alleged manhandling of her 16-year-old son. She swore that: "My son told me that while inside the Mini Stop, Melvin Buceta grabbed him by the collar, threw him with force and boxed him with force on the lower back, in full view of the people inside the store. The security guard stood nearby, obviously to make sure that my son could not fight back or escape."

Iza Calzado

Iza Calzado is a Filipina actress, commercial model, and TV host who gained big attention in show business in May 2002.

Her biggest breaks in Philippine showbiz include teaming-up with Argentine actor Segundo Cernadas in GMA Network's Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man and taking the role as Amihan in Encantadia. Playing the role of Mary Grace in Star Cinema's Milan was the turning point of her career.

Biography:

Born as Maria Izadora Ussher Calzado, she was named in part for the legendary dancer, Isadora Duncan. Her father is choreographer and TV director Lito Calzado and her mother was the late Irish-Spanish-Filipina, Mary Ann Ussher. Iza's brother, Dash, is a member of Legit Misfitz, a Pinoy rap group.

In the late 1990s, she finished her high school in Miriam College and after which finished her undergraduate education in the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts.

Acting Career:

Before entering show business, she worked as a dubber. Iza started out as a guest teen star in the now defunct show, Click, which led to further roles. Iza won her first ever heroine role through the soap opera Te Amo with the Argentinean actor Segundo Cernadas.

Amihan the Queen of goddesses in Encantadia was the hit character she marked in 2005 for the fantasy- driven market. In that tele-fantasya she worked with other Kapuso stars like Diana Zubiri, Jennylyn Mercado, Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras, Karylle, Dingdong Dantes and with Cogie Domingo and Sunshine Dizon in Kung Mawawala Ka. The success of her film partnership with Dingdong Dantes was realized in Atlantika.

When it comes to dream roles Iza wants the offbeat ones just like a madwoman or drug dependent. Incidentally on her first two movies this year, Blackout with Robin Padilla, she would be drug dependent and "Mona" as a prostitute in Singapore.

For local counterpart she’s looking forward to working again with Piolo Pascual. They played an estrangeg couple in the flick Milan. Aside from Piolo she’d be thrilled to have a movie or TV project with Jericho Rosales, Dennis Trillo, Jay Manalo, and Victor Neri as she really marvels at their acting ability. But of course, Richard Gomez and Aga Muhlach would definitely be part of her A-list.

Calzado will be the leading lady of F4 member Ken Zhu in the movie to be filmed in Philippines, "Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" of Ignite Media Films, with director, Adolf Alix. Iza just finished Impostora and will be back to the country on September 23.

Hollywood:

Iza Calzado bagged her original role in The Echo, the English-language remake of Filipino director Yam Laranas’ horror film Sigaw. Calzado will be sharing the screen with Hollywood actor Jesse Bradford, who was last seen in Clint Eastwood’s World War II epic Flags of Our Fathers. Bradford will portray an ex-convict who will get entangled in the troubles of a battered wife, to be played by Calzado. Although she will be reprising a role that won her an Urian Best Supporting Actress award in 2005, she still had to audition. One of her co-stars, Carlos de Leon, asked her if she is Hispanic because of her facial feature.

Trivia:

• She was the first choice to play the Darna role on Darna.
• At age seven, she went into commercial modeling and landed small roles in Seiko movies, one of which was directed by National Artists for Film Lino Brocka.
• As a teenager, she weighed 200 lbs.
• Actresses Zsa Zsa Padilla and Lorna Tolentino are her distant relatives.

Kim Chiu

Kimberly Sue Yap Chiu (born April 19, 1990) was born in Xiamen, China and migrated to Cebu City at the age of 3. Kim Chiu was first known as the big winner of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition and is now an actress in ABS-CBN shows.

She portrayed Poknat/Jasmine in Sana Maulit Muli that secured as one of the country's most watched programs, which also co-stars Gerald Anderson

Chiu and Anderson appeared together in several shows of ABS-CBN, bagged commercial endorsements,and was formally introduced in the silver screen via their first movie, First Day High. Marking their first anniversary in show business is their first starring movie I've Fallen For You which premiered September 26, 2007 under Star Cinema.

They are currently regular performers on ASAP '07 and recently concluded their appearance in Gokada Go!

Not long after that, she was given a break in the recording industry. Under Star Records her first album Gwa Ai Di was released mid of 2007.

Criticism:

Since the start of her acting career, Chiu often received negative reactions when performing on-screen. In his review of the movie, Nestor Torre of the Philippine Daily Inquirer criticized Chiu's performance in I've Fallen for You, stating:

"Kim’s basic problem is her inability to relax, to go beyond surface energy and enthusiasm. She tries so hard as a performer that, when she smiles, it comes off as a grimace. And her speaking voice needs a lot of lessons to modulate."

In relation, I've Fallen for You didn't turn out as expected at the box-office grossing only P35.1 million to date

Maricel Soriano

Maricel Soriano (born Maria Cecilia Dador Soriano on February 25, 1965), is a critically acclaimed Filipina film and television actress.

Biography:

Dubbed as the Diamond Star of Philippine movies, she started acting at the age of six with the 1971 flick My Heart Belongs to Daddy with fellow child actress Snooky Serna.

In 1974, she received her first award as Best Child Actress at the age of nine at the 9th Manila Film Festival for Virgo Film's Alaala mo, Daigdig ko (Your Memory is My World). She won her second acting award at the 1974 Ilo-ilo Film Festival for the movie version of the TV sitcom John En Marsha which later became the longest running Philippine Sitcom.

Maricel developed her comic skills under the aegis of the Philippine King of Comedy, Dolphy and the late Nida Blanca, one of the country's top caliber actors, both of whom she considered as second parents.

In the 80's she was launched to full stardom as one of the Regal Babies with then-archrival Snooky Serna, Dina Bonnevie, Gabby Concepcion, Albert Martinez, Alfie Anido, Jimi Melendez, and her loveteam and one-time boyfriend, William Martinez. Her 1985 film Hinugot sa Langit, produced by Regal films and directed by the late National Artist Ishmael Bernal, is now considered one of the classics of Philippine cinema. Her classic films of the 80s include Minsan May Isang Ina, Saan Darating ang Umaga?, Teenage Marriage, Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit, Hinugot sa Langit, The Graduates, Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa, and Babaing Hampaslupa.

She became known as 'Taray Queen' for her comedic antics on films which amused Filipino audiences. Excelling both in drama and comedy, she has collected a number of awards most notable of which are the two Asian TV Awards as Best Comedy Actress, and two FAP awards, two FAMAS and two PMPC Star Awards for her drama performances. Her classic films of the 90s include 90s - Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal, Vampira, Separada, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin, Dahas, Ama,Ina,Anak, Abot-Kamay ang Pangarap, Minsan Lamang Magmamahal, Nasaan ang Puso, Soltera

She received 4 consecutive nominations for FAMAS Awards in the years 1994,95,96,97.

Her 1995 film Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat sa Akin (Harvest Home) produced by Reyna films was the official Philippine entry to the 1996 Oscar awards.

In 1999, she was named as one of the Top 100 Stars of Philippine Cinema All-Time by Manila Times and in 2005 she was listed by the Director's Guild of the Philippines as one of the Top 15 Best Actresses of All Time.

Her most notable films of the 2000s include Abandonada, Mila, Mano Po, Filipinas, Numbalikdiwa, I will Survive,Inang Yaya, Paraiso and A Love Story.

On January 5, 2008, she won the Best Actress award for Bahay Kubo.

Singing:

She tried singing in the 1980s and has recorded a few songs including the theme song of her movie Oh My Mama in 1981 and a sold out concert at the Araneta Coliseum titled Hello, Hello Maricel in 1987.

A Love Story:

On August 26, 2007, Aga Muhlach, Maricel Soriano and Angelica Panganiban, the cast of "A Love Story" (top-grosser which earned hundred million pesos at the box-office) flew to the United States of America for the American premier of the movie.

Willie Revillame

Willie Revillame (born Wilfredo Buendia Revillame, January 27, 1961) (age 46) is a Filipino game show host, singer and comedian. He rose to fame in the late '90s as sidekick to big-named movie stars before making his own mark in the business as a TV host for ABS-CBN's (now defunct) noontime variety show, "Magandang Tanghali Bayan". Revillame now currently hosts the noontime game show "Wowowee," one of the most criticized shows on the same network.

Early Showbiz Career:

Revillame earned a living by becoming a concert drummer for Alma Moreno's musical variety show "Loveliness" and rising young singers like Gary Valenciano. But when he met Randy Santiago, who rose to fame via his trademark shades and the song "Hindi Magbabago", his fortunes changed. Santiago hired him as his sidekick in the now-defunct GMA 7 noontime show "Lunch Date". Revillame stayed for three months on the show and was signed up by Regal Films to star alongside Joey Marquez in the movie "Bobocop" (bobo, meaning dumb), a spoof of the hit Hollywood movie Robocop. Since then, Revillame has been cast in movies as sidekick to other movie personalities such as Philip Salvador, Rudy Fernandez, Edu Manzano, Cesar Montano, Aga Muhlach, , Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon and basketball star Johnny Abarrientos. But he gained fame primarily because of his playboy image and when he married Princess Punzalan, daughter of broadcasters Helen Vela and Orly Punzalan.

Randy, John & Willie:

As Revillame became the newest co-host of "Sang Linggo nAPO Sila" in 1998, he joined his former "Lunch Date" co-host Randy Santiago and John Estrada in the show's pageant segment "Calendar Girl"(a sizzling hot bikini contest). He immediately bonded with the two hosts and the three were noted for their on-screen chemistry and comic timing.

This was noticed by the viewers and the newborn triumvirate of Santiago, Estrada, and Revillame was given added exposure in the show. But along with Revillame's new fame as TV host came criticism. Some sectors branded the new trio as a rehashed version of the more established Tito, Vic and Joey, their rival counterparts in the other noontime show, the toprating "Eat Bulaga". On the other hand, some viewers and critics denounced Willie for acting like a "sex maniac" with his vulgar behavior over the "Calendar Girl" contestants. He was repeatedly caught putting his hands inside the pocket of his pants, apparently fondling himself in public, while interviewing a calendar girl contestant, who's wearing only a very skimpy bikini. Those incidents repeatedly took place several times during the entire duration of the said bikini contest.

Despite the criticism, the new trio of Santiago, Estrada, and Revillame received immense support from the ABS-CBN management. Later, they were made lead hosts for the new noontime show, "Magandang Tanghali Bayan".

MTB & Willie's Increasing Popularity:

"Magandang Tanghali Bayan" started its first live episode on November 30, 1998. This was Willie's third noontime show after "Lunch Date" and "'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila", and his first major TV show after playing bit roles in sitcoms. With the Philippine movie industry slowly losing its audience, "MTB" became Willie's source of income although he landed lead roles in two movies, "Matalino Man ang Matsing" (with Eddie Garcia) and "Pera o Bayong not da TV" (with cohorts Randy and John). He also engaged in buying and selling cars. But with Willie's increasing popularity came the reports that he became swell-headed. Not only was he always allegedly late for appointments and tapings, but also he went overboard with his naughty jokes on "MTB". But despite all these, Willie's luck was solid, as "MTB" dethroned "Eat Bulaga" in the ratings game and his movies, "Matalino Man ang Matsing" and "Pera o Bayong not da TV" scored at the box-office.

Suspensions and Comebacks:

In August 1999, Randy, John and Willie were suspended by ABS-CBN from "Magandang Tanghali Bayan" because of the vulgar jokes that they threw at the contestants during the show's portion "Calendar Girl". The suspension was meted after MTRCB (then headed by Armida Siguion-Reyna) issued a warning on ABS-CBN regarding "MTB". A week later, the whole noontime show was suspended and was replaced temporarily by "Esep-Esep".

During Willie's suspension, he got a lot of moral support from his closest family members and friends. Majority of the public also threw their support behind him so when ABS-CBN decided to bring him, Randy and John back on "MTB", he was overwhelmed. He also had a chance to record an album produced by rapper Andrew E., which contained naughty songs. The album was entitled "Parental Guidance". Though the album reached platinum status, it did not enjoy immense airplay at some radio stations because some songs in the album like "Ang Cute ng Pokémon" ("What a Cute Pokémon") and "'Wag Mong Pigilan" ("Don't Stop") had double-meaning lyrics. At the same time, Willie was dropped from the cast of "Richard loves Lucy" and was replaced by John Estrada.

In 2001, Willie was terminated from "Magandang Tanghali Bayan" after he defied orders from ABS-CBN management to refrain from making vulgar jokes. He was replaced in the show by the matinee-idol triumvirate of Marvin Agustin, Dominic Ochoa and Rico Yan (now deceased). Soon after, he started appearing as guest star in GMA 7 shows like "Kool Ka Lang", "Idol ko si Kap, and "SOP", fuelling speculations that he will soon be transferring to ABS-CBN's rival network. But after guesting at GMA, there was no news coming from Willie's camp except for his appearance during an EDSA 3 rally.

Willie revealed in an interview with Ricky Lo later on that he went on a sabbatical to the United States for a couple of months. He was contemplating on retiring from showbiz and live a quiet life there. But his plans change after getting a positive reaction from the Filipino-Americans who mingled with him during his stay. So when he went back in 2002, he sought help from friends like Aga Muhlach, Dolphy, Sharon Cuneta and Bong Revilla. Willie ended up meeting with ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs executive Arlene de Castro (wife of Vice President Noli de Castro) who offered him a public service show with a touch of humor. The show turned out to be "Willingly Yours".

"Willingly Yours" premiered on ABS-CBN in July 2002 with one portion of the show that had Willie dress up as a beggar to mingle with a family of beggars and granted their wish to eat fried chicken from Jollibee. The pilot episode garnered high ratings, confirming that Willie was still in-demand despite the upheavals he has experienced in life.

In December of the same year, Willie began exploratory talks with ABS-CBN regarding a new noontime show that would replace "Magandang Tanghali Bayan". Willie suggested for a noontime show (supposed to be titled "BAW") that would have him and his friends, award-winning actors Cesar Montano and Aga Muhlach, as hosts. But ABS-CBN rejected Willie's suggestion after finding out that they could not afford the two actors' expensive talent fees. Instead, ABS-CBN decided to bring back the original "MTB" trio, Randy, John and Willie for the new noontime show and terminate the services of other "MTB" co-hosts and staff, including Roderick Paulate, Amy Perez and director Edgar Mortiz. The noontime show was titled "Masayang Tanghali Bayan".

"Masayang Tanghali Bayan" premiered on February 23, 2003, marking the comeback of Randy, John and Willie. But unlike "Magandang Tanghali Bayan" which drew phenomenal ratings and topped "Eat Bulaga", "Masayang Tanghali Bayan"'s ratings were not high enough to dethrone Tito, Vic and Joey's show. In fact, the show was involved in so many controversies, some of which resulted in Willie's second suspension from ABS-CBN. Willie's other show, "Willingly Yours" was also axed in mid-2003 although Willie won an award from Star Awards as Best Public Service Host, besting the likes of Mike Enriquez, Bernadette Sembrano and Arnold Clavio.

In December 2003, during Mahal's birthday on "Masayang Tanghali Bayan", Willie said to his midget co-host on air, "Sana ma-devirginize ka na (You should get de-virginized)". That stinging remark caught the viewers flat-footed, particularly the MTRCB, the government agency responsible for regulating television and movies. The MTRCB ordered ABS-CBN to terminate Willie from the show, but before the order could be carried out, the host-comedian filed his resignation instead. In January 2004, Willie appeared on ABS-CBN's "The Buzz" and made a tearful farewell appearance.

Willie's appearance on "The Buzz" generated support for the embattled host-comedian. Gretchen Barretto, the partner of telecommunications magnate TonyBoy Cojuangco who owns the television network ABC 5, was one of them. She promised Willie that he will be hired as an ABC 5 talent, much to the consternation of other people, particularly Gretchen's brother-in-law, Dennis Padilla who was Willie's co-host on "Masayang Tanghali Bayan". At the same time, songwriter Lito Camo (the hitmaker behind novelty songs "Otso-otso" and "Ispageti"), and Universal Records executive Bella Tan decided to repackage Willie as a novelty singer. Thus, Willie recorded his second album "Approved by MTRCD". Unlike his first studio album "Parental Guidance" which had naughty lyrics, "Approved by MTRCD" had wholesome songs, all written by album producer Lito Camo. The album spawned radio-friendly hits like "Pito-Pito", "Ikaw ang Number 1" (You Are Number 1), "Sabi Mo, I love You" (You Said I love You) (duet with Ethel Booba) and "Para sa Akin ay Ikaw" (For me It's You). In fact, Willie's song "Pito-Pito" had a festive music video with the special participation of (now deceased weatherman) Ernie Baron. After Bella Tan died in 2004, Willie jumped to Star Records in 2005 to do another wholesome album "Wowowillie", which contained songs which are used in the noontime game show "Wowowee". Like "Approved by MTRCD", Willie's songs were also written and produced by Lito Camo.

It only shows that despite not having a noontime show as a regular income, Willie kept himself busy with guestings and promoting his latest album. In May 2004 Willie became an ABC 5 talent, hosting the primetime game show "Puso o Pera" (Heart or Money) with sexy stars Maui Taylor and Patricia Javier. However, the show only went for three months on the air and was axed due to low ratings, despite the fact that Willie's show was scheduled as a pre-programming to ABC's top-rating gag show "Wow Mali", hosted by his rival noontime host Joey de Leon.

After the axing of "Puso o Pera", Willie guested in GMA's reality show "Extra Challenge". The particular episode was shot in Bali, Indonesia, with Andrew E., Francine Prieto and Michelle Bayle joining Willie as guests. The two-week episode posted the highest ratings for "Extra Challenge". Willie followed it up with another guesting at GMA's sitcom, the now-defunct "All Together Now" where his former "MTB" director Edgar Mortiz was one of the mainstays. His guesting in that show also rated well. It was enough for GMA's rival network ABS-CBN to call up Willie for a meeting with the help of former ABS-CBN news executive Arlene de Castro (wife of Vice President Noli de Castro). Willie then named de Castro his new business manager in place of Wyngard Tracy.

After a series of meetings, ABS-CBN decided to bring back Willie in the noontime slot with his own game show. Willie was given creative freedom in his new show and joined forces with his former directors at "MTB", Edgar Mortiz and Bobbet Vidanes in thinking new concepts for the game show. Willie then christened the show "Wowowee".

Sexual Harassment Case:

Two months after Willie's comeback to ABS-CBN in 2005 for his game show, "Wowowee", Revillame was put once again in bad light after two women filed separate cases of sexual harassment against him. The women who accused Revillame, were entertainment columnist, Salve Asis, and former "Bump" dancer, Euanne Bautista. Asis claimed that Revillame touched her inapropriately while they were in the back of a car, while Bautista said that Revillame touched her during a remote show of "Wowowee" in the Quezon province.

Some observers have said that these sexual harassment case filed against Willie were intended to destroy his television comeback. In October 2005, the sexual harassment cases filed against Revillame were thrown out due to a lack of evidence.

Members of the second batch of "Wowowee Girls" reported that Revillame had touched them inapropriately, even going as far as to threatening that they would be fired from Wowowee if they told ABS-CBN management. This has led the the name change of the Wowowee dance group from "Wowowee Girls" to the new "ASF Dancers."

Wowowee Stampede:

After a year of hosting Wowowee, a mass tragedy happened when a stampede broke out on Febuary 4, 2006 6:00 AM local time at the PhilSports Arena while people were waiting for the show to begin on 1:00 PM local time. 74 people died (according to reports, 71 were dead) and hundreds were injured. It is said that the cause of the stampede is on the line where people get tickets for the show and when the security of ULTRA closed, causing people to rush to enter the gates. Others say that a man shouted that there was a bomb, causing panic. It is the deadliest accident to have occurred in a television event in all the whole history of Philippine broadcasting. After the chairman of ABS-CBN, Gabby Lopez, accepted full responsibility for the tragedy, on March 11 of the same year, the game show was relaunched.

Lovelife and Children:

Willie was married to former beauty queen Liz Almoro in civil rites at Lipa, Batangas on March 2005 officiated by film star and town Mayor, Vilma Santos. This was followed shortly by a lavish church wedding in June 2005 that was sponsored by commercial entities and most probably ABS-CBN. The wedding was adjudged by readers of YES Magazine as Wedding of the Year for 2005.

Willie has three daughters from previous relationships. One of his daughters, Meryll Soriano, is an actress. He and his wife Liz now have a son, Juan Emmanuel (Juamee).

Despite the hoopla and extravaganza of Revillame's wedding and on-air vows of love and devotion to his wife, it was finally confirmed that Revillame's marriage is undergoing the process of annulment upon the instigation of Liz Almoro.

Richard Gutierrez

Richard Gutierrez (born January 21, 1984 in Beverly Hills, California) is a Filipino film and television actor. In 2006, he was chosen to play the role of Captain Barbell. This superhero-action fantasy series aired in the Philippines via GMA Network, his mother station. Captain Barbell became the no. 1 primetime TV show in the nation, giving him an icon status. His new TV series based on a Japanese anime/French legend, Lupin, premiered on April 9, 2007.

Career:

Gutierrez lay low in showbiz while trying to finish his studies. After the rest, he went back into show business, and was paired with Chynna Ortaleza in different TV and movie projects. His team-up with Angel Locsin in the hit TV Series Mulawin catapulted both stars, Mulawin was followed by the movie "Let the love begin" that earned 100 million Pesos in the box office, followed by another blockbuster hit the following year with "I Will Always Love You." Also, he is currently doing another major performance in Captain Barbell as the title character. His latest Valentines flick co-starring with Angel Locsin was a huge success and was reported to be the Philippine's third highest-grossing of all time.

He also starred in Sigaw (2004), who is now being remade in Hollywood with the title "The Echo" and he got rave reviews from international critics for his unbelieveable performance in the movie. Angel Locsin was also in the movie.

Aside from his acting and modeling, Richard is also busy with his hobbies. His interest in cars bore fruit in his latest venture, Events Management. He also established his own independent record label called ICED OUT PRODUCTIONS, mainly dedicated to promoting the hip-hop/urban lifestyle and music.

Gutierrez has recently been dubbed by the media as "The Super Idol of the Philippine Cinema" due to his appeal and success.

Family:

Gutierrez is the son of former Philippine cinema matinee idol Eddie Gutiérrez and former actress turned talent manager Annabelle Rama. His sister, Ruffa Gutiérrez, is a former actress and a beauty queen (Miss World Second Princess). Gutierrez has acted alongside his half-brother Ton-ton Gutiérrez, one of the favorite leading men for many known and popular actresses in showbiz. Gutierrez's other half-brother Ramon Christopher starred with him in Sugo. He started as a child actor alongside his twin brother Raymond Gutierrez has worked in many movies with his famous father, and their brothers.