From singing, dancing, playing instruments, and performing out-of-this-world acts, applicants from North, Central, and South Luzon, and Visayas regions showed what they got in hopes of making it through the first cut of the competition and be the country’s first ever got talent grand winner who will win a whopping P2 million jackpot prize..

“We were really amazed with what Filipinos can offer. They can really surprise you and blow you away when you least expect it,” shared Executive Producer Rancy Recato.

PGT indeed opened its doors to a diverse group of people. Hopefuls from the first two legs of auditions ranged from 3 to 65 years old and covered just about everybody including those with physical disability.

“Anyone who’s got talent can join the search and show what they can do to the whole country and even to the whole world,” said Production Manager Morly Nueva.

In 2008, single mom Madonna Decena showed the world that Filipinos’ got talent when she wowed the crowd and judges in “Britain’s Got Talent” including Simon Cowell. Her powerful rendition of “I Will Always Love You” was viewed heavily in YouTube and reported in local TV newscasts, making her an instant celebrity overnight.

She was working then as a club singer in Britain to provide for her kids when the opportunity that changed her life knocked on her door.

“I didn’t really expect to make it through the auditions. I think they liked me for my voice and for my story,” said Madonna, whose sterling performance during the auditions in the UK was reported in other Asian countries.

British viewers of the hit show were in awe with her singing prowess and even dreaded judge Simon Cowell was blown away. “For that one act, it was worth coming up her,” he said.

Even though she didn’t make it to the finals and win “Britain’s Got Talent,” Madonna is very thankful for the experience and feels fulfilled to have shown the world what Filipinos are capable of doing.

“It’s a big honor for me to have made it that far in the show especially that I am representing the Filipino people. I’m happy that I made my fellow Filipinos proud and increase the respect given by British people to our race,” she said.

This early, the 33-year-old singer is very excited for “Pilipinas Got Talent” so that other talented Filipinos like her will get their time to shine.

Madonna also gave aspiring artists or PGT hopefuls to give it all in their performance and just focus on improving their craft rather than comparing it with other acts.

If you think you got what it takes and if you got talent, catch the next legs of “Pilipinas Got Talent” auditions in Northern Mindanao at Cagayan De Oro City on Nov. 25, and 26; Southern Mindanao at Davao City on Dec. 1 and 2 ; and in the Greater Manila Area on Dec 5, 6, 12, and 13. For more information, log on to PGT’s official website at http://pilipinasgottalent.abs-cbn.com.

Watch out for the first and only nationwide reality and talent search “Pilipinas Got Talent” to be hosted by Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford airing soon on ABS-CBN.

Since it was launched on November 4, ABS-CBN’s Christmas Station ID entitled “Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko” has sparked a craze in the streets and on the Internet, lighting up the country’s Christmas season with a message of hope and unity.

Kids sing along and mimic the actions in the song, others convert it to ringtones, while many view and repost the station ID in video-sharing sites like Youtube and other social networking sites.

The SID has also boosted the sales of “Parol ni Bro,” the large Christmas lanterns being sold by the network in selected SM malls to raise funds for Sagip Kapamilya. Likewise, people have also flocked to ABS-CBN to purchase the star-shaped handheld miniature parols seen in the video.

ABS-CBN vice president for creative communications Robert Labayen, who has worked on top of all ABS-CBN SIDs since 2004, said the public’s response was record-breaking. “In less than a day, the video had been posted all over the Internet and viewed by thousands. There was an outpouring of positive comments. Real people telling us how they were uplifted by the song and how it reminded them of Christmas in the Philippines,” he said.

To date, the SID has gotten over 200,000 hits in ABS-CBN’s official Youtube account alone, a feat unrivaled by any other effort.

Labayen, who wrote the lyrics to the song, admitted it was one of the hardest he has made in his storied career, both as an advertising maven and now as a television executive. The multi-awarded creative head said it took him two days to finish the song. “I wrote the song right after Typhoon Ondoy happened and the challenge was to weave in the spirit of Christmas in a message song. This is not the most poetic song I’ve written but it happens to come in the right time. People can easily relate to the song,” he shared.

With lyrics like “Dumaan man sa malalakas na alon, lahat tayo ay makakaahon,” the song easily invokes memories of the recent calamity, and inspires the listeners to remain positive in spite of it.

However simple, every image in the SID also evoked the message of faith and hope – from the kid finding a star amid the muddy traces of typhoon, to the Christmas tree made of relief goods, and the community cleaning a church after the storm.

Even the chorus parts featuring ABS-CBN stars, anchors, reporters, and executives singing with ordinary people stood for something. Labayen said this symbolized how the whole ABS-CBN family has worked alongside nurses, doctors, the military, priests, and other volunteers in relief and rescue operations in order to help people rebuild their lives after the typhoons.

Kapamilya stars, who also had their share of volunteer work, took time from their busy schedules again to appear in the SID. “After the shoot, they thanked us for making them a part of this. They hope that in their little way they can help uplift the feelings of people. They are real people too and I felt their sincerity,” Labayen said.

With the positive response of the people to the SID, Labayen said he and his team feel great pride and a sense of accomplishment. These images matched with a meaningful and positive song have captivated Filipinos who are looking for a light to hold onto in these dark times of calamities and economic turmoil.

“Station IDs have always been a big thing for ABS-CBN and our viewers. It’s like a tradition every Christmas and summer that people look forward to. It’s not just a parade of stars, but a way for ABS-CBN to communicate values to the public, and for this year we want them to believe in the resilience of Filipinos and to keep the faith in Bro,” he said.

Last Thursday (Nov 19), the “Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko” craze was felt again when the country’s top advertisers and creative minds gathered for ABS-CBN: One Way Up! Kayang-Kaya Kapamilya, the ABS-CBN trade event during the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress in Subic.

The network’s brightest actors and actresses, most talented performers, and hottest love teams led by Judy Ann Santos, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis, Jericho Rosales, Kristine Hermosa, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, Cristine Reyes, and Ms. Kris Aquino with her son Baby James, entertained a crowd of 3,000 delegates and also teased them with the Kapamilya network’s much-anticipated 2010 program offerings like “Habang May Buhay,” “Kokey@ako,” “Rubi,” and “Pilipinas, Got Talent.”

Also bringing the house down was the surprise performance of the station’s top management led by ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III, ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, and Channel 2 head Cory Vidanes, who all gamely danced to the hit Korean song “Nobody” with ABS-CBN Sales heads. They also thanked advertisers for their support as ABS-CBN continues its leadership in ratings, viewership, and programming.

Finally, to cap a magical night, the Kapamilya stars and officials sang the ABS-CBN Station ID with all the guests. They were each given a miniature parol, which they would wave in unison while singing the song. It was indeed a star-studded event, a night of fun and hope which made everybody excited about Christmas once again.

(CLICK HERE to view 11 more photos)

Adding more fun are Judy Ann Santos as Krystala, Pinoy kids’ favorite Kokey, Lastikman Vhong Navarro and Kung fu Kids and the one and only Dyosa, Anne Curtis. Of course, Kapamilya stars Toni Gonzaga, Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Kuya Kim and even Gus Abelgas wouldn’t miss this chance of becoming animated characters!

Here’s Anne, Angel and Bea:

Handsome as ever, Piolo Pascual:

An ever charming Sam Milby:

CLICK HERE for more!

Catch the animated series of Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa every Sunday starting November 22 on ABS-CBN! For other details and information, log on to www.superinggo.tv

The ex-lovers will grace the next offering of Your Song entitled Sa Kanya Pa Rin along with a controversial plot premiering on November 22 (Sunday).

It’s been a while since the last TV reunion of Roxanne and Jake. Roxanne revealed that she is looking forward to work with her ex-boyfriend again. “Excited naman ako to work with Jake again. Matagal-tagal rin kasi kami bago nagkatambal ulit.” When asked if there were scenes that she find it awkward to do, Roxanne shared, “Wala naman. Magkaibigan naman kasi kami ni Jake kaya wala namang ilangan.”

Jake, on the other hand, is very much thankful for another project given to him by ABS-CBN. “Masaya ako at pinagkatiwalaan na naman ako ng Kapamilya Network sa isa na namang magandang proyekto… and with Roxanne pa.” Jake mentioned that she missed working with his ex-girlfriend in a series. “Namiss ko makatrabaho si Roxanne. Madalas kasi nagkikita lang kami kapag nagkakasalubungan sa hallway at nagbabatian. As far as I can remember, last na pinagsamahan namin is MMK pa.”

Your Song presents Sa Kanya Pa Rin zeroes in a controversial story of a married couple namely Monica (Roxanne Guinoo) and Jordan (Jake Cuenca). Confronting their married life was difficult for the young couple due to problems that continually test their relationship. In this Your Song offering, the answer to the question, “Is it possible that the love that was once lost, finds its way again to person you thought you’re over with?” will be disclosed.

Together with Roxanne Jake, are three other stars that will contribute to the flow of the story: Ron Morales, Maxine Eigenmann and Bing Loyzaga.

Under the direction of Dondon Cuaresma, get ready for a whole new twist on a story of second chances, Your Song Presents Sa Kanya Pa Rin, starting on November 22, every Sunday, after ASAP’09 on ABS-CBN.

Image courtesy of ABS-CBN.com.

It’s normal for bridal showers to have macho men dancing and gyrating to the delight of the ladies especially the soon-to-be-bride but for Judy Ann Santos, this wasn’t the case.

“Ryan didn’t allow me to have macho dancers on my bridal shower!” said Juday. “It’s fine with me though because I respected him then as my soon-to-be-husband.”

Despite Ryan’s restriction, the award-winning actress didn’t stop her hubby from having sexy girls on his bachelor’s party.

“That’s already part of it so I just let him be with his friends. After our respective parties, we didn’t talk about it at all,” she added.

Will the characters they portray in the romantic comedy “George and Cecil” react the same way when they see each other unexpectedly on a bridal shower this Sunday (Nov 22)?

Ronnie (Archie Alemanie) and Grace (Dionne Monsanto) will fight over Gordon’s (Jommy Teotico) mishaps involving their life thus, the couple invites George and Cecil separately to unwind. They all unknowingly find themselves together in one place and George will find Cecil in the company of sexy young girls.

Don’t miss “George and Cecil” this Sunday (Nov 22), after “Sharon,” on ABS-CBN.

Top rating primetime drama series “May Bukas Pa” starring child star Zaijian “Santino” Jaranilla won Best Drama Program and classic children’s show “Sineskwela” won Best Children’s Program.

ABS-CBN’s News and Current Affairs programs, on the other hand, were also on a roll as “TV Patrol World” won Best Newscast, “Umagang Kay Ganda” for Best Public Affairs Program, “The Correspondents” for Best Documentary Program, “Matanglawin” for Best Science and Technology Program, and “Salamat Dok” for Best Public Service Program.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN won Best Television Public Service Announcements for Universal Children’s Day “Taguan” and Best Television Station Promotional Material for its Branding Campaign. Its subsidiary Studio 23 bagged the Best Magazine Program award for its show “Us Girls” hosted by Angel Aquino, Chesca Garcia, and Iya Villania. ABS-CBN’s TV 7 Laoag also eared the Best Culture and Arts Program for the show “Pamulinawen”.

For radio categories, DZMM’s “7AM Radyo Patrol Balita” won Best Newscast; “Tambalang Failon at Sanchez” for Best Public Affairs Program, “Maalaala Mo Kaya sa DZMM” for Best Drama Program, “Sa Kabukiran” for Best Science and Technology Program, “Konsumer at Iba Pa” for Best Public Service Program, and DZMM’s One Hand campaign for Best Television Station Promotional Material.

DZMM anchors Ted Failon took home the Best Public Affairs Program Host; Carl Balita as Best Public Service Program Host, Winnie Cordero as Best Games/Variety Program Host and Angelo Palmones as Best Science and Technology Journalist. ABS-CBN’s regional AM station DYTC in Tacloban also bagged the Best Specials for MOR Local Vocal.

Both ABS-CBN and DZMM won Best TV and Best AM radio station last year at the award-giving body organized by the KBP, the country’s major broadcast organization that continuously pays tribute to the outstanding achievement, ingenuity and brilliant talent behind the best TV and Radio programs in the Philippine broadcast arena through the Golden Dove Awards.

Pinoy Big Brother Double UP Update: New Housemate Sam Catches the Eye of the PBB Boys while House A and House B face-off again.

New housemate Sam Pinto seems to be following “Pinoy Big Brother” season 1 housemate Sam Milby’s footsteps. The 19-year old model is a heartthrob in the making just days after she entered the PBB house with Rocky Salumbides.

Female Sam instantly attracted a lot of attention from House B boys Hermes and Rob. Hermes had his eyes glued on Sam since she entered the house while Rob seemed very interested about the young lady’s love life. Rocky, meanwhile, has begun to show his goofy and naughty side by joking around and telling stories to his housemates.

Sam and Rocky also got to see the people from House A as the face-off challenges continue between House A and B. This week’s task, called the “Skilling Bee,” aims to showcase the various skills of each group. The first team to win three games will bag the upcoming week’s budget and also get to cast an automatic nomination to one housemate from the losing house.

In the first face-off challenge called “It’s Showchoir,” judge Vice Ganda favored House B’s performance of the Tagalog version of “Insomia.” Vice said Melay and Jason made the rest of their housemates appear like back-up singers.

For the second challenge, the PBB house went Iron Chef-mode as the houses used their cooking skills to come up with an appetizer, main course, and dessert using the durian fruit.

House A faced a few bumps early in the challenge like when Jason committed a violation by prematurely taking off his blindfold when the boys were picking the vegetables. They also weren’t able to get meat for the dish they had to prepare.

Will Sam and Rocky help House B finally win the weekly task again? Stay tuned this week. Follow pbbsecretary on Twitter for latest updates. Join Mariel Rodriguez in “Uber” after “Banana Split Daily Servings,” Toni Gonzaga in “PBB Double Up on Primetime Bida” after Dahil May Isang Ikaw, and Bianca Gonzalez in “PBB Double Uplate” every after midnight.

This Thursday (Nov 19) on “I Survived,” join Ces Drilon as Albarracin remembers his near death experience, and how Castro played a remarkable role to get him away from danger.

Albarracin was aboard a truck driven by his intoxicated driver when another truck hit them, smashing their vehicle onto an MMDA pink fence. A part of the fence pierced his side, breaking his ribs and liver into pieces. Albarracin died for seven minutes in the hospital, but miraculously survived the gruesome ordeal.

Hear the rest of Michael’s story of survival on “I Survived” this Thursday (Nov 19), right after “Bandila” only on ABS-CBN.

Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita will be Roxanne Guinoo’s second primetime series on ABS-CBN after Natutulog Ba ang Diyos.

The 23-year-old Star Circle Quest alum was last seen in a supporting role to Maricel Soriano in Florinda. She was also Luis Manzano’s leading lady in the weekly fantaserye Flash Bomba.

Next year, Roxanne will be launched by ABS-CBN as the next big dramatic actress on primetime television. Roxanne will be reunited with her “Ligaw na Bulaklak” leading man Sid Lucero. Her other leading man in Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita is the talented heartthrob, Rayver Cruz.

“Maganda itong teleserye. Mamahalin talaga ng tao dahil sa kakaibang story. Kapag napanood na nila, doon nila makikita ang twist and all. Doon nila maa-appreciate ang character,” Roxanne said in an interview by Showbiz News Ngayon.

The primetime teleserye is directed by Chito Roño.

Roxanne will also be seen this Sunday in Your Song Presents: Sa Kanya Pa Rin which reunites her with ex-boyfriend Jake Cuenca.

The addition of the new housemates came after a series of unexpected exits in the program, which is now on its seventh week. JP Lagumbay and Princess left the Big Brother house voluntarily while JM Lagumbay, Kenny and Toffi Santos, Yhel, and Tom were forcibly evicted. Only Jimson and Delio came out the house through a regular eviction.

Rocky is a 29-year old international model who turned his back on fame for his current relationship with a woman he calls “Pag-ibig.” Sam on the other hand, is a teen head turner who for the first time will live away from the comfort of her family’s care.

With a teleserye-like life, Rocky came from a broken family and grew up inside the Villamor Airbase, where her mom was part of the football team. With no money, Rocky and his siblings would often feed on junk food to pass the day. To help out, he also took a variety of jobs like construction worker, balut vendor, bakal tingga boy, and forklift operator.

It was during PBB Celebrity Edition 1 when Rocky first auditioned, but then a great modeling opportunity in Singapore took him elsewhere.

Sam Pinto, on the other hand, came from a well-off family. Like Rocky, her parents also separated when she was young. Her father has another family now. Sam, who started modeling at ten years old, used to wish for her parents to be reunited but she soon realized she must get used to the idea that her parents are now living separate lives. Now that she has bloomed to a beautiful woman, she has become an in demand TV commercial model as well.

Sam and Rocky got a taste of Kuya’s tasks early when Big Brother asked them to return the clothes of the original House B members. However, they can only bring in the clothes that they can wear.

As the two get used to life inside the PBB house, this week’s nominees Rob, Yuri, Patria, and Carol now face uncertainty as one of them will get evicted this week. To save them, just text BB space NAME OF HOUSEMATE and send to 2331 for Globe, TM, Sun Cellular and Bayan Wireless subscribers, or 231 for Smart and Talk N’ Text Subscribers. You may also vote at www.pinoybigbrother.com.

Don’t miss this week’s exciting moments. Join Mariel Rodriguez in “Uber” after “Banana Split Daily Servings,” Toni Gonzaga in “PBB Double Up” after “Dahil May Isang Ikaw,” and Bianca Gonzalez in “PBB Double Uplate,” every after midnight.

Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa is the first ever Pinoy anime series which will bring inspiration and hope to its viewers.

“We are very proud of this project,” Business Unit Head Raymund Dizon shares, “Talagang masasabi naming pinoy na pinoy ito.”

The Kapamilya Network proudly presents this series which is complete with drama, action and fantasy as Budong and his friends embark on different exciting adventures for 13 weeks.

Tune in to the very first animation series made by Filipinos for Filipinos. Don’t miss Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa animation series starting November 22 (Sunday) on ABS-CBN!

Directed by Ray Gibraltar, and starring Rosanna Roces, Kristoffer Rhys Grabato, Sunshine Teodoro, Marisol Alquizar, and Raffy Tejada, Wanted Border is a “dark comedy” that follows lost people to look for refuge that eventually becomes a nightmare.

Rosanna Roces won the Best Actress award for her portrayal of a religious fanatic that owns a boarding house and eatery in Wanted: Border. She has a well-written speech prepared which she read after receiving her Cinema One Best Actress trophy. She recalled that she won her last acting award in the 1990s which was more than a decade ago.

Wanted: Border also bagged the awards for Best Production Design, Best Music, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay and Best Director for Ray Gibraltar.

Mikhel Campos (Click, Captain Barbell), delivered the upset of the night when he won the Best Actor award for his role as Papu, a loving boyfriend with a size-related problem in Maximus and Minimus. Mikhel bested the award-winning Baron Geisler who is also a lead star in Maximus and Minimus. In the said film, Mikhel had a number of masturbation scenes and he even showed his butt.

The children’s film Si Baning, Si Maymay at ang Asong si Lobo bagged the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards. Child actor Jan Harley Hicana took home the Best Supporting Actor trophy while Rio Locsin won her very first acting award in her decades-long career, the Best Supporting Actress in Cinema One 2009!

Here is the complete list of winners in the 2009 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival:

Audience Award (Viewers’ Choice):
Paano Ko Sasabihin

Best Production Design:
Al Alacapa, Winston Lazaro and Allan Hilado (Wanted: Border)

Best Music:
Malik Lopez and Eric Romulo (Wanted: Border)

Best Cinematography:
Ogie Sugatan (Wanted: Border)

Best Editing:
Anna Isabel Matutina (Paano Ko Sasabihin)

Best Screenplay:
Ray Gibraltar (Wanted: Border)

Best Supporting Actor:
Jan Harley Hicana (Si Baning Si Maymay at ang Asong si Bobo)

Best Supporting Actress:
Rio Locsin (Si Baning si Maymay at ang Asong si Bobo)

Best Actor:
Mikhel Campos (Maximus and Minimus)

Best Actress:
Rosanna Roces (Wanted: Border)

Best Director:
Ray Gibraltar (Wanted: Border)

Best Film:
Wanted: Border

Special Honorary Award:
Brillante Mendoza
Danny Zialcita

Special Mention:
Paano Ko Sasabihin

15 Cinema One Legends:

Fernando Poe Jr.
Susan Roces
Christopher de Leon
Nida Blanca
Maricel Soriano
Vilma Santos
Nora Aunor
Aga Muhlach
Sharon Cuneta
Judy Ann Santos
Piolo Pascual
Claudine Barretto
Robin Padilla
John Lloyd Cruz

The Board of Judges is comprised of 4-time grand slam winning actress and Star for All Seasons Gov. Vilma Santos, award-winning filmmaker Khavn dela Cruz, screenplay writer Armando Lao, ABS-CBN Creative Manager and award-winning writer Ricky Lee, Urian board member and UP Diliman Dean of the College of Mass Communication Rolando Tolentino.

The Cinema One Originals 2009 Awards Night was hosted by the producer-actress tandem of Piolo Pascual and Eugene Domingo. Stars who performed were Sam Milby, Nikki Gil, The Giggerboys, Bernie Ann and AJ Tabaldo.

Award presentors include KC Concepcion, Mark Gil, Tetchie Agbayani, Dimples Romana, Baron Geisler, Enchong Dee, Rosanna Roces, Anita Linda, Cherry Pie Picache, Dimples Romana, Ronnie Lazaro, Rio Locsin and Toni Gonzaga among others.

(More photos from the awards night to follow)