51. Pauleen Luna

52. Mirriam Quiambao

53. Regine Velasquez

54. Gretchen Barretto

55. Sheena Halili

56. Carlene Aguilar

57. Alex Gonzaga

58. Jackie Rice

59. Isabel Oli

60. Lea Salonga

61. Yasmien Kurdi

62. Charlene Gonzalez

63. Karla Paula Henry

64. Jodi Sta. Maria

65. Bianca Manalo

66. Ehra Madrigal

67. Angel Aquino

68. Maxene Magalona

69. Carmina Villaroel

70. Yeng Constantino

71. Bianca King

72. Phoemela Barranda

73. Jennica Garcia

74. Diana Zubiri

75. Agot Isidro

76. Georgina Wilson

77. Denise Laurel

78. Donita Rose

79. Rica Peralejo

80. Kyla

81. Valerie Weignmann

82. Francine Prieto

83. Princess Ryan

84. Bernadette Sembrano

85. Bubbles Paraiso

86. Amanda Griffin

87. Maggie Wilson

88. Sandra Seifert

89. Rufa Mae Quinto

90. Jean Garcia

91. Sarah Meier

92. Bianca Roque

93. Pia Guanio

94. Teresa Herrera

95. Jo Ann Bitagcol

96. Krista Ranillo

97. RR Enriquez

98. Vicky Morales

99. Wendy Valdez

100. Janna Dominguez

100 Most Beautiful Pinays of 2009 – Nos. 51 to 100 originally appeared on Starmometer on September 23, 2009.

Although Rosalinda is Carla Abellana‘s first ever role on tv, she is supported by a powerhouse cast that will catapult her to be the next big star. Check out the characters of the Rosalinda Philippine version which is set to premiere tonight on GMA-7.

The Powerhouse Cast of Rosalinda:

Carla Abellana as Rosalinda Pérez

Geoff Eigenmann as Fernando Jose Altamirano

Katrina Halili as Fedra Pérez

Roderick Paulate as Florencio

Sheryl Cruz as Valeria Altamirano

Ariel Rivera as Alfredo del Castillo

Glydel Mercado as Soledad Romero

Gary Estrada as Javier Perez

Jessa Zaragosa as Evangelina

Yul Servo as Roberto

Sherilyn Reyes as Dulce

Sheena Halili as Becky

Marco Alcaraz as Anibal Pacheco

Ryza Cenon as Abril

Mike Tan as Rico

Mart Escudero as Beto Perez

Carlene Aguilar as Rodora

Gian Magdangal as Gerardo

Also included in the cast are Ayen Munji-Laurel as Berta Alvarez, Marky Lopez as Julio and Krystal Reyes as Lucy (Rosalinda’s younger sister).

The Philippine edition of Rosalinda is set to hit primetime beginning July 6, 2009.

These promotional photos courtesy of GMA.

The Powerhouse Cast of Rosalinda originally appeared on Starmometer on July 3, 2009.

Carlene is Miss Philippines Earth 2001 and Bb. Pilipinas-World 2005. She is one of the 10 finalists in Miss Earth 2001 and among the semi-finalists of Miss World 2005.

After her duties as a beauty queen, Carlene hit the entertainment headlines in 2007 when she got impregnated by kapuso actor Dennis Trillo.

This year, she joined GMA 7′s Celebrity Duets as her break through to showbiz. Her first movie is a cameo role in the MMFF entry Iskul Bukol 20 Years After.

At the start of 2009, Carlene graces the cover of FHM Philippines January issue. She will be seen next in the kapuso tv series “Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang” topbilled by Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.

Carlene Aguilar Takes the Showbiz Splash, Graces FHM January 2009 originally appeared on Starmometer on December 30, 2008.

“Let’s duet again,” announced the ever-affable Ogie Alcasid as he kicked off the press launch last August 20 at the GMA Network Center.

The veritable singer-songwriter then introduced the new celebrity contenders. They were asked to give each of their takes on entering this one-of-a-kind competition, and they gamely provided members of the press an amusing prelude on what to expect from the second season.

“Nabigla ata ako ng pagsagot [ng 'oo' sa pagsali]! Nakaka-nerbyos din pala rito. Anyway, I will try my best to entertain and, most of all, try my best to win the prize. Please give me your vote!” declared Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando.

The oft quotable supermodel-turned-actress Melanie Marquez declared, “It’s about time to give you one of my hidden talents. Talent pala! Bibigyan ko kayo ng magandang show. Magandang-magandang show!”

Her brother, actor-comedian and former mayor Joey Marquez is also vying for the top prize. “Actually I was [kind of] late. I was supposed to join Pinoy Idol kaya lang medyo na-late. It’s about time for me to prove to you that I can also sing. My motto will be: ‘Every text you make. Every breath you take. I’ll be watching you!”

Meanwhile, SiS chef-demonstrator and celebrity cook JL Cang, in his edgy manner, asserted, “Para sa akin parang hindi talaga contest ito. Ang importante sa akin maging masaya yung mga nanonood!”

Fashion designer JC Buendia, for his part, pronounced that he is destined to compete, “Bago po ako nag-’yes’ pumunta ho ako sa manghuhula. Sabi ng manghuhula kasi sa akin [my past life was that of a] theatrical geisha. [So, the manghuhula said]: ‘In order to go full circle you have to unleash the geisha in you!’ So ngayon pagbigyan nyo ako to go full circle.”

Another contender for this season’s Celebrity Duets is Filipino-Englishman professional football player named Phil Younghusband. He jokingly explained his situation, “Firstly do not be confused by the name. I’m not actually a husband; I’m still young but I’m not a husband yet. Who knows, maybe in the future?”

He added, “[Honestly], the only time I actually got to sing is in the shower. But I want to do this for enjoyment and I’m sure I’m gonna have fun with all of you.”

However, beauty and wellness guru Cory Quirino is determined to do well in the contest.

“May pangako ang mga babae dito sa competition — we will outlast the men!” She then added gushing, “Alam nyo? Meron akong pangarap. Kasi sabi nila pinapadala nila yung kopya ng kompetisyon kay Simon Cowell. I want to meet Simon, you know?”

Although she admitted to having stage fright right that moment, she stressed that she is “happy to be here!”

Capping the list of contestants is beauty queen Carlene Aguilar who also readily took part in the repartee.

“Basta maipa-pangako ko lang na hindi ako mangaaway dito!

“Mabait talaga ako and kakanta lang ako ng kakanta and sana ma-enjoy nyo yung show. I’m so thankful na part ako ng Celebrity Duets kasi dream ko talaga yung kumanta hindi [lang] po pagiging beauty queen, so fulfillment din ng dream ko,” affirmed the former Bb. Pilipinas World title holder.

This season, comprising the panel of judges are distinguished composer and musical director Danny Tan, renowned stage director Freddie Santos and Celebrity Duets season one Grand Champion Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

Asia’s Songbird, Ms. Regine Velasquez will also return as well to co-host this new season with Ogie. She was not present during the press conference because she was in Tagaytay to shoot Ako si Kim Samsoon. — Text by Erick Mataverde. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio.

Catch Celebrity Duets every Saturday starting August 23, right after Pinoy Records.

(GMA Press Release)

Celebrity Duets Season 2 originally appeared on Starmometer on August 22, 2008.