The “Noynoy anthem” music video was brilliantly directed by Onat Diaz with an all star cast including both Kapamilya and Kapuso talents such as Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, Boy Abunda, Ogie Alcasid, Bea Alonzo, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Aiai delas Alas, Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzales, Erik Santos, James Yap with other PBA Players and more. Asia’s Songbird Regine Velazquez sang the Noynoy anthem while her partner, Ogie Alcasid, composed the song.

VIDEO LINK: “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa” – A Love Offering for Senator Noynoy Aquino

The original Mars Ravelo comics classic, has been soaring heights since its premiere. The viewers’ interest in Darna’s electrifying story has been translated into high TV ratings.

Based on data from AGB Nielsen Philippines, Darna posted an average household rating of 35.1% from September 1 to October 16 in Mega Manila while its competition logged an average of 26.9% for the same period.

Darna’s success is not only due to its powerhouse cast led by Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, multi-awarded actor-director Eddie Garcia, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Iwa Moto and others, but also because the action-packed and emotionally-gripping scenes have appealed to viewers of all ages.

In the story, Darna has overpowered the supervillains who wrecked havoc in their town – Babaeng Impakta (Nadine Samonte), Babaeng Lawin (Ehra Madrigal) and Babaeng Tuod (Francine Prieto).

It can be recalled that Darna was about to kill the evil Impi (Mura) when the latter’s twin sister Roma a.k.a. Babaeng Impakta jumped from the church tower to end her life. Roma’s body was buried but Impi’s was seized by Dr. Morgan (Ricky Davao) for experimentation.

Then, Armida a.k.a Babaeng Lawin arrived and attacked people. She wanted to get even with her brother, Father Mateo (Eddie Garcia), the town’s parish priest. During her fight with Darna, Babaeng Lawin accidentally hit herself with her own feather blades. But instead of expressing gratitude for once again saving the town, Darna was condemned by Father Mateo and his supporters for killing Babaeng Lawin. This caused the young superheroine to feel reluctant in her mission to save the world.

But when Babaeng Tuod (Francine Prieto) came in to sow terror and asked for Darna, Narda decided to save the world again. To destroy the giant driftwood, Darna set Babaeng Tuod on fire and threw her in a volcano.

Unknown to Darna, Babaeng Tuod did not die, but rather changed to her human form named Lucifera. She went to the orphanage where Narda lives. Impi, meanwhile, managed to escape the laboratory and went back to the orphanage to kill Narda.

More thrilling action and suspense await viewers in the coming episodes because more than the supervillains, Darna will be facing Kobra (Paolo Contis) and his evil children – Valentina (Iwa Moto), Serpentina (Sabrina Man) and Zandro (also played by Paolo Contis).

Darna airs weeknights after 24 Oras on GMA Telebabad.

In the September 9-13, 2009 report of Box Office Mojo, Eugene Domingo’s “Kimmy Dora” is soaring at no. 1 with a two-week gross of P50.58 million besting debuting Hollywood movies such as The Grudge 3 (#3), Gamer (#5), I Love You Beth Cooper (#6) and Management (#8).

The Marian Rivera and Dennis Trillo starrer is running in its 3rd week that time and it placed 16th in the list of 22 movies. Its reported total in Mega Manila is US$375,221.00 or P18,138.183.14. If we are to include provincial theaters, the film could have grossed an approximate P23 million nationwide which is still a box office flop.

Here is the screencap from Box Office Mojo site (click to enlarge):

Nieves is a spin-off from the Regal Films’ Metro Manila Filmfest entry “Shake, Rattle and Roll X” which was shown last year. It is supposed to be one of this year’s MMFF entry under the title “Nieves: The Engkanto Slayer” together with two other Regal Films movies Mano Po 6: My Mother starring Sharon Cuneta and Shake, Rattle and Roll XI starring Ruffa Gutierrez among others.

Speculations that “Nieves” has been shelved started when PEP tweeted this morning that the project will not push through. According to PEP’s scoopbox:

Hindi na matutuloy ang film project ni Marian Rivera with Regal, ang Nieves. Health reason daw on the part of the director ang rason.

Mike Tuviera is the director of Nieves and the filming of the said movie was supposed to start this week but based from the report, health reasons on the part of the director was the reason why it’s being shelved.

The marketing department of Regal Films, on the other hand, did not confirm if Nieves was indeed shelved nor cancelled. They only said that the film is currently on hold. They are still in the process of deliberating if Nieves will make it in the 35th Metro Manila Film Festival or be screened in a later date.

Starmometer also asked Regal Films how much did Tarot (Marian Rivera’s recent movie) earned at the box office. Cheska, from Regal’s marketing department, said they are not allowed to divulge the box office gross of any of their movies.

Nieves: The Engkanto Slayer is a co-production of Regal Films and APT Entertainment.

In the daytime race, Eat Bulaga! still dominated Mega Manila’s viewership. Sunshine Dizon’s “Tinik sa Dibdib” captured the 2nd spot last Tuesday and Wednesday. But on Thursday, “Hole in the Wall” surprisingly took the second position.

ABS-CBN’s “Lovers in Paris,” on the other hand, is stronger in Mega Manila than in nationwide tv ratings. It’s the top-rating ABS-CBN program in Mega Manila last Tuesday and Thursday.

TOP 10 DAYTIME AND PRIMETIME PROGRAMS IN MEGA MANILA
(Oct. 6 to 8, 2009; AGB Nielsen)

October 6, Tuesday

Daytime:

Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 19%
Tinik Sa Dibdib (GMA-7) – 15.3%
Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit (GMA-7) – 13.9%
Last Romance (GMA-7) – 12.2%
Daisy Siete: Chacha Muchacha (GMA-7) – 11.6%
Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 11.3%
Kambal Sa Uma (ABS-CBN) – 10.6%
Banana Split Daily Servings (ABS-CBN) – 10.2%
Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin (ABS-CBN) / Hole In The Wall (GMA-7) – 10.2%
Hunter X Hunter (GMA-7) – 9.6%

Primetime:

Darna (GMA-7) – 31.8%
Stairway To Heaven (GMA-7) – 27.7%
24 Oras (GMA-7) – 26.9%
Rosalinda (GMA-7) – 24.1%
Survivor Philippines: Palau (GMA-7) – 23.5%
Lovers In Paris (ABS-CBN) – 23%
TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) / Dahil May Isang Ikaw (ABS-CBN) – 22%
May Bukas Pa (ABS-CBN) – 20.7%
Pinoy Big Brother Double Up (ABS-CBN) – 19.8%
Katorse (ABS-CBN) – 19.4%

October 7, Wednesday

Daytime:

Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 18.9%
Tinik Sa Dibdib (GMA-7) – 13.1%
Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin (ABS-CBN) – 12.9%
Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 12.6%
Kambal Sa Uma (ABS-CBN) – 12.1%
Last Romance (GMA-7) – 11.8%
Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit (GMA-7) – 11.5%
Daisy Siete: Chacha Muchacha (GMA-7) – 11.3%
Hunter X Hunter (GMA-7) – 10.9%
Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) – 10.8%

Primetime:

Darna (GMA-7) – 31.5%
24 Oras (GMA-7) – 26.9%
Stairway To Heaven (GMA-7) – 24.2%
TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) – 24%
Lovers In Paris (ABS-CBN) – 22.3%
Rosalinda (GMA-7) – 22.2%
Survivor Philippines: Palau (GMA-7) – 21.7%
May Bukas Pa (ABS-CBN) – 20.7%
Dahil May Isang Ikaw (ABS-CBN) – 20.6%
Shining Inheritance (GMA-7)) – 19.6%

October 8, Thursday

Daytime:

Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 21.6%
Hole In The Wall (GMA-7) – 14.5%
Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit (GMA-7) – 14.1%
Kambal Sa Uma (ABS-CBN) – 14%
Daisy Siete: Chacha Muchacha (GMA-7) – 13.5%
Tinik Sa Dibdib (GMA-7) – 12.7%
Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 12.5%
Last Romance (GMA-7) – 12.1%
Banana Split Daily Servings (ABS-CBN) – 11.7%
Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin (ABS-CBN) – 11.2%

Primetime:

Darna (GMA-7) – 30.7%
24 Oras (GMA-7) – 29.3%
Stairway To Heaven (GMA-7) – 27.2%
TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) – 25.6%
Lovers In Paris (ABS-CBN) – 23.5%
May Bukas Pa (ABS-CBN) – 23.4%
Rosalinda (GMA-7) – 23.2%
Dahil May Isang Ikaw (ABS-CBN) – 21.8%
Survivor Philippines: Palau (GMA-7) / Ikaw Sana (GMA-7) – 21.1%
Katorse (ABS-CBN) – 19.7%

Source: AGB Nielsen Philippines via PEP

Statement is the newest player in the magazine publishing industry in the country. It’s maiden issue was released last June with beauty queen Priscilla Mereilles on the cover.

Dubbed as “Styled to Stand Out”, Statement features “edgy” trends in the local fashion industry.

Statement’s featured covergirl in their 3rd issue (September-October 2009) is none other than GMA-7 superstar Marian Rivera. The photoshoot is dubbed as “The Tough One” featuring the Darna star wearing a white t-shirt with the phrase “Marian Who?” printed in bold fonts.

The pictorial, including impressive shots of Marian inside, was photographed by Doc Marlon Pecjo, styling by Rachelle Lisbeth So and make up by Krist Bansuelo.

The magazine is now available in leading bookstores and selected magazine outlets nationwide.

Here are the two previous issues of Statement Magazine:

Statement June 2009 issue:

Statement July-August 2009 issue:

Images courtesy of Statement Magazine.

It’s not the amount of money that counts but the genuine concern to help people that matters. Nevertheless, it’s interesting to note how big stars get big amounts from their talent fees to donate to the typhoon victims.

Typhoon Ondoy brought havoc in Mega Manila last Saturday leaving thousands homeless because of the worst flood that it caused.

Both ABS-CBN and GMA-7 held a telethon to raise funds for the typhoon victims. A number of stars volunteered for the two telethons in their gesture to lend a helping hand.

According to reports, the current Darna star Marian Rivera has donated P100,000 to the Kapuso Foundation yesterday for the typhoon Ondoy victims.

On the other hand, the former Darna star Angel Locsin has donated a whopping P500,000.00 for the typhoon victims. And since she is not busy with a tv or movie project at the moment, Angel reportedly roved the streets of the Metro to personally ask for more donations for the typhoon victims.

The two Darna stars have proven that they are not only heroes on the tv screen but also heroes in real life. Regardless of the amount that they have donated, the two stars truly shown a gesture of concern to the people who admires them, specially the “masa”, and that’s the more important thing.

Kris Aquino is planning to get the top stars of both GMA and ABS-CBN to endorse the presidential bid of his brother Noynoy Aquino.

Marian’s manager Popoy Caritativo is a close friend of Kris Aquino for 11 years. Kris asked Popoy if there is a possibility for Marian Rivera to support Noynoy. Popoy said that Marian brought up the idea beforehand and confirmed that the Darna star is very willing to support Noynoy.

It’s interesting to note that last year, Marian Rivera expressed her gratitude to Kris Aquino after the latter declared in her showbiz talk show “The Buzz” that Marian is the hottest star of 2008. Kris has also defended Marian in some controversies that the top GMA star experienced before the year ended.

Perhaps this is Marian Rivera’s way of giving back the favor. But the Darna star clarified that she’s doing this not just for Kris.

“Hindi lang dahil kay Ate Kris kaya ko ginagawa ito. Dahil din ito sa nanay niya [former President Cory Aquino]. Kasi naniniwala talaga kami kay Cory,” Marian said.

According to Popoy, Marian Rivera turned down the offers of 2 presidential bets already because she is already committed to Kris’ brother.

Network war is happening once again in the season of the hearts come 2010 with a Dingdong-Marian starrer from GMA and John Lloyd-Bea starrer from Star Cinema.

The network war during Valentines season started in 2005 when GMA Films released “Let the Love Begin” starring Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin, and Star Cinema released “Dreamboy” starring Piolo Pascual and Bea Alonzo. It happened every year since then.

In 2008, the rival networks did not share the same playdate. GMA Films and Regal’s “My Bestfriend’s Girlfriend” starring Marian Rivera and Richard Gutierrez was shown in the earlier part of February. Star Cinema’s “My Big Love” starring Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby occupied the later part of February.

The drill continued in the Valentines season this year when GMA Films/Regal released “When I Met U” starring Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion. It was shown on the earlier part of February while Star Cinema released in the latter part of the same month, the box-office smash hit “You Changed My Life” starring Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz.

In 2010, the king of Valentine movies Richard Gutierrez was supposed to have another offering with “Maybe This Time” reuniting him with former girlfriend Anne Curtis. But GMA seems to have another plan. Dingdong Dantes told the media that he and Marian Rivera is doing a romantic movie set for Valentines 2010.

Star Cinema, on the other hand, is also doing a romantic film for Valentines season. Box-office king John Lloyd Cruz will be reunited with Bea Alonzo in the said film.

If plans push through, this could be the scenario come February 2010. So which team are you in?

This is Dingdong and Marian’s third tv commercial together after San Mig Light and Gran Matador Brandy.

VIDEO LINK: Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera San Marino Corned Tuna TV Commercial

Previous stars who were featured on the cover of Women’s Health Philippines include KC Concepcion, Heart Evangelista, Lucy Torres-Gomez and Iza Calzado.

Special thanks to Dongyanatics for the scanned image.