For its Christmas and Fifth Anniversary episode, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho brought together eight presidential aspirants not only to talk about the 2010 elections but also to share their favorite Noche Buena recipes!

Watch Sen. Noynoy Aquino toss a home-made Caesar’s Salad with the help of his sister Pinky. He also talks about how the Aquino family will celebrate Christmas for the first time without their mother, former President Cory Aquino.

Sen. Richard Gordon, meanwhile, proves that he’s as good in grilling witnesses during senate hearings as he is in grilling burgers, a skill he learned growing up in the kitchen of his mother’s restaurant.

Former Department of National Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, on the other hand, exhibits his topnotch cooking skills for his Chicken Pricasso recipe. A self-confessed late bloomer, Gibo honed his culinary skills while living alone to study in Harvard.

Fiery Sen. Jamby Madrigal shows off her Bicolano roots with her vegetarian version of Laing and Baked Mangoes.

With hard work and perseverance as his secret ingredients, Sen. Manny Villar gets his hands dirty in making Embutido, a Noche Buena recipe he learned from his mother.

For the youngest Presidential candidate, Olongapo City Councilor JC delos Reyes, politics not only runs in his blood but cooking as well. The youthful candidate whips up Roasted Porkloin with Parmessan Crust with Tomato Basil Pasta, a Brazilian-Italian recipe from his wife.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s favorite dish, Baked Stuffed Bangus, meanwhile, harks back to the time when he grew up tending his parents’ bangus fishpens in Bocaue and Quezon. And just like how the bangus struggles to swim upstream, Bro. Eddie is determined to go against the traditional flow of politics with his campaign for the presidency.

And true to form, Environmentalist Nicky Perlas makes a Mixed Greens Salad and Pesto Rice, revealing how going organic is vital in protecting our environment.

Find out more mouth-watering stories in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’s fifth anniversary special this Saturday night, December 19.

Last year, we gave you the 8 Hottest Stars of 2008. Now, Starmometer presents the “9 Surprise Hits of 2009.”

Actually we have a shortlist of 14 celebrities/shows that were surprise hits in the local entertainment industry this year but we picked those who impacted the world of showbiz (and politics) the most and trimmed them down to 9.

In no particular order, here’s our 9 SURPRISE HITS OF 2009:

ZAIJAN JARANILLA – This new child actor surprised everyone after his teleserye May Bukas Pa became the no. 1 tv program of 2009. Zaijan has a lot of promise that’s why he keeps on receiving awards left and right. Salamat kay Bro of course who gave him the talent and use it for God’s glory!

EUGENE DOMINGO – The ever-talented comedienne Eugene “Uge” Domingo was launched this year on her first starring role in a comedy film under newbie producers which include the ultimate heartthrob Piolo Pascual. Her film, Kimmy Dora, was a box-office hit giving Eugene the tag as “the next comedy queen.”

MARICAR REYES – This model-turned-actress became a household name after the Hayden Kho sex video scandal exploded earlier this year. The setback did not hinder Maricar and it even became a stepping stone for her career as she has now appeared on various teleserye on ABS-CBN. Her performances in Maalaala Mo Kaya, Lovers in Paris, Your Song and Precious Hearts Romances made the critics noticed her acting prowess.

TALENTADONG PINOY – Who would have thought that this talent competition on TV5 trumped its rivals from the two giant networks? It even started the “talent” show craze making both GMA and ABS-CBN come up with their own similar programs. Until now, Talentadong Pinoy is topping the Mega Manila TV ratings and their claim as the no. 1 talent show ng bayan is unquestionable. Kudos to its award-winning host Ryan Agoncillo!

VALERIE CONCEPCION – Who would have thought that one of the most irritating hosts on television could win the PMPC Best Female TV Host for two years in a row! Siguro kanya kanyang taste lang yan. Pardon my term but i find her hosting unpleasant to the ears and i kinda prefer Toni Gonzaga or Pia Guanio to win this award but hey, the judges saw something in her so there’s nothing we can do but to congratulate her. I think it’s her “mass appeal” that worked for her.

NOYNOY AQUINO – From out of nowhere, Noynoy is now the front-runner among the presidentiables come 2010 elections. Thanks to his ever-vigilant sister, Kris Aquino, who manages his candidacy to be the next President of the Republic. But of course, we should not forget that Noynoy’s biggest asset why the public loves him is his squeaky clean image as he hasn’t been linked to any graft and corruption rumors whatsoever.

CARLA ABELLANA – One of the biggest surprise of the year is this daughter of veteran actor Rey PJ Abellana. Catapulted to fame by landing the lead role in GMA’s Rosalinda, Carla has also landed several endorsement deals and she’s only starting in showbiz!

ERICH GONZALES – Erich was launched in her very first teleserye “Katorse.” The premiere of the series was delayed in months that’s why some of the cast became skeptical if the show will run or get shelved. Surprisingly, ABS-CBN put the show on primetime rather than daytime block and it’s a hit nationwide! This notable achievement makes Erich in the running for the kapamilya network’s drama princess!

CRISTINE REYES – Everyone was expecting Angel Locsin to top FHM’s Sexiest Women in the World for 2009 because the “Lobo” star has the biggest and most active fanbase that could dominate the poll. In the end, Angel ended up in third place, Marian Rivera in second and Cristine Reyes as the Sexiest Woman of 2009. We have no complaints as Cristine is very very sexy indeed!

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

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.

Noynoy Aquino is running for president in 2010 and Kris and company are very vocal about their interest to get Dingdong as Noynoy’s endorser because they admire the actor’s image. Dingdong Dantes was also very vocal of his admiration to the idealism of the late Ninoy Aquino and he even serves as one of the endorsers of the “I Am Ninoy” advocacy campaign.

Dingdong Dantes and Kris Aquino are set to meet talk about the matter after Kris and family return from their vacation in Hawaii on September 21. There is a big possibility that Dingdong Dantes will accept the offer.