Face to Face, hosted by Amy Perez, is dubbed as the first talakserye on Philippine television. It is a pre-noontime talk show where Amy will play as moderator to her guests who have issues with one another and discuss their issues on national television.

Face to Face airs from Monday to Friday, 11:00 a.m., beginning on March 22, 2010.

Watch the trailer here:

Maricel Soriano will portray different characters in the said anthology in various genre every week from comedy to drama to horror.

On its pilot episode (March 22) directed by Soxie Topacio, Maricel stars in a comedy special where she plays the role of a balikbayan. She returns to the Philippines to get her daughter upon learning that her gay ex-husband is already dead. Together with her boyfriend (played by Carlos Morales), Maricel meets her ex-husband’s gay lover (Roderick Paulate) and engages in a funny dispute over the silliest things.

5 Star Specials The Diamond Star premieres on March 22, 2010, Monday, at 8:00 p.m.

Watch the trailer here:

24-year-old JC de Vera signed a non-exclusive contract with TV5 to become one of the rising network’s roster of talents. JC’s contract with GMA has expired last March 14. His manager, Annabelle Rama, who had a feud with GMA executive Wilma Galvante, took the opportunity to pull him out from the primetime series “Panday Kids” and transfer him to TV5.

TV5 formally presented JC de Vera as one of their new talents to the media last March 17 at Mario’s restaurant on Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

JC said becoming a ka-shake is such “a relief” since he’s in the middle of the feud between his manager Annabelle Rama and kapuso boss Wima Galvante. However, He is grateful to GMA 7 for molding his showbiz career in 6 years.

Award-winning dramatic actress Coney Reyes is the guest contestant on TV5’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Celebrity Edition this Saturday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m.

Coney is playing for Real LIFE foundation.

Starmometer posted an article last January 26 regarding the alleged transfer of Dolphy to the Ka-Shake network. The rumor was confirmed last February 1 via Nitz Miralles‘ column in Pilipino Star Ngayon followed by a report by Ricky Lo.

The King of Comedy was an exclusive star of ABS-CBN for almost 2 decades. He said he made the decision after meeting with TV5 executives last week. The Ka-Shake station promised to give him a sitcom with some of his children.

In an interview by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dolphy explains his decision to transfer:

“I think ABS-CBN felt bad about it. But I just wanted to work. I’ve been waiting for a job for the past 3 years,” he said. “I love ABS-CBN, but I need to move on. I’ll be working with TV5 in the meantime, but anytime ABS-CBN needs me, I’ll just be here.”

ABS-CBN, on the other hand, via their head of Corporate Communications Bong Osorio issued a short statement regarding the transfer:

The 81-year-old comedian assured ABS-CBN that he will remain open if ever the kapamilya network needs him. His contract with TV5 is non-exclusive, therefore, he can come back to ABS-CBN in the future.

Aside from Dolphy, the Diamond Star Maricel Soriano also signed a non-exclusive contract with TV5. The Queen of Philippine Movies Susan Roces and the Optimum Star Claudine Barretto, on the other hand, transferred to GMA-7.

Last January 26, Starmometer reported that the Comedy King–Dolphy–is 80% assured of leaving the kapamilya network to transfer to TV5. This morning, Nitz Miralles of Pilipino Star Ngayon divulged in her column that Dolphy’s plan to be a “Ka-shake” is now confirmed!

And it’s not only Dolphy who is transferring to Manny Pangilinan’s tv station. He is taking the Diamond Star with him–her daughter in “John en Marsha”–Maricel Soriano.

Maricel has no project with ABS-CBN since Florinda ended last October 2, 2009. She is supposed to star in “Nagai-Aida” (A Long Time Ago) together with Cesar Montano and Ai Ai delas Alas but kapamilya executives officialy shelved the project.

On the other hand, Dolphy’s last project on ABS-CBN was “Utoy” which production began in early 2008. It is a fantasy drama series which also stars Makisig Morales. Although the King of Comedy already finished shooting “Utoy”, there’s no definite date yet as to when it will be released.

In the “Ka-Shake” network, Maricel will have a drama anthology of her own while Dolphy will star in a sitcom.

According to a reliable source, TV5 is 80% assured to get the services of the Comedy King. But Dolphy will face an ethical dilemma if ever he decides to be a “kapangilinan.” Can he leave ABS-CBN, the network who named their theater after him?

There are also rumors that Eat Bulaga’s Michael V. and Allan K. are also being offered by TV5 a “transfer” package that is very hard to refuse. The said “package” was similar to what has been offered to Paolo Bediones who is now in the country’s no. 3 network.

PEP reported earlier that GMA-7 is working hard to get Ryan Agoncillo as the new host of Survivor Philippines since its original host, Paolo Bediones transferred to TV5. The kapuso network is also offering Ryan the meaty role of “Andrew” in the local adaptation of the top-rating koreanovela “Endless Love: Autumn in My Heart” which is topbilled by Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.

Aside from the two shows mentioned, GMA is also preparing a game show for Ryan and a weekly news and public affairs program. And if ever GMA decides to bring back Pinoy Idol, who will be the “better” host for the show than the first one to host the first version of the franchise and it’s still Ryan. All of these in exchange for Ryan leaving the top-rating talent show on TV5, Talentadong Pinoy, because he will be an exclusive kapuso talent if he accepts the offer.

It’s also interesting to note that it was GMA Network who discovered Ryan. The husband of Judy Ann Santos started his career on GMA’s morning show in the 90’s “Mornings @ GMA” and the youth-oriented program “Campus Video”. If ever he accepts the offer, it will be his comeback to the kapuso station.

The offer is very tempting but if Ryan will leave Talentadong Pinoy, lalabas naman siyang “walang utang na loob.” But here is our take: life is filled with choices and crossroads. In showbiz, the choice is always between career and the pinoy value of “utang na loob.” But guess what the brightest stars in the country have chosen in the past? Angel Locsin chose career than utang na loob. Kris Aquino, Boy Abunda, Anne Curtis, Toni Gozaga, Cristine Reyes, Lorna Tolentino, Paolo Bediones, Claudine Barretto, i can name more but i guess you get the point. Utang na loob will not bring food on the table so i guess more than 90% of those stars who transferred to another station have “career” on their minds.

This is crucial for Ryan. His decision might come from his principle as people perceive him as “ma-prinsipyo.” But then again, he could consider the fact that it was GMA who discovered him that’s why he’s in showbiz.

Luchi Cruz Valdez is now the head of TV5 News and Public Affairs division as part of the network’s revolutionizing plans now that it is led by renowned businessman Manny Pangilinan.

Luchi resigned from her position as the kapamilya network’s vice president for news production and current affairs last year following internal management conflict with her fellow network executives.

Prior to her post as ABS-CBN executive, Luchi was a top news executive at GMA-7. She transferred to ABS-CBN in 2002 while she was still in contract with the kapuso network. Right after her transfer, GMA sued her for breach of contract but she won the case in July last year. Four months after that, she was suspended by the big bosses of ABS-CBN after she reportedly fought intramural with one of her fellow executives at the radio/TV giant network.

Paolo is a homegrown talent of GMA Network. He started his career as a commercial model but the kapuso network discovered his talent in hosting that’s why his first television project was the late night program “Channel S” in 1995 on GMA. He also became one of the hosts of “Mornings @ GMA.” In 1999, he hosted the magazine show Extra! Extra! in which the groundbreaking “Extra Challenge” has evolved. Extra Challenge started the era of reality shows on Philippine television and it’s a consistent top-rater from beginning to end.

Paolo Bediones is perhaps best known for hosting Extra Challenge before but his name is now more connected with Survivor Philippines. He has also crossed-over to the field of acting via the films “Walang Kapalit” in 2003 and “Exodus” in 2005, and in the primetime series “Captain Barbell.”

It was weeks ago when Paolo became a guest judge in the TV5 program Talentadong Pinoy. It was perhaps Paolo’s first stint outside GMA (not to count Extra Challenge Reloaded on QTV of course). Who would have thought that this one time appearance outside the kapuso network would result to a major transfer.

According to reports, Paolo Bediones bade farewell with tears Thursday (yesterday) to all the executive producers of GMA that he has worked with. He is now an exclusive talent of TV5 and his managers will be Noel Ferrer and Jojie Dingcong.

After rejoicing for the transfer of Claudine Barretto and Bayani Agbayani on GMA, the kapuso network will surely feel a pinch in the heart with the transfer of Aliw Awards Hall of Fame awardee–Paolo Bediones–on TV5.

But that’s just reality tv at its best.

Hosted by Ryan Agoncillo, TV5’s talent program succumbed to the pilot episode of Bitoy’s Showwwtime last week. But this time around, Talentadong Pinoy returns with a vengeance by garnering a whopping 23.8% beating all rivals such as MMK (18.9%), Bitoy’s Showwwtime (17.5%), 24 Oras Special Edition (19%) and The Singing Bee (14.4%).

TOP 10 DAYTIME AND PRIMETIME PROGRAMS IN MEGA MANILA
(October 23 to 26, 2009; AGB Nielsen)

October 23, Friday

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 24.9%
2. Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit (GMA-7) – 18.2%
3. Tinik Sa Dibdib (GMA-7) – 17.7%
4. Daisy Siete: My Shuper Sweet Lover (GMA-7) – 16.5%
5. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 14.6%
6. Family Feud (GMA-7) – 14.5%
7. Last Romance (GMA-7) – 13.6%
8. Nagsimula Sa Puso (ABS-CBN) – 13.1%
9. Hunter X Hunter (GMA-7) – 12.4%
10. Somewhere In My Heart (ABS-CBN) – 11.2%

Primetime:

1. Darna (GMA-7) – 32.5%
2. 24 Oras (GMA-7) – 30.3%
3. Stairway To Heaven (GMA-7) – 28.9%
4. Dahil May Isang Ikaw (ABS-CBN) – 27.9%
5. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) – 26.4%
6. May Bukas Pa (ABS-CBN) – 26%
7. Lovers in Paris (ABS-CBN) – 25.9%
8. Rosalinda (GMA-7) – 25%
9. Pinoy Big Brother Double Up (ABS-CBN) – 24.1%
10. Survivor Philippines: Palau (GMA-7) – 21.9%

October 24, Saturday

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 23.8%
2. Wish Ko Lang (GMA-7) – 16.4%
3. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 15.5%
4. Cinema FPJ: Dito Sa Pitong Gatang (ABS-CBN) – 14.6%
5. Joey’s Quirky World (GMA-7) – 14.2%
6. Startalk (GMA-7) – 13.1%
7. Showtime (ABS-CBN) – 11.5%
8. Spongebob Squarepants (TV5) – 10.8%
9. Art Angel (GMA-7) – 10.1%
10. Batang Bibbo (GMA-7) – 9.6%

Primetime:

1. Talentadong Pinoy (TV5) – 23.8%
2. Pinoy Big Brother Double Up (ABS-CBN) – 20.3%
3. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA-7) – 19.4%
4. 24 Oras Special Edition (GMA-7) – 19%
5. Maalaala Mo Kaya (ABS-CBN) – 18.9%
6. Pinoy Records (GMA-7) – 17.9%
7. Bitoy’s ShoWWWtime (GMA-7) – 17.5%
8. Imbestigador (GMA-7) – 17.4%
9. TV Patrol Sabado (ABS-CBN) – 17%
10. Tiagong Akyat (ABS-CBN) – 16.7%

October 25, Sunday

Daytime:

1. ASAP ‘09 (ABS-CBN) – 14.6%
2. Matanglawin (ABS-CBN) – 12.5%
3. SOP (GMA-7) – 11.6%
4. Joey’s Quirky World (GMA-7) – 11.2%
5. Showbiz Central (GMA-7) – 10.9%
6. Your Song: Someone To Love (ABS-CBN) – 10.1%
7. The Buzz (ABS-CBN) – 9.3%
8. Team Galaxy (GMA-7) – 8.1%
9. Chess Master (GMA-7) – 7.9%
10. Kay Susan Tayo (GMA-7) – 7.8%

Primetime:

1. Kap’s Amazing Stories (GMA-7) – 24.7%
2. Mel & Joey (GMA-7) – 23.7%
3. Power of 10 (GMA-7) – 19.7%
4. Bandaoke (GMA-7) – 19.2%
5. Rated K (ABS-CBN) – 19.1%
6. Pinoy Big Brother Double Up (ABS-CBN) -18.7%
7. Sharon (ABS-CBN) – 16.7%
8. Show Me Da Manny (GMA-7) – 14.9%
9. Goin’ Bulilit (ABS-CBN) – 14.6%
10. George & Cecil (ABS-CBN) – 14.3%

October 26, Monday

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 24.2%
2. Family Feud (GMA-7) – 15.2%
3. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 15.1%
4. Daisy Siete: My Shuper Sweet Lover (GMA-7) – 14.2%
5. Tinik Sa Dibdib (GMA-7) – 13.9%
6. Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit (GMA-7) – 13.6%
7. Spongebob Squarepants (TV5) – 12.4%
8. Hunter X Hunter (GMA-7) / Last Romance (GMA-7) – 11.9%
9. Nagsimula Sa Puso (ABS-CBN) – 11.6%
10. Showtime (ABS-CBN) / Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin (ABS-CBN) – 10.4%

Primetime:

1. Darna (GMA-7) – 31.8%
2. 24 Oras (GMA-7) – 29.4%
3. Stairway To Heaven (GMA-7) – 28.9%
4. May Bukas Pa (ABS-CBN) – 28.6%
5. Lovers In Paris (ABS-CBN) – 27.4%
6. Dahil May Isang Ikaw (ABS-CBN) – 25.1%
7. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) – 24.9%
8. Rosalinda (GMA-7) – 23.7%
9. Survivor Philippines: Palau (GMA-7) – 21%
10. Pinoy Big Brother Double Up (ABS-CBN) – 20.9%

Source: AGB Nielsen Philippines via PEP

The Dingdong Dantes starrer was pitted to ABS-CBN’s Tayong Dalawa which garnered a slightly higher rating of 34.4 percent.

The best pilot episode of a GMA koreanovela remake is “Ako Si Kim Samsoon” which garnered 33.8% last June 30, 2008. Stairway to Heaven is just 0.3% behind.

The worst pilot episode of a GMA koreanovela remake is still “All About Eve” which registered 26.1% last March 9, 2009.

TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy, on the other hand, reclaimed the no. 1 position last Saturday night after it bowed to Kapuso Mo, Jessica Sojo the other week.

Show Me Da Manny dropped to no. 7 after topping the primetime race the other Sunday. Kap’s Amazing Stories reclaimed the no. 1 position.

TOP 10 DAYTIME AND PRIMETIME PROGRAMS IN MEGA MANILA
(September 11 to 14, 2009)

September 11, Friday

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 28.8%
2. Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin (GMA-7) – 28.3%
3. Ngayon at Kailanman (GMA-7) – 23.4%
4. Daisy Siete: Chacha Muchacha(GMA-7) – 20.2%
5. Hole In The Wall (GMA-7) – 17.9%
6. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 16%
7. Spongebob Squarepants (TV5) – 15%
8. Last Romance (GMA-7) – 14%
9. Kambal Sa Uma (ABS-CBN) – 13.8%
10. Game About Love (GMA-7) – 13.7%

Primetime:

1. Darna (GMA-7) – 39.5%
2. 24 Oras (GMA-7) – 35.6%
3. Adik Sa ‘Yo (GMA-7) – 34.1%
4. Rosalinda (GMA-7) – 34%
5. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) – 31.4%
6. Tayong Dalawa (ABS-CBN) – 31.3%
7. Dahil May Isang Ikaw (ABS-CBN) – 29.4%
8. May Bukas Pa (ABS-CBN) – 29.1%
9. Survivor Philippines: Palau (GMA-7) – 27.2%
10. Katorse (GMA-7) – 23.6%

September 12, Saturday

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 31.3%
2. Joey’s Quirky World (GMA-7) – 19.3%
3. Cinema FPJ: Kalibre .45 (ABS-CBN) – 18.1%
4. Black Jack (GMA-7) – 17.1%
5. Wish Ko Lang (GMA-7) – 16.9%
6. Spongebob Squarepants (TV5) – 16%
7. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 15.5%
8. Maynila (GMA-7) – 13.3%
9. Startalk (GMA-7) – 13%
10. Chess Master (GMA-7) – 12.3%

Primetime:

1. Talentadong Pinoy (TV5) – 29.9%
2. Imbestigador (GMA-7) / Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA-7) – 25.4%
3. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) – 23.4%
4. Maalaala Mo Kaya (ABS-CBN) – 21.3%
5. XXX (ABS-CBN) – 20.3%
6. Tiagong Akyat (ABS-CBN) -19.7%
7. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (TV5) – 19.3%
8. Pinoy Records (GMA-7) – 19.2%
9. Bitoy’s Funniest Videos (GMA-7) – 18.8%
10. Celebrity Duets (GMA-7) – 18.7%

September 13, Sunday

Daytime:

1. ASAP ‘09 (ABS-CBN) – 16.1%
2. SOP (GMA-7) – 14.9%
3. Team Galaxy (GMA-7) / The Buzz (ABS-CBN) – 14.2%
4. Showbiz Central (GMA-7) – 13.2%
5. Pokemon Specials (GMA-7) – 13.1%
6. Matanglawin (ABS-CBN) – 12.5%
7. Black Jack (GMA-7) – 12.2%
8. Joey’s Quirky World (GMA-7) / Dear Friend: Karibal (GMA-7) – 11.5%
9. Ryukendo (GMA-7) – 11.1%
10. Your Song Presents Babalik Kang Muli (ABS-CBN) – 10.3%

Primetime:

1. Kap’s Amazing Stories (GMA-7) – 24.9%
2. Rated K (ABS-CBN) – 24.3%
3. The Singing Bee (ABS-CBN) – 23.9%
4. Mel & Joey (GMA-7) – 23.7%
5. Power of 10 (GMA-7) – 20%
6. Goin’ Bulilit (ABS-CBN) – 19.4%
7. Show Me Da Manny (GMA-7) – 19.1%
8. All Star K (GMA-7) – 18.6%
9. Sharon (ABS-CBN) – 18.5%
10. George and Cecil (ABS-CBN) – 16.8%

September 14, Monday

Daytime:

1. Eat Bulaga! (GMA-7) – 28.5%
2. Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin (GMA-7) – 24.6%
3. Ngayon at Kailanman (GMA-7) – 21.9%
4. Daisy Siete: Chacha Muchacha (GMA-7) – 19.6%
5. Kambal Sa Uma (ABS-CBN) – 15.4%
6. Wowowee (ABS-CBN) – 13.1%
7. Hole In The Wall (GMA-7) – 13%
8. Pilipinas, Game KNB? (ABS-CBN) – 12.2%
9. Maria de Jesus: Anghel Sa Lansangan (ABS-CBN) – 11%
10. Last Romance (GMA-7) / Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin (ABS-CBN) – 10.2%

Primetime:

1. Darna (GMA-7) – 40.3%
2. 24 Oras (GMA-7) – 34.7%
3. Tayong Dalawa (ABS-CBN) – 34.4%
4. Stairway To Heaven (GMA-7) – 33.5%
5. Dahil May Isang Ikaw (ABS-CBN) – 32.6%
6. May Bukas Pa (ABS-CBN) – 30.4%
7. Rosalinda (GMA-7) – 29.5%
8. TV Patrol World (ABS-CBN) – 28.4%
9. Survivor Philippines: Palau (GMA-7) – 23.5%
10. Katorse (ABS-CBN) – 21.6%

Source: AGB Nielsen Philippines via PEP