Via mb.com.ph
By Punch Liwanag

showbiz.nfo.ph

Hot celebrity Anne Curtis is hard at work preparing for the biggest show of her career. But with more than a week to go before her “No Other Concert” at Smart-Araneta, people are still talking about whether the “No Other Woman” star can rise up to the challenge of a solo concert, especially at such a big venue. All this doubting is rooted in the argument that performing in a concert is entirely different from singing in an album—this, despite the success of Curtis’ debut CD “Annebisyosa,” which saw her fulfilling her long time dream of cutting her own record.

But if there are unbelievers and people waiting on the wings to bash Curtis, there are those who are unwavering in their belief that she can handle, nay, pull-off her first ever solo concert. Indeed, if there is a perceived weakness in her talent in singing, there are other qualities that the feisty Curtis has in abundance.

Mike Rivera, head writer for Anne Curtis’s upcoming concert, observes that, “Everybody wants to have fun with Anne. She’s a performer and an honest one who knows what will entertain people even at her own expense.”

Rivera further noted, “Anne is self-effacing kaya napapamahal siya sa madla. ‘It-girl’ at fashionista siya pero sumasakay ng MRT and kumakain ng fishball.”

“She’s working hard,” added Rivera, who also said that at the onset of the concert planning, it was Anne who asked to be put through the wringer and for the team to think big when it comes to her production numbers.

“Anne is really going to go for it, as in ‘buwis-buhay’ na. She’s taking this seriously and is even taking time to learn new skills because she wants the Araneta audience to feel that her ‘No Other Concert’ show is worth the time and the ticket.”

Curtis is said to be in the middle of everything when it comes to preparing for the concert, from the songs down to the concept of her numbers. “She listens to the team and has inputs of her own and asks her friends who know her well kung ano ang magandang gawin. She also puts in long rehearsal hours with the dancers and the band and in attending long meetings to make sure that the show would be perfect.”

Careful not to give out too much info about the show’s content, Rivera shared that Curtis’ repertoire would naturally be current and pop. Besides the obvious singing, the feel would be “definitely party-like” and that the productions, he promises,” will be a visual delight.”

“Expect a lot of humor, too, because being a funny girl is one of Anne’s endearing traits,” he noted. The show will also be “hot and sexy, cute and funny and serious and dramatic to show off all the different facets of Anne.”

Rivera also imparted that “Anne Curtis as a celebrity, many women aspire to be like her. As a concert performer, many Pinay women find affinity with her. They give their best [when] faced with a challenge, they celebrate their imperfections because they are comfortable with who they are. I think that’s Anne, too – a performer who knows how to have fun. The whole creative team, headed by Director Rico Gutierrez, acknowledges that.”

Ultimately, do all of this warrant an Anne Curtis solo concert at the historic Big Dome?

“Everyone has what it takes to be a performer who can sing, dance and have fun with a big crowd.” Rivera answered. “Because Anne is Anne Curtis, she can jump right in and do a first concert at the Smart-Araneta right away. No other performer can do a concert like ‘Anne-bisyosa’ can!”

Does she believe then that Curtis can pull it off as a singer and performer?

Article from/owned by : mb.com.ph
By: Rowena Joy A. Sanchez
   

from viceganda.net

MANILA, Philippines – The year 2011 ended on a sad note for Vice Ganda as his beloved grandmother, whom he calls “Mamang,” passed away on Dec. 31.

Vice, who had a successful year with his hit shows and top box-office film “The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin,” tweeted at around 5:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, “Bye Mamang. Mahal na mahal kita. Dito ka lang sa puso ko hanggang magkasama tayo ulit.”

He followed the post with: “I lost my smile. I'll just find it again. Dnt know how. Dnt know when. But I will. Soon.”

“I bow my head. Close my eyes. Accept thy will. And give you thanks.”

The hit comedian, however, did not disclose the exact cause of his grandmother’s death. Her health, though, had gradually failed in the past few years. She suffered a severe stroke in 2009, and was confined in an intensive care unit last November.

Despite the loss, Vice managed to tell his more than 1.2 million Twitter followers, “Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Sa pagmamahal, suporta at pag-unawa. Happy New Year!”

The “Showtime” main judge emotionally talked about his “Mamang” in his interview on “The Buzz,” New Year’s Day. According to one of Vice’s tweets, the interview was taped “a few days ago.”