Aiko Melendez, lead actress of the advocacy film New Generation Heroes, to premiere tonight and screen at SM Malls cinemas starting October 4, will be the only mother to be escorted by her son, Andrei Yllana, her son with actor Jomari Yllana, in the much-anticipated 11th Star Magic Ball. The 25th year of Star Magic will be held at Makati Shangri-La Hotel tonight, September 30.
Aiko attended the New Generation Heroes press launch glowing in a black cocktail dress, having lost much weight. Perhaps she is also in high spirits because of her booming entertainment career, including a new full-length feature.
Aiko plays Emilia Ardiente Torillo in the hit ABS-CBN series Wildflower. She is the main female antagonist of the series, who ordered her bodyguard to rape Camia (Sunshine Cruz) and kill her. She has ordered the killing of almost every individual who has crossed her. She is feared by everyone except her father Julio (Tirso Cruz III), who constantly puts her down; and her son Arnaldo, who resents her because of her accusations about Ivy Aguas (Maja Salvador).
Emilia is a product of her family. She is corrupt to the core. Despite the fact that she is never taken seriously by all the men in her family, she is the only one who never trusted Ivy. She got trumped by Ivy, and is currently in jail waiting for a hearing date to be scheduled. Later in the show, it was revealed that Emilia was not Esmeralda's daughter, but from another woman. This woman remains unknown.
On the other hand, Aiko plays an overseas worker teaching in South Korea in New Generation Heroes, an advocacy film about values formation, rights to proper education, admiration of teachers and people who dedicate themselves to teaching. The MTRCB has classified it as Parental Guidance.
A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Education from St. Paul’s Manila, Joyce Pilarsky plays herself in the film. “Maganda iyong movie, kaya ko ito pinroduce. It’s about four different teachers at ‘yung experiences nila. I think, iyong mga manonood ay may matututuhan dito. It is something that you will always remember; it is something that they will treasure.”
Joyce is all praises for Aiko. “Ang galing niya, napakagaling niya. I really admire her a lot; she’s a very, very good actress. Nag-i-internalize lang siya, kaya na niyang umiyak agad, ang galing ni Aiko.”
As a new actress, Joyce was never intimidated by Aiko, who, in fact, helped with her acting. “Mabait kasi siya kaya hindi ka mai-intimidate sa kanya. Very supportive siya at mabait… and inalalayan niya ako sa movie. Si Aiko ang madalas kong kaeksena sa movie.”
Who is ballrooming with whom? Martin Nievera will host the much-anticipated 11th Star Magic Ball tonight.
Going solo. Piolo Pascual who usually attends with Shaina Magdayao, is going solo. He announced he will take over Star Magic “parenting” work after heads Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan and Mariole Alberto, who usually exit earlier than event’s end, have left.
Much–awaited pairings. Will John Lloyd Cruz escort new girlfriend Ellen Adarna?
Kim Chiu only had two dates in the Star Magic Ball history: Gerald Anderson, who is buzzed to be in a relationship with Bea Alonzo; and Xian Liam, who is rumored she had parted with. Who will it be this year?
Former Star Magic artists. Claudine Barretto, Heart Evangelista and Kristine Hermosa are set to reunite with their friends from ABS-CBN. Claudine was part of the fourth batch of Star Magic, Kristine the fifth batch, while Heart belongs to the ninth batch.
Complete with proposal. Julia Barretto was left speechless when her onscreen partner and rumored boyfriend Joshua Garcia hired a choir just to ask her out to this year's Star Magic Ball.
In a video uploaded on Facebook, Julia's face could be seen blushing red as the choir, whose members were holding cards that read "Will U Be My Date?" sang to her Ed Sheeran's Perfect.
Barretto was then surprised by Joshua, who emerged from behind with a bouquet of roses, prompting Julia to shyly bury her head in Joshua's chest.
Mccoy de Leon is the latest Kapamilya actor to come up with a gimmick to ask his date to go to the Star Magic Ball with him. The Good Son co-star surprised onscreen partner Elisse Joson with a "prom-posal" during the screening of a documentary for their magazine cover photo shoot. Mccoy popped the question while they were both onstage during the event. "Sabi ko lagi sa 'yo, I always got you, love love. Ayokong malungkot ka kaya may tanong sana ako," the young actor said before a banner with the message, "Will you be my date, my princess?" appeared in front of Elisse from across the stage. It took a few seconds before the surprised Joson answered, "Yes."
Iñigo Pascual surprised Maris Racal with a rose on national television to ask if she would be his date.
Rumored real-life couple Elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador were all over social media these past few days because of Elmo's creative proposal. The young matinee idol was filmed serenading Janella to the tune of Frank Sinatra's The Way You Look Tonight. Elmo also prepared a poem for his leading lady, which expressed his intent to ask her to the ball: "To waste this opportunity would be a pity. Princess, will you go to the ball with me?"
Edward Barber knelt and asked his on screen partner, Maymay Entrata, live on Magandang Buhay to be his date. Aside from this, he also gave Maymay a camera charm for her bracelet and, of course, the lucky girl couldn’t help but cry.
In Tonight With Boy Abunda, host Boy Abunda quizzed Pinoy Big Brother alum Marco Gallo if he had already asked his love team partner, Kisses Delavin, to the Star Magic Ball. What resulted was an impromptu public proposal in front of a live audience. "Kung sakali, papayagan mo (ba) akong maging partner mo sa Star Magic Ball?" asked Marco. "I just want to ask if he really wants me to," said Kisses. "Because for me, there's no problem. If he wants me to, then I will. Pero I want to make sure that he really wants me to. I don't want that it's just imposed," she continued. After a few moments, Kisses finally agreed to go with Marco to the ball: "I would give him a chance. Yes."
Bailey May likened fellow Pinoy Big Brother teen housemate Ylona Garcia to ice cream to convince her to go to with him.
"You're super sweet, just like your all-time favorite treat," Bailey told Ylona, who then uploaded their photo on her Instagram account, expressing her appreciation for Bailey's effort. "Awww! My favorite things from my favorite guy. Who could say no to this? I'd love to be your date," she captioned. He also posted their photo on his personal account, telling his followers that he succeeded in convincing her to go to the ball with him.
Constant partner. Sue Ramirez has no date, but will have Joao Constancia of Boyband PH as “constant date.”
Wait and see. JK Labajo is still dateless.
Unknown still are Pinoy Big Brother alummi Vivoree Esclito, Christian Morones, Miho Nishida and Heaven Peralejo.
GOOD FOR JOHN LLOYD’S SOUL. John Lloyd Cruz, who is an avid collector with a philosopical mindset, finally lets out his creative streak by joining award-winning contemporary artists in a newly launched exhibit in Makati. Working under his nickname Idan Cruz, the actor presented a collection of photographs and a video installation for “Ingress/Egress,” which will run at the Underground Gallery at the Makati Cinema Square until October 14.
Other featured artists include Carina Santos, Gail Vicente, Gary-Ross Pastrana, Gino Javier, Isabel Santos, Jed Escueta, Kaloy Olavides, Kawayan de Guia, Lena Cobangbang, Luigi Singson, Luis Antonio Santos, Maria Jeona Zoleta, MM Yu, Neo Maestro, Poklong Anading, Robert Langenegger and Romeo Lee.
SANTA CLAUS IS NOT COMING TO TOWN. With all gearing up for the holiday shopping season, the North American operations of Toys “R” Us filed for bankruptcy, becoming the latest victim in a retail industry rocked by online shopping and discount chains. The Chapter 11 filing is among the largest ever by a specialty retailer and casts doubt on the future of the company’s approximately 1,600 stores and 64,000 employees. The Philippine operations stay open until further notice.