Xian Lim, Bangs Garcia in MMK Valentine Special (February 15)

Hunk actor Xian Lim and Bangs Garcia will star in the Valentine special of ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya” this Saturday (February 15). Xian will play the role of Maynard, the playboy who captures the heart of Zandrae (Bangs), a girl who grew up with a lot of insecurities due to her dark skin tone and unsupportive family.

Feeling loved and valued by Maynard, Zandrae will let her world around him. What will Zandrae do when she discovers that the guy she loves is just playing with her? 

Also part of the upcoming “MMK” episode are Nadia Montenegro, Joyce So, David Chua, Louella de Cordova, Justin Gonzales, Ben Isaac, Deniesse Aguilar, Hannah Flores, Helga Krapf and Kazel Kinouchi. The Garry Fernando-directed episode is written by Benson Logronio and Arah Jell Badayos, and researched by Akeem del Rosario. 

“MMK” is led by business unit head Malou Santos, production manager Roda Dela Cerna, and executive producer Lindsay Anne Dizon. Don’t miss the Valentine special of “MMK” this Saturday (February 15) after “Wansapanataym” on ABS-CBN.

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Maria Mercedes Premieres October 7 on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida

The highly-anticipated local adaptation of the worldwide hit Mexican telenovela that captivated the hearts of many Filipino viewers is set to conquer Philippine television once more beginning Monday (Oct 7) when ABS-CBN premieres “Maria Mercedes” on Primetime Bida. 

Filling in the shoes of Mexican Superstar Thalia, who first played the role of Maria Mercedes, is one of Philippine TV’s prettiest faces today and ABS-CBN’s newest primetime princess, Jessy Mendiola. She will portray the iconic role of Mercedes opposite leading men Jake Cuenca as Luis and Jason Abalos as Clavio.

Video: “Maria Mercedes” Full Trailer

“The Pinay Maria Mercedes will surely make Filipinos laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again with her colorful story,” said Jessy. “Viewers will get to relate to the story even more as we highlight true Filipino values especially our unconditional love for our family.”

Follow the bittersweet story of Mercedes as she faces life’s stuggles and experiences falling in love for the first time.

From a simple life in the province, Mercedes, together with her father and siblings, will move to Manila to move on from the pain caused by her mother. But things wouldn’t go as planned when her father suddenly died and Mercedes was left with no choice but to take on the responsibility of raising her younger brother and sister at her very young age.

As time passed, Mercedes learned her way living in the metro and was able to provide for siblings Rosario (Devon Seron) and Andres (Yogo Singh) by juggling different but decent jobs alongside her childhood friend Clavio (Jason Abalos).

But her world will take a different turn once her heart starts to beat for the handsome and rich businessman Luis Sancuevas (Jake Cuenca). How will Mercedes deal with her feelings for Luis? Who will go against their budding love? How will fate turn things around as Santiago (Ariel Rivera) enters Mercedes’ life?

Also included in the cast of “Maria Mercedes” are Vina Morales, Dominic Ochoa, Nikki Gil, Vivian Velez, Nadia Montenegro, Atoy Co, Erika Padilla, Marx Topacio, Alex Castro, and Isabelle De Leon.

“Maria Mercedes,” directed by Chito Rono, is one of ABS-CBN’s offerings in celebration of the 60th year of Philippine television. The original “Maria Mercedes” aired on ABS-CBN in 1996 and it is considered to be one of the most successful telenovelas in Phillipine TV history. The soon-to-air remake is the only localized version endorsed by Thalia herself among other Thalia-serye adaptations previously aired on Philippine television.

Don’t miss the premiere of “Maria Mercedes” beginning Monday (Oct 7) on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida. For updates, follow @MariaMercedesPH on Twitter and like www.facebook.com/MariaMercedesOfficial on Facebook. Tweet your thoughts about the show using the hashtag #MariaMercedes.

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Maria Mercedes Full Trailer (Video) | Premieres October 7 on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida

Check out the full trailer of Maria Mercedes, ABS-CBN's newest teleserye topbilled by the sexy Jessy Mendiola, Jason Abalos and Jake Cuenca. The show is the last to be remade in the 'Marias' telenovela trilogy starring Thalia.

Also starring Vina Morales, Dominic Ochoa, Nadia Montenegro, Nikki Gil, Ariel Rivera, Devon Seron, Yogo Singh and Vivian Velez, and directed by Chito Roño and Rechie del Carmen, Maria Mercedes will premiere October 7 on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

Here's the full trailer of Maria Mercedes ABS-CBN remake. Also check out the hot music video of the teleserye theme song performed by Maria herself, Jessy Mendiola. 

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Jessy Mendiola 'Maria Mercedes' Hot Music Video

Check out the music video of Maria Mercedes, the theme song of ABS-CBN's newest teleserye starring Jessy Mendiola, Jake Cuenca and Jason Abalos.

Maria Mercedes is the very first of the 'Marias' telenovela trilogy starring Mexican superstar Thalia. The ABS-CBN Pinoy remake will feature the sexy and sultry Jessy, who had the approval of Thalia to play the title role.

Also starring Vina Morales, Dominic Ochoa, Nadia Montenegro, Nikki Gil, Ariel Rivera, Devon Seron, Yogo Singh and Vivian Velez, and directed by Rechie del Carmen, Maria Mercedes will premiere soon on ABS-CBN.

Watch the music video of Maria Mercedes sung by Jessy Mendiola herself, featuring scenes from the soap.

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Jessy Mendiola is Maria Mercedes; Sings Her Own Teleserye Theme Song

Actress Jessy Mendiola has been formally introduced as the new Maria Mercedes. Jessy is set to reprise the role of Maria Mercedes played by Mexican superstar Thalia back in the 90s in a new ABS-CBN teleserye premiering soon.

"Pwede ko na sabihin, ang tagal kong itinago ito—ako si Maria Mercedes," Jessy Mendiola said in a solo press conference on Wednesday. 

"Isa talaga si Maria Mercedes sa dream roles ko kaya excited ako para sa project na ito. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ako makapaniwala na gagampanan ko ang isang napakaganda at iconic character na talaga namang minahal ng maraming Filipino," she added.

Jessy said she became emotional when the role was offered to her, most especially when the network let her sing the theme song of the series.

"Sobra akong surprised kaya noong nalaman ko na ako si Maria Mercedes, naging emosyonal ako. Pangarap kong maging siya. Tapos pinakanta pa sa akin 'yung theme song. Ang saya ko na pinagkakatiwalaan pa din ako ngayon," she added.

Directed by Rechie del Carmen, Maria Mercedes Pinoy remake will also star Jake Cuenca, Jason Abalos, Vina Morales, Dominic Ochoa, Nadia Montenegro and Vivian Velez. 

Aside from Maria Mercedes, Jessy can expect bigger things ahead. Just recently, Star Cinema also announced that Jessy is set to do a movie with John Lloyd Cruz, Richard Gomez, and Dawn Zulueta (read story here).

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Annabelle Rama and Nadia Montenegro Reconcile

Talent manager Annabelle Rama and Nadia Montengro has finally reconciled on Wednesday (June 5) after a year of dispute that made national headlines.

Annabelle and Nadia finally end rift (Photo: ABS-CBN News)

According to ABS-CBN News, Annabelle and Nadia were emotional during a closed-door dispute resolution held at the residence of San Juan judge Marianito Santos. The two said sorry to each other and agreed to sign a compromise agreement which includes formal dropping of charges each filed in different courts.

Nadia Montenegro and Annabelle Rama's dispute started when Annabelle, the manager of Nadia's daughters, Alyanna and Annika Asistio allegedly made the two work more than the recommended hours, sometimes requiring them to miss school. It led to a serious child abuse case which was later dismissed.

Annabelle Rama talked about the "unexpected" reconciliation between her and Nadia in a series of posts on micro-blogging site Twitter.

"I didn't expect anything kung anong mangyayari sa aming pagkikita ni Nadia. Pareho kaming good mood at niyakap nya ako at sumunod naman si Ynna and Alyanna. Siyempre lumambot ang puso ko ganun lang kabilis," she said.

"Nag-lunch kami at napag-usapan namin ang tungkol sa case, parang walang nangyari at back to normal ang kwentuhan. Nag-sorry siya nag-sorry din ako at doon natapos ang almost 1 year naming mala-telenobelang tampuhan," Anabelle added.

Meanwhile, Nadia also posted a Twitter message referring to the reconciliation that happened. "Forgiveness frees me fr all my burdens and battles! 1 lesson i will never forget! God is good! Trust n believe in God's perfect timing!" she said without mentioning Annabelle.

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Annabelle Rama!

Annabelle Rama has been issued a warrant of arrest, June 11 by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 92 Judge Eleuterio Bathan. The arrest warrant was ordered out of Annabelle Rama's failure to attend the court hearings involving the 14 counts of libel filed by Nadia Montenegro.

Nadia Montenegro charged Annabelle Rama with libel and unjust vexation due to the latter's defamatory statements on Twitter, to which Annabelle was allegedly calling Nadia "piggy" several times. Annabelle, according to reports, also spread false rumors that Nadia has been seeing another man, and adding up Nadia's failure to pay debts.

Judge Eleuterio Bathan recommended a bail of P10,000 for each count of libel, or a total of P140,000.

Nadia Montenegro and Annabelle Rama's dispute started when Annabelle, the manager of Nadia's daughters, Alyanna and Annika Asistio allegedly made the two work more than the recommended hours, sometimes requiring them to miss school. 

Nadia's daughters filed a child abuse case against Annabelle however, the prosecutor's office junked the case saying there was no sufficient evidence found.

Photo courtesy of Yahoo! OMG

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Nadia Montenegro on Annabelle Rama: "She's not worth a tear"

Former actress Nadia Montenegro had her exclusive interview with Boy Abunda last Sunday, April 22 on The Buzz. In the said talk, Nadia shared her feelings about Annabelle Rama.

While narrating the story, Nadia was teary-eyed but she made sure that not a single tear drop from her eyes because according to her, Annabelle is not worth the tear.

Nadia Montenegro said it all started when she and her husband Boy Asistio trusted Rama to manage the careers of their two daughters who also wanted to try show business. During that time, she said she was really comfortable that nothing bad will ever happen to her kids because it was Rama who’s looking after them.

Nadia narrated that the problem started when she and Annabelle had an argument regarding the schedule of her daughters, to which from the very start was agreed upon to prioritize school and should only work during weekends. But soon that would not be the case.

Nadia narrated:

“When I told her na ‘Tita Annabelle nag-usap na kami ni Boy and then we decided na baka pupuwede namang mapag-usapan na natin ito. Patigilin na natin ang mga bata. Mag-aaral na lang sila.’ Hindi raw puwede kasi package deal daw sila ng mga talents daw niya. Hindi daw puwede kasi masisira daw pangalan niya sa ganito.” 

Asked why people should believe her stories, Montenegro said: 

“Totoo lang ang sinasabi ko. Kilala niyo kung anong klaseng babae ang kalaban ko. Patawarin nga ako ng Diyos, kung hindi lang ako si ako, ibang laban. Sabi ko nga matagal nang burado sa mundo itong taong ito. Pero hindi ganun. Gusto ko makita siyang naghihirap sa mga kasalanan niya.”

She also gave a message to Rama. 

“Annabelle you claim that you go to church everyday pero araw-araw mayroon ka ring sinusumpang tao. Araw-araw may sinasaktan kang tao. Nasa korte na tayo. Tama na,” 

Right after the interview aired, Rama was quick to air her side on Twitter.

“Demonyitang sinungaling! Napakapangit mo sa TV, mukha kang mangkukulam. Napakasinungaling mo,” she said.

Source: ABS-CBN News

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.