THE HOSTS IN STUDIO 23

BETTINNA

When you talk about refreshing, you gotta think of Bettinna Carlos.

Everybody's must be saying: "I know I've seen her somewhere, I just can't put a name to her face". But Bettinna is unfazed, she's got the people where she wants them. She may not be part of those star-search mills, and she may not be gracing any of the Sunday variety shows, but this 19-year beauty is quite happy with where she is now. And that where is not that bad at all.

She started in teen shows last 2003, and quickly established herself as a teen star who has real substance. Or maybe, that just comes all too natural for this 19-year old Atenean, as she got to be one of the hosts of a woman-empowering show at such a young age. After that came the prestigious invitation to be the lone host of Nickelodeon awards. That alone, should speak for what she has achieved in just a short span of time.

But Bettinna knows for herself that people shouldn't just be entertained with her talents, or her looks; but rather, if they just get to know her better, they will see a young girl, who's just as ordinary as any one of us, and who just wants to have the most out of her life.

If natural is what you're looking for, that's all you're gonna get from Bettinna now that she's part of Studio 23's newest and biggest show, PINOY DREAM ACADEMY ON STUDIO 23.

JC

He dreams that someday, everyone will listen to everything he says.

Well, JC Cuadrado's on the right track to realize that dream. This Wazzup Tadjock winner is very vocal on his ambition to be one of the best local male TV hosts. Considering the fact that there aren't that many good hosts around, but for him, that makes his chosen battlefield all the more interesting, and challenging.

He's been around having hosted Wazzup, Stardance, Showbiz #1, and CloseUp to Fame but he still feels it's not yet enough, and he's hungry for more. He's even keen to admit that he looks up to more established hosts like Boy Abunda, Edu Manzano, and Ryan Agoncillo, and his sincerest way of admiration is to actually surpass if not to come at par with'these gentlemen. What's scary about that is that he's got time on his side. JC knows that he's young, he's ready to learn, and he's all game in this business.

JC mixes his natural knack for talk, a smooth charismatic appeal, and that sometimes antipatiko, sometimes kakakilig humor to get what he wants out of you whether you're his guest in front of the camera, or you're just plainly making small talk with him. He makes it all look like effortless, making you feel like you know this guy somewhere, and you just have to talk to him.

This time, JC leads the newest show on Studio 23 "PINOY DREAM ACADEMY ON STUDIO 23" together with two of the most refreshing faces on television and music: Bettina Carlos and Sitti. And he promises to make good on this chance to show more of what he's got.

Ryan Seacrest you say? Never heard of him. This time, it's all about JC Cuadrado.

SITTI

OPM's current toast of the town is our newest kabarkada!

Sitti has never had it this good in her career. After recently receiving a gold record award for her breakthrough debut album "Café Bossa", she's well on her way to becoming a household name, and a fixture in anyone's radio request lineup or Ipod playlist. It's never easy to introduce a new kind of music and be good at it at your first try, but this twenty-year-old beauty did it, with her trademark ease and grace.

But this princess (Sitti means princess in Muslim dialect) is no stranger to extraordinary achievements. She graduated as a dean's lister in UP Diliman, with a degree in Business Economics. She also received every prestigious award there was while in high school, including the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo award. Now it can be safely said that there's more to her than just her voice for you to get intimidated with.

If you think finding both beauty and brains in a girl is just wishful thinking, think (and take a look at her) again. She won Miss Visayas in the "Miss Travel Girl Pageant" in 2001 and 1st runner-up in "search for Miss Silka" in 2004. A string of advertisement appearances soon followed. But it was in MTV's Supahstar where she became full-circle, as she bested other aspiring contestants to become part of that elite batch of promising new artists.

But it was through music that Sitti captured the ears, and hearts, of everyone. Having done the rounds in Metro's bars and music lounges, she slowly, but surely (and sweetly), crept into our consciousness with her copyright soothing voice, smooth slow dancing, and that ever-warming smile.

And now, everything that we've come to love about Sitti will be seen as she joins our barkada as the newest hostess of PINOY DREAM ACADEMY ON STUDIO 23. No longer a stranger to talent shows, she brings her personal stories about competition and how it's like to dream and to actually become a star. As if you aren't in the know our kabarkada's unmistakable voice, soothing charisma and that vibrant smile are more than enough to make your day feeling like a good cup of coffee. So enjoy Sitti only here at Studio 23!

Pinoy Dream Academy on Studio 23!

Pinoy Dream Academy on Studio 23 is the companion program of Channel 2's Pinoy Dream Academy, the biggest reality-based talent search in the history of Philippine television. PDA will showcase the competition between 16 talented contestants or "students" on many fronts, including singing prowess, song-writing ability, dancing and personality. At the end of the journey, one student will emerge from the academy as the ultimate total performer.

PDA on 23 is a 30-minute primetime show filled with youthful fun, witty features and interviews, exciting performances, and engaging interactive and on-site audience and viewers participation. Expect exclusive, extended and never-before-seen footage of the diffferent phases and facets of the students lives inside the academy.

Join the barkada led by the newest trio in town - the lovely BETTINNA CARLOS, up-and-coming bossanova diva SITTI and our very own JC CUADRADO. Kabarkada, Sikat Ka!

Charo Santos: I choose my battles

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 01:45am (Mla time) 06/26/2006

CHARO SANTOS, ABS-CBN executive vice president and channel head, was discussing a favorite book, Bill Carter's “Desperate Networks,” when talks turned to "originality" in television.

Santos said: “The genres are [still] the same: drama, sitcom, talk show, variety, talent search. How you tweak it [makes the difference]. In the end, [success lies] in the way your show's characters connect with the viewers. It's in the writing, in the storytelling.”

Controversial
Inquirer Entertainment was reminded of a controversial statement from Wilma Galvante, GMA 7 senior vice president for entertainment, who insisted in a June 15 story that the Kapuso channel "doesn't need to buy [a foreign franchise and] to get other people's ideas."
The question begged to be asked: Can anyone still claim originality in the world of television.
Maloli K. Espinosa, vice president for Government, Corporate Affairs and PR, picked it up: "No one has a monopoly on originality."

Santos demurred: "Here come the intrigues … I read that story and all I can say is, more power! Kudos to those who can come up with original ideas. There is room for everyone. It's best to focus our energies on improving the quality of our [existing] programs. Kanya-kanya 'yan (We each have our own styles). Let's think of the best strategies for our respective networks."
Pressed to comment on Galvante's opinions, Santos said, shrugging: "She's my kumare (friend). The next time I see her, I'll tease her about that."

She said she was not easily provoked.

"I've been through a lot. It’s been a very painful journey these past two years," Santos said. "ABS-CBN went through a crisis, followed by the Ultra tragedy… At this point, I've realized that one has to choose one’s battles. You cannot just quarrel with everyone. I still believe that rivalry can be healthy; it doesn't have to be destructive."

But what is her stand on franchising?

"I'm all for it. If there's a good concept from abroad that could be a hit among our viewers, I don't see anything wrong … in tweaking it to suit our culture and the needs of our viewers."
She offered "Pinoy Big Brother" as example. "Abroad, 'Big Brother' is kinda soft-porn, but we've given it a different [personality]."

Since ABS-CBN couldn't possibly focus on sex, Santos said, "We centered on the housemates' personalities. You may nave noticed that the big winners of 'PBB' have all shown strength of character and courage. They stand for something."

And they're all women.


More resilient
"What can say? Women are more resilient, patient and nurturing," she said, laughing.
She volunteered that majority of Kapamilya loyalists is, in fact, composed of women. "We have a large segment of A-B-C females … those with purchasing power. Mothers decide what to buy for the home."

She insisted that "Pinoy Dream Academy," the latest incarnation of "PBB," was not cooked up as a direct competitor of another foreign franchise, "Philippine Idol" on ABC 5.

"'PDA' is based on Endemol's 'Star Academy' and TV Azteca's 'La Academia.’ We're getting the best ingredients from the two concepts, but we're improvising and whipping up our own version. We first looked into 'Academy' three to four years ago," she said.

The "Idol" franchise was initially offered to ABS-CBN, Santos confirmed.

"It was during the time of [former network president] Freddie Garcia, but we had some problems ... we couldn't make expensive calls then," she said, chuckling.

Kapamilya's game plan is to go global, she pointed out.

"When it comes to programming, we are addressing not only our viewers in the Philippines, but also Filipinos all over the world. And we're not limiting ourselves to TFC (The Filipino Channel) subscribers. Ten countries in Africa have bought our soaps. 'Pangako sa 'Yo' and 'Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas' are popular in Kenya. Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa are big stars in Malaysia."

Balancing act
She also observed that Kapamilya viewers in "North America prefer drama to fantaseryes."
"I need to constantly strike a balance between local and foreign audiences. Our prime time programming is a balancing act," she said.

Speaking of which, she reiterated that the network's initiative to move "Bandila" (the late-night newscast) to 10:30 p.m. was an attempt to "respond to viewer feedback" and attain balance—that word again—in programming.

"I believe that one hour of news (when viewers are still awake) within 20 hours of programming is not enough. Now, we'll have Current Affairs shows three nights a week. Entertainment took only two nights: Monday (for "OK Fine … Oh Yes") and Friday (for "Aalog-Alog"). This shouldn't be seen as a rivalry between News and Entertainment."

As overall channel manager, she said she was expected to see the big picture. "I value the same things as the News people: information and analysis of issues."

Requirements for Pinoy Dream Academy:

Qualifications:

-between 18-27 years old (with birthdays not later than August 1988 and not earlier than December 1978) at the time of the Pinoy Dream Academy premiere
-conversant in basic Filipino language and of Filipino lineage
-in good health
-Exceptional talent in singing and star quality

Documents to bring to the auditions:

-One (1) recent 5” x 7” colored close-up photo
-One (1) recent 5” x 7” colored full body picture
-Original or Certified True Copy and photocopy of Birth Certificate
-Any two (2) valid identification documents with photo (driver’s license, passport, social security, company ID, etc.)

Other requirements:
-Applicants should be ready to travel to the Philippines and stay there from August 01 until December 31 2006.
-One MUST NOT have any of the following if chosen as one of the Global Student: a contract for talent representation (for example, a talent agent or manager); a music recording contract; an acting and/or modeling contract; a merchandising agreement; or, any other contractual arrangement that would prohibit the chosen student from entering into a management contract, recording contract, talent contract, acting contract and/or merchandising contract.
-Medical and Psychological Tests (for chosen Global Student)
-Background Checks (for chosen Global Student) Employees, shareholders, officers, directors, agents, representatives, and their immediate family members and those living in the same household of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, ABS-CBN Global Ltd, ABS-CBN Australia Pty Ltd, ABS-CBN Middle East FZ LLC, ABS-CBN Europe, ABS-CBN International, production personnel for the television program, corporate sponsors or any person or entity connected with the production, administration or judging of the auditions, or any of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents or representatives are not eligible.

The Pinoy Dream Academy Song Writing Competition

Pinoy Dream Academy, the biggest reality show soon to hit the Philippines will not only give a chance to aspiring Filipino singers around the world but also to composers and lyricists too!

Songwriters can now be a part of Endemol’s latest franchise to ABS-CBN for their music can be one of the 16 songs that will be featured on the show. Fame and fortune is just a song away. P100,000 and a plaque each await the lucky 16 finalists!

The song writing contest is open to Filipinos worldwide, whether they be amateur or professional musicians. A maximum of two (2) entries are allowed per person and the song can be of any genre (ex. pop, rock, reggae, RnB etc.). All songs must be original and can be in English and Filipino. Entries must be submitted by registered mail, hand delivery or online.

For entries to be submitted by registered mail or hand delivery, all the requirements placed in a long brown envelope are:

- duly accomplished entry form
- 10 type written copies of the lyrics sheet
- photo of composer(s) and/or lyricist(s)
- CD containing 2 tracks of the same song


Send or deliver to:

The Dream Songwriting Competition Star Songs Inc., 2nd Floor ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, Mother Ignacia St., South Triangle 1100, Quezon City, Philippines
Online entries must consist of:

- scanned duly accomplished entry form in PDF format
- lyrics sheet in word format
- 2x2 photos of contestant(s) in PDF format
- MP3 file of the song

Email all to: dream@abs-cbn.com

All entries must be received by July 31, 2006 at 6:00 PM (Manila time).

The PDA secretariat is open from 10 AM to 6 PM.

The schedules of PBB and Pinoy Dream Academy auditions nationwide are as follows:

9:00 AM TO 3:00 PM

June 10 - Dagupan
June 11 - Baguio
June 13 - Davao
June 16 - Legaspi
June 17 - SM Manila (City of Manila)
June 18 - SM North (Quezon City)
June 20 - Bacolod
June 21 - Iloilo
June 24 - SM Sucat
June 25 - SM Southmall
June 27 - Cebu

Overseas:
July 08 - Sydney
July 14 - Dubai
July 22 - Milan
July 29 - Tokyo
Aug 05 - San Francisco