One of the Philippines's favourite on-screen couples will reunite for a new film this year. Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz made the announcement last weekend while promoting the DVD release of One More Chance, the 2007 blockbuster that catapulted them to superstar success. Filmmaker Cathy Garcia-Molina, who directed One More Chance, will also helm the new movie. "Is this a part two, or a sequel? Or is this going to be another story? Even Bea and I have no idea," Cruz said. "We'll leave it to Star Cinema to make the announcement." One More Chance, produced by the film studio Star Cinema, was the highest grossing Philippine movie of 2007. In December last year, its two star actors were photographed revisiting one of the locations where it was filmed, triggering speculation that a sequel might be in the pipeline. News of the pair's big-screen reunion was well-received by delighted fans on social media. Alonzo said she has been heartened by the audience's support, eight years after the release of the first film. "Of course it's exciting that they're clamouring [for a sequel], that they want it," she said. "But it makes me nervous because we don't want to disappoint."
Young contestants battle in The Voice
The Voice Kids Philippines continued with another week of battles, as celebrity coaches Lea Salonga, Bamboo Mañalac and Sarah Geronimo pitted three of their singers against each other in the competition. This week's highlight battle featured the contestants Altair Aguelo, Romeo Espino and brothers Emmanuel and Sandy Tanio, who performed the hit Bruno Mars song Billionaire. After the Tanio brothers struggled to sing in English during rehearsals, their coach Mañalac thought of translating their part of the song into Filipino. (Incidentally, Bruno Mars's mother is of Filipino descent.) Their performance, which quickly started trending on Twitter, earned a standing ovation from the coaches. In the end, Mañalac chose Aguelo, an 11-year-old Filipino-American, to progress to the next round of competition, the Sing-Offs. Also winning their battles were Amira Medina and Gian Ale (for Team Sarah) and Jhyleanne Rington and Akisha Sianson (for Team Lea). The Voice Kids continues to be this season's ratings leader. It is the most watched programme on Philippine television, according to separate reports by market research firms AGB Nielsen and Kantar Media.
Jessica Sanchez returning to Manila
American Idol sensation Jessica Sanchez will return to Manila for a concert on Sunday. The 19-year-old singer, whose father is Mexican and mother is Filipino, was the runner-up in the 11th season of the popular US TV singing contest. Titled Up Close and Personal, her concert will be at the City of Dreams complex in the Philippine capital. It will be Sanchez's second time performing in Manila, following her first gig there in 2013. Sanchez recently signed a contract with Endemol Beyond USA to be featured in the network's forthcoming programmes.
Concert updates: Spandau Ballet and Madonna
Spandau Ballet are coming to Manila for the first time. The English 1980s new-wave band, featuring Tony Hadley, John Keeble, Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp and Steve Norman, are set to perform at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on September 21, as part of their Soulboys of the Western World tour. Madonna, meanwhile, is adding a second date to the Manila leg of her forthcoming tour. It was announced last week that she would be performing in the Philippines for the first time on February 24 next year, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, as part of her Rebel Heart tour. Following high demand for tickets from Filipino fans, organiser Music Management International Live has added a second show on February 25.
Mejia evicted as Big Brother introduces twist
After a 42-day stay, Zonia Mejia was evicted from the Big Brother house last weekend after receiving the lowest number of audience votes. It was a star-studded week for the housemates as the actor Enchong Dee entered the house to live with them as a celebrity guest. Dee, who cannot be voted out, is expected to remain until the end of the season. Actors Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta and Bea Alonzo also dropped by for an afternoon visit, which thrilled the contestants. The trio's appearance was partly a publicity stunt for their new film, the romantic drama The Love Affair. A game-changing twist was also announced by Big Brother, known in the Philippine edition as Kuya: this week an entirely new batch of housemates are set to enter the house and join the remaining six.
Will established alliances divide the current crop and the newcomers? Stay tuned. This is the 12th season and 10-year anniversary of Pinoy Big Brother, a franchise of the Dutch reality game show.
artslife@thenational.ae